In winter, eagles flock to Brackendale, north of Vancouver. Photo courtesy of winkyintheuk (flickr).
Winter is eagle season along British Columbia’s Howe Sound.
From mid-November through early February, the Squamish River Valley, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) north of Vancouver, provides a winter habitat for thousands of bald eagles – one of the largest congregations of wintering eagles in North America. In one record-setting year, volunteers counted 3,769 eagles in the area.
Here are our tips on how to go eagle watching and other seasonal things to do nearby.
Where to Eagle-Watch
The eagles congregate outside the town of Squamish around the Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park. Though you might expect this 1,500-acre parkland to be a major destination for eagle-watchers, the park itself is actually closed to visitors from October through March – to provide a protected habitat for the birds.
However, you can watch the eagles from across the river along the municipal dyke in the Eagle Run Park, which has several viewing areas with interpretive panels. Bring binoculars if you have them, although even without any special equipment, you can easily spot these birds, particularly as they soar overhead, with wingspans that can range from 6-7 feet.
During the peak eagle season in December and January, volunteer interpreters staff the Eagle Run viewing area on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:30am and 3:30pm. To reach the eagle viewing area, coming from Vancouver, take Highway 99 north into Squamish; turn left (west) onto Mamquam Road from Highway 99 and then go right (north) on Government Road toward Brackendale.
What’s Nearby?
In the Squamish area, you can also visit the Britannia Mine Museum, where you can explore British Columbia’s mining history, take a train into an actual mine tunnel, and try your hand panning for gold.
Or continue north to Whistler, North America’s largest snowsports resort. Besides skiing and snowboarding, you can take a guided Whistler snowshoe adventure or check out more ideas for Whistler Day Trips from Vancouver.
