The eagles have landed at Goldstream Provincial Park.
Already dozens of eagles have set up camp in the estuary. They are hanging out in the trees and swooping in the water to eat salmon carcasses that have washed in.
“The eagles are increasing in numbers … there are more here than last year,” said Tracey Bleackley, park naturalist. “They are all here for the all-you-can-eat buffet.”
While the eagles are already feasting, the salmon are still swimming up stream to spawn.
“There are still lots of salmon in the river,” Bleackley said. “The run is not over.”
The estuary is located near the nature house and it is the best place to watch the eagles. The best time to watch them is during low tide, Bleackley said.
The eagles will continue to increase in numbers throughout the month. Near the end of December and beginning of January is when the eagle numbers peak.
Seeing eagles together is very uncommon, but “they are opportunist eaters,” Bleackley said. “They are never together at any other time of year.”
Eagles of all ages can been seen in the park from young eagles just learning to fly to other eagles in courtship.
For more information call the Goldstream Nature House 250-478-9414. The nature house is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Dec. 25.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
