We are midway through January. The festive lights are packed away, and the days are often grey and wet. But if you look up towards the tops of the cottonwood trees along our rivers, you’ll see that nature is putting on one of its most spectacular displays of the year.
January in the Lower Mainland isn’t just “rainy season”—it is Eagle Season.
Right now, our region is hosting one of the largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in the world. From the Squamish Valley to the Fraser Delta, thousands of these raptors have arrived for a winter feast.
Why Are They Here?
It’s all about the timing. The major salmon runs of the autumn have finished, leaving behind thousands of spent carcasses in the shallows of rivers like the Squamish, the Harrison, and the Fraser. For us, it’s a part of the life cycle we don’t often see. For the eagles, it is an essential, high-energy buffet that helps them survive the bitter winter.
Spotting the “Imposters”
If you head out to view them, you might see large, dark brown birds mixing in with the iconic white-headed eagles. These aren’t a different species—they are juveniles.
- The Transformation: A Bald Eagle doesn’t get its signature white head and tail until it is about 4 or 5 years old. The mottled brown youngsters are just “teenagers” waiting for their adult colours to come in.
How to Watch Respectfully
Eagle viewing is a fantastic weekend activity, but it comes with a strict set of rules to keep the birds safe.
- Stay in Your Car (or on the Dyke): Eagles are skittish. If you get too close and force an eagle to fly away, you are forcing it to burn precious calories it needs to stay warm. The car acts as a perfect “blind.”
- Silence is Golden: Loud voices and slamming car doors can flush an entire tree of eagles. Keep it quiet to see natural behaviour.
- Leave the Drone at Home: Drones are seen as predators or threats. Flying one near eagles causes immense stress and can separate parents from their young.
So, if the January greys are getting you down, grab a pair of binoculars and head to the river. Seeing a dozen of these kings and queens perched silently in the mist is a powerful reminder that winter is undeniably alive.
Happy Eagle Watching!