According to early reports, it could be a busy year for eagles coming to Squamish and that means the annual Eagle Watch will need to add some volunteers.
Local environmentalist John Buchannan told the group of Eagle Watch volunteers gathered at the Adventure Centre on Sunday (Nov. 25) that a record number of chum salmon have come to spawn.
Eagle interpreter shifts take place every Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 1 to Feb. 2 and run from either 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Organizers are asking for a three-shift minimum from each volunteer.
Organizer Meg Toom praised the Squamish Environment Society Board (SES) and Dr. Judith Knapp for their assistance in keeping the program going despite this year's funding challenges.
"There were some doubts as to whether the program would run this year, but thanks to the dedication and collaboration of the SES and guidance from Dr. Judith Knapp, we are able to continue connecting Squamish residents and visitors to nature, and our amazing bald eagles," she stated.
Earlier this year, Squamish Savings, which had been the main funder for the program, decided to move funding to other causes in the community. The lack of funds has left the Eagle Watch program with limited cash for this year, which is why volunteers are needed now more than ever.
Eagle Watch is a volunteer community-based interpretive program to help visitors at the Eagle Run viewing area understand the eagles and salmon life cycle, and to get a close-up view through telescopes.
Last year saw 655 eagles counted, up from 627 in 2011. The highest count remains in 1994, when 3,769 of the birds were spotted.
For more information on the Eagle Watch, contact Toom at [email protected].
