At nearly three kilometres, Eagle Run Trail is one of the longer and smoother hikes in our community.
It starts at Mamquam River near the municipal work yard and goes north on the river dike to end at Eagle Run Drive in south Brackendale.
The trail is not continuous, as it should be, due to a 300-metre section that has been fenced off on the top of the dike to preserve some residential privacy.
The centrepiece of this trail is the Eagle viewing area off Government Road opposite the Easter Seal Camp.
Every year since 1985, volunteers are stationed on the dike to answer questions and explain the life cycle of eagles and salmon. From November to February each year, the magnificent bald eagles congregate on the west side of the Squamish River in the provincial park solely dedicated to them.
For various reasons, the number of eagles differs each year, from a high of 3,769 in 1994 to 447 last year. Visitors are always delighted to see any eagles. The cadre of volunteers is in need of being augmented and the Squamish Environmental Society will gladly accept new people. (Contact them at www.squamishenvironment.ca.)
Critical habitat preserved
The 755-hectare Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park preserves critical habitat for the wintering bald eagles.
The riparian area on the west bank of the Squamish River provides good roosting and perching sites. This park is closed to all human activity from the end of October to early March, so as not to impact the eagles during their winter feeding time.
The leafless deciduous cottonwoods and alders give clear sightlines for the eagles to spot salmon moving upstream to nearby spawning streams. The prolific runs of chum, coho and chinook salmon are well spread out over the four months and this enables the eagles to stay healthy until their summer feeding sites in the interior become ice free.
This locale is still one of the best urban sites to watch these magnificent birds in their natural environment. Keen local involvement led to the official formation of the park in 1996 and formal approval in 1999.
Chief among the local protagonist were Thor and Dorte Froslev of the Brackendale Art Gallery, who have been advocating for eagles since arriving in 1972. They have operated an eagle aide station and have hosted the annual eagle count throughout the past four decades.
With help from The Nature Conservancy and local companies, they were able to build the viewing kiosks on the dike. Their overdue retirement will place some strain on the eagle programs.
Sacred bird
Bald eagles have white heads but they are not bald. The description stems from an ancient English expression which described white haired people as bald.
Eagles are monogamous, mate for life and raise two to four chicks each year depending on the amount of food available. Their average life span is 30 years and the female is about 20 per cent larger than the male.
Their strong beak and talons are hooked, which enables eagles to rip open the hard skin of the salmon. Plumage is brown until their fourth year when a white head and tail appear. Mature birds have an average wingspan of two metres.
They build the largest nest, up to three metres wide, of any bird in North America in tall 20-metre trees within 300 metres of a stream or river. The bald eagle is a sacred bird to most indigenous people and certainly so to the Squamish Nation, who use the feathers in many cultural events. This wise and noble bird represents power and prestige.
Protect the bald eagles
Important Bird Areas are located throughout the world and we have two such sites in our community: The estuary and Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park.
Disturbance by humans and their pets has a detrimental effect on eagles because it disrupts their feeding and forces them to expend precious calories by taking flight unnecessarily. People should not approach within 100 metres, should be reasonably quiet and should keep pets on leash and under strict control.
Diminishing habitat also threatens the survival of these magnificent birds. We all need to help, in even the smallest way possible, with the survival of wildlife.
Eagle Run Trail
Sightings of bald eagles are guaranteed during the spawning period from November to February. Origin of name: A run is an area where animals are able to be free. Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park is the “run” for bald eagles.
Trailhead: At the kiosk on the dike opposite Easter Seal Camp.
Use: Multi-use non-motorized.
Difficulty: Easy green.
Elevation: 10 to 11 metres.
Etiquette: Respect private property and stay on the trail.
Feedback: [email protected].
