It was a perfect counting day, starting at 1 degree with clearing skies.
64 volunteers were assigned to cover 17 areas to be counted, from the Upper Squamish to downtown Squamish, and from Paradise Valley to the Stawamus River. Once again, Instream Fisheries Research made a raft available, and this enhanced our ability to cover several areas.
The final count was 1288 and yes, we are pleased! This is our highest count since 2007 and is approaching the 38-year average of 1318.
Counts were good for all areas. The coho run was particularly good this year, and counters reported that there is still lots of fish available in the Upper Squamish. Fish were even reported in the Stawamus River. The availability of salmon should keep eagles in our area for some time yet.
Water levels in the rivers and channels were low, which provided good access for counters although the high tide was challenging for those counting in the Estuary. With the good visibility, counters were able to recognize that there were many more birds than could be counted, particularly in the Ashlu and Elaho. They estimated that there could have been as many as 200 more birds than were counted.
The rafters reported seeing elk on the road in the Upper Squamish.
Christopher Di Corrado and Carl Halvorson, the Eagle Count organizers, have asked us to extend big thanks to:
- The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw for granting us access to count on their ancestral territory.
- All the volunteers who return each year and the new ones who helped for the first time.
- Adrian, Jess, Jon and Lou at the Brackendale Art Gallery, for making our traditional headquarters available once again.
- Luke Irwin for organizing the rafting team and Instream Fisheries Research who provided a raft and all the related gear.
Watch here for more photos to be added as they come in.
Photo above, courtesy of Carl Halvorson, shows the top of the traditional count board