Organizer Thor Froslev was “elated” with the results of Sunday’s 28th annual bald eagle count in Brackendale.
Late in the afternoon, even though all the results were still not in, more than 1,000 of the magnificent raptors had been counted by about 70 volunteers that were out and about in the area.
The volunteers, who are usually experienced bird-watchers, work in teams that go out on rafts, in a kayak and hike about 40 kilometres of trails.
All of this results in an unofficial survey on the health of the eagles, which congregate in the area to feed on salmon in the Squamish River.
The numbers cheered Froslev.
“It’s a great sign,” he said.
Froslev had been concerned about the birds over fears of the affects of sea lice from fish farms on chum salmon, the eagles’ primary food at this time of year.
“That’s detrimental to the chum salmon,” contended Froslev.
The average count of birds in the area is around 1,000 and it makes great viewing for walkers on the dikes in the area outside of Squamish.
The counters are often veterans of the task.
“Some of the people have been going to the same area for 20 years,” said Froslev.
Despite that, he admitted the count could have an error of plus- or-minus five per cent.
But at least the conditions Sunday weren’t a problem.
“It’s not snowing or raining,” said Froslev. “It’s perfect.”
