Each winter, a significant number of bald eagles migrate to the lower Fraser Valley, creating what biologists describe as the largest gathering of eagles in the world.
The annual phenomenon is currently taking place along the Harrison River, where the return of salmon is attracting eagles from distant places like Alaska and Yukon.
Between November and February, the Harrison Mills area becomes a temporary feeding site for these birds as water bodies in the north freeze over, according to David Hancock, a seasoned bald eagle researcher.
Hancock, the founder of Hancock Wildlife Foundation focusing on raptor conservation, explained, “Most of these eagles breed in the north and come here to avoid the harsh winter conditions. When lakes and rivers freeze in Yukon, Alaska, and northern British Columbia, their food source disappears beneath the ice, prompting them to migrate south.”
Thousands of eagles have flocked to the Fraser Valley. The annual migration sees the birds gather in the Harrison Mills area to feast on salmon. Our Baneet Braich went to witness the seasonal spectacle.
It is estimated that 35,000 to 50,000 bald eagles pass through the region during each winter season.
Experts note that with the current peak of the salmon run, the conditions are optimal for the eagles.
Ornithologist Rob Butler, honorary director of the Pacific Wildlife Foundation, stated, “We are right in the middle of the major salmon run, and naturally, the eagles have returned. If the salmon run is successful, the eagles will stay for an extended period along these rivers.”
During periods when the river lacks sufficient salmon, Butler mentioned that the eagles move to the coastal areas along the Salish Sea to hunt for ducks for the rest of the winter.
“The ducks, of course, hope for a substantial salmon run,” he added.
The Harrison River stands out as one of Canada’s most productive salmon rivers, making it a focal point for this migration compared to other locations in the province, Butler highlighted.
‘An Impressive Recovery’
The annual congregation of eagles also serves as a testament to the remarkable rebound of bald eagle populations since their decline in the mid-20th century, according to both experts.
Hancock’s surveys in the 1950s and 60s identified only three breeding pairs across the Fraser Valley. Today, he reports approximately 700 pairs, marking a significant recovery.
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