How many eagles soared over the Squamish River Valley this winter?
Thanks to a sunny day and 64 eager volunteers, the Brackendale Winter Eagle Count tallied 1,288 eagles on Jan. 5, 2025.
It’s the highest count since 2007 and a hopeful sign for the local eagle population.
“This was probably the best weather we’ve ever had for a count,” said Christopher Di Corrado, one of the count organizers with the Squamish Environment Society.
“It was great to see so many people—from right here in Brackendale and even as far away as Vancouver—come together for this tradition.”
A community effort
With binoculars in hand and maps in their packs, volunteers headed out to 17 zones along the Squamish and Stawamus rivers.
The warm weather and low water levels made it easier to access areas that are usually blocked by snow, helping teams cover more ground.
“This was our biggest count in the last four years,” Di Corrado said. “The coho salmon run was really strong, so the eagles had plenty of food. That’s always a good sign for the health of the ecosystem.”
While the numbers didn’t quite match the 39-year average of 1,319, they show a steady climb compared with recent years- 996 in 2024, 916 in 2023, and 799 in 2022.
Volunteers counted adults, with their striking white heads and tails, and juveniles, still brown and growing into their iconic look. In some spots, like Ashlu and Elaho, teams estimated up to 200 more eagles that they couldn’t officially tally.
Eagle watch
For decades, the count has been about more than just numbers. It’s also a chance to teach people about the eagles and how to watch them responsibly.
This is where the Eagle Watch program shines.
“Eagle Watch started as an education program, with volunteers on weekends teaching people how to respect the eagles,” said Katelyn West, another organizer.
“But during COVID, it grew into something bigger—a citizen science program where we started doing daily counts.”
From November to early January, volunteers come out twice a day to monitor the birds and share tips with visitors.
They also remind people—especially photographers—to give the eagles space so they can feed and rest without being disturbed.
“This year, the peak eagle viewing was in November, with 78 spotted in one day,” West said. “Now, most of them are moving upriver, following the last of the salmon runs.”
A team effort
The count wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), who allow access to their ancestral lands, or the Brackendale Art Gallery, which reopened its doors this year after renovations.
The gallery has long been the heart of the count, offering volunteers a place to gather, plan, and share stories.
“It felt like a real comeback year,” Di Corrado said. “Having the gallery back, the strong turnout, and the perfect weather, it all came together beautifully.”
A raft team led by Luke Irwin and supported by Instream Fisheries Research, also played a big role. “The rafters covered some of the harder-to-reach spots and made a huge difference,” Di Corrado added.
Looking ahead
While 1,288 eagles is far from the record 3,769 counted in 1994, the upward trend is encouraging.
“This isn’t just about counting birds,” West said. “It’s about connecting with nature, working together, and making sure these incredible animals have a future.”
For more details and the count’s full history, visit Results for the 39th Brackendale Winter Eagle Count: January 5, 2025 – Squamish Environment Society.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
