First, the Good! Earlier this week Mike and Diana Seear were at the Harrison River, and while only 695 eagles were counted on the flats this is a good number so early in the season. What is more important, the side creeks and rivers were loaded with spawning Chum Salmon. Super.
The Harrison from Sandpiper Bald Eagle Observatory Nov 7 – 82 eagles in view! A small but good start.
Even the Creek running out on the Sandpiper Golf Course, right at the Bald Eagle Observatory was loaded. So, you get not just a wonderful view of eagles from the world’s best eagle observatory, but you can stand quietly at the creek-side and watch the miracle of life be consummated as the Chum spawn in front of you. If the fish continue, the eagles will accumulate, perhaps at least a 1,000 per week. Remember, normally December 12 builds up to the peak of the northern breeders ARRIVAL. Then they disperse, largely down the Fraser to the Coast. The numbers slowly decrease as the spawners die out, wash down-stream to be sucked-up by the sturgeon, and are eaten by the eagles.
Boy, after a Heat Dome and 3 years of Avian Influenza, the eagles need some easy fattening up before returning north to breed starting February and March. And of course, our local breeders get a few dead spawners in every little creek and ditch throughout the valley.
THE DOWNER
As many of you know, I have gone through many years of recovering from knee replacements. Now, just above the knee I have come down with an active Bone-skin cancer. I start radiation this week. This has been a major disruption the past summer and fall and appears this challenge, now that it has been identified, is going to continue for some time.
I have not had the energy to reactivate the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival so no formal FVBEF events have been organized. Fortunately, the Harrison Tourism Board has risen to fill in the gap so watch their web site for some events. I will be trying to continue making trips and counts out along the Harrison as the season progresses so I may well see you there. I am sorry we have not yet activated a series of more formal events. I have a small but needing to expand FVBEF Committee, but I simply did not have the energy to get it functional – sorry.
HELP NEEDED!
So here is my request — well requests!! We definitely need one or two volunteers, perhaps with a travel budget provided, to help coordinate our annual Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring this season. We have 4 Cities with specific contracts that need some definite additional help (Mission & Chilliwack), while in Surrey and Vancouver we do have a wonderful set of Monitors, we need someone to coordinate this on the Master Data Base. The key times of observation are:
(a) now, establishing the active nest territories as the leaves are off the trees, thru egg laying,
(b) record of nests that have active egg-laying and incubation birds, Feb thru April, and then,
(c) the number of chicks fledged, June thru July period.
We could use several more Monitors for the entire Valley and, most importantly, a Coordinator – either a few volunteers provided with some expense money or perhaps full-time salaried HWF Executive Director to replace me – as I retire off into the sunset!! PLEASE call me if you can help or have a suggestion. 604 761-1025.
Also, I need a person or persons living out along the Harrison to help coordinate our new FVBEF Committee. Please call me if you have a few hours a year to contribute.
Chin up and good eagle watching.
Love to All,
david
P.S.: Myles and I just returned from a week along the Texas Gulf Coast installing two of our nests on poles – our success at these installations is becoming world-wide.
P.S. We are so lucky to have JudyB, Myles Lamont and the host of Zoomers and Moderators helping with answering any of your questions. – thanks all. dh.
Harrison with David on the right!!