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Fauna · Canada

Bald Eagle Winter Gathering — Squamish

Hundreds of bald eagles gather along the Squamish River each winter to feast on salmon — one of the most spectacular raptor congregations in North America.

When
Nov — Mar, peak Dec — Jan
Best viewing
Expect riverside viewing of large numbers of bald eagles perched in trees and diving for salmon, best during cold winter mornings from December through January.
Category
Fauna
Status
Returns Jan 2027

About this spectacle

Each winter, Squamish becomes one of the most dramatic raptor gatherings in North America as hundreds of bald eagles descend on the Squamish River estuary and surrounding wetlands to feed on spawned-out salmon. Visitors scan riverbanks and bare cottonwood branches to find eagles perched shoulder to shoulder, their white heads and tails vivid against grey winter skies. The air fills with the calls of competing birds, and the sight of multiple eagles diving toward the river simultaneously is unforgettable. The Brackendale area, just north of Squamish, is the traditional focal point. Cold, crisp winter mornings provide the clearest light and most active feeding behaviour, making this one of the most accessible and rewarding wildlife encounters on the British Columbia coast.

When to go

Nov — Mar, peak Dec — Jan

Getting there

Nearest airport: YVR. Nearest city: Vancouver.

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