| Count on th

By Neville Judd
Contributing Writer

ON a typically bitter
Squamish Novernber
morning, dressed for
the cold and looking
like a muppet, I can’t
help thinking I’m
being looked down
upon.

The bald cagles of
Brackendale must think it
odd, the sight of pasty-faced
tourists, dressed in orange life
jackets aud perched perilously
on the rim of a bright yellow
dinghy.

The bald eagle is a civilized
bird and its social hierarchy is
simple. Leaders assume the
highest perch in the tree. Pairs
mate for life, though affairs
are possible and happen usual-
fy in the first year of “mar-
riage.”

‘They are birds of precision,
down to their eating habits.
While guils rip indiscniminate-
ly through rotting salmon car-
casses, bald eagles first eat the
eyes, then, via a swift incision,
scoop out the brain.

According to researchers
documenting bald cagles’
behavior: in the area, water
traffic is the lesser of human
distractions to the bird and
the feast obtrusive method of
observing them.

Two minutes into our voy-
age down the Cheakamus
River a bald eagle sitting on a
sagging Cottonwood branch
spots our boat. The excite-
ment of the encounter appears
to be one-sided. The air is
rank from the smell of rotting
chum on numerous gravel
bars, a precursor to the hun-
dreds of bald eagles we will
witness in the next 90 min-

utes. —

The birds have been com-
ing for as long as the salmon
have come to spawn.

In 1994 more than 3,700
bald cagles were counted on a
single January day on the
Squamish River, the largest
concentration of the species
anywhere on earth. By the

time we reach the Squamish
River there are bald cagles in
every direction, three or four
to A Uree, sometimes more.

On seeing us a few ily from
view but the majority: remain,
regal in their perches and eve-
ing their next meal. Berween
now and February they will
gorge themselves, devouring
up toa tenth of their body
weight in fish each day — up
to half a kilogram's worth
CLT Ibs.

By journev’s end, estimates
of the bald eagles seen vary
between 500 and 800
depending on which boat's
crew you believe. The num-
bers don’t matter if you've
seen no more than a couple
before.

That so many bald cagles
flock to a nine-kilometre (5.6
mile) stretch of river each year
is the subject of much scientif-
ic research. Whether they will
continue to come is the sub-
ject of greater debate, particu-
larly in Squamish.

Helicopter logging is tak-
ing place on the west bank of
the Squamish River where
eagles have previously been
largely undisturbed; an
American airline wants to
offer a scheduled service into
Squamish; the impact on
salmon habitat from waste
discharge by Whistler resort
into the Cheakamus is
thought to be a potential
threat to the bald eagle; but
for continuing education of
the public, tourism might also
leave its impression on future
eagle populations.

If you go: Rivers and
Oceans (1-800-360-7238)
offers trips like the one
described here through two
ecological reserves on the
Cheakamus and Squamish
rivers in safe and stable river
crafts.

The $79 cost includes an
informative walk, guided
float, and a hot funch at the
Brackendale Art Gallery.

A package is available
including a night’s accommo-
dation at the Howe Sound
Inn in Squamish.

Sunday, January 12, 1997 — North Shore News - 43

Squamish

BIRDERS of a feather will be flocking together on the Squamish Dyke
today for the annual Brakendale Eag!e Count. in 1994, volunteers count-
ed 3,766 bald eagles nestled in the trees along the Squamish River
(above) and soaring over the river bank in search of food.

SUN., JAN. 12

Nar-Anon, a 12-step progrars and
support group for family and
friends of peopic with drug prob-
lems, meets every Sunday, 7 p.m.,
176 East 2nd St., N.V. Info: 922-
4294 or 434-1553.

North Shore Menopause
Information Centre, 1940
Lonsdale Ave., N.V., offers a drop-
in resource centre and information
facility for women with questions
er concerns about menopause. For
more information, call the
Helpline: 985-5879,

A SD

MON., JAN. 13

North Shore Toastmasters mects
every Monday evening at 7:15
p.m. at the West Van United
Church. Start the New Year off by
enhancing your confidence & per-
sonal growth in a supportive &
positive environment. develop
communication and leadership &
good public speaking skills. Guests
welcome at all meetings. Info:
Patrick 922-6960 or Eileen 988-
9641.

Delbrook Community Center,
has bridge Monday and Thursday
afternoons at: 12::30-3p.m.
Everyone welcome. Info: 987-
7529,

Bosom Buddies begins January
27, 1997 ac the Deibrook Church
Lounge, 555 W. Windsor Rd. The
topic of the evening is low fat veg-
etarian cooking “Earth Save.”
Everyone welcome. For further
into: Carol 987-0396.

North Shore First Aid Society is
available to provide first-aid ser-
vices during community events
and gatherings. Info: Haydee Mill,
990-5486,

The Osteoporosis Society North
Shore Support Group meets on
the third Monday of each manth,
7 pam. WAV Seniors’ Activity
Centre. ,

Federation of
Women, West
meets the third

Canadian
Universiry
Vancouver,

Monday of each month, W.V.
Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m. Info:
922-7358.

TUES., JAN. 14

Scottish Country Pancing,
Carisbrooke School, = North
Vancouver, Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Info: Helen 987-5450.

North Shore Mothers of
Multiples Club, support group
for parents of twins meets on the
last Tues. of each month. Call for
derails, 984-0448.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Free
classes, 7 p.m., North Shore
Neighbourhood House, N,V.
Info: 985-9391 or 985-0564.

Chronic Immune Dysfunction
Support Group. Friends for Life
Society, 682-5992

B.C. Interstitial Cystitis
Association, support group micet-
ing info; Helen, 922-1407.

Support group for women.
Confidential. Inios Emily Murphy
House, 987-3374.

Overeaters’ Anonymous. 12-step
program for individuals recovering
from eating disorders. 8-9:30 p.m.
North Shore Alano Club, 176 East
2nd St., NV. Info: 681-36-44.

Ist & 3rd Tuesday each
month N. Shore Alzheimer’s
support group mecting. 7:30
p.m. St. Andrew’s Church.
Info: 988-6017.

M.E. or Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome special event info, 926-
1842 or 681-7304.

WED., JAN. 15

Biood donor clinic: Blood donor
clinics take place every Wednesday
from 1 to 8:30 p.m. in the gym at
the Lions Gate Hospital Medical
Day Centre, 231 East 15th St.,
North Van. Everyone welcome.
Info: Red Cross, 879-6001.

Support Group for Parents in
Blending Families, Parents and
step-parents who share the care of
“his,” “hers,” and maybe cven
“our” children have many special
concerns. Meets the Fourth Wed.
of every month from 7:30-9:30
p.m. at Highlands United Church.
Info: 980-6071.

Hollyburn Communicators:
learn public speaking, presentation
and leadership skills. Meets the
second and fourth Wed. cach
month. Info: Sheila, 922-2601.

Kinsmen Club of the North
Shore welcomes new members,
Dinner meetings, first and third
Monday of cach month, Yie's

Restaurant, N.V., 6:30 p.m. Guest
speakers, involvement in commu-
nity service projects for young men
aged 19 through 45. Info: 987-
3048. :

Consumer Support Network,
free presentations on mental health
issues, Weenesdays, 7-9p.m. at the
Community Program Centre,
1075 Marine Dr, N.V. Info: 987-
2111.

The Family Support Cenure and
B.C. Schizophrenia Society, N.S.
Branch has information on severe
mental illnesses, and support for
family and friends of individuals
affected. Support group meets
monthly. Info: 205-1865 Marine
Dr., W.V., 926-0856.

Capilano Sportsmen’s Club
meets on the second Wednesday of
the month at 7:30 p.m. at the
Royal Canadian Legion, 580-18th
Street, W.V. Family sports and
recreation activities. New members
are welcome. Info: 921-8413.

Wild Thymes Herbal Guild In
1997 meets the second Wed. every
month, rhe Rose Room, Park and
Tillord Gardens, 333 Brooksbank
Ave., NV at 7:30 pum. Into: 980-
3255 or 922-5924,

— Compiled by Amanda Clark