Nature Vancouver

It has been speculated that the unusually low salmon returns are having an effect on the concentrations of eagles in the area.  Eagle counts were apparently down at Brackendale and Squamish, with higher than normal numbers at the dump.  Many of the birds that would normally be congregating at rivers for salmon are looking elsewhere.

The numbers of eagles may seem wonderful and provide the multitudes of photographers with multitudes of great shots, but it's really not a good thing at all.  Higher concentrations of any species means more risk of spread of disease, especially when food is found at dumps, and higher stress levels. 

There are often high numbers during a particularly cold winter as well.=

The Delta dump is quite large supporting many birds at once.  I've noticed that when farmers in Delta spread manure, etc, the eagles are around in numbers.  They are probably quite hungry, especially the young ones, and are attracted to these smells.

Eagles are also doing quite well these days since they are now protected.  A couple of pairs in Richmond have had young each year for the last three years in a row.  There is quite an abundance of food (other than salmon) for raptors in the lower mainland, especially in the winter; high numbers of ducks and geese, etc.  However, it's harder to catch!

Last week we witnessed a local eagle take a Canada goose, drowning it in the Fraser!

www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/southdeltaleader/news/39872468.html

www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1676/04-126.1

Julian

Bald Eagles eat a variety of foods.  Their preferred prey is fish (alive or dead), but they also take birds (mainly waterfowl and seabirds) and sometimes mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, carrion and garbage.  Fish and birds are the main foods during the breeding season; with mammals, carrion and garbage most often taken during the winter. That’s why you saw so many eagles near the Burns Bog garbage dump.