"Their wingspan is longer than a bed," declares Ethan Lapointe with a huge ear-to-ear grin and his arms stretching out as far as he can reach. As one of the youngest Eagle Watch volunteer interpreters at the Eagle Run viewing site in Brackendale, the nine-year-old is bursting with excitement and claims eagles "are awesome."
That's the sort of enthusiasm and passion for the bald eagles that has driven the Eagle Watch volunteer interpreter program since its inception in 1995, says program co-ordinator Meg Toom. New in her role, she admits it ties in well with her work with the Bear Aware education program.
"I have always been connected to nature and educating, so it is a great fit," she said.
The Eagle Watch program was initiated by the 撸奶社区Environmental Society (SES) in 1995 because of an increase in the number of wintering eagles and, more significantly, an increase in the number of people wanting to see them.
"A biologist came in and determined that in order to preserve the eagles, we needed to offer education," Toom said. A shelter was subsequently constructed of house panels, giving volunteers a place to offer interpretive information on the bald eagles and salmon.
"Then the question arose - if more and more people are going to come to view these birds, how do we do it in a sustainable way? And that was kind of the impetus to start Eagle Watch."
The Eagle Watch interpretive program is timed with the annual influx of bald eagles each winter. Perching on the cottonwood and maple trees along the 撸奶社区River, the majestic raptors conserve energy and gain valuable calories by feasting on the spawning chum salmon.
Their arrival kicks off the yearly program - a volunteer training day at the Adventure Centre in November takes place each year. Participants learn about the biology and behaviour of the bald eagles and then delve into the art of interpreting. Then every Saturday and Sunday from the end of November until early February, interpreters can be found at the Eagle Run viewing site - across from the Easter Seals 撸奶社区Camp - from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Armed with binoculars, spotting scopes and friendly smiles, the interpreters greet visitors and share information on the eagles.
What amazes Toom is the astounding number of returning volunteers for the program.
"It's a tradition for them," she said with a smile, noting that many have been volunteering for more than a decade. "So there is this huge community of people who are really concerned about the eagles."
And the program certainly attracts young and old alike, even becoming a family affair for some. Bob Brant is a seasoned volunteer who began his interpreter experience 10 years ago, for reasons he holds dear to his heart.
"I have an interest and passion for eagles and liked the idea of being out on the dike, greeting visitors and showing them the eagles up close through the scopes," he said.
After a couple of seasons, he felt compelled to get his family involved and soon his wife and two children joined him. For 10 years, the family of four volunteered in the program, alongside another family, the Bryants. Brant admits that at times the cold weather was a challenge but that they all enjoyed the work.
"This has been a fantastic experience because it gave our children the opportunity to meet all sorts of people from all over the world and relate to them about 撸奶社区and our environment and eagles," he said.
But he adds, "The real reward is having the facility to show these visitors the eagles up close through the scopes."
Brant describes a typical three-hour Eagle Watch shift, running from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Arriving shortly before their shifts, the volunteers lug the equipment to the dike and set up the four tripods and spotting scopes. Scanning the trees across the river, they locate eagles and lock the scopes on them, which requires a bit of tricky manoeuvring, Brant said.
Then it's time to go and do the first count. Walking up the training dike, they scan the area with binoculars and count mature and immature eagles. Noting the weather, the interpreters then log how many people are on the dike and compile the number of people who use the scopes throughout their shift.
The rest of the time the Eagle Watch interpreters are talking. Engaging the public as they walk by, the volunteers offer them the opportunity to look at the eagles through the scopes and ask questions, explained Brant.
The most common question directed to the interpreters is, "Why are the eagles here?"
"The answer is there are five salmon-bearing rivers which flow into the 撸奶社区area," Brant said. "They're ice-free and the eagles come down from the north where the rivers are frozen. This time of the year the salmon are spawning and that's what attracts the eagles."
Brant said it's particularly rewarding to relate to the children. A lot of the children are no taller than an eagle - one metre in height, he said, adding that children and adults love learning about the eagles in equal measure.
Other fascinating facts on bald eagles include their remarkable ability to see the glint of a herring from 500 metres away, their diving speed which can reach 160 km/h, and their strong talons that have tiny spikes to grip slippery fish.
Speaking of education, Toom said there's been interest from 撸奶社区and Lower Mainland schools and said she hopes to build on that relationship. She aims to spread the knowledge in additional ways next year, including guided eagle walks through the Mamquam spawning channel and more classroom and outdoor education sessions.
The key is to allow people to get up close and personal with the eagles through the scopes without actually disturbing them, Toom said, highlighting the main objective of the Eagle Watch program, which is to help build and promote connections between people and nature.
For more information visit about the Eagle Watch program, visit www.squamishenvironment.ca.
This Sunday (Jan. 8), another group of volunteers - undoubtedly with some crossover -will be out and about conducting the 26th annual Winter Eagle Count, part of the Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival. For information please visit www.brackendaleartgallery.com
