Signature chirps echo above the Harrison River as the eagles have descended on Agassiz-Harrison once more.
Every year, thousands of bald eagles gather on the Harrison River 鈥� particularly near Harrison Mills 鈥� during their southern migration from Alaska and northern Canada. The eagles feast on the thousands of pink salmon in the area, and their numbers are typically at their highest in mid-November.
There are a number of places where bird watchers can see the eagles even as the numbers start to fade. Hotspots include the beach at Kilby in Harrison Mills, the Nicomen Slough in Deroche and the Sandpiper Golf Course; Sandpiper has a specially marked eagle walking trail leading up to a viewing gazebo.
The Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Society hosted the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival for 25 years. The festival officially ended in 2020 due to concerns that the festival's popularity may be negatively affecting the environment and the eagles. It has since been rebranded as a self-guided adventure.
While there have been no formal events scheduled for this year, the Hancock Wildlife Foundation indicated more than 7,000 eagles per day could visit the area during the migration and pink salmon run.
