Eagles and Salmon Viewing (Wildlife)
The following is a copy of an email I just sent a lady that was asking about some of the wildlife we might be able to see on the drive from Vancouver Airport to Whistler (Note trip to Whistler would be around mid-December so my email was directed towards that time of the year. The type of wildlife you will see changes depending on the time of year.):
At this time of the year, bald eagles usually congregate in the Squamish area to feed on the spawning salmon. I live about 15 minutes outside of Squamish and I took my dog for a walk down to the Squamish River and saw about a dozen in a small area. I haven't looked around town but if that is something you are interested in I will find out where they are "hanging" out. Usually, you can see them with just a slight detour off the highway. You can check out:
http://www.tourismsquamish.com/what-see-do/eagle-viewing
Historically, there have been thousands that visit the area but the last couple of years global warming/pollution or maybe it's just a natural cycle the numbers have been a lot lower. But I can almost guarantee you we will find one in a tree somewhere in Squamish.
The other neat thing that is happening in Squamish is the salmon are returning to spawn. We've been getting a lot of rain, so the river waters are a little dirtier with rain run-off but when the rivers are crystal clear from only glacier run-off, I know of a few bridges that are just a slight detour off the highway, where you can look over the bridge into the river and see the salmon heading up the river to spawn. If the river water is too murky when you visit we could always visit the Fish Hatchery, where they hatch salmon in a "farm" and release them into the rivers to help rehabilitate the salmon populations. This hatchery is only 10 minutes off the highway and it's a beautiful drive through forest and close to the Cheakamus River where you will probably see eagles and if you are lucky maybe some other wildlife. You can check out their website here:
http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/facilities/tenderfoot/tfoot_e.htm
As far as "furry" animals, like deer, elk, coyotes, racoons, cougars, bobcats, or bears. There's a few spots that I know where I often see them but it's just luck and there are no guarantees.
In the fall just before winter, the deer usually will be heading up in the hill sides for protection and food, so we will see them less often eating the grass along the roads in the winter.
There is actually a herd of elk in the Squamish Valley but I am not sure of their whereabouts, we see them occassionally, along the road on our way to our house but all summer I have only seen them about 6 times.
Same with the coyotes and bears, it's just a matter of luck and actually, most bears will be in hibernation by then end of November. I did actually see a big fat one near the garbage landfill a few weeks ago but by the time you will be hear almost all bears will be in hibernation.
I've actually never seen a cougar in the wild and I've spent a fair amount of time outside and have only seen a bobcat twice and both times were this summer.
In Stanley Park I know of a spot where the racoons live and there's a good chance I could find them for you. Other animals I could show you are Canada Geese and Squirrels, ha ha, but you're probably not interested in those.
Oh yeah, if we went down to the estuary in Squamish (5 minutes off the highway) we might see a seal in the ocean and you will most likely see some eagles and other birds such as geese and ducks.
Sorry about the long email (I actually might put this email on my blog www.alpinenorth.ca/blog right now), but I love this kind of thing and would love to show you whatever you might be interested in. That is actually what got me started in the limousine industry, I wanted to start either off-road sightseeing tours or wildlife tours in Whistler but now I only do trips to/from Whistler. Before the spring I will be creating and marketing a wildlife tour. I like showing people things if they are interested. So just let me know what you might be interested in (we can talk about it on the drive also) and we can try and show you around a bit.
At this time of the year, bald eagles usually congregate in the Squamish area to feed on the spawning salmon. I live about 15 minutes outside of Squamish and I took my dog for a walk down to the Squamish River and saw about a dozen in a small area. I haven't looked around town but if that is something you are interested in I will find out where they are "hanging" out. Usually, you can see them with just a slight detour off the highway. You can check out:
http://www.tourismsquamish.com/what-see-do/eagle-viewing
Historically, there have been thousands that visit the area but the last couple of years global warming/pollution or maybe it's just a natural cycle the numbers have been a lot lower. But I can almost guarantee you we will find one in a tree somewhere in Squamish.
The other neat thing that is happening in Squamish is the salmon are returning to spawn. We've been getting a lot of rain, so the river waters are a little dirtier with rain run-off but when the rivers are crystal clear from only glacier run-off, I know of a few bridges that are just a slight detour off the highway, where you can look over the bridge into the river and see the salmon heading up the river to spawn. If the river water is too murky when you visit we could always visit the Fish Hatchery, where they hatch salmon in a "farm" and release them into the rivers to help rehabilitate the salmon populations. This hatchery is only 10 minutes off the highway and it's a beautiful drive through forest and close to the Cheakamus River where you will probably see eagles and if you are lucky maybe some other wildlife. You can check out their website here:
http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/facilities/tenderfoot/tfoot_e.htm
As far as "furry" animals, like deer, elk, coyotes, racoons, cougars, bobcats, or bears. There's a few spots that I know where I often see them but it's just luck and there are no guarantees.
In the fall just before winter, the deer usually will be heading up in the hill sides for protection and food, so we will see them less often eating the grass along the roads in the winter.
There is actually a herd of elk in the Squamish Valley but I am not sure of their whereabouts, we see them occassionally, along the road on our way to our house but all summer I have only seen them about 6 times.
Same with the coyotes and bears, it's just a matter of luck and actually, most bears will be in hibernation by then end of November. I did actually see a big fat one near the garbage landfill a few weeks ago but by the time you will be hear almost all bears will be in hibernation.
I've actually never seen a cougar in the wild and I've spent a fair amount of time outside and have only seen a bobcat twice and both times were this summer.
In Stanley Park I know of a spot where the racoons live and there's a good chance I could find them for you. Other animals I could show you are Canada Geese and Squirrels, ha ha, but you're probably not interested in those.
Oh yeah, if we went down to the estuary in Squamish (5 minutes off the highway) we might see a seal in the ocean and you will most likely see some eagles and other birds such as geese and ducks.
Sorry about the long email (I actually might put this email on my blog www.alpinenorth.ca/blog right now), but I love this kind of thing and would love to show you whatever you might be interested in. That is actually what got me started in the limousine industry, I wanted to start either off-road sightseeing tours or wildlife tours in Whistler but now I only do trips to/from Whistler. Before the spring I will be creating and marketing a wildlife tour. I like showing people things if they are interested. So just let me know what you might be interested in (we can talk about it on the drive also) and we can try and show you around a bit.
posted by Garrett Gosselin at
8:23 AM
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