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Goldstream eagles arrive in record numbers
By Amy Dove - Goldstream News Gazette - November 30, 2007

Hordes of eagles have taken over Goldstream River.

Between 25 and 50 raptors have been spotted feasting on the decaying salmon that litter the river bank.

The number is higher than usual for this time of year, said Adam Taylor, a naturalist at Goldstream Nature House. Usually the birds are only just coming to the waterside in November, with around 10 being spotted the first week. This year 25 eagles were reported during the same week.

Winter storms last year forever altered the river’s dynamic, Taylor explained. A once narrow back channel of the river has widened, increasing the number of fish passing though. Even better for the eagles, the area is not accessible to people — leaving them in quiet seclusion to eat.

“We think they just have a larger area where they are able (to eat),” he said of the increased numbers. And while the eagle population is rising, they should pose no threat to the salmon still fighting their way upstream.

“They almost never kill live salmon. You have to remember these fish are literally as big or bigger than the eagles,” Taylor said.

Combine the size of the fish with a mouth full of teeth, and trying to eat a live salmon can become dangerous for the bird, he explained. Plus, there is no shortage of fresh dead fish lying around to eat.

The birds usually hover around Goldstream until the end of December, beginning of January, Taylor said. The change in the river means many of the birds are not visible to the public, however, there is still a healthy presence in front of the nature house, Taylor said, noting as he spoke four eagles were dueling with a seagull outside. The best time to see them is at low tide when the fish carcasses are not submerged in water.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

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THE END OF THE GOLDSTREAM Salmon Run is a signal to the Bald Eagles that it is time to return to Goldstream for their annual salmon feast. Record numbers of Bald Eagles have been returning to the park - up to 276 in one day - for the past three winters. By closing the estuary to people, the birds can feed undisturbed while visitors are able to see them up close with the use of a video camera and telescopes. This protective measure has proven extremely effective.

Each winter, from early December until the end of February, Goldstream Provincial Park’s Visitor Centre celebrates the return of the Bald Eagles with special programs and exhibits focusing on birds of prey. Keeping the visitor centre open at this time of year is due entirely to public support from donations at the door!

Lighting up the streets, and the lives of those less fortunate with the Annual Lighted Truck Parade and Food Drive. The trucks leave Trucks leave the parking lot at Ogden Point at 5:45 pm (all times are approximate) For safety reasons, access to this parking lot is restricted to parade participants only.

At  6:30 pm trucks Arrive at Oak Bay village. At 7:00 pm they arrive at Yates & Douglas Street . By 7:30 pm the trucks should be arriving at Helmcken and the Trans Canada Overpass and between 8:15 pm and 8:30 pm the trucks should arrive at Western Speedway where Santa arrives by Truck. Everyone is invited to gather at Western Speedway for the conclusion of the parade. Admission to Western Speedway is by cash or non-perishable food items. Coffee, hot dogs and hot chocolate are available by donation.

Here in the western communities one of our favourite spots to watch the lighted trucks is along Millstream between Goldstream and Hwy 1.

Non perishable food products and cash donations have in past years collected by the Mustard Seed at Ogden Point, the Downtown Victoria Business Association at the Bay Centre – Douglas and Government Streets, the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association and Oak Bay Public Works Department in Oak Bay Village and admission to Western Speedway was by cash or food donation. Donations in the past have been distributed to the Mustard Seed Food Bank, West Shore Christmas Hamper Fund Society, Senior’s Christmas Hamper Society and the Sidney Lions Food Bank.

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The West Shore celebrates Christmas this Sunday by combining two holiday traditions, starting with the 10th-Annual Christmas Festival of Lights Firetruck Parade at 6:00 pm, sponsored by the Westshore Chamber of Commerce.

Children can see Santa atop a firetruck, but first gather at the Royal Canadian Legion at 753 Station Ave. to see the decorated firetrucks and emergency vehicles from lower Vancouver Island all assembled for judging.

The parade will head down Station Avenue to Jacklin Road, then proceed to Kelly Road, loop back through Brittany Dr. and Sunridge Valley Dr. to Jacklin, then west on Dunford Ave., north on Carlow Rd. and then return down Goldstream.

After the parade, stroll up to Veteran’s Memorial Park on the corner of Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Goldstream Ave. for the popular 4th Annual Christmas in the Square. The festival starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. Families can enjoy carollers and other musical entertainment while they snack on hot dogs and hamburgers and warm up with hot chocolate.

The festival includes a storytelling tent, a seasonal craft-making station for the kids, and a visit from Santa Claus. Admission is free, and so are the crafts materials.

Proceeds from the sales of hamburgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate will go to the food bank. Please bring along a nonperishable food item for the food bank.