The Squamish River Valley has long been one of North America's most significant areas for wintering bald eagles. While the birds have gathered here for millennia, their global fame was cemented in 1994 when a world-record 3,769 eagles were counted in a single day. This massive influx was brought to international attention largely by Thor Froslev and the Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival, which led to the creation of the Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park in 1999 to protect their critical habitat. 

Every year from November to February, hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of eagles migrate from as far as Alaska and the Yukon. They are drawn to the Squamish, Cheakamus, and Mamquam rivers for one primary reason: the massive runs of Chum salmon. After the salmon spawn and die, their carcasses provide a vital, high-energy feast that sustains the eagles through the harshest months of winter. 

What makes Brackendale unique is the sheer density of the population in such an accessible location. In the 2026 Winter Eagle Count, volunteers recorded 1,397 eagles, the highest count in nearly 20 years. The community has built a culture of "ethical viewing," centered around the Eagle Run Dyke, where the EagleWatch Interpretive Program helps visitors witness these majestic raptors without disturbing their feeding or resting. It is a rare place where a modern town and a wild, prehistoric natural phenomenon exist in perfect, respectful balance.