Welcome - New Activities
Welcome to the 1998 Harrison Chehalis Bald Eagle Festival! The purposes of this event are to facilitate public viewing of Bald Eagle, to encourage appropriate viewing ethics and to foster a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the wildlife and habitats of this area.
This is the 3rd annual festival with more activities and displays than before, including a new indoor site. For children there is an opportunity to build a bird feeder to take home, to participate in a wetlands game and
to enjoy, with parents, a native legend or two.
There are more food and beverage venues at the sites. Hot dogs and beverages are available indoors at
the Tapadera Estates' club house, and coffee, expresso drinks and goodies are for sale on the beach at Kilby Provincial Park.
But some things don't change! You can still visit Henry, the 220 lb sturgeon, at Inch Creek Hatchery, watch birds through Bushnell binoculars and spotting scopes, and participate in the passport prize draw, with total prizes worth over $1,800 in retail value.
In a continuing effort to make this festival self-supporting, there are a number of ways that your activities will benefit the festival.
As always, this event would not be possible without financial sponsors, partners, contributors, prize donors, participants and the many volunteers who give their time to help out at the festival sites. A sincere thanks to you all.
Enjoy the festival!
April L. Mol, R.P.Bio.
Organizer, Harrison Chehalis Bald Eagle Festival
Project Manager, British Columbia Wildlife Watch
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks |
Eagles and Swans - Feature Species
Eagles The Harrison Bay, Chehalis Flats and Nicomen Slough areas of the Fraser Valley are the winter home to about 700 to 1,100 eagles. While there is a small resident population of Bald Eagle that nest throughout the Fraser River estuary, the birds observed here are from areas north of the Lower Mainland, including the mid to upper Pacific coastline, and many interior lakes and rivers.
The actual number of eagles that you see on a visit will vary. It will depend on the availability of salmon carcasses in the local streams, sloughs and rivers. The number of eagles visible will be greatly reduced if the temperature is low enough to cause the streams to freeze over, or if large amounts of rain cause the rivers to flow high and fast. In both of these cases the eagles will not be able to get to the salmon carcasses, and many eagles will move to other winter feeding areas.
The best viewing period is from mid November through mid January. However, in some years, eagles have been present in large numbers well into late February. Peak numbers usually occur in late December and early January.
The Bald Eagle is a large dark brown to blackish-bodied raptor that attains a white head and tail when it reaches maturity at about 4.5 years old. Until that time the plumage varies from an all brown juvenile stage through a series of brown plumages that show varying degrees of white on the belly, underwings and back, with dark or mottled head and tail.
The average wingspan of a Bald Eagle is 203 cm (80 in), with a range of 168 to 234 cm (66 to 99 in). Body length averages 70 cm (31 in), with a range of 77 to 97 cm (28 to 38 in). Bald Eagles look heavier than they really are. The average eagle weighs 4.3 kg (9.5 lb), with a range of 2.9 to 6.3 kg (6.5 to 14 lb). Females are usually one-third larger than males.
Swans Almost all of the swans that winter in the Harrison Bay, Chehalis Flats and Nicomen Slough areas are Trumpeter Swan. However, occasionally you may see a Tundra Swan. Trumpeter Swan are the largest waterfowl species, with an average wing span of 196 cm (77 in) and weighing up to 12.5 kg (28 lb).
The number of swans wintering in these Fraser Valley waterways has been increasing slightly over the past few years. Based on winter counts, there are an estimated 150 to 200 swans, of which many may be young birds born this past spring. These young birds are easily identified as their plumage is brownish-grey.
During the winter period you can see the family groups as the young stay close to their parents. Families with four surviving young have been observed here, but one or two is most common. A female lays an average of five eggs, so you can see that the number of young surviving through to the winter months is rather low. |
Sites and Activities - Festival Details
The displays and activities of the 3rd annual Harrison Chehalis Bald Eagle Festival are distributed between four sites, Kilby Provincial Park, Inch Creek Hatchery, Tapadera Estates and the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce InfoCentre. The Kilby Provincial Park site includes the Kilby Historic Store, Harrison River Tea Room, and Chamber tent where boat tours can be booked. The Mission InfoCentre will be open during the festival to obtain general information, to purchase festival passports and to enter the prize draw.
Located on the shores of the Harrison River, overlooking Harrison Bay. This is one of the best places in the winter to look for wintering Bald Eagle, Trumpeter Swan and other waterfowl. Kilby Provincial Park was established in 1973 and is managed by BC Parks (Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks).
A number of activities and displays will be located here in a series of tents, as well as at Kilby Historic
Store and Farm.
Bushnell Binoculars and Scopes Visit the Bushnell viewing tent and try out a wide selection of binoculars and spotting scopes. If you are thinking about purchasing a pair of binoculars, be sure to ask the Bushnell representatives. Naturalists will be on-site to answer your questions.
BC Hydro Visit with a biologist from BC Hydro and learn what steps are being taken to reduce bird mortality and injury rates due to hydro wires and power transformers. Get a hands-on look at the many devises available to protect birds from being electrocuted by transformers, and to alert birds in flight to power lines. Find out what devices work and why. And be sure to get that terrific passport stamp!
Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) Visit the display and talk to members of this non-profit society. NWPS was incorporated in 1987 with a mission to develop and provide educational, research and advisory services that advance public awareness about wildlife systems in northwest North America. For more information on NWPS write #707 - 1112 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2S1, phone (604) 713-6686 or visit their <web site
Feed the Birds Children will be able to fashion a unique peanut bird feeder to take home! This activity is sponsored by BC Hydro.
Native Legends, Tools and Implements Visit the story tent and hear a native legend as told by Karen and Milton Gabriel of First Nations Educational Services. Examine hand-made native tools and implements and guess how they are used. You'll have lots of fun here! This activity is sponsored by BC Hydro.
Passport Prize Books An extra copy of most of the books included in the passport prize draw are available for you to thumb through. You might even get a good idea for a Christmas gift!
Fraser Lowlands Study The Fraser Lowlands provide important wetlands for waterfowl and other birds, are valuable fish habitat, and offer many recreational opportunities from wildlife viewing to boating. A public process is nearing completion regarding the formal protection of areas in the Fraser Lowlands. Members of the working group will be on hand to explain the process and they welcome your questions and input. Learn more about the value of our wildlands in the upper Fraser Valley. For more information on this process contact Mel Turner in the Land Use Coordination Office in Surrey at (604) 582-5300.
Food and Beverages This year you will be able to purchase coffee, tea, hot chocolate, pop and expresso drinks on the beach in Kilby Provincial Park. There will also be a limited selection of goodies available. A portion of the proceeds from beverages and goodies purchased in the park will go back to the festival! Also, the Harrison River Tea Room at the Kilby Store Farm will be open for sit-down meals. But remember this small restaurant is very popular and it fills up quickly at meal time!
Washrooms There are pit toilets located in the campground area of Kilby Provincial Park for the general public. Indoor washroom facilities are available for patrons of the Harrison River Tea Room at the Kilby Store.
Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce The Chamber will have a tent located at the Kilby Historic Store and Farm. You can book a boat tour here or purchase eagle merchandise, including t-shirts ($15 each) and pins ($5 each).
Boat Tours on the Harrison River A boat trip on the Harrison River is a different way to watch wildlife! The boat tour cost is $17 per person, or $30 per person with the purchase of a t-shirt from the Chamber. These tours are conducted by Fraser Valley Outdoor Adventures Ltd. They will fill up quickly.
Located just east of Mission down Hawkins Pickle Road from Lougheed Highway (Highway 7). This facility is managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the trout rearing program is a joint project with the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. It was built in 1981-1982 for the purpose of enhancing salmon and sea-run trout stocks in the surrounding area.
Hatchery Tour During the festival you will be able to participate in a short tour around the site, conducted by members of KEEPS (Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society). KEEPS is a non-profit group involved in fish enhancement on Kanaka Creek and in activities at the Bell-Irving Hatchery located in Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge. Be sure to visit their display too! For more information on KEEPS write c/o 11450 - 256th Street, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2W 1H1 or phone (604) 462-8643.
Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) Visit with several live raptors (hawks and owls) and learn how man can help to protect raptor habitat and to rehabilitate injured wildlife for release back into the wild. OWL is a non-profit society, established in 1978, whose volunteers are dedicated to the rehabilitation, and to the release back to the wild, of injured and orphaned birds. OWL specializes in raptors (eagles, owls, hawks and falcons). Over twenty birds of prey are permanent residents at the OWL facilities, and these birds are part of OWL's large education program.For more information on OWL write 3800 - 72nd Street, Delta, B.C. V4K 3N2, phone (604) 946-3171 or visit their web site.
Pacific Streamkeepers Federation This non-profit federation supports more than 150 community groups involved in fish enhancement projects. Is there a project in your neighborhood? In addition to a display, be sure to examine the small live critters caught in Inch Creek. These are important food for fish. For more information on this Federation write 720 Orwell Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 2G3, phone (604) 986-5059 or check out their web site.
The Sturgeon Be sure to walk out onto the float in the hatchery's pond. Several large sturgeon live in the pond and are part of a research project to learn more about this threatened species found in the Fraser River. The biggest Sturgeon, "Henry", weighs 220 lbs (100 kg)!
Returning Salmon During the festival, a small outflow channel within the hatchery compound is full of returning chum and coho salmon.
Washrooms Several pit toilets are located within the hatchery compound.
New to the festival this year is the addition of the Tapadera Estates site. At the invitation of the residents of this community, festival activities have been located in the club house, and a tent with spotting scopes is situated on the shoreline of Chehalis Flats near the gazebo with a wood burning stove!
Tapadera Estates is located 1.8 km down Morris Valley Road from Lougheed Highway (Highway 7), Tapadera Estates is situated on the edge of Chehalis Flats, an important habitat area for fish and wildlife. The residents main complaint about living here is that the eagles drop dead fish and fish bones on their homes, cars and yards!
In addition to providing the public with access to Tapadera Estates during the festival, the residents are selling hot dogs, donuts, coffee, and pop in the club house. A very generous amount of the proceeds will be donated to British Columbia Wildlife Watch for the 1999 eagle festival.
View eagle at Chehalis Flats At the end of the property is a covered gazebo with wood burning stove. This warm and dry haven is a short walk from the tent with naturalists and spotting scopes on the shores of Chehalis Flats.
The Bald Eagle A mounted Bald Eagle from the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria will be on display. This is likely the closest you will ever get to a real bird!
British Columbia Wildlife Watch The British Columbia Wildlife Watch display will be located in the club house. Check out the viewing information and photos. A complete selection of brochures, bird checklists and newsletters will be available.
Wetlands are Wonderful In the club house children will be able to participate in a few games that inform the players about the importance of wetlands. These games are from the Vancouver Aquarium's Wetlands Aquakit. This activity is sponsored by BC Hydro. There will be pictures from Ducks Unlimited Canada's Green Wing program for younger children to colour. Members of the Burke Mountain Naturalists (BMN) will be on-site to lead these activities. BMN displays will be located here to update you on the latest activities of this active naturalist group from the Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody area. For more information on BMN write P.O. Box 52540, R.P.O. Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 7J4.
Food and Beverages The residents of Tapadera Estates are organizing hot dogs, coffee, tea, pop, and hot chocolate in the club house where another warm fire will be burning! A very generous portion of the proceeds from the sale of these items will be donated back to the Harrison Chehalis Bald Eagle Festival for the 1999 event. So eat lots and support the 1999 festival!
Washrooms Indoor washroom facilities are located in the club house. |
Be Wildlife Friendly - Viewing Etiquette
Undisturbed access to food is key to the survival of wildlife. Once Bald Eagles and other birds are disturbed from their feeding activities by humans getting too close, they may not return to feed at that spot for several hours.
Please keep a healthy distance between you and all wildlife. This allows you to observe them without causing them stress. Use binoculars and scopes to get a better look. When close to wildlife, move slowly and keep your voice low. Keep dogs on a leash at all times. Fade into the woodwork by avoiding brightly coloured clothing. Natural colours, and clothes that don't rustle are best. |
Passport Draw - How to Enter
Support the Harrison Chehalis Bald Eagle Festival by purchasing a passport for each member of your family or group. Each passport is $2, and 100% of the purchase cost will go towards the 1999 event.
Visit the sites, displays and activities to collect the passport stamps. Collect at least 10 of the 14 stamps and you are eligible to enter the prize draw. One entry per passport is permitted.
Take your passport for validation to either Inch Creek Hatchery, Kilby Provincial Park, Tapadera Estates or the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce InfoCentre. Fill in the entry form and receive another passport stamp. Only entries received by 3 p.m. on November 29th are eligible. The draw will take place after December 4th. Good luck! |
Passport Stamps - Where are They
There are 14 special passport stamps for the 1998 festival. You need only 10 of them to enter the passport prize draw. They can be found at the following locations:
Inch Creek Hatchery (4 stamps) - enter at this site
Inch Creek Hatchery
Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society
Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
Kanaka Education and Environmental Partners Society
Kilby Provincial Park (4 stamps) - enter at this site
BC Hydro
Native Legends
Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society
Feed the Birds
Tapadera Estates (4 stamps) - enter at this site
British Columbia Wildlife Watch
The Bald Eagle
Wetlands are Wonderful
The Residents of Tapadera Estates
Chamber of Commerce InfoCentre - enter at this site
Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce
Kilby Historic Store and Farm
Fraser Valley Outdoor Adventures Ltd. |
Passport Prizes - What You Can Win
The following prizes have been generously donated for the 1998 passport draw, and are worth over $1,800 in retail value.
Many of the prize donors have supported the festival in previous years. Donors that have contributed a prize(s) in all three years are denoted by ***. Donors providing a prize(s) for the second time are denoted by **. We are pleased to welcome many new contributors, denoted by *.
An extra copy of many books, denoted by # has been provided by the donor, and will be on display at Kilby Provincial Park.
Bushnell ***
8 x 42 Birdlife Binoculars
Habitat Conservation Trust Fund ***
British Columbia Wildlife Viewing Guide (Bill Wareham) - 2 copies
British Columbia Wildlife Watch ***
# The Big New British Columbia Travel Guide (Beautiful British Columbia Magazine)
Our Wildlife Heritage - 100 Years of Wildlife Management - 5 copies
BC Parks ***
Beautiful British Columbia - The Parks of British Columbia (video)
Fenn Lodge (Bed & Breakfast - Harrison Mills) ***
Little House on the Lake (Bed & Breakfast - Harrison Hot Springs) ***
The Sacred Balance - Rediscovering Our Place in Nature (David Suzuki)
Murdoch's Bookshoppe (Mission) ***
Canadian Birding Trivia Calendar 1999 (Geoffrey Holroyd)
Fraser Valley Outdoor Adventures Ltd. ***
Canadian Birds (Bruce Obee)
Beautiful British Columbia Magazine **
1 year subscription to Beautiful British Columbia Magazine - 3 subscriptions
Whitecap Books **
# Eagles (David Jones) - 2 copies
# Welcome to the World of Eagles (Diane Swanson)
Raincoast Books **
# Eagles - Masters of the Sky (Rebecca L. Grambo, Editor) - 5 copies
Greystone Books **
# Sockeye Salmon - A Pictorial Tribute (Hiromi Naito) - 2 copies
PTC Phototype Composing Ltd. **
# British Columbia Recreational Atlas - 3 copies
Ed Rychkun *
# Wilderness Trails in the Lower Mainland (Ed Rychkun)
# Wilderness Camping in the Lower Mainland (Ed Rychkun)
# Regional Parks in the Lower Mainland (Ed Rychkun)
Birder's World Magazine *
# 1 year subscription to Birder's World Magazine - 6 subscriptions
Birder's World 1999 Calendar - 12 copies
Science World British Columbia *
2 general admission passes
Park Place Restaurant (Agassiz) *
Harbour Publishing *
# Where to See Wildlife on Vancouver Island (Kim Goldberg)
Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest (Andy Lamb & Phil Edgell)
Heritage House *
Provincial and National Park Campgrounds of British Columbia - A Complete Guide (Jayne Seagrave)
Cries of the Wild - A Wildlife Rehabilitator's Journal (Jeff Lederman)
Orca Book Publishers *
# Bald Eaglets (Victoria Miles)
# Eagle Dreams (Sheryl McFarlane & Ron Lightburn)
Gordon Soules Book Publishers *
# Arctic Adventures: Exploring Canada's North by Canoe and Dog Team (Ian & Sally Wilson)
# Wilderness Seasons: Life and Adventure in Canada's North (Ian & Sally Wilson)
# Adventures at Mitchell Lake: Retreating and Recharging in Canada's Wilderness (William R. Corbett)
# The British Columbia Bed and Breakfast Guide: Also Includes the Banff/Jasper Area (Sarah Bell)
# The British Columbia and Alberta Adventure Travel Guide: Guided Outdoor Trips and More (Sarah Bell)
# The British Columbia Lodge and Resort Guide: Also Incl. the Banff/Jasper Area & the Yukon (Sarah Bell)
# Hot Springs of Western Canada: A Complete Guide (Glenn Woodsworth)
# Bicycling Near Vancouver (Margaret Slack)
# Exploring the Seashore in B.C., Washington and Oregon: A Guide to Shorebirds & Intertidal Plants & Animals (Gloria Snively)
# Backroad Mapbook, Vol. 1: Southwestern B.C.'s Most Complete Rec. Guide (Russell & Wesley Mussio)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada *
The Book of Eagles - 3 copies
Bramco Impressions (Printers, Mission) *
|
Thank You - Festival Partners
The 1998 Harrison Chehalis Bald Eagle Festival is made possible through the involvement and/or contribution of the following:
BC Hydro
Canada Trust's Friends of the Environment Foundation, Mission/Maple Ridge Chapter
Vancouver City Savings Credit Union
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Wildlife Program
Park Place Restaurant, Agassiz
BC Parks, Lower Mainland District
Inch Creek Hatchery, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Residents of Tapadera Estates
Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce
Fraser Valley Credit Union
Fraser Valley Regional District
First Heritage Savings Credit Union
Agassiz Harrison Economic Development Committee, District of Kent
Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF)
Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT)
Federation of British Columbia Naturalists Foundation
Birder's World Magazine
Bushnell
Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL)
BC Hydro, Environmental Sciences Support Services
Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society
Royal British Columbia Museum
Ducks Unlimited Canada
District of Maple Ridge
Tapadera Estates Sales Office
Quality RV's, Chilliwack
Burden Propane, Harrison Hot Springs
Wild Birds Unlimited, Abbotsford
Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society
Burke Mountain Naturalists
Central Valley Naturalists
Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival
Harrison River Tea Room
Kilby Historic Store and Farm
Fraser Valley Outdoor Adventures Ltd.
|
Looking for a specific article? All