Birds are a familiar sight in Squamish, whether it鈥檚 the majestic bald eagles circling over the estuary or sandpipers darting along the shoreline.
But behind these beautiful scenes, a quiet shift is happening.
According to the , many bird species are experiencing changes in their migration patterns due to climate change. For Squamish, a crucial stop on the Pacific Flyway, these changes have both local and global implications.
The is a major migratory bird route that stretches from Alaska to Patagonia in South America. It鈥檚 one of North America鈥檚 four main flyways, with millions of birds making the journey each spring and fall.
鈥淏irds are a window into how our ecosystems are changing,鈥� says Christopher Di Corrado, a bird biologist based in Squamish.
鈥淎nd the signs are all around us.鈥�
Shorebirds in decline
Shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers, which rely heavily on the Skwelwil'em 麻豆社国产Estuary, are facing significant challenges.
According to shorebird populations are declining due to habitat loss both in Canada and along their migratory routes.
鈥淭he estuary is a critical stopover for these birds,鈥� says R茅mi Torrenta, British Columbia projects co-ordinator for Birds Canada.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a place for them to rest and refuel. Without it, their chances of completing their migration drop significantly.鈥�
Locally, efforts to protect the estuary have helped maintain its role as a haven for these species.
But the battle is far from over.
Birds travelling from tropical regions are guided by light changes to start their migration.
鈥淭hey might leave at the usual time,鈥� said Di Corrado.
鈥淏ut when they arrive in places like Squamish, spring may have come earlier. Insects鈥攖heir primary food source鈥攃ould emerge sooner, creating a mismatch. Some insects provide better nutrients than others, so timing is crucial when birds need to feed their young.鈥�
According to a published in Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, warmer temperatures and changing weather are causing spring to arrive earlier each year.
This throws off the timing for migrating birds, who travel long distances expecting food like insects and plants to be ready when they arrive. But now, by the time they get to these spots, much of their food has already peaked and started to decline.
This timing problem, called 鈥渢rophic mismatch,鈥� means birds struggle to find enough to eat, leaving them with less energy and making it harder for them to breed successfully.
Waterfowl populations on the rise
Not all bird news is grim.
Waterfowl, including ducks and geese, have shown remarkable population growth.
Nationally, waterfowl numbers have increased by 150% since 1970, thanks to conservation initiatives like wetland protection.
Squamish鈥檚 Skwelwil'em 麻豆社国产Estuary Wildlife Management Area has played a pivotal role in this success.
鈥淲aterfowl really benefit from the wetland conservation work happening here,鈥� Torrenta says. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e got a safe place to winter and plenty of food to sustain them.鈥�
Locals might notice larger flocks of ducks and geese in the estuary during the colder months, a sign of how important 麻豆社国产has become for these birds.
Bald eagles thrive in Squamish
If there鈥檚 one bird that symbolizes Squamish, it鈥檚 the bald eagle.
Every winter, crowds gather across from Brackendale Eagles Park to watch these majestic birds as they feast on spawning salmon.
Their recovery is part of a broader national trend. Raptors, including eagles, have seen a 110% population increase, likely thanks to pesticide bans and targeted conservation efforts.
鈥淭he bald eagle population is a huge success story,鈥� Di Corrado says. 鈥淎nd 麻豆社国产plays a big role in that, especially during the salmon runs.鈥�
The estuary and surrounding rivers provide the perfect environment for eagles to thrive. Every winter, from December to February, bald eagles gather at the 麻豆社国产Estuary to feast on spawning salmon.
This group is Canada鈥檚 largest congregation of bald eagles and represents nearly 3% of the world鈥檚 bald eagle population, according to data from
Wetland birds show mixed results
Wetland birds, including the Great Blue Heron, are another group tied closely to Squamish鈥檚 estuary.
Nationally, these birds have experienced mixed trends, with some populations stabilizing while others decline.
The 2024 State of Canada鈥檚 Birds report also highlights that while wetland bird populations have grown in some areas, habitat loss continues to threaten their future.
鈥淭he Great Blue Heron is a common sight in Squamish,鈥� says Di Corrado. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e benefited from wetland conservation, but we can鈥檛 take that for granted.鈥�
What 麻豆社国产can do to help
While climate change is a major factor, migrating birds face other significant threats.
Predation by cats is one of them. 鈥淐ats are a massive problem for birds in North America,鈥� Di Corrado says.
鈥淜eeping cats indoors is better for both birds and the cats themselves.鈥�
Another common danger is building collisions.
Birds often mistake reflective glass for an open sky. 鈥淲indow strikes are a major issue,鈥� said Di Corrado.
鈥淎 recent study showed that these collisions kill more birds than we previously thought.鈥�
In Squamish, local organizations are taking action.
鈥淸麻豆社国产Environment Society] has installed small black dots on downtown glass railings to prevent strikes,鈥� Di Corrado says.
鈥淗omeowners can do the same by adding decals or UV-reflective films to their windows.鈥�
Christopher suggests expanding these efforts鈥� 鈥淚ndividuals can apply similar solutions at home, and municipalities could require developers to use bird-friendly glass with embedded UV films. These films are visible to birds but invisible to us.鈥�
鈥淧roviding habitat, food, water, and shelter for birds鈥攅specially during migration and nesting seasons鈥攊s something everyone can do. But the broader issue of climate change requires large-scale action,鈥� he said.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The 麻豆社国产鈥檚 Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the.
