Eagle SkyeNet founder Jeff Butts is highlighting Point Roberts’ role as a major habitat for bald eagles and encouraging residents to reduce disturbances to the birds.
“One of the reasons Point Roberts is so important is that it has the trees,” Butts said at an event called Eagle Talks held on March 9.
A second eagle talk is set for April. The Eagle Talks are designed to introduce locals to Eagle SkyeNet, and attract those who want to help, protect, and learn about eagles and get involved. Butts plans on having a series of Eagle Talks, publishing a Substack Article, and creating a Docuseries.
“Eagles get all their food from the water, but when they’re not feeding they need a place where they can rest and not be disturbed. All the forested areas here in Point Roberts are used by eagles,” he said at the event, which included maps showing known eagle nests, common perching areas and locations where injured or dead eagles have been found.
Butts explained that Boundary Bay is part of the Pacific Flyway migratory route that brings tens of thousands of birds through the region each year. The combination of shoreline forests and abundant food sources make the area particularly attractive to eagles.
Eagles rely heavily on resting areas because they can remain in flight for limited periods without favorable winds.
“They can only fly about 30 minutes a day in the warm half of the year and about 15 minutes a day in winter,” he said.
He encouraged residents to keep their distance when encountering eagles and avoid causing the birds to take flight unnecessarily, a disturbance known as “flushing.”
“Don’t walk right up to them,” he said. “Stay a couple hundred feet away and just wait. If they feel safe, you might see them hunt or interact with other eagles.”
Butts asked beachgoers to keep dogs under control when eagles are resting on sandbars.
“People think it’s not a big deal if an eagle flies for 30 seconds,” Butts said. “But if they’re forced to keep flying again and again, it uses up energy they need to survive.”
Eagle SkyeNet was founded in 2012. The nonprofit focuses on monitoring eagle nests, rescuing injured raptors and raising public awareness about protecting eagle habitat in Point Roberts. More information is at eagleskyenet.com.
A follow-up community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on April 13 at the community center on Gulf Road.
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