Crane a neck skyward year-round on Vancouver Island North and you’ll likely spot at least one and possibly a trio of bald eagles riding the wind currents. Birders are particularly well served at Alert Bay’s Ecological Park and from the Quatse River Estuary viewing platform in Port Hardy. Sightings will include trumpeter swans, great blue herons, Canada geese, belted kingfishers, woodpeckers, ravens, flickers, songbirds and (more by sound than sight) barred owls. Also on display are dozens of local and migratory ducks and seabirds – sandpipers, mergansers, common murres, surf scoters and rhinoceros auklets included.

Do you love eagles? This episode of Eagle Nova’s Outdoor Treasures features photographer Christian Sasse on location in Port Hardy.