The Feast of Eagles
Every February in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia chicken farmers put out a feast for the bald eagles that rivals the best of the Alaska salmon run, where eagles congregate to gorge on migrating salmon. In the tiny community of Sheffield Mills there is a museum in honor of the eagle where you can warm up with a mug of hot chocolate before going out to the fields to witness this annual spectacle.
The eagles fly inland to feed on chicken-waste placed in fields by local farmers. It’s a practice that gone on for more than two decades and now both the eagles and the bird-watchers have grown increasingly accustom to gathering here each winter.
Last year was warmer than previous years and brought out over a thousand eagle watchers. We watched videos and a slide show on the eagles at a local community hall where eagle enthusiasts from both the Blomidon Naturalists Society and the Raptor Rehabilitation Center were on hand to discuss eagle habitat and behavior.
To get to Sheffield Mills from Halifax, take Highway 101, exit 12, New Minas. Head down the hill through the lights on Commercial Street. You go through another set of lights on the Middle Dyke Road at Belcher Street. From there to Sheffield Mills is about 5 miles further north. Or, from Exit 11, follow the signs to Canning and turn left as you enter the village of Canning. You’ll see distinctive Eagle Watch signage posted around Kings County.
From White Point Beach, you take Route 8 from Liverpool through Milton and Kejumkujik National Park until you connect with Highway 101. Then drive north until you see Exit 12, New Minas and follow the above direction.
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