Rock With Nova Scotia in 2010

If there is one certainty among birders there are few sights more thrilling than seeing bald eagles up close and personal. And if anything can top that it is seeing dozens of them in one small area.

Each year in the area around Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia, in  the Annapolis Valley area, hundreds of the majestic birds congregate to what amounts to as a month-long feast. On selected mornings in late January and early February local poultry farmers put out dead chickens which attracts the eagles to the selected fields. And in most cases you don’t need binoculars to watch them!

The practice began in the mid-1960’s as a method for local biologists to study the raven population. After a few years of this routine eagles were seen on the fields so local poultry farmers began to dispose of ther dead chickens as well. What the biologists noticed was that, rather than this being detriment to the survival of the birds, the feasting allowed immature birds to survive the winter at a time when food is scarce. As a result the eagle population went from 150 birds in the 1980’s to over 450 in 1993. Now, the population has leveled off.

To experience this amazing view of these regal birds the organizers of the Sheffield Mills Eagle Watch festival have arranged for activities in the area centred around the Sheffield Mills Community Hall. Here you will see fabulous pictures of the eagles as long with specimens prepared by taxidermists (these stuffed are many years old).

19 Annual Eagle Watch Schedule

Every Day Until 3:00pm: Community Hall with artifacts and souvenirs.

Saturday, January 23rd

- Pancake and Sausage Breakfast: Community Hall: 9:00 to 10:15am with live music during and afterward

- Variety Supper: Trinity United Church, Canning, NS: 4:00-6:00pm

Sunday, January 24th: 

- Pancake and Sausage Breakfast: Community Hall: 9:00 to 10:15am with live music during and afterward.

- Medford Womens Insitute Soup and Chowder Luncheon: 11:30 to 2:00pm: Kingsport.

Saturday, January 30th:

- Pancake and Sausage Breakfast: Community Hall: 9:00 to 10:15am with live music during and afterward.

- Baked Bean Meals : Lloyd Memorial Centre, Kingsport: 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Sunday, January 31st:

- Pancake and Sausage Breakfast: Community Hall: 9:00 to 10:15am with live music during and afterward

Saturday, February 5th:

- Pancake and Sausage Breakfast: Community Hall: 9:00 to 10:15am with live music during and afterward.

Sunday, February 6th:

Live Music and Luncheon: 9am – 12pm: Lloyd Memorial Centre, Kingsport

For more information check the website: 19th Annual Eagle Watch