Comox Valley, Campbell River eagles hungry due to salmon shortage?

A bald eagle perches in Black Creek.

Scott Stanfield

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The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) in Merville is concerned about the welfare of eagles in the Comox Valley and Campbell River due to a poor salmon run last season.
According to society founder Maj Birch, they are "starving, fighting, hungry birds.
"They come here and wait for the herring," Birch said, adding there is no shortage of eagles at landfills.
Society members are trying to nurse eight eagles back to health. Birch planned to rescue another one Monday near Anderton Road.
She hopes the herring run will begin soon.
"Then everybody will have a feast," Birch said. "There's just an abundance of eagles that are collecting hair at this time because they are starving. They fight over food. They're getting ready to nest, so they're fighting over their territory."
The MARS-sponsored sixth annual Campbell River Bald Eagle Festival is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maritime Heritage Centre at Discovery Pier.
For more information about MARS, visit www.wingtips.org.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com