Bald eagle sightings in Regina not as rare as some might think

Amber Pirie spotted this bald eagle along Wascana Lake Tuesday afternoon near Pine Island. (Submitted by Amber Pirie)

It’s not going to be every day a person spots a bald eagle flying over their head or sitting in a tree while going for a walk around Regina’s Wascana Lake, but according to a University of Regina Professor of Biology, it’s more common than many might think.

Dr. Mark Brigham said he’s seen both golden and bald eagles himself while out for walks around the lake in the winter time.

“It’s actually not what I would call rare,” he said. “Believe it or not, eagles are actually pretty common around Saskatchewan.”

The question about commonality was asked after pictures of a bald eagle spotted along Wascana Lake were sent to CTV News Regina.

Dr. Brigham said in southern Saskatchewan, golden eagles are more common than bald eagles, but added both are around the area.

“They [golden and bald eagles] can be hard to tell apart because when bald eagles are juveniles and for the first few years of their life, they do not have the white heads,” Brigham said.

Brigham said it’s possible the animals could be nesting in the region, but more than likely would be juveniles and not at that stage of life yet.

Although bald eagles are more common in the area than many think and are out hunting anything from fish to small rodents, Brigham said owners of small dogs and other pets that may be alone in the backyard, should not have to worry about the bird of prey hunting them.

“Because their [bald eagle’s] wingspan is so big they’re not really maneuverable. They need lots of space to do things and a backyard isn’t generally big enough for them to do that.”

Brigham said he would not call it impossible, but highly unlikely.

(Submitted by Amber Pirie)

When fully grown, bald eagles have an average wingspan of six to seven-and-a-half feet.

If people want to venture out to see if they can spot the bird of prey for themselves, Brigham said it’s possible to see one at any point in the day.

“They’re certainly going to be most commonly roosting in a tree sort of early in the morning and towards the sunset when they can’t be hunting, but you can see them at all times of the day,” Brigham said.