Islanders with an affinity for birds and the world-wide web will have the opportunity to learn about the eagles of Canada’s west coast from biologist and author David Hancock and his popular “bird cam.”

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy event, taking place Friday, Nov. 21, will provide insight into this majestic bird and this new method of online bird watching.

“Bird watching is one of the most popular pastimes on the globe,” states a recent conservancy press release. “And now you do not have to leave your home to do it. The Internet allows bird lovers to get their avian fix online, thanks to innumerable ‘bird cams’ – live video cameras aimed at nests and other places where birds congregate.”

One of the most popular of these “bird cams” is the camera pointed at a nest of eagles on Canada’s west coast, getting as many as 10 million Internet watchers every day, making it one of the world’s most popular websites.

“It’s absolutely bizarre,” said Hancock, who put the eagle images on-line. In a lifetime devoted to nature issues, Hancock says he has never seen such a huge audience enthralled with wild animals. According to press material, the birds ignore the camera, providing an intimate view into their aerie.

“The popularity [of this website] may be due to the mystique surrounding bald eagles, creatures so striking, with their white head, piercing yellow eyes and an eight-foot wingspan, that the U.S. made them their national symbol.”

Hancock has spent a lifetime focussing on conservation through research into wild creatures and the study of native cultures and has interpreted this knowledge for the public through writing, photography and books. Having written hundreds of articles and several books (including The Bald Eagle of Alaska, B.C. and Washington), Hancock has also produced several films and owns a publishing company that has published hundreds of titles on nature-related topics.

Hancock also started a project studying the urban bald eagles of Greater Vancouver, reflecting a fascination with the bald eagle that has lasted for more than 50 years.

“His talks convey the enthusiasm, depth of knowledge and respect for nature that could only come from someone who has dedicated his life to wildlife biology and conservation.”

The Nov. 21 talk, which will also be of interest to children, takes place at the Community Gospel Chapel at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation and the conservancy group promises “we always serve the best cookies.”