Winter eagle-watching trips planned

LACKAWAXEN, Pa. — Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and its partners for eagle-watching events all winter long, including guided bus tours and Eagle Day at the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center.
The Upper Delaware River region is one of the largest wintering habitats for eagles in the northeast United States because of abundant clean water and large, undisturbed stands of trees. Protected lands in Sullivan County, N.Y., and Pike and Wayne counties in Pennsylvania provide a safe haven for these migratory birds, as well as breeding eagles that live here year-round.
Bus toursGuided eagle-viewing bus trips are scheduled on weekends throughout January and February. Learn from an expert guide and take a scenic drive on a heated bus throughout the Upper Delaware River region to look for and learn about bald eagles and their habitat.
The schedule is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays: Jan. 13 and 27, and Feb. 10 and 17. The trips commence at the Upper Delaware Visitor Center, 176 Scenic Drive, in Lackawaxen. The fee is $15 for members, $20 for non-members.
Be sure to dress warmly in layers and wear waterproof boots. Bring binoculars, camera, and snacks. Snow dates for the trips are the Sundays immediately following.
Check DelawareHighlands.org for the most up-to-date information and any additional trips. Refunds are not given in the event of cancelled reservations.
Seats on trips are limited, and reservations are required.
To register call the Conservancy at 570-226-3164 or 845-583-1010 or email info@delawarehighlands.org.
Eagle DayJoin the Conservancy, Brookfield Renewable, and other local environmental organizations on Saturday, Jan. 6, for Eagle Day, a free afternoon of fun for the whole family at the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center in Hawley.
Enjoy a "Live Birds of Prey" presentation with Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center and hands-on activities provided by Lacawac Sanctuary for all ages to learn about eagles and other native birds.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. You do not need to register in advance for this program, but it is very popular and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eagle watching on your ownThe National Park Service's Upper Delaware Visitor Center offers maps, directions to eagle viewing locations, and other informational literature about the bald eagle in the Upper Delaware River region. You can watch a short film there and view new interpretative exhibits.
The Visitor Center is staffed on Saturdays and Sundays in January and February, beginning Jan. 6, and open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has also partnered with the NPS and the New York State Department of Conservation to maintain well-marked eagle observation areas open to the public. These viewing blinds are also staffed by Conservancy volunteers on weekends through the winter, and visitors can look through binoculars and spotting scopes to see bald eagles in the wild. Visit DelawareHighlands.org/Eagles for directions and information about eagle viewing on your own.
About the ConservancyThe Conservancy's Eagle Watch program is supported in part by grant funding from the American Eagle Foundation; Orange and Rockland; Sullivan County; and The Philadelphia Foundation. The Feb. 10 bus trip is donated by the Estate of Becky Finch.
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy works with landowners and communities to protect the natural heritage and quality of life of the Upper Delaware River region.
For more information, call 570-226-3164, 845-583-1010, or email info@delawarehighlands.org.