Residents are invited to polish their binoculars and get ready for eagle viewing near Kinzua Dam in Warren County.
Eagle Watch Day will be held from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Feb. 2 at Big Bend Recreation Area. Partners include U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Kinzua Cachers, Allegheny Outdoor Club and local community volunteers.
Numerous eagles spend winter along Allegheny River and Reservoir, and this is prime time to spot them, as the country’s national symbol perches and flies high above the trees.
Eagle Watch Day is a great opportunity for nature lovers interested in seeing American Bald Eagles in the wild. A popular resting area for eagles that appreciate the unfrozen water conditions, this area offers exceptional views of the birds’ temporary stopovers in vicinity of Kinzua Dam.
On wintry days during early Februarys past, hundreds of visitors to Big Bend Recreation Area viewed juvenile and adult eagles just downstream from the dam. Other wintering birds and cold-water creatures were also observed.
In addition to wildlife observation, activities include an audio-visual program detailing eagle restoration efforts presented by David Donachy, Pennsylvania game warden, and a geomeet — “Caching with Eagles” — organized by Kinzua Cachers. Several temporary caches will be set up around the recreation area.
Three sites will be open for public viewing and learning about America’s national bird: Big Bend Visitor Center, Riverside Watchable Wildlife Trail/Viewing Platform (located along Allegheny River tailwaters) and Kinzua Dam roadway. Sites will be staffed, and spotting scopes will be available to better observe the awesome eagles. No pre-registration is required, but people over 17 years of age must show photo identification to gain access to the roadway at the dam. Interior tours of the dam will not be available.
This program is recreational, observational, educational and free to the public. For additional information contact Steve Lauser, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at (814)726-0661.
