Preserving the Delaware River eagle habitat
LACKAWAXEN Baby, it’s cold outside. When temperatures drop, many of us think of warmer climates in places miles away. But we live in prime real estate for nearly 200 wintering bald eagles; they begin arriving in the Upper Delaware River watershed in December from their frozen breeding grounds up north. They come here to the “balmy” banks of our rivers and streams because they offer ice-free areas, making food easier to find. Concentrations of eagles are greatest in January and February, providing us with a unique opportunity to view these majestic and powerful birds close to home. Thanks to The Eagle Institute, a non-profit volunteer organization, viewing sites with easy access are located on the Delaware River. From the first weekend in January through mid-March, we can watch bald eagles at these sites in Narrowsburg and Minisink Ford, NY, and in Lackawaxen, PA. In addition, a viewing blind is located on the Mongaup Falls Reservoir and a viewing area is marked on the Rio Reservoir in Forestburgh, NY. On Saturday, January 17, volunteers Bob Flatt of Newton and Jan Lokuta of Milford braved the frigid temperatures to man the Institute’s site in Lackawaxen and point out fly-bys for eagle-watchers. Lokuta noted that in 2008, there were fifteen active eagle nest sites in the Upper Delaware River Watershed area. Thirteen were successful, i.e., they produced eaglets that fledged successfully. However, despite the fact that the bald eagle has been removed from the endangered species list, we still need to protect its habitat from development and human disturbance, a primary mission of the Eagle Institute. About The Eagle Institute Lori McKean is founder and director of the Eagle Institute. She has been monitoring eagle activity and working with various natural resource agencies in the region since 1991 in an effort to protect our national emblem. The Eagle Institute operates under the Volunteer in Parks Program; to volunteer or for more information: The Eagle Institute PO Box 182 Barryville, NY 12719 Field office: 176 Scenic Drive Lackawaxen, PA 18435 845-557-6162/570-685-5960 http://www.eagleinstitute.org