December 29, 2011

Wintering bald eagles a favorite of Kansas naturalists

PRATT — With the arrival of winter, the eagles have landed near many eastern Kansas reservoirs. Bald eagles have been migrating south, offering outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to see the national bird in its native habitat. To enhance this opportunity, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Tuttle Creek Reservoir has scheduled its annual Eagle Day 2012 for Saturday, Jan. 7, beginning at 9 a.m.

The program is free and open to the public. All participants are asked to meet at 9 a.m. in the large assembly room at the Manhattan Fire Station, 2000 Denison (the corner of Denison and Kimball) in Manhattan. At that time, Steve Walhe, a biologist with the U.S. Army Ft. Riley Conservation Office, will offer a short presentation on the nesting habits of bald eagles in Kansas. Vanessa Avara, assistant director of the Milford Nature Center, will then feature several live raptors in her discussion of eagles and other birds of prey.

Following the two presentations at the fire station, members of the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society will take participants on a bus tour through areas near Tuttle Creek Lake, with the goal of watching bald eagles in the wild. All participants should dress appropriately for the weather and bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras.

For more information on this event, phone Steve Prockish at the Corps of Engineers office, 785-539-8511 ext. 3167.

Milford Reservoir Eagle Day will begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 14 and will include viewing tours and live eagle programs.

Other Eagle Days include:

• Jan. 21 — Lawrence, Jayhawk Audubon's 2012 Kaw Valley Eagles Day;
• Jan. 28 — Perry Reservoir;
• Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 —Chaplin Nature Center, Wichita; and
• Feb. 4 — F.L. Schlagle Library (on Wyandotte Lake).

Other Eagle Days will be held throughout Kansas. Watch the Events Calendar on KDWPT’s website www.kdwpt.state.ks.us or check the Natural Kansas website, www.naturalkansas.org. To learn more about eagles and other raptors, visit the Great Plains Nature Center's "Raptor's Roost," www.gpnc.org/raptors.htm.

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