Eagle-viewing day set Feb. 5 at Pa. dam

Special to The Vindicator

WARREN, Pa.

Winter is the best time to view bald eagles soaring above the tail waters of the Kinzua Dam in Warren County, Pa., as both the Allegheny River below the dam and the reservoir above it become frozen, and eagles seek fish in the open water just below the dam.

Last January, some 350 people braved near-Arctic conditions and observed about 15 eagles, both mature and immature, that soared above the tail waters, as well as other wintering birds and cold-water creatures.

This year, the free event will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 5.

Three areas will be open for public viewing to learn about the U.S. national bird: the Big Bend Visitor Center, a new roofed wildlife-viewing platform on the riverbank high above the tail waters and the top of Kinzua Dam itself.

Those points will be manned, and spotting scopes will be available. Access to the dam will be restricted to those older than 18 who will have to show identification.

The day’s events also will include light refreshments and a program on eagle restoration in Pennsylvania by David Donachy, a wildlife officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and a session organized by the Kinzua Cachers. Fifty-two people participated in a similar cache event last year.

Sponsors of the eagle-day event include the Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Penn Soil Resource Conservation and the Allegheny Outdoor Club.

For out-of-town visitors, Warren’s Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn are offering special Eagle Day Watch events.

More information is available from Scott Weikert, PSU Cooperative Extension, at 814-755-3544.