Eagle Watch Day set for Feb. 4 at Kinzua

Staff report

Warren County, Pa.

For nature lovers interested in seeing American Bald Eagles in the wild, there is a great opportunity to do so on Eagle Watch Day, which takes place annually at the Kinzua Dam in Warren County.

When the cold expanse of the Allegheny Reservoir behind the dam freezes over and ice forms downstream in the Allegheny River, the open tailwaters of the river below the dam become prime fishing waters for eagles.

On an Arctic-like day in February 2011, nearly 500 visitors to the Big Bend Recreation Area saw about 10 eagles, mature and immature, just downstream from the dam. Other wintering birds and cold-water creatures were observed as well.

This year, the event will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 4. Sponsors include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Penn Soil Resource Conservation and Development Council, Kinzua Cachers and the Allegheny Outdoor Club.

In addition to wildlife observation, activities include an eagle restoration in Pennsylvania program by David Donachy, a game-commission wildlife officer. Several temporary caches will be set up around the recreation area.

Kinzua Cacher leader Liz Dropp remarked on last year’s Eagle Watch, “ It was a very nice event. The cachers were thrilled to see eagles and walk on the dam. ... We had 52 people sign the cache log. The farthest places they came from were Ontario, Canada.”

Three public areas of interest will be open for public viewing and learning about America’s national bird: the Big Bend Visitor Center, a wildlife-viewing platform on a high bank overlooking the tailwaters and the top of the Kinzua Dam. Observation stations will be manned, and spotting scopes will be available to better observe the eagles.

People 18 and older will be required to show identification to gain access to the top of the dam.

The program is free.

Warren County’s Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn have offered special rates for the weekend. Those interested should mention confirmation number 84009493 when calling the Hampton Inn to inquire about rates and availability of rooms. For the Holiday Inn, visitors should mention “Eagle Watch Day.”

For additional information on 2012 Eagle Watch Day, contact Steve Lauser of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 814-726-0661 or Bill Massa of the Allegheny Outdoor Club at 814-723-2568.