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Constitution Marsh to Participate in Third Annual Teatown Hudson River EagleFest
Teatown Lake Reservation will host the Third Annual Hudson River EagleFest on Sunday, February 11, 2007. The day-long event coincides with the annual winter gathering of the bald eagle along the Hudson River and offers visitors a chance to view our national symbol up-close in their natural setting and learn more about them through activities led by experts and enthusiasts at Teatown's Nature Center as well as at other collaborating sites.
EagleFest activities will include:
* Along Hudson. Three eaglespotting locations along the Hudson River - staffed by eagle experts - where visitors can see bald eagles in their natural habitat * At Teatown. Educational demonstrations about bald eagles, birds of prey and photographing eagles led by experts from the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, the Eagle Institute and Teatown's education staff. Family-friendly eagle-themed activities and educational exhibits. * Local Sites Open for EagleFest Sunday include Constitution Marsh Audubon Center in Cold Spring, Beczak Environmental Education Center in Yonkers, Croton Point Park Nature Center and Van Cortlandt Manor, both in Croton-on-Hudson will all have eagle-themed programs and activities. * Eagle Exploration Bus Tour, a new attraction this year. The tour will begin at Teatown in Ossining and travel to the three eagle viewing sites. Geared to adults and teens, the tour offers the expertise of a naturalist in the comfort of a chartered 28-seat bus.
Each winter between January and March, bald eagles from Canada and northern New England fly south to the Croton and Hudson Rivers to feed on prey found in unfrozen rivers and reservoirs. In recent winters, more than 30 bald eagles have been counted along the lower Hudson River. The annual return of the bald eagle to the Hudson River is a celebrated occasion for local bird lovers as well as environmentalists because it represents the success of a broad-based environmental effort to rescue the bald eagle from near extinction in this area due to polluted river waters. Every year the eagles return affirms the continued health of the Hudson River habitat for birds, fish, plants and people.
As part of the Hudson EagleFest, Teatown has created a free eagle spotting map for the Hudson Hills and Highlands region. The map reveals 16 eagle-viewing sites along the Hudson River from Yonkers to Newburgh. The maps will be available in mid-January at Teatown Lake Reservation, through EagleFest collaborating organizations and at community locations such as libraries.
Local collaborators include Constitution Marsh Audubon Center, Putnam Highlands Audubon, and Riverkeeper.
Admission to Teatown is always free. There may be additional activity fees for some of the crafts. The Eagle Exploration Bus Tour is $10 for Teatown members, $15 for nonmembers. Bus Tour participants must be 14 and older. Group rates are available. Reservations are required.
In the event of severe weather, the alternate date for The Hudson River EagleFest will be Sunday, February 18th. Please check Teatown's website, www.teatown.org for program and weather updates. For more information about the EagleFest, or to get directions, please call Teatown at (914) 762-2912, ext. 110.
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