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Fourth Annual Teatown Hudson River EagleFest Spreads its Wings Over the Hudson
 | | Photo by Steve Sachs |
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Teatown Lake Reservation will host the Fourth Annual Hudson River EagleFest on Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 9am to 4pm. The event will be headquartered at Westchester County's Croton Point Park, with additional eagle viewing sites hosted by collaborating organizations located along the Hudson River from Yonkers to Cornwall.
The EagleFest coincides with the annual winter gathering of the bald eagle in the Lower Hudson Valley and offers participants a chance to observe our national symbol up close in their natural setting. Adults and children attending the EagleFest will learn about the bald eagle's natural history, recent recovery, and habitat needs through activities led by local experts and environmental conservationists.
"While the recovery of the bald eagle is a great conservation success story, caring for them well into the future will require an on-going public-private partnership to protect eagle habitat, including the Hudson River," suggests Dr. Fred Koontz, Teatown's Executive Director. "The EagleFest demonstrates through the many collaborating host organizations and event participants that our regional community sees the natural value of having bald eagles living in our midst."
EagleFest activities will include:
-At Croton Point Park: Heated tents filled with educational displays, collaborator's exhibits and children's activities about bald eagles and other birds of prey. Close Encounters with Birds of Prey: Bill Streeter, from the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, will introduce eagles, hawks and owls in an informative and thrilling show. Two shows in the heated "Eagle Theater": 11am & 1pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 at 914-762- 2912, ext. 110. ·Eagle Exploration Bus Tour: The tour will begin at the headquarters at Croton Point Park and will visit three eagle viewing sites. The 2-hour tour is geared to adults and teens, and offers the expertise of a naturalist in the comfort of a chartered 28-seat bus. Tickets must be purchased in advance for $12 at 914-762- 2912, ext.110.
-Eagle viewing sites along the Hudson River: on February 9, individuals and families can visit at no charge three eaglespotting sites along the Hudson River: (1) Croton-Harmon train station boat ramp; (2) George's Island Park in Montrose; and (3) Charles Point Park in Peekskill. Each site will be staffed by eagle experts with spotting scopes, warming tents and hot chocolate. See www.teatown.org for the listing of additional open education centers, viewing locations, and EagleFest activities.
Each winter between January and March, bald eagles from Canada and northern New England fly south to the Lower Hudson Valley and Hudson Rivers to feed on fish and waterfowl found in unfrozen waters. In recent years, more than 30 bald eagles have been counted along the Westchester and Putnam portions of the Hudson River.
The annual return of the bald eagle to the Hudson Hills and Highlands region 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. Every year the eagles return affirms the continued health of the Hudson River habitat for birds, fish, plants and people - and a reminder that people working together can make a difference!
As part of the Hudson EagleFest, Teatown has created a free eagle spotting map for the "Hudson Hills and Highlands," the region stretching from Yonkers to Newburgh. The maps will be available in mid- January at Teatown Lake Reservation, through EagleFest collaborating organizations, and at other community locations.
EagleFest collaborators include: Audubon Greenwich, Beczak Environmental Education Center, Bronx River Sound Shore Audubon Society, Constitution Marsh Audubon Center, Croton Point Nature Center, Delaware Valley Raptor Center, The Eagle Institute, Greenburgh Nature Center, Historic Hudson Valley - Van Cortlandt Manor, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Hudson River Estuary Management Program, Hudson River Museum, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Pace Environmental Center in Pleasantville, Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, Rockwood Hall at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Saw Mill River Audubon Society, Teatown Lake Reservation, Village of Croton, Wave Hill, Westchester County Parks, Wild Bird Center and Wild Birds Unlimited.
Teatown's Hudson River EagleFest 2008 has been generously sponsored by the Westchester Community Foundation, Club Fit, and Westchester County Parks and Recreation.
In the event of severe weather, the alternate date for the EagleFest will be Sunday, February 10. 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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