The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

Plenty of fun and learning at Eagle Watch

Kirsteen Wolf
The Broadside

Do you know the difference between an accipiter and a falcon?

If you are a fan of raptors, the largest winter gathering of bald eagles will be highlighted at a celebration taking place at Lake Billy Chinook, 44 miles north of Bend.

Eagle Watch takes place over the weekend of Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 at Round Butte Overlook Park.

“I think just a field trip to the Cove Palisades with Bald Eagles and other raptors soaring overhead is enough to make some students drool. I know I do,” said Jeff Cooney, DVM and Associate Professor of Biology at COCC.

There will be presentations as well as eagle viewing.

Some of the activities include live birds of prey, eagle viewing and fish transfer facility tours. There are also informational presentations including “Golden Eagle Boot Camp,” “Golden Eagle research methods” and “Central Oregon raptors” according to the Oregon State parks web site. All the lectures are presented by experts.

“Golden Eagle Research Methods should be very interesting to students. Central Oregon Raptors will help students learn the species of raptors here in Central Oregon and how to identify them,” said Cooney.

“Ten breeding pairs of both bald and golden eagles live year-round in the area surrounding Lake Billy Chinook,” according to the Oregon State Park website.

The Oregon Golden Eagle Nest Monitoring Program will be a topic of conversation at Eagle Watch at 1:00 on both days of the event.

“This [program] is something biology students could get involved with in the spring and summer” said Cooney.

The event is family friendly with “walk about discovery tours” and other activities geared toward children on both days from 10:30 to 12:00.

There is a barbecue lunch on both days and a prize drawing on Sunday. From 1:45 to 2:30 there will be a Native American Cultural Program.

Since the first year in 1996 with 200 attendees, the event has grown to over 1000 people according to information provided by organizers.

Come prepared for any weather. The reward is a unique experience with raptors and the company of other enthusiasts.

EAGLE WATCH

What:
A local event for learning about and looking at eagles and other birds of prey

When:
Feb. 26 – Feb. 27

Where:
Round Butte Overlook Park
Lake Billy Chinook

Kirsteen Wolf can be reached at [email protected]

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