during the winter

Eagle watching on your own can be a rewarding experience. It offers the flexibility to move from one location to another at your own pace. We encourage you to begin your outing at our winter field office in Lackawaxen, PA, where you can view an educational video, ask questions and learn about where the eagles are being seen. You can pick up free maps and literature, find out about road conditions and where to get a good cup of coffee!

You can follow our map to the designated viewing areas, where you will find our trained volunteers standing by to help you with extra binoculars, spotting scopes and answers to your questions.

You'll want to dress warmly and in layers and wear waterproof boots. Much of your time may be spent sitting and waiting in your vehicle, so snacks are always helpful! Even though we have extra binoculars and spotting scopes, it is always helpful to bring your own if you have. Birding field guides help fill the time between sightings.

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT:

You might want to check with us or our Eagle Forum message board to help you plan your outing.

PROTECTED EAGLE NESTS FOR PUBLIC VIEWING

The Eagle Institute does not promote eagle watching during the breeding season. Human disturbance at any time during the breeding season can result in failure to reproduce or successfully fledge young.

However, we understand that nest watching is a fascinating and exciting phenomenon. There are three locations in the Tri-State Area where eagle nests are protected AND visible for public viewing. We encourage the public to visit these locations to enjoy and learn about breeding eagles in our region:

Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area, near Wurtsboro, NY (Sullivan County)
A breeding pair of eagles can be viewed from the main boat launch on South Road in this wetland managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).  There is ample parking and volunteers from the Bashakill Area Association are available on weekends during the breeding season to assist with viewing. The volunteers can answer your questions and provide a scope for close-up looks at the nest. This pair raised two eaglets in 2007. Visitors can also view a pair of osprey from this location.

Directions: Take Exit 113 (Wurtsboro) from Route 17 and head west on Route 209. Proceed 1.9 miles and turn left on Haven Road. Go .9 miles to end of Haven Road and turn right onto South Road. The main boat launch is 1.8 miles down South Road on the right. From Port Jervis, take Route 209 north and turn right onto County Route 163A at Westbrookville. Take the first left onto South Road. The boat launch will be a couple of miles in on the left.

For a map and more information, visit www.thebashakill.org.

Little Swartswood Lake at Swartswood State Park in Stillwater, NJ (Sussex County)
A pair of eagles is nesting on this lake and can be viewed from the boat dock. The NJ Department
of Environmental Protection has roped off the area under the nest to keep visitors from getting too close. A spotting scope, binoculars or a good camera with telephoto lens will bring the eagles clearly into focus.

In 2007 the eagle pair had two eaglets. Little Swartswood Lake should not be confused with Swartswood Lake. Swartswood Lake is the lake at the main gate of the state park. Little
Swartswood Lake is a little less than a mile north of the state park.

For more information visit:  www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/swartswood.html.

Promised Land State Park, Pike County, PA
A breeding pair of bald eagles has successfully nested and raised young at this 3,000 acre state park for several years. The nest can be viewed safely from the wildlife observation station located on Lower Lake by the Bear Wallow Boat Launch. Approach the area quietly for the best chance to see waterfowl and other animals. Binoculars or a spotting scope will give you a really close look at the pair and their young.

Managed by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Promised Land State Park is surrounded by 12,464 acres of Pennsylvania’s Delaware State Forest, including natural areas.

Directions: The park is approximately 10 miles north of Canadensis on PA 390 and easily reached from interstates 80 and 84. The park is within a one to three hour drive from Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Reading, Harrisburg, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, and is about 100 miles north of Philadelphia and 35 miles from the New York and New Jersey state borders.

For more information go to: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/promisedland.aspx.