Volunteers help spot eagles along the Skagit River
Published on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
Each winter migrating bald eagles come to local rivers to feed on spawning chum salmon. The Stillaguamish and Skagit watersheds host one of the largest concentrations of the majestic birds in the lower 48 states, and volunteer spotters are posted along the rivers to help visitors identify the eagles.
"Volunteers are outfitted with binoculars and have spotting scopes trained on the eagles, so visitors are able to get an up-close look at these amazing birds," said Tanya Kitterman, the Forest Service's coordinator for the volunteer Eagle Watchers program. "When you can make out every feather and see them looking back at you, it's exhilarating."
The Skagit River Eagle Watchers are available at three viewing locations along the North Cascades Highway 20, each with off-highway parking: near milepost 98 at the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport; milepost 100 rest area; and at the Marblemount Fish Hatchery. Viewing stations are open weekends through January 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the fish hatchery, an easy 500-foot path leads visitors to a convergence of several rushing streams, complete with sand bars and perching spots for eagles, seagulls and herons. With no power lines in the way, the accessible yet secluded riverbank offers an undisturbed vista in which to scan for eagles.
Here in Snohomish County, the third annual Eagle Festival will be held Saturday, February 6, in Arlington. The event is sponsored by the City of Arlington and the Stillaguamish Tribe.
From 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 6, eagle expert Libby Mills and other volunteers will offer guided tours at the Port Susan Bay Nature Conservancy. As visitors drive toward Port Susan on Norman Road, eagles may be spotted soaring over the Stillaguamish River or perched in cottonwood trees. At the Port Susan estuary, people will be able to look through binoculars and spotting scopes for a close-up look at the birds.
During the day, at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., presentations by Sarvey Wildlife Center will give audiences the chance to "meet" eagles and other birds of prey in the City Council Chambers.
At 12:30 in the Council Chambers, Bill Blake, the city's Community Resources Manager, will join Pat Stevenson and Jason Griffith from the Stillaguamish Tribe for a special watershed presentation, "Salmon Habitat in the Stilly: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."
Across Olympic Avenue at 103 E. Third Street, learn about Global Positioning Systems (GPS) from the city's Abram Calderon beginning at 2 p.m. The new educational program will explain how to use GPS, how to read a map, and how to find a geo-cache.
The Arlington Arts Council will also present an art show both Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, at 103 E. Third Street. The show will display entries in a public photography contest along with other artists' work, all focusing on eagles and nature.
New events this year include a "Fishy" scavenger hunt in downtown Arlington and the "Ugliest Chicken" contest hosted by Co-op Supply in Arlington. Wagon rides will be offered around town, and many stores are featuring Super Saturday specials. For details on all the Eagle Festival activities, visit www.arlingtonwa.gov or call (360) 403-3448.
In a typical winter, 3,500 rafters, 1,000 anglers and more than 10,000 people come to view eagles, said Kitterman. More than 50 Eagle Watchers volunteer each year, many of them former teachers. They explain to visitors that a bald eagle's eyesight is up to six times sharper than a human's, that its white head develops at age 5, and that the eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in the world, with an average 7-foot wingspan.
Many of the Skagit River volunteers are returning for their 17th year this winter, according to Kitterman.
"One of our volunteers told me it is always a moment of wonder when someone gets to see an eagle for the first time," she said.
"Volunteers are outfitted with binoculars and have spotting scopes trained on the eagles, so visitors are able to get an up-close look at these amazing birds," said Tanya Kitterman, the Forest Service's coordinator for the volunteer Eagle Watchers program. "When you can make out every feather and see them looking back at you, it's exhilarating."
The Skagit River Eagle Watchers are available at three viewing locations along the North Cascades Highway 20, each with off-highway parking: near milepost 98 at the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport; milepost 100 rest area; and at the Marblemount Fish Hatchery. Viewing stations are open weekends through January 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the fish hatchery, an easy 500-foot path leads visitors to a convergence of several rushing streams, complete with sand bars and perching spots for eagles, seagulls and herons. With no power lines in the way, the accessible yet secluded riverbank offers an undisturbed vista in which to scan for eagles.
Here in Snohomish County, the third annual Eagle Festival will be held Saturday, February 6, in Arlington. The event is sponsored by the City of Arlington and the Stillaguamish Tribe.
From 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 6, eagle expert Libby Mills and other volunteers will offer guided tours at the Port Susan Bay Nature Conservancy. As visitors drive toward Port Susan on Norman Road, eagles may be spotted soaring over the Stillaguamish River or perched in cottonwood trees. At the Port Susan estuary, people will be able to look through binoculars and spotting scopes for a close-up look at the birds.
During the day, at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., presentations by Sarvey Wildlife Center will give audiences the chance to "meet" eagles and other birds of prey in the City Council Chambers.
At 12:30 in the Council Chambers, Bill Blake, the city's Community Resources Manager, will join Pat Stevenson and Jason Griffith from the Stillaguamish Tribe for a special watershed presentation, "Salmon Habitat in the Stilly: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."
Across Olympic Avenue at 103 E. Third Street, learn about Global Positioning Systems (GPS) from the city's Abram Calderon beginning at 2 p.m. The new educational program will explain how to use GPS, how to read a map, and how to find a geo-cache.
The Arlington Arts Council will also present an art show both Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, at 103 E. Third Street. The show will display entries in a public photography contest along with other artists' work, all focusing on eagles and nature.
New events this year include a "Fishy" scavenger hunt in downtown Arlington and the "Ugliest Chicken" contest hosted by Co-op Supply in Arlington. Wagon rides will be offered around town, and many stores are featuring Super Saturday specials. For details on all the Eagle Festival activities, visit www.arlingtonwa.gov or call (360) 403-3448.
In a typical winter, 3,500 rafters, 1,000 anglers and more than 10,000 people come to view eagles, said Kitterman. More than 50 Eagle Watchers volunteer each year, many of them former teachers. They explain to visitors that a bald eagle's eyesight is up to six times sharper than a human's, that its white head develops at age 5, and that the eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in the world, with an average 7-foot wingspan.
Many of the Skagit River volunteers are returning for their 17th year this winter, according to Kitterman.
"One of our volunteers told me it is always a moment of wonder when someone gets to see an eagle for the first time," she said.
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