Fly Like an Eagle: Exploring Winter Gorge Eagle Migration
Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin. Pictured: A juvenile Bald Eagle sits in a tree at the mouth of the Klickitat River on February 9th, 2021. A local wildlife photographer doing a survey of raptor populations in the Gorge said there were 31 Bald Eagles on their Balfour-Klickitat hike the same day this photo was taken.
Have you noticed the Columbia River Gorge’s Winter Visitors sitting in the tree tops along the river yet this winter? Want to learn more about these amazing raptors?
Join Friends of the Gorge, on Tuesday, February 16 at 6 p.m. (Pacific) for a FREE live webinar exploring eagle winter migration, behavior, and biology; the history of the Gorge Eagle Watch program; local efforts to protect migrant and resident eagle populations; and viewing opportunities for these top predators in the Columbia Gorge. The event marks the 11th annual Eagle Watch and is a virtual pandemic safe alternative to the popular ‘Eagle Watch’ guided hikes which usually take place in February. The event is a collaboration between Friends of the Gorge, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, Rowena Wildlife Clinic, Story Gorge, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin Pictured: A juvenile Bald Eagle sat in a tree at The Dalles Waterfront Park. The eagle has turned to give the photographer a piercing gaze. The Dalles Dam and The Dalles Waterfront Park are great Eagle sighting locations for nature lovers and photographers alike. Just remember not to disturb them or they may choose a different location to roost in the future.
Featured speakers will include:
- Morgan Olson, Raptor Educator, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
- Matthew Stuber, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Amber Tilton, Park Ranger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Dalles Lock and Dam
Source. Pictured: A still of an eagle descending upon it’s fish prey from the teaser video of an original film, co-produced by Friends of the Gorge and Story Gorge.
The presentations will be followed by a moderated Q&A session and the webinar will include the debut of a special, original eagle video co-produced by Friends and Story Gorge for this year's virtual Eagle Watch efforts. The webinar will be recorded and uploaded to Friends' YouTube page within a few days of the recording.
“This majestic bird of prey has made a powerful comeback from the brink of extinction, nearly being wiped out by hunters, habitat loss, and pesticides. By 1963, less than 500 bald eagle pairs were found in the lower 48 states. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, bald eagle populations have since recovered with healthy populations continuing to rise, a conservation success story,” reads the event posting on Friends of the Gorge’s facebook.
Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin. Pictured: An adult Bald Eagle perches on a Ponderosa Pine along the Columbia River Gorge between Lyle, WA and Bingen, WA. Click on image to enlarge.
Park Ranger Amber Tilton of The Dalles Lock and Dam told CCC News “Every winter eagles migrate in search of food. Mid-December through February is the best time see them and it’s common to see hundreds more than normal!”
Registration for the webinar is FREE. Register here.
Other Ways to Participate in The 2021 Eagle Watch
#EagleWatch2021 Get outside and see the eagles for yourself! Post about your experience on social media using the hashtag #EagleWatch2021
Source. Still from Destination Oregon’s video coverage of the Eagle migration to the Columbia River Gorge. Pictured: Park Ranger Amber Tilton talks about The Dalles dams ‘winter visitors’, the majestic Bald Eagles.
Check out the The Dalles Lock and Dam’s webpage on the 11th Annual Eagle Watch to see more pictures, learn ‘Eagle Etiquette’, download teaching and learning materials about Bald Eagles, learn the history of the event and watch videos about Bald Eagles in the gorge.
Watch Destination Oregon’s VIDEO to learn more about Bald Eagle migration to The Dalles Dam.
It’s For the Birds! Participate in Columbia Gorge Discovery Center’s “It’s For the Birds” 2021 Eagle Photo Contest Fundraiser!
It’s $5 to enter, limit 10 photos per person, and the deadline is February 15th, 2021! Voting will take place February 16th-28th. Three lucky winners will receive prizes!
1st place prize: one (1) annual family membership to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
2nd place prize: four (4) day passes to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
3rd place prize: two (2) day passes to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
Winning photos will be printed and displayed to the public in the Discovery Center's River Gallery at a future date as determined by COVID regulations. Names and results will be submitted to be published in local news (publishing is not guaranteed).
Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin. Pictured: An adult Bald Eagle perches on a Ponderosa Pine along the Columbia River Gorge between Lyle, WA and Bingen, WA. Click on image to enlarge.
