[mou] Red Wing Eagle Review (long)

[Kelly Larson]

    Eagle Spot weekends made its debut today at Colvill Park along the
banks of the Mississippi River. A collaborative effort of the Red Wing
Environmental Learning Center, Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau,
and Feathered Friend Wild Bird Store, the new program seeks to intrigue,
inform, and inspire.  Our first day totals, Eagles out numbered
visitors...12 to 9. One visitor, a Red Wing resident and retired river
rat, encouraged our efforts. He lives near the park and shared with us
that as many as thirty of these magnificent birds roost in his backyard
(Memorial Park) all winter!
    Like the observation deck in Wabasha, trained volunteers provide
information about Bald Eagles on the weekends. Many of the volunteers
are members of Red Wing Environmental Center's "Instructor Naturalist"
program. The site will be staffed every Sat. & Sun. from 1-3 pm until
mid March. Binoculars are available and thanks to Jim Williams of the
Minnesota Ornithologists Union, we have a spotting scope to set up!
    Eagle Spot hopes to attract the casual observer, area visitors, tour
groups and small groups from local organizations. Eagle Spot will
provide visitors with a wonderful wildlife watching experience.
Information about Bald Eagle behavior and restoration, and river ecology
and conservation will encourage understanding. Understanding leads to
appreciation, and appreciation to conservation.
    Colvill Park is indeed a terrific place to see large concentrations
of wintering Bald Eagles. Local residents report high counts of 75, 100,
even 150 birds gathered at one time at this location in February and
March. Colvill Park also provides some of the closest views of Bald
Eagles as they perch in the tall Cottonwoods that line the riverfront.
The birds seem accustomed to the vehicle and foot traffic. Both people
and cars pass under eagles resting in trees overhanging paths and roads.
The birds appear to exhibit little concern about these intrusions into
their space.
    Eagle Spot will be working with information from the National Eagle
Center and the Raptor Center to assure that the type and proximity of
human activity is appropriate and that indications of stress are
recognized and monitored. Contact the Red Wing Visitors and Convention
Bureau at 800-498-3444 or visit their web site at www.redwing.org for
more information.

Kelly Larson
Feathered Friend
Red Wing, MN

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The 3rd Annual Great River Birding Festival Is Coming...
Hosted by Wabasha, MN on May 14-15-16 2004.
http://www.mississippi-river.org/birding/