GUNTERSVILLE-Lake Guntersville State Park will host its popular Eagle Awareness Weekends from January 20 through February 19, 2017
Birding has been exceptional this winter at Lake Guntersville including eagle sightings.
“We have a wealth of eagles this year,” said Kate Gribbin, Park Naturalist at Lake Guntersville State Park. “Even during the summer months we were seeing large numbers of eagles around the park, which is a great sign for winter birding. We have seen eagles on most days this winter and they seem to be active in all areas of the park. I expect this year we may break a new record for the number of eagles sighted in a single day.”
Recently, park staff discovered a new eagle nest in the park. Eagle Awareness visitors will be able to view the nest with a guide. Other new programs and activities include live bald eagle demonstrations on each weekend, Sunday afternoon bird of prey programs, Chick-fil-A Adventure Quest for children under 12,Friday story time, and the Gunter School Photo Contest for Marshall County students.
Eagle Awareness events are free to the public. There is no registration needed to attend the programs or field trips. However, the sessions can fill up fast so participants are encouraged to arrive early for the events.
To celebrate Eagle Awareness at Lake Guntersville, the park is offering several overnight accommodation packages and dining specials. Package holder exclusives include priority seating at all programs, exclusive photo opportunities with Sunday presenters, discounts to participating businesses and restaurants in the Guntersville area and a welcome gift provided by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For more information about the events schedule, Eagle Awareness packages or to make reservations, visit www.alapark.com/lake-
The Eagle Awareness Weekends began in 1985 to coincide with a bald eagle restoration program in Alabama. A loss of habitat, pesticide use and poaching had pushed eagle populations to the brink of extinction nationwide. Alabama’s restoration project was started in 1984 by the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries’ Nongame Wildlife Program. Between the years 1985 and 1991, 91 bald eagles were released throughout the state. Today, bald eagles are a more common site in Alabama than in decades past.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
