Dozens of bald eagles are drawing winter visitors to Onondaga Lake, and a guided walk later this month will put that wildlife comeback up close.
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps will host Bald Eagle Adventures on Saturday, Jan. 31, with guided walks scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The half-mile walk follows the Onondaga Creekwalk and lake shoreline near Destiny USA in Syracuse.
The walk focuses on newly restored shoreline and wetland habitat that now attracts bald eagles, waterfowl, and other wildlife during the winter months. National Audubon Society staff and volunteers will lead the group and explain why bald eagles gather at the lake and how the species rebounded from near extinction.
Onondaga Lake is designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area. It provides food, water, and shelter for many bird species during cold weather. Species commonly seen there include bald eagles, common mergansers, American black ducks, scaup, goldeneye, bufflehead, hooded mergansers, mallards, redheads, and ring-necked ducks.
“Onondaga Lake is one of the best places in New York to see Bald Eagles during the winter months,” said Chris Lajewski, director of Audubon’s Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps and Montezuma Audubon Center. “Bald Eagles flock to the restored shoreline and wetlands to roost in trees and feed on the lake’s bountiful fish during the winter months.”
The walk will take place on a flat, paved trail that may be snow covered. Binoculars, spotting scopes, and field guides will be provided.
Space is limited and registration is required. The fee is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Participants can register for either the morning or afternoon session online. Questions can be directed to 315-365-3588 or [email protected].
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is a volunteer-based program focused on restoring and monitoring wildlife habitat throughout the Onondaga Lake watershed.
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