Dozens of bald eagles are expected to line the shores of Onondaga Lake this weekend as conservation leaders host a guided winter wildlife walk.
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps will hold “Bald Eagle Adventures” on Saturday, March 7, with two one-hour sessions from 10 to 11 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m.
Participants will take a half-mile walk along the Onondaga Creekwalk and restored sections of the lake shoreline near Destiny USA in Syracuse. Organizers say the area attracts dozens of bald eagles and thousands of waterfowl during the winter months.
National Audubon Society staff and volunteers will lead the tours. They will explain why bald eagles gather at the lake and how the species recovered after nearing extinction.
“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,” Lajewski said. “Audubon has proudly worked with our conservation partners to restore these habitats and we welcome everyone to experience this conservation success that is unlike any other.”
Onondaga Lake is designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area. In addition to bald eagles, bird species commonly seen in winter include common mergansers, American black ducks, greater and lesser scaup, common goldeneye, bufflehead, hooded merganser, mallards, redheads and ring-necked ducks.
The walk will follow a flat, paved trail that may be snow-covered. Organizers will provide binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides.
Space is limited and registration is required. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children.
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