Eagle Tours In January
By
Kimberly King-Wrenn - Crab Orchard Refuge
Story Created:
Dec 8, 2011 at 2:35 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 9, 2011 at 7:31 AM CDT
WILLIAMSON CO. - Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge will host guided eagle tours into the closed portion of the Refuge to view active bald eagles and their nests.
The tours are scheduled for January 21, 22, 28, and 29. Volunteers will lead three tours each day beginning at 8 a.m., followed by 11 am, and again at 2 p.m.
The tour begins at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center with a short talk about bald eagles, followed by the tour which should last approximately two hours.
The tours will stop periodically so that visitors may get a closer look at wildlife, but little actual walking will be required. Spotting scopes and binoculars are provided for close-up observations. Seating is limited, so please call 998-5933 to make your reservation.
Four breeding pairs of eagles made their homes Crab Orchard NWR this year. They produced two chicks. The numbers of eagles increase with the arrival of ducks and geese in the late fall. Most of the bald eagles that winter at the Refuge spend their summers in the northern United States and Canada.
Eagle numbers are highest when the weather farther north is at its worst. Past Eagle Tour participants have been fortunate enough to observe 17 or more eagles in addition to a variety of other wildlife.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System encompassing over 98 million acres and 555 refuges across the nation.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service.
For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
