For the next two months during two weekends, two state parks in the regional area are offering the public a chance to view America’s national bird, the bald eagle. These are known as Eagle Watch Weekends.
“These weekends we typically see about 25 eagles and it is because of the amazing work of the Kentucky State Parks of preservation and work to protect these birds that make these Eagle Watch Weekends possible,” said John Rittenhouse, Ken Lake Park Manager.
The Kentucky State Parks system has offered these tours for four decades. Tours are offered by van or by yacht at Lake Barkley and by yacht only at Kenlake. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50 a person and the tour is two to three hours long. The tours give the option of viewing these eagles from a CQ Princess, a 96-foot yacht which includes inside seating or outside decks. These weekend at Kenlake also include a program called Birds of Prey, hosted by the Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky and at Lake Barkley “Wings to S.O.A.R.” from northern Georgia will be putting on a similar event.
“These programs are beneficial to participants because it gives people the opportunity to see the birds up close and to learn about the obstacles and dangers that these birds still face,” said Mary Schmidt, Lake Barkley Park Naturalist.
Attending guests are advised to wear warm clothes.
Story by Kelsey Randolph, Contributing writer