Corps hosts Eagle Watch at The Dalles

PORTLAND, ORE. – The eagles are here! 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host The Dalles Dam Bald Eagle Watch Jan. 19 and 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center in The Dalles, Ore. Area residents and visitors can catch a glimpse of our national symbol, the American bald eagle, and other raptors during this two-day event.

Bald eagles migrate south each winter in search of food.  The Columbia River provides open water and an excellent source of fish for our wintering raptor guests, and Westrick Park at The Dalles Dam provides a quiet and secluded roosting habitat from mid-December through early March.

The Corps is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and the Rowena Wildlife Clinic to provide birds of prey educational programs and live raptor viewing during the event.  A variety of fun activities will be available for all ages.  Spotting scopes will be set up inside and outside the visitor center to view the eagles roosting at Westrick Park, located at the west end of The Dalles powerhouse across the river from the visitor center. 

The event is free to the public and accessible to visitors with disabilities; visitors are encouraged to bring their own scopes, binoculars and cameras.  While the Corps hosts this event annually, park rangers want to remind visitors that the parking lot of the visitor center is always a great place to eagle watch, regardless whether the visitor center is open.

To learn more about raptor viewing and educational opportunities in the Gorge area, check out the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum at http://www.gorgediscovery.org or the Rowena Wildlife Clinic at http://www.rowenawildlifeclinic.org.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center and Seufert Park are located just north of Interstate 84 at exit 87.  Turn east onto Brett Clodfelter Way and follow the road to the visitor center.  For more information please contact The Dalles Lock and Dam Ranger Office at 541-506-7819 or visit http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/ColumbiaRiver/TheDalles.aspx