Shenango River Watchers will host the second annual Eagle Fest at Shenango River Lake on Jan. 8.
The event occurs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chestnut Run Swim Beach, 500 Saranac Drive (Pennsylvania Route 846) in Transfer, Pa.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Tamarack Wildlife Center will provide interpretive programs. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will present at 9:10 a.m. and noon. Tamarack Wildlife Center will present at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., which includes several live ambassador birds. Each presentation will last approximately 40 minutes.
In accordance with Covid-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, program participation may be limited. Visitors should attend only one program for each presenter to limit congestion. Participants will be expected to follow CDC guidelines on social distancing and masks. Sanitation stations will be available.
Visitors will learn about and possibly observe bald eagles that have made several nests around Shenango River Lake, including on the river below the dam and throughout wildlife areas.
Visitors will receive a map to take a self-guided tour around the lake. Park rangers will be available to answer questions and help locate bald eagles. They will hold stations at the Route 18 Access Area, Mercer Recreation Area and Shenango Recreation Area boat launch.
Shenango River Lake offers several recreation areas that provide panoramic views for spotting bald eagles. When the lake freezes and ice forms, open water offers prime fishing opportunities for bald eagles. Previously, visitors have observed more than 90 juvenile and adult bald eagle nests in one day.
Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly for the weather, including hiking boots. Participants should bring binoculars or spotting scopes to improve their experience.
For more information, contact Shenango’s ranger station at 724-646-1124.
Shenango River Lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. Shenango River Watchers is a non-profit watershed group formed to restore and protect the environmental, scenic and recreational attributes of the Shenango River Watershed. For more information, contact Shenango’s ranger station at 724-646-1124.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District maintains pages on Twitter and Facebook.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was updated on Jan. 5, 2022 to include Covid-19 safety guidelines and a change to the hosting organization.
Chestnut Run Swim Beach
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