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   For the first time, a rehabilitated bald eagle is scheduled to be released during the 28^th Annual Eagles Et Cetera festival. The eagle awareness event, based at DeGray Lake Resort State Park, celebrates the American bald eagle and other birds of prey Jan. 26-28.  

   Though currently inked in as part of the schedule, the release will depend on the eagle recovering well enough to be released.

   “When dealing with animal recoveries, nothing is ever to be counted on entirely,” park interpreter Jason Parrie said. “Thus, things are subject to change. However, we’re confident that this is about as certain as we’ll ever get that we’ll have a live eagle to be released at DeGray.” 

   Once endangered in all of the lower 48 states, bald eagles, which became the national emblem of the United States in 1782, came dangerously close to extinction. However, due to increased awareness, protective legislation and widespread conservation efforts over the past 50 years, the population is making a remarkable comeback, and eagle watching is becoming a popular pastime for nature lovers across the country.  

   Visitors making the trek to EEC, the largest festival of its kind in the state, can expect many opportunities to see eagles in their natural habitat. The park will offer 29 boat tours of the lake starting Friday and continuing through Sunday afternoon. There will also be opportunities to spot eagles from the lodge, traveling within the park and on one of several bird hikes offered. 

   “Nothing I can think of compares to someone’s memory of seeing their first wild eagle soaring past them across picturesque DeGray Lake,” Parrie said. “It’s those moments that draw visitors to the event.” 

   First-timers to the festival should be prepared for outdoor activities. Dressing warmly for lake tours is recommended and there will be opportunities to learn about birds at a variety of indoor bird-related programs and activities. 

   “The festival not only highlights eagles but also gives attention to birds of prey in general – song birds, migratory birds, waterfowl, game birds, conservation practices and general lake ecology and health,” Parrie said. “There are programs designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, backgrounds and experience.” 

   Visitors should also expect to see a variety of birds of prey up close as well. The Little Rock Zoo, a wildlife rehabilitator and a falconer will combine to bring around two dozen different birds including owls, hawks, vultures and even an eagle. The rehabilitator will bring a few rehabilitated birds to release. The festival has seen dozens of rehabilitated birds of prey released within the park over the last several years but no eagles have been released as yet. 

   Eagles, which are unique to North America, begin to arrive in Arkansas as early as mid-October and stay all winter long, departing around February and as late as mid-March. Over 1,700 eagles may winter here depending on weather conditions. Wintering eagles favor the Ouachitas and Ozarks due to their favorable habitat. 

   “Eagles can be found around any body of water where there is a plentiful fish and bird population,” said Gretchen Sacotnik, a superintendent at Crowley’s Ridge State Park who helped spearhead the effort to start DeGray’s eagle awareness program in 1979. “At DeGray, they just love coots. Some of the best viewing can be found there, Lake Ouachita, the Arkansas River, Bull Shoals and Lake Catherine. As to why people like to watch eagles, I'm not sure. For me, it's always been the fact that they are such large and majestic looking birds. They have up to a six-foot wing span and are so easily identifiable.” 

   The peak months for eagle watching are December through February. A tip for catching a glimpse is to get out early, as eagles soar in thermal updrafts so the best time to see one in the air is when the temperature is rising during mid- to late morning. You might not spot one based on sound recognition though, as the infamous ‘cry’ you hear on television and movies is most likely from a red-tailed hawk. Eagles make a wimpy high pitched chirping sound.

   The event has not only been instrumental in showcasing the plight of the eagle nationwide but also in monitoring and revealing the welfare of eagles that live on and around DeGray Lake. 

   “Every year we update our visitors with information about local eagles and about the continuing effects of the eagle die off that occurred in the mid 1990s,” Parrie said. “AVM, Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy, was, and is, (it’s an ongoing concern) the name of the disease that killed nearly 50 eagles here. We were ground zero for a national story and subsequent investigation into a newly discovered disease.”  

   While no cure has been found, the culprit, toxic algae, was identified and the event continues to be a primary source for spreading information about AVM.  

   Overall, the event’s goal is for visitors to learn more about our environment and take that knowledge home with them.  

   “Conservation is a critical concept to Arkansas and the nation,” Parrie said. “Eagles are a remarkable success story in the conservation of a natural resource and successful eagle programs help identify the state as a place where people care about natural resources and where conservation works.” 

   Other eagle awareness events taking place across the state in January include:

·         14^th Annual Eagle Watch, Jan. 26-28
Based at Eureka Springs aboard the Belle of the Ozarks on Beaver Lake, passengers learn about our national bird from experts in the field. Admission is $18 for adults, $7.50 for children 12 and under.

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