Upper Delaware Eagle Watch (30-Jan-2016)

On Saturday January 30th, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center held an Eagle watching program on the Upper Delaware. It was an all day event running from 7am to a little past 8pm. I would like to point out once again that most DCNR educational programs are free. This one even included transportation from the Ed Center and one other location. Check with your local State Park to see what programs they offer and you may be surprised what you can see and learn about even locally. I snapped the above photo of the sunrise before we left the Ed Center.

The first stop of the day did have a Peregrine Falcon, but it was way off in the distance. The photo above is from the second stop of the day. Looking upriver there was a group of Goldeneyes, Mergansers and some non-native Mute Swans.

While we were standing at the riverside, this Merlin which is another one of our falcons came and checked the group out.

The group at our third stop of the day. This was one of the boat launches within the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area. 

At a small pull-off we found our first Eagle's nest. In this case both occupants were home and peering out of their massive nest.

Before leaving the Eagle's nest site the group got a good look at a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker. If you are having trouble seeing it you can click on the photo to enlarge the image. 

We made a quick stop at the main office of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the group was kind enough to pose for this group shot by the wetland. 

On a ridge top two more Bald Eagles were spotted as we made our way driving up the Delaware. 

As we kept driving North through the Recreation Area there was less and less snow. At this stop, another boating access, I was able to pick up some trash. Like the last public trip, when I started others pitched in and helped! One nice thing about the Recreation Area accesses is that everyone has both trash and recycling bins making it really easy to dispose of everything picked up. 

This is Bill who volunteered to be a driver for the day. Not only did he volunteer to help the DCNR, but he removed this trash bag which was full of insulation! 

At a roadside pull-off away from the river, we didn't see any birds, but I did find trash. I really hope someone didn't change their oil there, but with finding the empty oil cans, most likely someone did. 

At the last stop in the Recreation area just a few items were found. Again, I wasn't the only one picking up and I was happy for the help. 

At this point we had not only left the Recreation Area, but Pennsylvania as well. We were now in New York State and still following the river upstream. 

As the sign reads this pull-off is called the Hawk's Nest. Some birds could be seen out on the horizon, but there was nothing close. Sadly a look over the edge revealed that many visitors dispose of their trash over the edge. This is not just an issue for those who live in New York, but any who live downstream. If not taken care of the trash will eventually make it to the river. 

At an Eagle watching station further upriver someone spotted something swimming across the river. It was two Beavers that climbed up onto a rock and stuck around for a couple photos.

Crossing back over the Delaware into Pennsylvania we got our closest look at a Bald Eagle in a Fish and Boat Commission parking lot. There was a crowd gathered before we arrived with cameras and spotting scopes out. This Eagle did not seem to mind. 

I decided to check out the boat launch at this access and in doing so found a lot of trash on the bank and in the water. I was really disappointed that it was here. The area clearly gets a lot of visitors that come to watch the Eagles, yet no one has bothered to clean up at all. With no trash cans around I went and got a trash bag and started filling it up. I didn't have much time so this was a dash for trash and I wasn't able to get a photo of everything collected before I had to go. This is definitely an area I will be back to and maybe sometime soon, since there wasn't much snow there and the ground is still covered here. 

We then followed the Lackawaxen River away from the Delaware. There across the river the group got to see one of the best sites of the day. Four Eagles in one tree. This photo only has three, one decided to take off before I could find an open view. 

On our way back I was able to take this photo of the sunset over Lake Wallenpaupack. In all there were 25 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle sited. It was a great day! For me it was great to see so many of a once endangered species along one of our local rivers! Thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to those who helped take out the trash!

You too can help with taking out the trash! If you get out hiking take a grocery bag with you, give it a second use and fill it with trash while you are out! Every bit helps. You can also help contributing to this project here: Help Fund Taking Out the Trash