It's a Bird, a Plane...An Eagle!

It’s a Bird . . .A Plane . . .
An Eagle!!

By Gail K. Stevens, Eagle Festival Coordinator

Once on the verge of extinction -- and still listed as “endangered” – American Bald Eagles are making a slow but remarkable comeback thanks to one of the largest conservation efforts ever mounted. But this magnificent creature and many other bird species are not “out of the woods” yet. Loss of habitat is a major threat, one that is driving some bird species right out of our state.

That’s why our annual Eagle Festival™ is so important. In addition to celebrating the return of Bald Eagles to the lower Connecticut River, it’s a chance for thousands of visitors to see eagles “in the wild” -- a first experience for most -- and learn about the eagle’s history, habits, habitat, and near-disappearance, and the considerable efforts being made to conserve them.

No one who has ever seen an eagle in the wild is likely to forget it. Here are a few of the eyewitness accounts collected by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection:

-Friday, March 10 at about 8:45 a.m. I had just passed the Glastonbury exit heading north on 91. I could see a bird in the sky and was amazed at its size. As I wondered what it was, it turned and I could see its white head. Thinking for a moment that it was a seagull, I soon realized what I was looking at, a true beauty. I was absolutely amazed and as tears came to my eyes, I looked over towards the Connecticut River and saw another in the distance. Never did I think I would see one of these magnificent creatures in the wild. I travel that highway often and hope to see them again but if I never do, I will still consider myself extremely fortunate for this experience. (Tammy Anderson)

-Today I saw my first Bald Eagle flying over the Farmington River. I immediately [logged onto my computer] to verify they are in this area and was pleasantly surprised that they are. I hope to see this magnificent animal again soon. (David Burns)

-Yes, they do exist in Meriden, Connecticut! On February 6 at 5 p.m., coming home on South Main Street, I saw the eagle with my own two eyes. Oh, what a sight, as he swooped down just enough for me to get a good view of his majesty. (Lee Seraphim)

-It was the end of a beautiful sunny day in Fairfield. I decided to travel up Route 59, a long and winding road that travels a number of miles adjacent to the reservoir, heading towards Easton . . . Several hundred feet ahead, where the bridge crosses the reservoir, is where I spotted this amazing creature of nature flying not more than 20 yards ahead of me! My eyes were focused for only a few seconds but it's a memory I will never forget. I saw a live Bald Eagle where I grew up!!!! (Tom Visciglia)

Send us an e-mail (cteaglefestival@aol.com) and tell us about YOUR very own spectacular sighting of an eagle; we’ll publish select sightings in upcoming issues of our newsletter. And don’t miss the spectacular eagle sightings that await you at our 8th Annual Connecticut Audubon Society Eagle Festival™, to be held February 17-18, 2007 (Presidents Day Weekend) in Essex, Connecticut.

Archived from CT Audubon Society News Fall 2006 Copyright Connecticut Audubon Society Reuse by Permission Only