Celebrating eagles at Narrowsburg’s EagleFest

NARROWSBURG, NY — Senator John Bonacic will be designating Narrowsburg The Eagle Capitol of New York State during the opening ceremony of the Second Annual EagleFest in Narrowsburg, New York on Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Narrowsburg School auditorium.

The Lenni Lenapi Native Americans will also perform a ceremonial dance during the opening program. Last August, members of the Lenape tribe re-signed a four-year treaty with regional residents and representatives from various organizations, which took place at the former estate of William Penn in Bucks County, PA. The purpose of this treaty is to renew the vow of brotherhood and strengthen the shared vision of environmental preservation of the river valley, which is their priority. The tribe’s goal is to forge a stronger partnership with the community and gain a louder voice in Pennsylvania government.

“Live Birds of Prey,” a program by the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, begins at 11:00 a.m. following the opening ceremonies. A donation of $1 is requested for the Live Birds of Prey program, which will be presented again at 1:00 p.m.

These programs are just the beginning of an exciting day of demonstrations, movies, forums and a silent poster auction that will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. throughout the community. Snow or shine, come join us for an exciting day at the Narrowsburg EagleFest. For further information visit our website at www.narrowsburg.org or call John at 845/252/7409.

Much ado about eagles

REGION — Bald eagles are on their way to the region for their annual winter “visit” and the Eagle Institute is ready for them and the thousands of people who will come to see them. Several educational programs and staffed eagle viewing locations offer an opportunity to see bald eagles as nature intended—soaring, gliding and perching in their natural habitat in the Upper Delaware River region of New York and Pennsylvania.

The Eagle Institute has trained volunteers who are stationed at popular viewing locations with spotting scopes and binoculars to help visitors find the eagles, answer their questions and direct them to other popular viewing locations. In addition, the Institute has two guided habitat field trips scheduled January 25 and February 1 and will be participating in the second annual EagleFest planned for January 18 in Narrowsburg, NY.

Every winter more than 150 bald eagles migrate to this region in search of open water and fresh fish. The Upper Delaware River and the Mongaup Falls Wildlife Management Area in Sullivan County, NY offer an abundant food source and a safe haven for the eagles to survive the winter months. Each winter, the Institute volunteers have added 3,000 to 4,000 visitors at the viewing locations.

The Eagle Institute volunteers are stationed along the Upper Delaware River at the Lackawaxen, PA, and Narrowsburg, NY riverside viewing locations, and at the Mongaup Falls and Rio Reservoirs in Sullivan County, NY, every weekend from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until mid-March. Also on the Delaware River, interpretive exhibits and literature are available at Barryville, NY and Minisink Ford, NY viewing sites. The Eagle Institute winter field office, located in Lackawaxen PA. (at the end of the historic Roebling Bridge) is open Wednesday through Friday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until mid-March. Maps, literature and brochures are available.

The excursions offered on Saturday, January 25 and Saturday, February 1 include an introductory slide presentation that explains how the eagle made a comeback from the brink of extinction and why the Upper Delaware River region is critical to the eagles’ survival. The group is taken by bus to popular viewing locations, depending on where the eagles are being sighted. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

The institute is a private, non-profit organization based in Sullivan County, NY. For more information or to register for a trip call 845/557-6162 or 570/685-5960 or contact us at eagleinstitute@yahoo.com.

Park ranger positions available

UPPER DELAWARE — Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, a unit of the National Park Service, will offer Park Ranger Internships during the 2003 summer season. The positions offered will provide invaluable work experience in the land management field, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the scenic wonders and the recreational pursuits of this pristine 73-mile stretch of river.

The Park Ranger Internship position is designed for college students who enjoy working with children and young adults. Interns are responsible for developing and presenting a variety of educational programs to various summer camps and youth groups. The intern will also staff river access kiosks, present river safety talks and provide area information to river users, perform river canoe patrols, and present programs on the Roebling Bridge and Zane Grey, the world famous fisherman and the “Father of the Western Novel.”

The internship will run between May 11 and September 1. Dates are flexible to accommodate school schedules. Five intern positions are anticipated at the Upper Delaware.

To be considered for these positions send a resume and two letters of recommendation to Internship Coordinator Ingrid Peterec by March 14. Resumes should be sent to Upper Delaware S&RR, RR2 Box 2428, Beach Lake, PA 18405 Attn: Ingrid Peterec. For further information about the internship program, contact the National Park Service at 570/685-4871.

Fly tyers to demonstrate skills

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — The annual Sullivan County Sportsman’s Show has moved to the Sullivan County Community College and will be presented on Sunday, February 2. The show hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the admission is $2 for adults, children under 12 years old are free.

The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild is looking forward to demonstrating their skills to a much larger audience, thanks to the increased exhibit space that the Gerry Field House offers. As in prior years, members will share historic patterns and techniques for tying the unique “Catskill style” fly, as well as valuable information on materials and “tricks of the trade” for tyers.

This show has a reputation as a “family destination,” youngsters are encouraged try their hands at the tying tables.

Basha Kill winter programs

BASHA KILL, NY — The Basha Kill Area Association (BKAA) is sponsoring two campers for one week each at the Department of Environmental Conservation Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor during the summer of 2003. BKAA will pay $175 of the total $225 camper fee for each camper who is selected. The only requirements are that the camper must be 12 to 14 years of age and must be interested in the out-of-doors.

Camp DeBruce features hiking, swimming, archery and hunter safety classes along with many other activities.

The Basha Kill Area Association, started in the early 70s, has over 500 members who are dedicated to preserving this wonderful 3,000 plus acres of wetland in the Town of Mamakating. The Association works with local government to protect the environment, conduct educational programs in the schools and for the general pubic, and carry out an annual spring cleanup of the Basha Kill.

Here are some comments from previous campers. Amber Miller said, “Some of the trips included Slide Mountain, a fish hatchery, and the polar pit. I would recommend this camp to anyone who has an interest in the environment but who also wants to have fun.”

Peter Lacey said, “I enjoyed going to Camp DeBruce. I joined in many activities such as swimming, hiking, fun games, and overnight camping.”

Benjamin Scott said, “Thank you for one of the best weeks of my life.”

For more information call Linda at 845/754-0725. Applications must be in by February 1.

In other news, the BKAA is joining with the Eagle Institute and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to start a new bald eagle observation and education project at the Basha Kill during the nesting season. Each weekend, volunteers will be available with a scope and binoculars for viewing, as well as literature about the eagles, at the South Road boat launch site from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., March through July.

A mandatory Eagle Watch volunteer training is scheduled for Saturday, January 25. Cindy McGlynn, BKAA member and trained volunteer with the Eagle Institute, will lead the training. For more information call Mary Allison Farley at 845/888-0261.

“Closeup: Nature” is a series of walks focusing on four individual animal and plant communities in the Basha Kill. Naturalists have agreed to share their expertise. Bill Cutler, herpetologist, will help us find and identify reptiles and amphibians; John Haas, superbirder, will lead a birding walk; Kate Schmidt, natural resource and education specialist from Cornell Cooperative Extension/Sullivan County, will help us learn to identify aquatic insects; and John Gebhards, an expert on ferns of New York, will demystify these ancient and beautiful plants.