New viewing blind offers eagle watching opportunity

MINISINK FORD, NY — A new eagle observation blind along the Delaware River in Minisink Ford is now ready for use. The Eagle Institute, based in Lackawaxan, PA, celebrates its 10-year anniversary with the opening of this new viewing blind.

The new blind, an open-air structure that keeps eagle watchers hidden from sight while providing a clear view of a section of the river known for eagle activity, replaces an informational sign that was lost in last year’s floodwaters. Built with grants from the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and Sullivan Renaissance as a cooperative effort of the Eagle Institute, Highland Renaissance, Town of Highland, the Kiwanis Club of Minisink Valley, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service, the new blind offers a comfortable perch to watch eagles as they fly down the river, fish for their supper or soar above the Pennsylvania tree line.

A ramp provides easy access, and a fold-down desk allows visitors to record their sightings, thoughts and observations. The Eagle Institute will include the information in its annual EagleWatch! report.

Binoculars and spotting scopes are recommended for better viewing. Eagle Institute volunteers can provide binoculars and scopes when they staff the blind on weekends in January and February to assist visitors as they watch for wintering bald eagles.

This winter the National Park Service will be installing a solar-powered transmitter at the blind so visitors can receive eagle information on their automobile radios.

Eagle watchers can also view winter eagles at four other sites: the viewing deck in Narrowsburg (maintained by the Chamber of Commerce); the PA Fish and Boat Commission access area in Lackawaxen; the New York State Department of Transportation pull-off in Barryville; and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s viewing blind on the Mongaup Falls reservoir, Forestburgh. Eagle Institute volunteers staff those locations to assist visitors on weekends in January and February.

For more information, visit the Eagle Institute at eagleinstitute.org. email eagleinstitute@yahoo.com, 570/685-5960 or 845/557-6162.