Monroe Lake’s annual special event, Eagles over Monroe, offers a wide range of programs and activities for people to learn about the majestic Bald Eagle, from January 22 to 30, 2022. The event includes a mix of small to medium-size in-person programs and hikes, a self-guided tour and scavenger hunt, as well as a virtual presentation on Facebook Live.
Details on event activities, including full descriptions and registration links, are available at http://bit.ly/eaglesovermonroe2022.
One of the featured programs is a conversation with Al Parker, a wildlife biologist who guided Indiana’s Bald Eagle reintroduction program. Al will share both history and personal stories during an informal discussion scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Paynetown State Recreation Area. Space for this free program is limited to 40 attendees, with advance registration required by Jan. 26.
On Jan. 30, the Indiana Raptor Center will offer two live raptor presentations at Paynetown State Recreation Area, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The presentations will feature up-close looks at multiple raptor species, including both a Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle. Each presentation requires advance registration by Jan. 27 and is limited to 30 people; there is a program fee of $5 per person.
A self-guided driving tour and scavenger hunt is available for free throughout the entire event period. An online map will guide you to some of the best spots for eagle viewing at the lake. A scavenger hunt, with clues hidden at select viewing locations, can be completed along the way, with a chance to win a 2022 Indiana State Parks annual entrance permit.
Sunset Eagle Watches are being offered on three different evenings for those prefer assistance looking for eagles at the lake. Volunteers will have spotting scopes set up to view eagles and other birds, and hot cocoa will be available for attendees who bring their own travel mug. Visitors are invited to drop by, no registration needed, between 5 and 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Pine Grove State Recreation Area, Jan. 28 at the Army Corps of Engineers Office on Monroe Dam Court, and on Jan. 29 at Paynetown State Recreation Area. The sunset watches are free, but donations will be collected to support future programming and events at Monroe Lake.
On Thursday, Jan. 27, Monroe Lake’s naturalist will offer a live virtual presentation on the history of the Bald Eagle reintroduction program in Indiana. “Return of the Bald Eagle” will stream via Facebook Live at 11:30 a.m. The presentation will be recorded for those unable to watch live.
Special hikes are also scheduled throughout the week. All hikes are free, but they do require advance registration and have limited spots available. If a hike is full, interested people are strongly encouraged to sign up for the waiting list.
• Fairfax Birding Stroll, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. (limited to 15 people) • Winter Exploration Hike, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. (limited to 10 people) • Northfork Birding Hike, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. (limited to 15 people) • Bald Eagle Hacking Tower Hike, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. (limited to 20 people) • Bald Eagle Hacking Tower Hike, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. (limited to 20 people)
Entrance to all State Recreation Areas at Monroe Lake is free during the winter months. Most questions about the event can be answered by viewing the full activity descriptions, which are available at http://bit.ly/eaglesovermonroe2022.
If you have further questions, please contact Monroe Lake’s Interpretive Naturalist, Jill Vance, at jvance@dnr.in.gov or 812-837-9967.