Eagle Watching

The Upper Delaware River region is an excellent place for eagle-watching, especially when eagles migrate from northern areas to spend the winter months along the Delaware River. Each year, approximately 150-200 eagles migrate to the area seeking the habitat and food sources needed to get them through the frigid months. The Delaware River provides the open water eagles need to hunt and fish and the large, undisturbed forests in the area provide habitat for the eagles to roost. As a result, the Upper Delaware region is one of the largest bald eagle wintering areas in the northeastern United States.

Good Eagle Etiquette

Help protect eagles by practicing good “Eagle Etiquette” when observing these majestic birds. Human presence can stress the birds and affect their overall health, feeding, roosting, nesting and survival.

• Stay Back: Keep at least 1000 feet from an active nest, roost, or feeding areas. Use binoculars or a telescope to view eagles at a distance. If an eagle reacts to your presence—vocalizing, starting to moving away, or acts agitated—quietly and quickly move back. Do not try to make the birds fly. This may leave eggs or eaglets exposed to predators or harsh weather. Doing so can also cause them to abandon nests or valuable food sources.

• Keep Quiet: Eagles have excellent hearing. Avoid loud noises, honking car horns, slamming doors, etc. Speak in a whisper.

• Stay Still: Sudden movements can startle eagles, especially movements directly towards eagles or their nests. Avoid sudden movements whether you are on foot or in a vehicle.

• Keep in the Car: Use your vehicle as a blind or shield. Eagles generally feel more threatened by pedestrians than vehicles.

• Be Safe: Be aware of your surroundings. Park in designated areas and make sure to pull off the road completely. The peak viewing season for bald eagles is in winter, so ensure you are wearing the proper clothing and prepare for snow, ice, and extreme cold.

Identifying Bald Eagles

Adult bald eagles are fairly easy to identify with white heads and tails, a yellow-orange beak, and dark brown wings and bodies. Eagles generally develop their adult plumage by their fifth year of age.

Immature bald eagles are mostly dark brown all over with white feathers on the underside of their wings close to their bodies. Younger bald eagles may have white mottling in addition to the dark brown feathers. Their beaks are dark, ranging from grey to brown, before turning yellow.

Eagles fly flat, unlike turkey vultures which fly with their wings angled upwards. They have a wingspan generally between 6 - 7 feet (1.8 - 2.1 meters) and bodies of around 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length.

Viewing Bald Eagles in the Upper Delaware River Region

Best Time to View Eagles

The best time of year to view eagles in the Upper Delaware River region is from January to mid-March, when bald eagles from Canada and northern New York State migrate to the area. Eagles need open water to hunt and the region provides the habitat and food source needed by eagles.

The best time of day to view eagles are in the early morning when they are feeding or in the late afternoon when they return to their roosts.

Guided Eagle Watch Opportunities

During weekends in January and February, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy offers guided tours of eagle habitat areas and volunteer docents at eagle watching stations who can provide guidance on best eagle-watching practices and answer questions. At the Zane Grey Museum, next to the Lackawaxen Access, National Park Service staff and volunteers will also be available to answer questions during this annual eagle-watching season.