Andrew Griswold, Director of EcoTravel
35 Pratt Street, Suite 201
Essex 06426
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Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved to Connecticut Audubon Society

Enjoying Eagles on the Connecticut

By Andrew Griswold, CAS Director of EcoTravel

     The best part of doing the eagle cruises, is the look on people’s faces when they see their first eagle. I always try to meet the participants at the gang plank as they leave the boat and thank them for coming. By far the overwhelming response is that they want to thank Connecticut Audubon Society for the inspiring experience and reassure us that they will be returning next year with their friends. Showing people their first eagle is a real treat for me. The glow on everyone’s face is like no other.

     This last year was certainly a banner year in many respects concerning eagle sightings. With well over 200 encounters in the two month period, we could say it was a great year. The worst day we had was eight different eagles and the best day was 26. What a day that was! Just south of the bridge at Goodspeed Opera House is the Nature Conservancy’s Chapman Pond, a magnet for wintering eagles. On this day in early February, there were as many as 18 eagles in view at once. I never heard so many “oooo’s” and “aaaah’s” as we did on that day, and some were my own. One of the birds on that day was a golden eagle, not so commonly found in the state, but now becoming a more regular visitor in winter along the lower Connecticut River. In early March we had a wonderful close-up look at an immature golden eagle as it flew alongside the boat for about five minutes, allowing many to compare the their field marks with that of the bald eagle.

     Close encounters are not unusual, and the unobstructed views provided by water based tours are by far the best advantage one can have in their search for eagles. More than once, first time cruise leaders recruited by Connecticut Audubon Society have come to me afterwards to tell me that they had no idea that the trip would be as good as it was. We have seen birds fly up the wake of the boat looking for fish exposed by the passing boat, others fly over us, and many just sit right on their perches as we travel on by. The peacefulness of the river at this time of year, the beauty of the landscape, and the density of these regal birds are equaled nowhere on the east coast. It really can be something of a spiritual experience.

     The eagles are what we are looking for, but there are numerous winter encounters to be witnessed. Sightings of other birds of prey are common and have included Northern Goshawk and Rough-legged Hawk. Common Mergansers use the lower Connecticut River as a staging area in early March before their push to more northern climes, their red beaks becoming noticeably more brilliant with the approach of spring. Many participants have had the chance to see the increasingly more common Harbor Seals, well up river, making an appearance alongside the boat. You never know what will show-up, making each trip a uniquely special foray into nature.

     I can only encourage those of you who have not yet been out to see the eagles by boat, to come and discover for yourself how special these expeditionary cruises can be. Over two thousand people experienced the adventure last year, and we know many of them will return. The Connecticut Audubon Society Eagle Festival is in February on President’s weekend  and promises only to enhance the experience, delighting participants with many additional activities. Other cruises run from February through mid-March on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

     For me...I would like nothing better than to have the chance to make you smile, and “oooo” and “aaah!”