Eagle Watch, which has become one of the state’s largest annual bird watching events, will focus on Lake Billy Chinook’s population of bald eagles for the 10th consecutive year February 26-27 at Round Butte Overlook Park, The Cove Palisades State Park and other selected viewpoints around the central Oregon reservoir.

The 2005 event will feature organized viewing sessions, expert speakers and a variety of celebratory activities on February 26 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. (Saturday), and again on February 27 (Sunday) beginning at 10 a.m.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), Portland General Electric (PGE) and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are the primary sponsors of the annual celebration, which is timed around the arrival of what many observers consider to be the state’s second largest gathering of winter migrant bald eagles. “The migrant birds are primarily from Canada and Alaska,” said event coordinator Paul M. Patton of OPRD. “They join eight pair of
resident bald eagles that stay here all year. Their arrival presents a spectacular opportunity to observe these majestic raptors and to learn about them and other birds of prey in our area.”

A visitor orientation will precede the event’s first eagle viewing session Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. at Round Butte Overlook Park.

Interpreters will lead a second viewing session from 1:30-3 p.m. at the park and other viewpoints around the lake after presentations by raptor experts from throughout the region.

A formal Sunday eagle viewing session from 10-11:30 a.m. will precede the event’s annual Sunrise Eagle Tour, sponsored by Raven Research West. The tour will begin at 5:30 a.m. at the Round Butte Overlook Park and proceed to The
Cove Palisades State Park’s Sunrise Viewpoint. Visitors can sign up for the tour at the event information area on Saturday.

Special presentations will highlight results of recent studies concerning both bald and golden eagles on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. “The eagle is the symbol that represents why we are here-to be effective stewards of the land and water,” said Warren R. Clements, the director of tribal relations for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “Using the attributes of the eagle as a model, we can all better uphold the sacred natural laws of
our Creator.”

Other activities during the two-day celebration include:
* Birds-of-prey presentations by the High Desert Museum at Overlook Park from 11:30 a.m.-noon and 2:30-3 p.m., and again on Sunday from 10:30-11 a.m.;
* A special all-day book autograph session featuring author and naturalist Charlotte Corkran, sponsored by Willow Creek Books of Madras;
* An astronomy presentation, *The Wonders of the Night Sky,* sponsored by the Sunriver Nature Center at Overlook Park, followed by stargazing
activities, weather permitting;
* A Sunday afternoon performance of the eagle dance by Native American drummers and dancers and presentations of eagle-related legends, sponsored by Warm Springs Power Enterprises from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Overlook Park.

A prize drawing and a presentation of special awards will conclude the program at the Overlook Park, but eagle viewing opportunities will continue at The Cove Palisades viewpoints until
5 p.m., and Smith Rock State Park, nine miles northeast of Redmond, from 3:30-5 p.m.

“Eagle Watch appeals to all age and interest levels,” said Tony Dentel, PGE park operations manager. “Ranging from those seeing their first eagle to veteran raptor biologists, Eagle Watch visitors always enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and vast array of fascinating activities.”

Other sponsors of Eagle Watch 2005 include The Oregon Eagle Foundation, Inc.; the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Oregon State University; the Crooked River National Grassland; The Museum at Warm Springs; the Bureau of
Land Management; the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife; Sage Science; the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; the Audubon Society; Earth2O; Best Western Rama Inn; and the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Admission to all Eagle Watch activities is free.

The Cove Palisades State Park campground is open all year. Campsite and log cabin reservations may be made by calling 1-800-452-5687.

More information on Eagle Watch 2005 is available by calling the Oregon State Parks Information Center at 1-800-551-6949, or The Cove Palisades State Park, 541-546-3412. Event details also are posted at http://www.oregonstateparks.org.

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