The 15th annual Eagle Watch event will take place at The Dalles Dam on Saturday, inviting raptors and birdwatchers.
Numerous bald eagles gather near The Dalles Dam in January and February as they migrate in pursuit of food.
“We’ve seen anywhere between 40 and 60 eagles at a time in previous years,” said Bethany Rittenhouse, a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at The Dalles Lock and Dam. It’s a bit of a late start this year. The fact that the winter has been warmer may indicate that they have enough food in their current location and are not yet under pressure to migrate.
Approximately six eagles were observed sleeping in the trees and along the metal structures surrounding the dam last weekend, though their numbers are lower than in previous years.
While there are a few year-round residents of the Columbia River Gorge, the majority of bald eagles observed during the winter months are migratory, traveling from as far away as Canada and Alaska. The birds pause and graze along the Columbia River on their way to warmer climates.
One particularly alluring location for food is the Dalles Dam.
According to Rittenhouse, the bald eagles may eat a little bit more easily because the dam produces turbulent water that tends not to freeze.
According to Rittenhouse, bald eagles will consume tiny ducks and carrion, but they prefer to eat fish, especially shad. Westrick Park, a green area on the Oregon side of the dam that was off-limits to the public for security concerns more than 20 years ago, is where they frequently gather. Due to the lack of people and the large number of perching choices, including big trees and power towers, it has become a popular eagle roosting location.
Binoculars and scopes can be used to view the bald eagles in Westrick Park from the visitor center of the dam and the adjacent natural areas.
Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum will provide educational activities for children and offer information about the birds during the Eagle Watch event. Visitors can get a close-up look at live, rehabilitated raptors brought by Rowena Wildlife Clinic staff.
Visitors who wish to get the greatest views of the eagles should bring binoculars or a long camera lens, but park rangers will also have spotting scopes set up for the public. According to Rittenhouse, eagles are most active during their eating sessions in the morning.
During the winter months, the Dalles Dam Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. However, the parking lot and trails are open to the public from dawn to sunset for independent birdwatching.
Eagles can also be seen along the Klickitat State Park Trail on the Washington side of the river and the Dalles Riverfront Trail, which connects Columbia Gorge Discovery Center to Riverfront Park and The Dalles Bridge Junction.
The top locations in the Pacific Northwest for bald eagle viewing
In the Pacific Northwest, winter is the ideal season to see bald eagles. Here are the top locations to locate them in the area.
IF YOU GO: The Dalles Dam Visitor Center, located at 3545 Bret Clodfelter Way, just north of I-84 at exit 87, will host the 15th annual Eagle Watch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 25. Attendance to the event is free. The Dalles Lock and Dam ranger office can be reached at 541-506-7857 for additional information.
WEEKEND GETAWAY: Do you want to extend your stay at Eagle Watch? There will be a wine and dessert reception on Friday night, a carpool to The Dalles Dam on Saturday, lunch, a wine tasting and dinner, a second eagle watch excursion and lunch on Sunday, special presentations on eagles, and morning meditations during the two-night, three-day Eagle Watch retreat weekend at the historic Balch Hotel in Dufur, which is located 15 miles south of The Dalles. Nightly rates range from $134 to $167, depending on the room. You can find out more and make reservations at balchhotel.com/eagle-watch-weekend.
Here is Oregon and The Oregonian/OregonLive are covered by Samantha Swindler. You may reach her at oregonian.com/sswindler.
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