Annual Bald Eagle Day set for March 3 at Central, Red Rock

Eagle lovers are invited to a full day of free family friendly activities celebrating the 24th annual Bald Eagle Day on Saturday, March 3.

Central College in Pella will host the indoor activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to get an up-close look at a live bald eagle and other raptors during eagle shows that will be presented hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last program starts at 3 p.m. in Central’s Douwstra Auditorium. Staff from the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center will share amazing details about how these birds “make a living.”

More live birds will be displayed in the Graham Conference Center, where environmental educator Mike Havlik will present the program, “Big Owls Hoot, Little Owls Toot” at noon and “What Do Birds Have to Teach Us?” at 2 p.m. Both programs will feature a live raptor. Other event highlights will include the Pella Wildlife Company’s live bat shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., wildlife photography by Ron Huelse, information about the new eagle nest cam at Red Rock, kids craft activities and an environmental fair featuring numerous environmental groups, agencies and other vendors.

After all the indoor activities, the public is invited to travel to the Red Rock Dam and spot eagles fishing and flying in the wild. Event staff and volunteers will be on hand at the North Tailwater Recreation Area with spotting scopes throughout the event to offer assistance.

The Red Rock Visitor Center, located on the south side of the Red Rock Dam, will feature showings of the eagle video “On the Wings of the Wind.” Volunteers will be there to answer questions about the lake area and help plan other visits.

Admission to Bald Eagle Day is free, and no reservations are needed. The event is presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Marion County Conservation Board, Pella Wildlife Company, Central College and the Red Rock Lake Association.

For more information, contact Tracy Spry at (641) 828-7522 or (641) 628-8690 or visit Lake Red Rock’s website at www.lakeredrock.org.