Eagles on the Hudson

Each time I see a Bald Eagle I stand in amazement and watch as it flys overhead or sits perched in a tree.  While we do not do many of our famous “day-trips” during the winter months, we decided to spend this weekend eagle scouting.  We simply couldn’t resist as our backyard (the lower Hudson Valley) sees more and more eagles each year along the majestic Hudson River.

 

According to a NYTimes.com article “…last year, Bald Eagles were once plentiful in New York. But by 1976, only one pair of eaglets remained. Environmentalists blamed pesticides, particularly DDT (which was banned in 1972), for interfering with the raptors’ ability to reproduce.

 

Today, roughly 500 bald eagles winter in New York (they migrate here when the waters begin to freeze in Canada and Nova Scotia), and 143 pairs remain in the state during the summer. Dr. Koontz said that eight pairs had stayed year-round in the lower Hudson Valley.”

 

With so many places to choose from, we decided to check out the places best known for spotting eagles.  On our list, Croton Point Park in Croton-On-Hudson, NY. While we did not see to many eagles, we did enjoy a great walk (of course we lucked out with Saturday being Spring like with temps nearing 50° F) along the Westchester RiverWalk which is a 51.5 mile pathway paralleling the Hudson River connecting some 14 towns/ villages/municipalities in Westchester.  More details about the Westchester RiverWalk.

 

 

On our way out of Croton Point Park we (and many many others) were shocked to see this hawk (we believe a Red Tail Hawk) just sitting in the field.  So many people were walking around him (at a safe distance but none-the-less) and he didn’t move.  I don’t think that was a good sign that he didn’t move or seem to be bothered by everyone lurking around and taking his picture.  Beautiful as he is, I’m fearful he was sick.

 

 

red-tailed-hawk-croton-point-park

Then Sunday morning we went out early (leaving the house by 8:00am is early for us on a Sunday LOL!).  We headed to Fleischmann Pier in Peekskill, NY.

 

fleischmanns-pier

Here we were successful in our eagle scouting adventure! 

Eagle on the Hudson @ Fleischmann's Pier
Eagle on the Hudson @ Fleischmann's Pier

 

 

 

 

Eagles @ Fleischmann's Pier
Eagles @ Fleischmann's Pier

 

Then it was off to Charles Point Marina just a short distance down the road from Fleischmann Pier.  There we saw a beautiful eagle perched in the tree! I was so excited! I only wish it wasn’t such an overcast / gray day and the picture was a bit clearer, oh well, it was still a great day!

 

eagle-pirched-in-tree-at-charles-point-marina2

 

Then on to my hometown of Verplanck, NY to steamboat dock.  There we were thrilled to see the most eagles we’d seen so far.  We watched as the eagles (about 4 or 5) enjoyed a ride down the river on the ice! 

It was a wonderful weekend!

 

As always, I wish you days filled with happiness and “wonder” – take the time to “wonder” what it is that made you smile today! :)

Winter's sunshine
Winter's sunshine

  

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6 thoughts on “Eagles on the Hudson

  1. Who would have ever thought that the Hudson Valley area would be prime American Bald Eagle grounds, especially during the winter…. According to my Lady’s Dad, the Eagles have been coming to the Hudson River and perching on the ice floes for years..or as he put it “as long as I can remember”. It is truly amazing to see these great American treasures right in our own back yard.

    Consider attending the Eagle Fest in Feb. It is going to be a great time.

  2. i am constantly jumping throughout the online world the majority of the day which means I have a tendency to browse an awful lot, which is not commonly a good factor as the majority of the pages I visit are constructed of useless garbage copied from other internet sites a million times, nonetheless I gotta give you props this blog is indeed quite informative and also features a lot of authentic material, so thank you for stopping the trends of merely copying other peoples’ sites, if you ever want to take up a few hands of myspace poker with me just let me know – you have my e mail 🙂

  3. We saw 25 eagles this morning round 8 am…Near Bear Mt on 9W in Tompkins Cove..Junior and senior birds flying and in trees it was amazing!!!!!!!

  4. I saw that same eagle flying over 9D from the pier into a nest behind the homes it was an amazing sight. To think I went to Alaska to see them now I have them right here at home.

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