Frankfort, KY (January 21, 2004) -

Winter anglers on Dale Hollow Lake or Kentucky Lake are sometimes awestruck by witnessing the majestic flight of our national bird, the bald eagle. The annual Eagle Watch Weekends give people who don’t normally visit these lakes in winter a chance to view bald eagles up close in the wild.

The Eagle Watch Weekends for 2005 are January 14 - 15 and January 21 - 22 at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, January 21 – 23 at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, January 28 – 30 at Lake Barkley State Resort Park and February 4 – 6 at Kenlake State Resort Park. The Kentucky Department of Parks sponsors the Eagle Watch Weekends in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Participants in the Eagle Watch Weekend get a tour with biologists, naturalists and expert guides on a van tour, a boat tour or a combination of both. Those who choose the Dale Hollow Lake Eagle Watch Weekend go out on an open barge supplied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (all participants in the Dale Hollow Lake Eagle Watch Weekend must bring a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket). Prices for these combinations range from $15 to $80 for an adult.

"Those who go on the Eagle Watch Weekend can expect to see eagles for sure," said Shawchyi Vorisek, avian ecologist for the KDFWR. "The colder the weather is, the better the eagle viewing."

Between 150 and 350 bald eagles migrate to Kentucky’s waterways each winter. "Our numbers for the 2004 count were 191 bald eagles," Vorisek said. "We are getting mellow winter weather this year, but I expect the number of eagles in the state to be about the same as last year."

Three new pairs of bald eagles built nests in Kentucky in 2004, including the first nesting pair at Cave Run Lake. Kentucky now possesses 39 pairs of nesting bald eagles.

It is recommended those who participate in the Eagle Watch Weekend bring along comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, warm clothes that can be layered, binoculars, ear muffs, warm gloves, warm headgear and a camera.

For more information about the Eagle Watch Weekend on the internet, log on to parks.ky.gov. For reservations or information call:

Dale Hollow State Resort Park: 1-800-325-2282

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park: 1-800-325-0146

Lake Barkley State Resort Park: 1-800-325-1708