OSSINING, NY — Each winter, between December and March, bald eagles from Canada and northern New York and New England fly south to the lower Hudson Valley to feed on fish and waterfowl found in unfrozen waters. The bald eagle, which was considered an endangered species prior to 1995, shed its federal threatened status in 2007. Today, biologists estimate that about 150 bald eagles overwinter in the lower Hudson Valley. Every year the bald eagles’ return affirms the continued health of the Hudson River and nearby habitats for wildlife and people.
Teatown’s 11th Hudson River EagleFest will celebrate this conservation success story and the return of the eagle to the lower Hudson Valley at Croton Point Park (Eagle Headquarters) on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 9 am – 4 pm. Thousands of area residents will be in attendance at EagleFest to get a glimpse of these majestic birds of prey.
Last year during EagleFest at one site along the river more than 36 eagles were seen at one time. It was truly an amazing sight to see! This year, in addition to eagle shows and fun activities in the heated tents at Croton Point Park, we will host eight eagle viewing sites up and down the Hudson River.
We are grateful to our generous sponsors who help make the event possible including, Club Fit, L.L. Bean, WHUD, Wheelabrator, Earth Alterations, Green Guru and Saw Mill River Audubon. The event is made possible with the support of Westchester County and Westchester County Parks.
Amazing live raptor shows are always a fan favorite and will be held throughout the day, including Teatown-led programs with Teatown’s Animal Ambassadors. Additional activities range from guided and independent eagle viewing, bus tours, storytelling, a tent brimming with children’s programs and activities, bird walks and displays from 30 area organizations. Entertaining and educational shows take place all day long in The Eagle Theatre and Eaglet Stage under much-appreciated heated tents. Food for purchase will be provided by the Wobble Café.
Purchase your discounted online general admission tickets now at www.teatown.org. Discounted online tickets available until Wednesday, February 4 at 5 pm. Parking is free at the park.
EAGLE THEATRE SCHEDULE:
All shows feature live birds of prey
9:15 am – Hudson Valley Wildlife – Teatown
10:00 am and 11:00 am – Skyhunters in Flight – Brian Bradley
12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – Close Encounters with Wintering Eagles and Owls – Bill Streeter/Delaware Valley Raptor Center
2:00 pm – Birds of Prey – Brian Robinson
3:00 pm – Hudson Valley Wildlife – Teatown
TICKETS AND INFORMATION: General Admission tickets allow you to enter all of the tents at Croton Point Park and to take advantage of all of the day’s activities for one price (bus tours are an additional fee). Pre-sale tickets will be $13/adults (12+), $8/children (6-11) and free for children 5 and under. To purchase discounted pre-sale General Admission tickets, visit www.teatown.org (available until Wed., Feb. 4 at 5 pm.)
Tickets sold at the venue on the day of the event will be $15/adults (12+), $10/children (6-11) and free for children 5 and under. We encourage everyone to arrive early to the bird shows in the Eagle Theatre as seating will be on a first come, first served basis. A general admission ticket allows you to attend as many shows in the Eagle Theatre/Eaglet Stage as you want (as long as there are available seats). Purchase bus tour tickets by calling the Teatown office at 914-762-2912, ext. 110. Tickets for the bus tours (for age 14 and up) are $25 each and often sell out. For additional questions, please call 914-762-2912 x110. Visit www.teatown.org for up-to-date scheduling information. (All tickets are non-refundable and will be honored on the snow date, Sunday, February 8, should the event be rescheduled due to severe weather.)
BUS TOURS: Guests can travel by charter bus with a Teatown educator at 9:30am or 2:00pm for an in-depth two-hour view of eagles in their natural habitat. Tours begin at Croton Point Park and stop at three locations along the river which may include the Croton Boat Ramp at Croton-Harmon Train Station, George’s Island Park in Montrose, Riverfront Green in Peekskill, Steamboat Dock Park in Verplanck and the new Croton Dam in Cortlandt. Bus tours are intended for guests ages 14 and over. Participants must be able to walk up to ¼ mile to view birds at some of the stops, at times over snowy or icy terrain. Tickets are $25 per person (limit of 25 seats per bus). Purchase bus tour tickets by calling the Teatown office at 914-762-2912, ext. 110.
ALL ABOARD THE METRO NORTH EAGLE TRAIN!: Ride the train like never before! Attendees coming from Manhattan can take the 9:51am Metro-North Eagle Train car from Grand Central Station to Croton-Harmon Train Station. Along the way, they can view Hudson Valley birds with guest naturalists sponsored by Wave Hill. Free shuttle buses will bring attendees to/from the Croton-Harmon Train Station to Croton Point Park.
To participate in this event, guests must purchase a regular train ticket from Metro North (train ticket does not include admission fee). Metro North personnel will direct guests to the correct train car to hear the wildlife presentation.
EAGLE VIEWING SITES: Guests can enjoy eagle viewing locations and activities along the Hudson River for free. Each is staffed by eagle experts with spotting scopes. When it’s time to warm up, attendees can take a break in the heated tents/buildings at the following sites:
- Trailside Museum and Zoo, Bear Mountain State Park
- Boscobel House and Gardens, Garrison
- Croton Boat Ramp at Croton-Harmon Train Station
- New Croton Dam, Cortlandt
- George’s Island Park, Montrose
- Riverfront Green Park, Peekskill
- Rockwood Hall, Sleepy Hollow
- Steamboat Dock Park, Verplanck
Detailed maps will be available at Croton Point Park and at Teatown prior to the event to guide visitors to each unique viewing destination.
BIRD WALKS: Spot eagles and other native birds around Croton Point Park with an expert guide. Walks are given every hour from 9am-3pm. The duration of the walk is 30-45 minutes and proper footwear for the weather conditions is advised.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING: Parking is free and available in the park. Shuttle buses will bring guests from the Croton-Harmon Train Station to Eagle Headquarters throughout the day.
SNOW DATE: In the event of severe weather, the alternate date for EagleFest℠ will be Sunday, February 8, 2015. Please check Teatown’s website, www.teatown.org, for program details and weather updates, or call Teatown at 914-762-2912 x110.
SPONSORS: Teatown’s Hudson River EagleFestsm 2015 is generously sponsored by Club Fit, L.L. Bean, WHUD, Wheelabrator, Earth Alterations, Green Guru and Saw Mill River Audubon. The event is made possible with the support of Westchester County and Westchester County Parks.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?:
An Environmentally Healthy Hudson Valley Depends on YOU!!
- We all live in a watershed!! Do your part by conserving water, participating in community clean-ups, and supporting environmental legislation.
- Plant trees! Trees tame stormwater, clean the air, naturally cool your home, save water and fight climate change.
- Limit use of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Plant natives! Native plants need less water, and attract birds, bees and butterflies.
- Recycle and dispose of household chemicals and pharmaceuticals properly.
- Inspect and maintain septic systems.
- Become involved in land use and development decisions – open space protects our natural resources.
- Join an environmental organization like Teatown!
Teatown Lake Reservation, an environmental education organization with a 1,000-acre private, not-for-profit nature preserve in Westchester County, is one of the largest and most active environmental education and science centers in the region. Teatown impacts more than 20,000 adults and children every year through its full schedule of year-round programs and nature-focused summer camp, as well as through 15 miles of hiking trails. Teatown’s mission is to inspire our community to lifelong environmental stewardship. It has grown continuously since it was established on 194 acres in 1963, 50 years ago. More information about Teatown is at www.teatown.org.
