“Eagles over Monroe” is an annual event celebrating Monroe Lake’s unique history with the bald eagle, as well as its designation as a “hotspot” on the Indiana Birding Trail. Join the folks at Lake Monroe for four special days of programs highlighting bald eagles and other birds. Monroe Lake played a critical role in returning our nation’s symbol to our state’s skies. Thanks to the eagle reintroduction program at Monroe Lake in the late 1980s, Indiana is now home to over 350 nesting pairs of bald eagles today.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by the Sassafras Audubon Society and Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington.

EVERY DAY

Self-Guided Bald Eagle Driving Tour: Create your own self-guided driving tour during the peak of eagle-viewing season. Consult our online map for the best viewing locations and times, grab a pair of binoculars and a warm drink, and head out to Monroe Lake on your own schedule to look for eagles. Access the online, interactive map at bit.ly/monroelakeeagleguide.

FEB. 1

• 9:30 a.m. Woods and Fields Birding Walk, Limited to 20 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30. bit.ly/eom2024-woodsandfields *9 spots open

• 2 p.m. Bald Eagle Hacking Tower Hike, Limited to 20 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30. bit.ly/eom2024-hackingtower *FULL (waitlist available at registration link)

FEB. 2

• 3 p.m. Build a Bird Feeder Workshop, $5/person, limited to 16 people (ages 12 plus), registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30. bit.ly/eom2024-feeder *9 spots open

• 4 to 6 p.m. Warming Station OPEN, bit.ly/eom2024-warming

• 5 to 6 p.m. Sunset Eagle Watch, No registration needed - just stop by! bit.ly/eom2024-sunset1

FEB. 3

• 9:30 a.m. Lakeshore Birding Walk, Limited to 20 people, registration REQUIRED by Feb. 1. bit.ly/eom2024-lakeshore *11 spots open

• 11 a.m. Species Spotlight: The Sandhill Crane, Limited to 40 people, registration AVAILABLE thru Feb. 1 (walk-ups welcome, if registration doesn’t fill or there are no-shows), bit.ly/eom2024-crane *27 spots open

• 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Warming Station OPEN, bit.ly/eom2024-warming

• 1:30 p.m. Return of the Bald Eagle, Limited to 40 people, registration AVAILABLE thru Feb. 1 (walk-ups welcome, if registration doesn’t fill or there are no-shows), bit.ly/eom2024-return *20 spots open

• 3:30 p.m. LIVE Bald Eagle Show, $5/person, limited to 40 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30, bit.ly/eom2024-eagle *FULL (waitlist available by emailing jvance@dnr.IN.gov)

• 5 to 6 p.m. Sunset Eagle Watch, No registration needed - just stop by! bit.ly/eom2024-sunset2

FEB. 4

• 9:30 a.m. 3-D Bald Eagle Paper Craft Workshop, $5/person, limited to 20 people (ages 8 plus), registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30, bit.ly/eom2024-paper *20 spots open

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Warming Station OPEN, bit.ly/eom2024-warming

• 11 a.m. The Carrion Eaters, Limited to 40 people, registration AVAILABLE thru Feb. 1 (walk-ups welcome, if registration doesn’t fill or there are no-shows), bit.ly/eom2024-carrion *28 spots open

• 1 p.m. LIVE Raptor Show #1, $5/person, limited to 40 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30, bit.ly/eom2024-raptor1 *2 spots open

• 3 p.m. LIVE Raptor Show #2, $5/person, limited to 40 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30, bit.ly/eom2024-raptor2 *17 spots open

Turkey Run State Park hosts Eagles in Flight

Turkey Run State Park will host its Eagles in Flight Weekend, Jan. 26-28. Activities include live birds of prey programs, multiple eagle viewing tours, owl prowl night hikes, and songbird banding led by a researcher. Advance registration is required and may be done online at: eventbrite.com/e/2024-eagles-in-flight-weekend-tickets-778366995637.

A silent and live auction will be held by the Friends of Turkey Run and Shades state parks during the weekend, with the proceeds going to projects at the parks.

Cost for the entire weekend is $20 for all events for individuals 16 and older and $16 for only Saturday events

 Contact the author by writing to this publication, or by e-mail to jackspaulding1971@outlook.com.

Spaulding’s books, “The Best of Spaulding Outdoors,” and his latest, “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com in paperback or as a Kindle download.