Eagle Watch Celebration Planned Feb. 26-27

Culver, Ore – The 21st annual Eagle Watch celebration will be Feb. 27-28 at Round Butte Overlook Park. The free celebration honors eagles and other raptors that live in the Lake Billy Chinook area. Hosted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), Portland General Electric (PGE), and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the event features activities to explore the natural and cultural significance of the birds.

“This event has something for the entire family,” said Event Coordinator and OPRD Park Ranger Erin Bennett. “Visitors will have the opportunity to glimpse our resident bald eagles and golden eagles, as well as learn about the significance of the eagle to tribal culture and traditions.”

Central Oregon Students in 4th-12th grade can enter the Eagle Art Contest through Feb. 15. Winners will be announced at lunch on Feb. 27, and their artwork will be on display during the celebration. Artwork can be dropped off at The Cove Palisades State Park, or call the park to arrange for someone to pick it up from your school office. Contest rules are posted at covepalisades.wordpress.com.

The two-day celebration runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. Festivities will be in “Eagle Village” at Round Butte Overlook Park’s visitor center, 10 miles west of Madras.

Attendees can meet Aquila, a rehabilitated golden eagle, as well as a great horned owl. Children are invited to build a bluebird house (on Saturday) or a bird feeder (on Sunday) and make a commemorative Eagle Watch button to take home. The Madras Garden Center will demonstrate how to create a backyard refuge and enjoy birdwatching year-round.

To cap off the event, the Quartz Creek Drummers and Dancers will provide a special presentation of tribal drumming and dancing sponsored by Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission and parking at PGE’s Round Butte Overlook Park is free. New Eagle Watch souvenirs will be available, and a silent auction will benefit the Oregon Eagle Foundation. Cash and checks will be accepted; there is no ATM onsite.

For information, call Parks Information at 800-551-6949 or The Cove Palisades State Park at 541-546-3412 or visit oregonstateparks.org. Information will also be posted on The Cove Palisades blog, The Cove Rattler, at covepalisades.wordpress.com.

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