FRANKFORT, Ky. – Nature lovers should be making plans for a unique Kentucky State Park tradition – Eagle Watch Weekends in January and February 2014.
The park system will sponsor this wildlife-watching opportunity as bald eagles gather around the major lakes of western Kentucky looking for food. The park tours allow you to observe and learn about these beautiful birds of prey.
For four decades, the Kentucky State Parks have offered Eagle Watch Weekends, a chance to view the eagles from land and water and learn about the national symbol and other wildlife.
The tours take place at three resort parks during weekends in January and February, on an excursion yacht and by van. They are led by state park naturalists and Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists.
Ticket prices for the tours range from $25 to $50 a person. Most tours last from two to 3½ hours. The weekends also include evening programs on Friday and Saturday.
The parks, phone numbers and dates for the 2013 Eagle Watch Weekends are:
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park (800-325-0146): Jan. 10-12. Yacht tours and van tours to the Ballard Wildlife Management Area.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park (800-325-1708): Jan. 24-26. Yacht tours and van tours to the Land Between the Lakes.
Kenlake State Resort Park (800-325-0143): Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Yacht tours only.
Guests should bring warm clothes, rain gear and binoculars. These trips can take place under extreme weather conditions. The resorts offer lodges, cottages and restaurants. Registration is required for the Eagle Watch Weekends. Call the parks for registration, details and fee information or visit: www.parks.ky.gov and click on the “winter adventure” tab.
The Eagle Watch Weekends at Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley and Kenlake will include an option to view eagles from the CQ Princess, a 96-foot yacht. Guests can view eagles from inside the CQ Princess or from outside decks.
Any group or organization interested in a special cruise on the CQ Princess should call Tammy Nanney at Kenlake State Resort Park at 1-800-325-0143.
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 49 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov
