"Lunch with Eagles" cruises full; eagle tours available

While the "Lunch with the Eagles" river cruises are no longer available, visitors to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area can still view dozens of eagles and waterfowl by the hundreds.

Starting Saturday, Jan. 15, visitors can take van tours sponsored by Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in northwest Tennessee.

Bird watchers should cement reservations now for a van tour Saturday, Jan. 15, to see wintering birds that have migrated to federally protected nature sanctuaries and wildlife refuges.

For a drive that takes a little more than an hour and 15 minutes from Jackson, participants in LBL’s staff-led Winter Wanderers tour will see eagles, mergansers, loons and more – all of which converged on the densely forested lands and other federally protected areas nearby beginning in December.

"Come out and enjoy abundant winter wildlife viewing opportunities in the southern portion of LBL," said Sharon Waltrip, LBL's program manager for environmental education and interpretation. "This new Nature Watch Series will take outdoor enthusiasts to our region's hidden corners to witness some of nature's greatest moments.”

LBL is made up of 170,000 designated acres situated on the Tennessee River/Kentucky Lake.Organizers begin the morning tour this year at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan.

On the schedule:

• The morning “History of Eagles Tour of LBL”
• The afternoon “Cross Creeks Waterfowl Tour”

Cost is $40 per person.

Reservations are required and should be made as soon as possible. The trip is limited to 20 visitors.
Call (270) 924-1131, ext. 191.

"LBL is a major wintering spot for bald eagles from northern areas such as Michigan and Canada," said Carrie Szwed, Nature Station public programs coordinator. "Because of excellent coordination between State and Federal Agencies in past years to restore eagle habitats and populations, we have seen tremendous increases in eagles both wintering and nesting in this area."

Bald eagles and waterfowl begin to converge on LBL from the north in December and stick around through March, according to a park news release. In January, the eagles begin breeding, and Great Horned Owls begin to nest.

In February, pelicans gather in bays before migrating back north, while eagles are beginning to build their nests.

Birders also can begin to enjoy seeing phoebes and pine warblers begin to show up, according to a news release.

More eagle tours are scheduled for Jan. 23 and 30 and Feb. 6. The three-hour, staff-led van tour takes visitors to areas where eagles commonly are spotted. Visitors will see mature and immature bald eagles.

“Everything Eagles” van tours specifics:

• Tours begin Jan. 23.
• Participants meet at the Golden Pond Visitor Center.
• Tours begin at 1 p.m. and last until 4:30 p.m.
• Reservations are required.
• The next tour is on Jan. 30, same time, same place.
• The last tour is Feb. 6.
• Guides take along extra binoculars and high-power scopes to zero in on eagles and give those on the tour a closer look at how America's national symbol lives in the wild.

To visit from Jackson, travel north to Paris. Take Hwy. 79 north toward Dover. Just before Dover you will see a large brown sign directing you to turn left for Land Between The Lakes. Watch closely, because it is easy to miss. Turn left on this road. In about 4 to 5 miles it turns into The Trace. You will arrive at the South Welcome Station.

Next post: Find out what it is like firsthand to take one of these van tours at LBL.