Wintering eagles can find fish in the sections of the river that are opened up by discharges from power plants. Also, eagles are scavengers and the railroad tracks that run along the river provide an ample supply of dead animals.

The Hudson River region still provides some large tracts of relatively undisturbed land for roosting and perching, especially during winter when human activity along the river is limited. In recent winters more and more eagles have been counted along the lower Hudson River. In 1997, a Hudson River nesting pair produced the first eaglet in more than 100 years; in 1998, three pairs nested along the Hudson and four eaglets were fledged.

The apparent return of the bald eagle to the Hudson River does not mean that conservation practices can end. Though growing numbers of eagles is good news, potential problems for eagles loom. Increasing human activity, chemical/toxic contaminants and habitat loss must be monitored and controlled.

Bald eagle viewing during the winter months, from a safe distance and at planned observation sites, can offer a memorable and exhilarating experience. Wintering eagles begin arriving in December; the highest concentrations peak in January and February; most are heading back to their nests by mid-March. Intensive monitoring and well-documented sightings have helped determine New York's most popular eagle wintering habitats.

Popular Eagle Viewing Areas Along the Hudson River
* Norrie Point State Park, Hyde Park
* Constitution Island from North Dock, West Point
* Route 6/202 overlook above Iona Island
* Riverfront Park, Peekskill
* Charles Point/China Pier, Peekskill
* Verplanck waterfront
* Georges' Island Park, Montrose
* Metro-North and Amtrak passengers from the river side of the train between Croton-on-Hudson and Albany

Eagle Watching Tips
* Scan the tree line for eagles that are perched in the tree tops.
* Look overhead for eagles flying high in the sky.
* Check the ice floes or river islands for eagles sunning themselves or enjoying a meal.
* Arrive early (7 - 9 a.m.) or stay late (4 - 5 p.m.) when eagles are most active.

How to Recognize a Bald Eagle Sometimes it is easy to spot a bald eagle. Its striking white head and tail and the sheer size of its wingspan (6-7 feet) makes it hard to miss. However, it is not until an eagle reaches maturity at about five years that the white plumage develops. Younger bald eagles are chocolate brown and mottled with white. For this reason, it is important to learn the size, shape and flying posture to correctly identify bald eagles.

As an eagle flies toward you, its wings are held straight out, unlike the more common turkey vulture, which soars with its wings in a V-shape. As an eagle passes overhead, you will notice that the feathers at the tips of its wings are widely separated. Its relatively short tail is usually fanned open.

From: "Bald Eagles of the Hudson River," prepared by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation