Document text
Feature Story Bald eagles thrive in basin By MARK FREEMAN TULELAKE, Calif. -- The chilling winds of February bring with them one of the best opportunities to see bald eagles as they eke out a winter living on the fields and wetlands of the Klamath Basin. Hundreds of bald eagles are now wintering in the basin, with the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake national wildlife refuges offering great opportunities to view these birds of prey at work. Trips through the auto-tour routes of either refuge south of Klamath Falls will yield some great chances to see the America's national symbol feeding on rodents in agricultural fields. The open ground and large number of bald eagles present make the refuges a rare place to view the often-unseen practice of midwinter rodent feeding, says Dave Menke from the refuge's visitor center. And when the bald eagle viewing gets repetitive, turn your attention to the several thousand tundra swans that have taken winter residence in the flooded fields along Stateline Highway and in fields along the Lower Klamath refuge's auto-tour route. The Klamath Basin refuges are also offering open house programs Saturday and Sunday to help everyone from the casual bird-watcher to the true eagle-o-philes get a clearer glimpse into the bald eagle's life. Programs include: A slide presentation on wildlife that use the refuges in the winter will be held at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. both days. A kids program on bald eagles will be presented at noon both days, and on request when time and space permit. A kids bald eagle activity table will be open and available for kids throughout Saturday and Sunday. Slide presentations, orientation on the refuge area and various videos involving bald eagles and other wildlife will be on-going both days. All the programs are free at the Refuge Visitor Center, on Hill Road near Tulelake, Calif., south of Klamath Falls. The open house and interpretive programs coincide with the annual Klamath Basin Bald Eagle Conference this weekend in Klamath Falls. Outdoor Journal main page Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA