Keystone Lake & Keystone State ParkĪ favorite fishing area for migrating bald eagles, Keystone Lake consistently attracts eagles each winter to its eastern shores. Afterwards, head over to neighboring Tenkiller State Park for more eagle and loon watching. Observe the eagles on the webcam and then take off on the park’s 25-person tour bus to go search for them in the wild. Sutton Avian Research Center, the webcam documents the adult bald eagles, their eggs and eaglets. Start the tour by viewing the refuge’s live webcam which documents the lives of the eagles that occupy a nearby nest. This picturesque area of northeast Oklahoma is a haven for a variety of wintering birds and wildlife with plentiful shoreline, river bottoms and wooded swampland.Īs an added bonus, visitors are invited to sign up for the annual Eagle Tour & Loon Watch events, which take place weekly from late January to early March. Kerr Reservoir south of Vian, the refuge is known for its winter eagle sightings along numerous hiking trails and observation areas scattered throughout the park. Located along the upper half of the Robert S. Eagle Viewing Hot Spots Sequoyah National Wildlife Refugeīring your binoculars and hiking boots to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge and venture out to spot southern bald eagles on the nest. Winters in Oklahoma can be cold and windy, so bring along a warm coat, gloves, hat and scarf.īring binoculars, a camera (preferably with a zoom lens), and a field guide to help you identify eagles and other bird species you may find along the way.įor some of the eagle-viewing events, a portable camp chair or lawn chair is recommended.Īlways call ahead to state parks or wildlife management areas for up-to-date eagle viewing information before your trip. Wear warm, neutral-colored clothing and appropriate outerwear. The best time to observe eagles is around sunrise or sunset. Regardless, watching a bald eagle in its daily routine is truly awe-inspiring. Keep in mind that only mature eagles of five years and older have all white heads, many novice birders might spot a young bald eagle and assume it's a golden eagle. With seven foot wingspans and bright white heads, the grand size and distinguished appearance of mature eagles make them easy to spot and watch. Groups of eagles will rest together, or “roost,” in trees along the shores, with the same roost trees being used each year. Primarily a fish-eater, the bald eagle prefers to settle near Oklahoma’s lakes and rivers for easy access to food. The bald eagle’s trek into Oklahoma begins in November and early December, then peaks in January and February, when numerous bald eagle watching events pop up around the state to take advantage of the increased numbers. Migrating south to Oklahoma from Canada and the northern states in search of warmth, these noble birds join nearly 80 pairs of bald eagles that are year-round residents of Oklahoma, creating a birder’s paradise filled with boundless eagle-viewing opportunities. The winter months are the perfect time to head out on a crisp, clear day in search of the approximately 800-2,000 magnificent eagles that call the Sooner State home during the season’s peak. As the chilly veil of winter spreads across the plains, hundreds of bald eagles make their way to Oklahoma.
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