Our feature presentation this week is the Niabi Zoo. Feature programs will take place at St. Felix Auditorium, approximately 3 blocks from the National Eagle Center. Your admission is valid for programs at both locations. Coming to us from Illinois, the Niabi Zoo programs feature a Scarlet Macaw, Ecletus Parrot, Russian Tortise and Burmese Python and Two-toed Sloth! Meet all these amazing animals and more with the Niabi Zoo!

Saturday, March 16, 2013
*All programs are included with daily admission unless otherwise noted. 

10am – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

10:30am – Nature photography presentation with Alan Stankevitz

11am - FEATURE PROGRAM - Niabi Zoo - at St Felix Auditorium

11am – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12noon - Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12pm-2pm – Photo with an Eagle – Second floor classroom
Bring your camera and get your photo with one of the National Eagle Center Eagle Ambassadors. This free photo opportunity is being sponsored by Sturdiwheat.

1pm – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

2pm - FEATURE PROGRAM - Niabi Zoo - at St Felix Auditorium

2pm - Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

2:30pm – Wildlife Science Center -”Animals Nobody Loves”, live animal program. Second floor classroom, National Eagle Center

3pm - Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

 

Sunday, March 17th, 2013 – SOAR with the Eagle Raffle drawing TODAY! (need not be present to win)
*All programs are included with daily admission unless otherwise noted.

10am  Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

10:30am  Amazing Eagle Tales From Around the World with storyteller and naturalist Kevin Strauss.   Second floor classroom

11am  Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12noon – Preston Cook - Collector of all things eagle, Preston Cook shares images and stories from his collection of eagles in art, history and culture.

12noon  - FEATURE PROGRAM – Niabi Zoo - at St Felix Auditorium

12noon  Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

1pm – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

1:30pm  Amazing Eagle Tales From Around the World with storyteller and naturalist Kevin Strauss.   Second floor classroom

2pm  - FEATURE PROGRAM – Niabi Zoo - at St Felix Auditorium

2pm  Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

3pm-5pm - Photo with an Eagle - Second floor classroom
Bring your camera and get your photo with one of the National Eagle Center Eagle Ambassadors. This free photo opportunity is being sponsored by Sturdiwheat.

3pm  Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

4pm – SOAR with the Eagles Raffle Drawing - Find out if you’re taking home the canoe! Join us in the first floor rotunda as we draw winners for the raffle prizes. (Need not be present to win.)

 

Exhibitors
Minnesota Herpetological Society -  Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm with live reptiles. Stop by and meet some new friends!

The Birdchick (Sharon Steitler) – Learn more about Swarovski Optics, birding and find out what “digiscoping” is from The Birdchick!

Big River Outdoors - Get advice from the experts as you try out a pair of binoculars or get a view through a spotting scope. All weekend by the observation deck, second floor.

Woolyfrog Arts - Nature photography  by Jan Killian for exhibit and sale. All weekend, second floor.

Larry Ricker - Nature photography for exhibit and sale. All weekend, second floor.

Dick Mindykowski - Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Chippewa craftsman creates woodland gifts created from wood and animal products harvested from the outdoors. Walking sticks, canes, turtle rattles, beaver shields, dream catchers, leather pouches. All hand tanned and carved.

This weekend’s feature program is World Bird Sanctuary. Feature programs will take place at St. Felix Auditorium, approximately 3 blocks from the National Eagle Center. Your admission is valid for programs at both locations. Meet magnificent birds from around the world including several eagles not found in the wild in North America in this amazing flying bird program.  This weekend’s World Bird Sanctuary programs are brought to you through the generous sponsorship of Big River Outdoors.

Saturday, March 9, 2013
*All programs are included with daily admission unless otherwise noted. 

10am Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

10:30am Have to Have a Habitat with David Stokes - Naturalist, storyteller and entertainer engages audiences young and old in this program with his live animal friends.

11am – FEATURE PROGRAM – World Bird Sanctuary - St. Felix Auditorium

11am Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12noon Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12pm-2pm Photo with an Eagle - Second floor classroom
Bring your camera and get your photo with one of the National Eagle Center Eagle Ambassadors. This free photo opportunity is sponsored by Sturdiwheat.

1pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

2pm – FEATURE PROGRAM – World Bird Sanctuary - St. Felix Auditorium

2pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

2:30pm Have to Have a Habitat with David Stokes - Naturalist, storyteller and entertainer engages audiences young and old in this program with his live animal friends.

3pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

 

Sunday, March 10, 2013

10am Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

10:30am Have to have a Habitat with David Stokes - Naturalist, storyteller and entertainer engages audiences young and old in this program with his live animal friends.

11am Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12noon – FEATURE PROGRAM – World Bird Sanctuary - St. Felix Auditorium

12noon Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

12pm-2pm Photo with an Eagle – Second floor classroom
Bring your camera and get your photo with one of the National Eagle Center Eagle Ambassadors. This free photo opportunity is sponsored by Sturdiwheat.

1pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

2pm – FEATURE PROGRAM – World Bird Sanctuary - St. Felix Auditorium

2pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

2:30pm Alice the Owl- Learn about owls, have some fun and meet Alice the Owl from the Houston Nature Center! – Second floor classroom

3pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom

 

Exhibitors:

Big River Outdoors - Get advice from the experts as you try out a pair of binoculars or get a view through a spotting scope. View wild eagles with Swarovski Optics representative Clay Taylor. All weekend by the observation deck, second floor, National Eagle Center.

Bridgecreek - Eagle carved moose antlers and other antler carvings for exhibit and sale. All weekend, second floor.

Foxloft Studios - Prints, jewelry and cards for sale. All weekend, second floor.

Earl Olf  - Nature photography for exhibit and sale. All weekend, second floor.

Dick Mindykowski - Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Chippewa craftsman creates woodland gifts created from wood and animal products harvested from the outdoors. Walking sticks, canes, turtle rattles, beaver shields, dream catchers, leather pouches. All hand tanned and carved.

The National Eagle Center’s SOAR with the Eagles festival opens March 2nd! The feature program March 2nd and 3rd will be Wild World of Animals. This live animal program will feature such creatures as a warthog, a mandrill and even an alligator! Meet the creatures up close and learn more about them in an engaging, educational program that’s fun for all ages.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

*All programs are included with daily admission unless otherwise noted. 

10am – Live Eagle Program – First floor classroom.

10:30am – “Raising Nature Smart Kids” with author Jan Dunlap.
Dunlap, author of the humorous Bob White Birder Murder Mystery series, will be here with books for signing and sale after the program.

11am – FEATURE PROGRAM – Wild World of Animals – at St Felix Auditorium

11am – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

12noon - Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

1pm – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

12pm-2pm – Photo with an Eagle – Second floor classroom
Bring your camera and get your photo with one of the National Eagle Center Eagle Ambassadors. This free photo opportunity is being sponsored by Sturdiwheat.

1:30pm-3:30pm Quarry Hill Nature Center naturalist Kirk Payne with an American Kestrel – Second floor, NEC

2pm – FEATURE PROGRAM – Wild World of Animals - at St Felix Auditorium

2pm - Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

2:30pm – Oxbow Park – Second floor classroom.

3pm - Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

 

Sunday, March 3, 2013
*All programs are included with daily admission unless otherwise noted.

10am Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

10:30am  Wildlife photography presentation with Allen Blake Sheldon.

11am Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

12noon – FEATURE PROGRAM – Wild World of Animals - at St Felix Auditorium

12noon – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

12pm-2pm – Photo with an Eagle – Second floor classroom
Bring your camera and get your photo with one of the National Eagle Center Eagle Ambassadors. This free photo opportunity is being sponsored by Sturdiwheat.

1pm – Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

2pm -FEATURE PROGRAM – Wild World of Animals - at St Felix Auditorium

2pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

2:30pm US Fish and Wildlife Service Rangers offer a program about ducks of the Upper Mississippi River region. Second floor classroom.

3pm Live Eagle Program - First floor classroom.

Exhibitors:

Big River Outdoors – Get advice from the experts as you try out a pair of binoculars or get a view through a spotting scope. All weekend by the observation deck, second floor, National Eagle Center.

Dick Mindykowski - Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Chippewa craftsman creates woodland gifts created from wood and animal products harvested from the outdoors. Walking sticks, canes, turtle rattles, beaver shields, dream catchers, leather pouches. All hand tanned and carved.

Larry Ricker – Nature photography for exhibit and sale. All weekend, second floor.

US Fish and Wildlife Service  – Rangers will be here all weekend to share about the creatures and habitat of the Upper Mississippi River region.

Jan Mrachek with local, handmade jewelry. All weekend, second floor.

 

Enjoy great food from the area’s best restaurants and the beauty of the National Eagle Center in the evening, while supporting the programs you love. Taste of Wabasha is a singular fundraising event supports the eagles and the great programs we offer throughout the year. You’ll have the chance to bid on silent auction items including art, Native American items, gift certificates, theater tickets, resort stays and more!

Taste of Wabasha
March 23, 2013
6:00pm-8:00pm

Tickets for a Taste of Wabasha are $30.
Each ticket includes one complimentary drink (beer, wine, soda or water).
Cash bar also available.

Tickets are limited, so purchase yours today!

Tickets also available at the National Eagle Center
or by calling 651.565.4989

Participating restaurants include:

Slippery’s Bar and Grille
J&J BBQ
The Olde Triangle Pub
Stacy’s Kitchen
Pembroke Bakery
LARK Toys with fresh fudge
The Chocolate Escape
Read’s Landing Brewing Company
Town and Country Cafe
Silver Star Saloon
The Bluffs at Coffee Mill
Nelson Cheese Factory

To view a complete list of silent auction items including photos, click here.

On Saturday, January 19, 2013 more than 150 volunteer observers combed the blufflands looking for golden eagles. Part of the National Eagle Center’s (NEC) Golden Eagle Project, this 9^th Annual Wintering Golden Eagle Survey covered 56 survey areas across southeast Minnesota, western Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and northern Illinois. Each survey area included likely golden eagle habitat. Unlike bald eagles, these terrestrial predators are rarely seen near the Mississippi River, preferring the valleys and forested bluffs.

The survey day started out almost spring-like, with temperatures in the 40’s and even 50°F! But by the afternoon strong winds from the north were bringing much colder temperatures. Preliminary results show that 140 golden eagles were observed, many of them soaring on the strong winds. Observers also noted a number of other raptors including more than 500 bald eagles, 300 red-tail hawks, 69 kestrels and two great horned owls.

Since beginning the survey in 2005, Golden Eagle Project Co-coordinator and NEC Education Director Scott Mehus has seen growth in both the number of volunteers and the number of golden eagles observed. “Although it might seem that numbers of golden eagles are increasing, I think what we’re seeing is more observers out looking for golden eagles and more people who know where to find these majestic birds.”

Photos from the 9th Annual Wintering Golden Eagle Survey. 

In training sessions held prior to the survey day, volunteer surveyors spent time reviewing the field marks that distinguish golden eagles from immature bald eagles. Mehus also showed surveyors where within the bluffland habitat are the most likely places to find golden eagles. As creatures of habit, Mehus says he most often sees golden eagles in the same valleys, on the same bluffs, even perching in the same trees in those valleys each winter.

The Golden Eagle Project has been studying the wintering range, habitat use and migration patterns of golden eagles in the midwest for several years. The Project has successfully released five golden eagles fitted with GPS-linked satellite transmitters to gather data on where these birds go throughout the year. Not known to breed in the midwestern United States, this population of golden eagles appear to originate in far northern Canada. Golden eagles were once thought to be an irregular species, seen only occasionally in the midwest in the winter months. However, through the Annual Wintering Survey and other methods, the Golden Eagle Project is documenting a regular wintering population of golden eagles in this area.

This year’s survey area was expanded and included areas in Illinois where there have been reports of wintering golden eagles. The latest data from the Golden Eagle Project’s tracking shows one of the eagles fitted with a satellite transmitter spending time in southern Missouri. This is the farthest south the Project has ever tracked a golden eagle.

The National Eagle Center is offering opportunities throughout the winter to learn more about golden eagles in the midwest and view them in the wild on Golden Eagle Field Trips. Upcoming field trip dates are January 26^th and February 9^th. Space is limited.

Click the links for more information on the Golden Eagle Project or to sign up for an upcoming Golden Eagle Field Trip, or call 651.565.4989 to register today!

The National Eagle Center is a non-profit educational interpretive center located on the Mississippi River in Wabasha, Minnesota that fosters environmental stewardship through education about eagles and the Upper Mississippi River watershed. The Golden Eagle Project is a partnership of the National Eagle Center and Audubon Minnesota with support from Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources Non-game Division, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Winona District with funding support through Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.