Local Travel Features

Land Between the Lakes to Host Bald Eagle Viewing Cruises and Programs

December 9, 2021 | Press Release from Friends of LBL

Friends of Land Between the Lakes will host bald eagle viewing cruises and programs for the public in January and February 2022.

Kentucky Lake eagle viewing cruises will be hosted on the CQ Princess, a 96-foot, double-decker luxury yacht, on January 14 - 17, 2022, all departing from Kenlake Marina at Kenlake State Resort Park, 888 Kenlake Marina Road, Hardin, Kentucky 42048. Each cruise includes a hot catered meal and opportunities for great views of bald eagles. On-board naturalists from the Woodlands Nature Station will help you spot eagles and other wildlife as well as tell the inspiring story of the bald eagle's comeback from the brink of extinction in western Kentucky. In addition to bald eagles, visitors will likely see native wildlife such as ducks, turkeys, deer and herons.

Eagle Viewing River Cruises:
Friday, January 14, Brunch Cruise | 11am-2pm
Saturday, January 15, Brunch Cruise | 8:30-11:30am
Saturday, January 15, Lunch Cruise | 1-4pm
Sunday, January 16, Brunch Cruise | 11am-2pm
Monday, January 17, Lunch Cruise | 11am-2pm

Reservations and full deposits are required for all cruises. The popularity of eagle excursions calls for early reservations. A full listing of eagle viewing activities can be found at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/attractions/nature-station/. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your tour.

On-location open-house style programs throughout January and February will explore favorite Land Between the Lakes bays, shorelines and roosting spots of bald eagles. Search for these majestic birds as they soar through the sky and perch in the trees, and perhaps even catch one in action while hunting. Woodlands Nature Station naturalists will help you spot eagles and other wildlife, as well as zoom in with spotting scopes for a closer look.

Eagle Viewing Programs | 1-3pm:
Saturday, January 8 - Pisgah Point
Saturday, January 15 - Honker Lake
Sunday, January 16 - Smith Bay
Saturday, January 22 - Barkley Dam
Saturday, January 29 - Honker Lake
Saturday, February 5 - Kentucky Dam

“Land Between the Lakes serves as a major wintering spot for bald eagles from northern areas such as Michigan and Canada,” states John Pollpeter, Nature Station’s Lead Naturalist. “Since Kentucky and Barkley lakes remain unfrozen throughout winter, they attract northern bald eagles looking for open water where they can find fish. The 300 miles of undeveloped, forested shoreline at Land Between the Lakes provides eagles with the ideal habitat they need to thrive.”

In 2018, biologists counted close to 140 bald eagles wintering in the Land Between the Lakes area, as well as 30 active nests. The eagle cruises and programming give visitors a chance to view these majestic birds in their natural habitat.

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