On eagle's wings

The cold weather may keep some inside this weekend, but over 600 bird-lovers from around the state will be outdoors trying to catch a glimpse of an eagle. Today will mark the beginning of the fourth-annual Eagle Watch Weekend held at the Fourwinds Resort and Marina. This is the Fourwind's third year hosting this event, and Jeff Hammond, the manager of the resort, said the proximity to Lake Monroe almost guarantees a bald eagle sighting. \n"The odds of seeing an eagle are exceptionally high," Hammond said.\nThe event was designed after Eagle Day, a similar one-day event beginning in the 1980s. \nIn 2001, the event was expanded to three days in order to allow for more activities and greater awareness. \nEagle Watch Weekend includes 16 various programs, available to people of all ages. The programs include bird hikes, barred owl watches, bald eagle sightings, seminars, lectures and "Winged Migration," a documentary film about bird movement. \nFriday evening will feature a talk by John Goss, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Goss's speech will address the events of the weekend. \nJim Hengeveld, Sassafras Audubon outing leader, said the three-day weekend was developed to get people thinking about nature and the kinds of things necessary not only to conserve bald eagles, but also issues such as the debate over the wetlands south of Linton. \n"This valuable piece of public property may be auctioned off," Hengeveld said.\nJeff Riegel, interpretive analyst and coordinator of the Eagle Watch Weekend, hopes to facilitate a connection between visitors and resources through promoting awareness and education.\n"A combination of education and awareness would create more of an appreciation for wildlife in general," Riegel said.\nThe low entrance cost is assured to attract many participants, as the one-time fee is only $1 and covers all programs throughout the weekend. \nThe events begin at 3 p.m. today and end at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, following a "bird brunch" for all guests. For more information about the Eagle Watch Weekend or the specific events, visit www.fourwindsresort.com.\n-- Contact staff writer Andrea Opperman at acopperm@indiana.edu.