An Event Strictly for the Birds

A Crazy Cam Adventure with Justin Noel, a student at Eisenhower Elementary School

Gary Olsen

Approximate Length 25 minutes

ubuque's Grand River Center was the scene for the annual mid-winter Eagle Watch sponsored by the Dubuque Chapter of the Audubon Society. Despite the cold and snowy conditions, families and children showed up by the hundreds to see live animal demonstrations and spot eagles flying and perching along the Mississippi River just outside the center. Because the lock and dam system and a local power plant provide areas of open water, eagles winter in Dubuque by a growing number every year to fish. The increased numbers and the fact that there are about four identified nesting sites along this stretch of the river indicate a healthy population of eagles. The bald eagle, our nation's symbol, is off the endangered species list but remains on the "protected species list."

Our own intrepid reporter, Justin Noel, a 5th grade student at Eisenhower Elementary, covered this event with the wide-eyed curiosity he usually brings to an activity such as this. Clearly the star of the show are the captive wild birds brought to Dubuque from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, MO.

The staff brought several birds including a bald eagle, a hawk, three kinds of owls, a vulture and a pied crow (the latter from Africa). Some of the birds were allowed to fly across the room just over the heads of the audience, and it was breathtaking.

There were other displays on hand at this event, and Justin did the show justice be getting lots of interviews. You'll love his video.

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