The
annual January eagle survey of the Pipestem area is scheduled for Jan. 12. Jim
Phillips, Pipestem State Park naturalist, is coordinating the various survey
sites and assignments and inviting anyone interested to be part of the winter
four-hour foray.
Phillips schedules novice birders with more experienced volunteers to
scan the skies and record eagle sightings over a four-hour period. Various
survey sites include South Overlook of Bluestone Dam, Bull Falls, Bluestone
State Park, mouth of the Bluestone River, Rt. 20, Bellepoint Park in Hinton,
Bertha campground (Bluestone WMA), Greenbrier River, Sandstone Falls and other
areas.
"Depending upon how many folks sign up to help, we have from six to 12
survey points established," said Phillips.
To be part of the eagle survey, contact Jim Phillips at 304-466-1800
ext. 344 or email pipestemsp@wv.gov with phone contact information and names
wanting to volunteer prior to January 7. Include "Eagle Survey" in the subject
line. Phillips contacts participants in advance to determine the best location,
to create teams and to forward the forms to record sightings. The survey begins
at 10 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. All participants will meet at the Hinton
Dairy Queen at 3 p.m. with collected data.
"In recent weeks we have had sightings of adult bald eagles at Bacon
Falls on the Greenbrier River and between Forest Hill and Greenville along
Indian Creek," said Phillips. On "The Big Sit" survey in October, Phillips
indicates a pair of adult bald eagles was seen at Mt. Valley Lake near Jumping
Branch and one adult was there during a November field trip. In spring of 2012,
Phillips witnessed two bald eagle fledglings.
Phillips schedules eagle watches as part of his interpretative programs
at Pipestem State Park.
Activities organized by Pipestem Resort are regularly
posted at www.pipestemresort.com/Activities.pdf.
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