The bald eagle is our national bird, a symbol of our country, and something people in Warren County can see in person.

Every year since the late 1990s, an eagle watch has been held at Kinzua Dam to bring people closer to these majestic creatures.

The watch is the “signature event” of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kinzua Dam.

The collaborative effort this year includes three different viewing locations, educational programming, related events, and experts who can answer questions for those in attendance.

Typically, 300 to 500 people show up for the six-hour event.

“On a wintry day during February 2014, nearly 500 visitors to Big Bend Recreation Area viewed juvenile and adult eagles just downstream from the dam,” Kinzua Dam Park Ranger Steve Lauser said. “Other wintering birds and cold-water creatures were also observed.”

“It was an excellent event,” Lauser said. “Visitors were thrilled to see the eagles and walk onto the dam. They loved the eagle program by (Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation) Officer David Donachy too.”

This year, the watch will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. The three locations are the Kinzua Dam Big Bend Visitor Center, the dam itself, and the Riverside Watchable Wildlife Trail and Viewing Platform. Adults must have photo identification to access the roadway atop the dam.

The water below Kinzua Dam is a particularly likely spot to see eagles at this time of year. Because a majority of the bird’s diet consists of fish, when the reservoir, Chapman Lake, and other waters in the region are frozen, there are usually hungry birds looking for fish in the tailwaters area.

“When the cold expanse of Allegheny Reservoir behind the dam freezes over and ice forms downstream in Allegheny River, the open tailwaters below the dam become prime fishing waters for eagles,” Lauser said.

“The more frozen up things are, the more concentrated the birds will be,” Allegheny Outdoor Club’s Bill Massa said.

The problem with that is those conditions are less comfortable for people. “Dress warmly,” Massa said. He recommended that visitors plan to stay for at least an hour.

Last year, those in attendance were treated to views of eight to 10 different birds.

Spotting scopes are available but visitors are encouraged to bring cameras and binoculars.

“We’ve got experienced bird people there to help spot eagles and then talk about what they’re viewing,” Massa said.

But “it isn’t just to come up there and see birds,” he said. “They can come up and learn about the birds. These people are there to educate the public.”

Throughout the event, Donachy will present a program on Pennsylvania’s eagle restoration efforts. That program will be held at the visitors center.

Joining the host – the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kinzua Dam – are Allegheny National Forest, Penn Soil RC&D, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Allegheny Outdoor Club, and Kinzua Cachers. Bird and wildlife experts from various other agencies and organizations will also be present. Refreshment sponsors for the event include Warren Eagles Club, Thorne’s BiLo, and Kondak’s Market.

Kinzua Cachers will hold a Caching with Eagles geomeet with several temporary caches set up around the Big Bend Recreation Area.

More information is available by contacting Lauser at 726-0661 or Massa at 723-2568.

“This program is recreational, observational, educational, and free to the public,” Lauser said.