Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2006

Cumberland, Ohio – Continued golden eagle sightings at the Wilds bode well for a series of upcoming birding programs. Birders, both novice and experienced, are invited to join Wilds staff Saturday, January 5th for an Eagle Survey Day. The group will travel the Wilds and surrounding areas searching for bald and golden eagles to include in the national midwinter eagle count.

This day-long event is part of the “Winter on the Wilds” series, which provides opportunities to discover unique winter wildlife at the Wilds. Programs are led by the Wilds’ naturalist educators and feature wildlife watching, hiking, exploration of the many habitats of the Wilds and various indoor activities.

Al Parker, Conservation Educator at the Wilds, is an avid birder who leads the “Winter on the Wilds” programs. He says that while golden eagles are rarely seen in Ohio, a number of sightings in November and December have confirmed that at least one has returned to the Wilds this winter.

“We’ve had golden eagle sightings here at the Wilds for a number of years now,” says Parker, “and we’re excited to see them back. Sightings have peaked in January during the past few winters, so I’m hopeful we’ll have more sightings over the next few weekends.”

The birding focus continues January 13th and February 10th with “Winter Hawk – Raptor Field ID/Zoo Bird Days”. Participants will search for eagles, hawks, short-eared owls, harriers and prairie falcons across the Wilds, as well as see live raptors from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

All “Winter on the Wilds” programs run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reservations and pre-payment are required, and the cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Participants should be prepared to spend time outside, wear layers of warm clothing and bring their own lunch, coffee mug and thermos (coffee and cocoa are provided).

The “Winter on the Wilds“ program series will wrap up with “Bison Prairie Day” on March 10, 2007.

The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers in the world, with a mission to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience. Located on nearly 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, the Wilds is home to more than 25 species of non-native wildlife from Africa, Asia and North America and hundreds of indigenous species. In addition to innovative, in-depth science and education programs, the Wilds offers guided experiences to the public on selected days May through October.

Further information is available by visiting the Wilds’ Web site: www.thewilds.org or by calling 740-638-5030.