18th Annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival Presented by Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center & Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year we host a grand event marking their return. This year, we hope you'll join us online and in-person for programs in the Newburyport area to celebrate our very special winter residents!

Schedule of Events

February 14, 2023

7:00–8:30 pm: Marsh Owls (Online)

(adult, for ages 18 and up) with Scott Santino, Mass Audubon North Shore | Sean Riley, Forest & Park Supervisor for DCR's Belle Isle Marsh Reservation/Rumney Marsh
Cost: $10/person

February 15, 2023

9:30 am-12:30 pm: Wednesday Morning Birding - Cape Ann
(adult, for ages 18 and up) with David Moon, Coastal Resilience Manager
Cost: $20/member, $23/nonmember

7:00-8:30 PM: Photographing Wildlife & Nature in Winter at Online
(adult, for ages 18 and up) Free, register through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with Ranger Matt Poole, nature photographer and instructor | Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Winter presents both challenges and opportunities for the nature and wildlife photographer. This timely program will provide an overview of time-tested tools, tips, and techniques for creating more successful images at a time of year when many have stowed their cameras away until the arrival of warmer weather. Program will be presented by Matt Poole, veteran nature photographer and instructor. Program will be delivered LIVE via Zoom. Preregistration is required. To Register: Email [email protected]. Place "Eagle Fest Registration" in the subject line.

February 16, 2023

7:00 pm-8:30 pm: What Makes a Raptor? at Online
(adult, for ages 18 and up) with Sarah Courchesne, Mass Audubon Program Ornithologist
Cost: $10/person

February 17, 2023

7:00-8:30 pm: Winter Raptor Identification at Online
(adult, for ages 18 and up) with Kathy Seymour, Mass Audubon Metro West | Jane Sender, Expert Birder
Cost: $10/person

8:30-11:30 am: Friday Morning Birdwatching
(adult, for ages 18 and up) with Dave Williams, Naturalist & Birder's Certificate Graduate
Cost: $20/member, $24/nonmember

10:00 am-12:00 pm: Everything Eagles
(for adults & families with children ages 5-12) with Lisa Hutchings, Education Coordinator | Dave Dishaw, Teacher Naturalist
Cost: $6/adult, $6/child

February 18, 2023

1:00-3:00 pm: Everything Eagles
(for adults & families with children ages 5-12) with Lisa Hutchings, Education Coordinator | Dave Dishaw, Teacher Naturalist
Cost: $6/adult, $6/child

9:30-11:00 am or 12:30-2:00 pm: Eagle Festival Field Trips
(for adults & families w/children ages 8+)
with David Moon, Dave Williams, or Scott Santino | Mass Audubon North Shore
Cost: $6/adult, $6/child

1:00-3:00 pm: Bald Eagle Behaviors
(for teens ages 13-16) with Lisa Hutchings, Education Coordinator
Cost: $6/person

Date: February 14-18, 2023

Location:
Massachusetts Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center,
1 Plum Island Turnpike,
Newburyport, MA 01950.

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