Why You Should be at Eagle Awareness at Lake Guntersville

Eagle Awareness weekends are the best way to get up close with some of the most majestic birds of prey. The weekends are held at Lake Guntersville State Park in January and February every year. There are several programs throughout the weekends that educate and bring awareness to not just eagles, but also owls, hawks and many more birds.

Eagle Awareness weekends were created in 1985 to coincide with Alabama’s Bald Eagle Restoration Program and has grown into a program that many travel near and far to be a part of. The Alabama Tourism Department announced that 2023 is the Year of Alabama Birding, which brings even more excitement to the 37^th annual event. This year people will be able to get up close with several types of raptors, go out into the wild to see eagles in their natural habitats, and so much more.

This year’s dates are January 20 through 22, January 27 through 29 and February 3 through 5. Participants can expect exciting guests like WINGS to Soar, the Alabama Wildlife Center and Auburn University’s Raptor Center. Different handlers will introduce different birds of prey including eagles during programs, and some will even fly right over your head! To learn more about who is coming, and the tentative weekend schedule click here.

Participants can also enjoy hot cider and wine socials, breakfast buffets on Saturdays and Sundays and Early Bird coffee with the Park Naturalist before hiking out to find eagles nests. Children are also welcomed to come and join the fun. There will be special eagle crafts during the weekend.

The Lake Guntersville State Park has package deals available for those who want to spend the entire weekend at the park, or you can purchase day passes if there is just one program that interests you most. To learn more about Eagle Awareness and how to book a package, click here.