Best Places in Hudson Valley to View Wintering Eagles

Wintering eagles arrive in December with concentrations peaking in January and February. Here are the best places in the Hudson Valley to view them.

Since the bald eagle restoration program ended in 1989, New York's bald eagle population continues to grow. In 1976 there was only one pair of bald eagles nesting in New York. Conservation efforts have increased that number to 389 territories in 2015.

Bald eagles are beautiful creatures and there are plenty of great places to view these magnificent birds in the Hudson Valley. Winter is the best time to watch. Wintering eagles arrive in December with concentrations peaking in January and February. Eagles are most active between 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 5 pm.

Scan the tree-tops for eagles perched there or watch the sky. Eagles like heavily wooded areas near water with tall trees for nesting and perching. They eat a lot of fish so check ice flows or river islands for eagles enjoying a meal. In the winter, look for areas of open water often found near power plant discharges or where tributaries enter a river.

Here are some places to catch a glimpse of a bald eagle:

Margaret Lewis Norrie Point State Park
Constitution Island from North Dock, West Point
Route 6/202 overlook above Iona Island State Park
Riverfront Park, Peekskill
Charles Point/China Pier, Peekskill
Verplanck waterfront
George's Island Park parking area, Montrose

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