(HOLDREGE, Neb.) – The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District will once again provide eagle watching opportunities to the public this winter.
The regular viewing season will begin at Central’s J-2 Hydroplant on Saturday, December 27 and will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., CST on Saturdays and Sundays through February 22. The hydroplant is located south of Lexington near the intersection of county roads 749 and 750.
Central’s eagle viewing facility below Kingsley Dam will also open for the season on Sat., Dec. 27 and will remain open through Feb. 22. The Kingsley Dam facility is open for eagle viewing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (MST) on Saturdays and Sundays.
Both eagle viewing facilities are free and open to the public.
There is no guarantee that eagles will be present at all times. A live web camera inside the J-2 facility allows potential visitors to check the website before arriving to see if eagles are present. The webcam can be found on Central’s website at www.cnppid.com/eagles.
A limited number of binoculars are available at the facility, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own personal viewing equipment.
Central has been providing eagle viewing opportunities at J-2 since 1988 and at Kingsley Dam since 1990. The eagles are attracted to feed on fish in the open water below the plants, particularly when rivers and lakes in the area are covered with ice.
Several factors influence the number of eagles seen from the facilities on any given day, including climatic conditions, ice coverage on area bodies of water, how many eagles are wintering in the area, and whether the hydroplants are on-line. The best viewing time is normally earlier in the day.
Larger groups wishing to visit either of the facilities are encouraged to make arrangements by calling ahead.
For more information about eagles and viewing opportunities, visit Central’s web page at www.cnppid.com/eagles or call (308) 995-8601.