Merrimack River Eagle Festival - 2022

February 8–12, 2022

Virtual & In-Person

When winter comes to New England and the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge host a grand event marking their return. Most programs are in the greater Newburyport area, but we're excited to introduce additional regional programs this year in Topsfield and Milton!

The 17th Annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival events will be held Tuesday, February 8 – Saturday, February 12, 2022. Our virtual and special in-person activities are designed to keep all participants safe. Online pre-registration is required for all Eagle Festival events.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Newburyport Bank and Boston Partners Financial Group LLC

NOTE: Due to pandemic cautions, live programs can accommodate small groups only. Your preferred live program may be sold out, but do put your name on a waiting list, and please include your phone number. Online programs have a high audience capacity. All program listings below are linked to registration pages that include additional information.

On Silent Wings: The Magic of the Snowy Owl (Online)
Tuesday, February 8 • 7:00-8:00 pm

with Peter Christoph, Wildlife Photographer & Author

FREE, register through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Peter spent 14 full days following the movements of a few Snowy Owls during their 2013-2014 winter migration to the beaches of Salisbury, Hampton, and Plum Island. Learn about the rare and intimate moments he witnessed of the owls in their winter habitat. To Register: Send an email to PRNWR with a subject line of "On Silent Wings" and include your name in the body of the message.

Winter Raptor Identification (Online)
Wednesday, February 9 • 7:00-8:30 pm

with Kathy Seymour, Mass Audubon Metro West | Jane Sender, Expert Birder
$10/person

Friday Morning Birdwatching in Winter (Newbury)
Friday, February 11 • 8:30-11:30 am

with Dave Williams, Naturalist & Birder's Certificate Graduate
$6/person

Friday Field Trips for Homeschoolers: Bald Eagles are Coming Back! (Newburyport)
Friday, February 11 • 10:00 am-12:00 pm

(for ages 6–12 w/an adult)
with Johanna True, Teacher Naturalist | Dave Dishaw, Teacher Naturalist
$6/adult, $6/child

Tweaking Bird Images with Basic Edits in Photoshop (Online)
Friday, February 11 • 1:00-2:00 pm

with Ranger Matt Poole, Visitor Services Manager at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge & Photography Teacher
FREE, register through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
All digital photographs, whether taken with a smartphone or professional grade camera, can be improved (sometimes vastly!), with just a few basic edits on a computer. Ranger Poole will demonstrate six simple editing techniques using Adobe Photoshop. To Register: Send an email to PRNWR with a subject line of "Photoshop" and include your name in the body of the message.

Marsh Owls (Online)
Friday, February 11 • 7:00–8:30 pm

with Scott Santino, Mass Audubon North Shore | Sean Riley, Forest & Park Supervisor for DCR's Belle Isle Marsh Reservation/Rumney Marsh
$10/person

Eagle Festival Field Trips (greater Newburyport)
Saturday, February 12 • 9:30-11:00 am or 12:30-2:00 pm

(for adults & families w/children ages 8+)
with David Moon, Dave Williams, or Scott Santino | Mass Audubon North Shore
$6/adult, $6/child

Outdoor Adventures for Families: Bald Eagles on the River (Newburyport)
Saturday, February 12 • 10:00 am-12:00 pm

(for ages 6–11 w/an adult)
with Lisa Hutchings, Mass Audubon North Shore
$6/adult, $6/child

Bald Eagle Walk Along the Neponset River (Milton)
Saturday, February 12 • 10:30 am-12:00 pm

(for adults, families, & children ages 10+)
with Adam Leiterman, Mass Audubon Boston
Members $10/person, Nonmembers $13/person
Meets at the Neponset River Reservation in Milton, MA

Teen Naturalist Training: Bald Eagle Behavior (Newburyport)
Saturday, February 12 • 1:00-3:00 pm

(for ages 11–13)
with Lisa Hutchings, Mass Audubon North Shore | Johnny Owens, Teen Naturalist
$6/person

Nature & Wildlife Photography in Winter (Online)
Saturday, February 12 • 3:00-4:30 pm

with Ranger Matt Poole, Visitor Services Manager at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge & Photography Teacher
FREE, register through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Ranger Poole will present 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. To Register: Send an email to PRNWR with a subject line of "Winter Photography" and include your name in the body of the message.

Family Owl Prowl (Topsfield)
Saturday, February 12 • 7:00-8:30 pm

(for families w/children ages 6+)
with Cori Brauer, Mass Audubon North Shore | Maura Genova, Ipswich River Nature Preschool
$6/adult, $6/child

Bald Eagles are part of the winter wildlife scene in New England

Date and Time

Tuesday Feb 8, 2022 Saturday Feb 12, 2022

Website

https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/joppa-flats/news-events/eagle-festival

Contact Information

Joppa Flats Education Center, 978-462-9998
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