Description: EAGLE FEST TOUR

Location: Reelfoot Lake State Park

21st ANNUAL REELFOOT LAKE EAGLE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, January 31, 2025

9:30am – 8:00pm - Vendors Open in Ellington Hall Building (State Park)

10:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours –2-hour

1:20pm - Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour

3:30pm - Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour

5:45pm – Welcome & Overview FOR ALL Eagle & Waterfowl Watcher’s

6:00pm – Slide Show on Beauty & Creatures of the Wetlands at Reelfoot Lake

Saturday, February 1, 2025

9:00am – 8:00pm – Vendors Open at Ellington Hall Building (State Park)

6:00am – Sunrise Photo/Bus Tour -Meet at Reelfoot Lake Visitors Center $50.00 PER PERSON

8:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hours by bus

10:00am – 4:00pm – Children’s Activities – Duck Decoy Painting or 5x7 Canvas Panel

1:00pm - Deadline to submit entries for Art & Photography Contests (Ribbons placed at 6:00pm)

10:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour by bus (12:15pm Birds of Prey Program included)

12:15pm – Live Birds of Prey Program – With John & Dale Stokes

1:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour by bus (12:15pm Birds of Prey Program included)

3:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours—2-hour by bus (6:00pm Birds of Prey Program included)

6:00pm -Live Birds of Prey Program – With John & Dale Stokes

Sunday, February 2, 2025

8:00am-2:00pm Vendors Open 8:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours –2-hour by bus

10:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours –2-hour by bus

1:30pm - Eagle & Waterfowl Tours -2-hour by bus

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR EAGLE TOURS REELFOOT LAKE STATE PARK 731-253-9652 TOURS DEPART FROM STATE PARK VISITOR’S CENTER $20.00 PER PERSON

DUCK DECOY OR 5X7 CANVAS PANEL PAINTING $7.00 PER PERSON PER ITEM

Reelfoot Lake State Park — Tennessee State Parks (tnstateparks.com)

Visit Reelfoot Lake – Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council (reelfoottourism.com)

EAGLES OF REELFOOT LAKE

           Flying alone or in pairs, they soar on magnificent wings south from the Great Lakes and isolated regions of Canada to spend the winter in Northwest Tennessee. The American Bald Eagle (weighing 16 pounds and has a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet) has made this annual winter pilgrimage to Reelfoot Lake for generations.

               Bald Eagles, the symbol of our great country, are still threatened. Most Americans have never had the opportunity to observe these magnificent birds in the wild, and/or observe the awe-inspiring beauty and power of this bird of freedom.

Reelfoot Lake State Park provides an opportunity to see our national symbol in its natural habitat. Reelfoot Lake has one of the largest wintering populations of Bald Eagles outside of Alaska, and the return of eagles has become a major event. The familiar image of the eagle is that of the mature bird with the stately “balde” meaning white wig, its’ crown of feathers, making it known as the bald eagle. The immature eagles completely brown are less than five years of age are sometimes mistaken for large hawks.

During the eagle tour, other birds can be observed around this 15,500-acre lake. There are over 100,000 ducks, 6,000 Canada Geese, and 254 kinds of birds that visit the lake each year. Reelfoot Lake is a unique bird watchers paradise. See clerk for winter birding check list.

               The state park has established interpretive programs for winter visitors to Reelfoot Lake. Eagle tours begin early January and continue through the last weekend of February. Eagle tours are two hours and will depart from the Visitor Center Saturday & Sunday at 10am or 1:30pm. Monday – Friday call for private group reservations. Reservations are recommended and bus tours are $20 per person.

Event Document:   Essential Eligibility Criteria