Dan Groebner

The full moon in January is often called the Wolf Moon but here in the White Mountains you could probably also call it the Eagle Moon thanks to the abundance of migrating eagles using local lakes and streams that are not completely frozen over yet. You could say that eagles are the true snowbirds as they fly south from their summer nesting areas in Canada and the northern US every winter just far enough to find the open water, which provides waterfowl and fish for a food source.

Although the number of summer nesting bald eagles in the area continues to rise, winter in the White Mountains is the best time to see more of our National Symbols perched along the shoreline of almost any lake with open water. That’s why the White Mountain Eagle Fest always takes place in the “dead” of the Arizona winter (Minnesota visitors: please don’t send any “lols” as we survived 8 winters in Ely).

This year’s Eagle Fest will be held on Saturday, February 3, at the White Mountain Nature Center, 425 S. Woodland Road in Pinetop-Lakeside at 9:00 a.m. This year’s sponsors include the Arizona Game and Fish Department, The Arizona Heritage Fund, Liberty Wildlife, Lazy Oaks Resort on Rainbow Lake as well as the White Mountain Nature Center. Nature Center members are admitted free with a $10 recommended donation for others.

Game and Fish will provide a brief update on current eagle populations and management in Arizona to start out the program. A dedicated crew of 3 biologists and numerous seasonal contracted “Nest-watcher” technicians monitor nests and eagle populations statewide through a variety of methods, including long hours of observation, climbing tall ponderosa trees swaying in the wind, and hovering over nests from a safe distance in a helicopter to check on nest or chick status.

A new feature added to this year’s Eagle Fest is the viewing of the award-winning documentary, “The Weight of a Feather”, which details Liberty Wildlife’s Non-Eagle Feather Repository. In addition to providing state-of-the-art wildlife rehabilitation and care as well as conservation education, Liberty Wildlife also coordinates the collection, storage and distribution of feathers from protected bird species to Native Americans for religious and ceremonial purposes. This program recognizes the value of even deceased birds by making them available in a legal and controlled manner.

Melani Walton, Executive Producer, along with Rob Melani, stated “‘The Weight of a Feather’ is the story of how nature, people and culture are linked, and we hope that this inspires viewers to reflect on their own connection to the environment and how they can protect the planet.” The Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, as well as the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, made this film possible through a cooperative effort with Arizona PBS and Quantum Leap Productions. “The Weight of a Feather” is narrated by Peter Coyote and is currently offered as an incentive gift for supporting Arizona PBS.

Since black market trade in bird feathers have threatened some rare populations in the past, permits and licenses are required to collect or possess these feathers from a bird, even if it died from natural causes. So don’t be surprised if you get those owl feathers hanging from your rear-view mirror confiscated during a traffic stop, if you don’t have the proper permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Liberty Wildlife will then describe all of their important work, using their ambassador bald eagle Sonora to help tell their story. Peggy Cole and Max Bessler, two of the most experienced animal handlers at Liberty, will explain how Liberty Wildlife attempts to rehabilitate and release every animal they take in, if possible. Max has been working with Sonora for years, since she arrived at Liberty Wildlife with a broken wing as a nestling in 2007, after being chased out of her nest by a swarm of killer bees. The wing was broken so severely that she would not have been able to survive in the wild if released.

Peggy and Max will reveal some interesting eagle behaviors they have observed and answer all your questions about eagle biology and natural history. Following the presentation, Sonora will pose with Eagle Fest participants for photographs so bring your own camera or phone. There will also be an opportunity to view the Nature Center’s new bald eagle in the recently completely raptor housing facility following the formal indoor talks.

The 2024 White Mountain Eagle Fest will conclude with the traditional field trip to Lazy Oaks Resort on Rainbow Lake, weather dependent, of course. For that matter, the entire Eagle Fest could be postponed, as it was last year, due to a winter storm. Since so many people travel for the occasion, organizers don’t want folks driving in bad winter conditions.

Weather conditions for the field trip have ranged from near blizzard warnings to a balmy, sunny, calm, and picnic-worthy day during past Eagle Fests, so make sure you dress for the occasion for a better-quality experience. There will most likely be at least a light White Mountain breeze in your face.

Seasoned biologists and birders will be on hand along the shore at Lazy Oaks Resort to show participants nearby perched and hunting eagles with their binoculars and spotting scopes. Bring your own optics if you have them, or just use some provided by the Eagle Fest and learn how to use them properly. 

  Festival attendees will also be provided with White Mountain eagle watching hotspots where they can be safely observed without disturbing them. Tips on eagle photography will be shared and biologists will suggest activities that the public can engage in to help eagles.

  With a little luck and good weather, Eagle Fest participants are likely to see at least a few migrant eagles biding their time on Rainbow Lake, waiting for winter to pass so they can get back to raising chicks on their summer digs up north. With even more luck, you might see eagles fighting over a meal or perched just across the bay in a leafless tree, posing for that perfect portrait. 

During most winters, many different kinds of ducks also make RaInbow Lake a temporary home, providing not only a food source for the eagles, but also the opportunity to see some types of waterfowl rarely found here during the summers, like the intricately colored wood duck.

Unfortunately, Eagle Fest organizers haven’t figured out how to schedule this event on the perfect weather weekend, so cold, windy and snowy conditions could reduce the chances of seeing eagles to near zero. At least you’ll be able to get close to Sonora under controlled conditions at the Nature Center. Directions to the viewing area at the Lazy Oaks Resort will be shared at the Eagle Fest program along with a printed map.

So even if you have faithfully attended previous White Mountain Eagle Fests, this year’s schedule has fresh information, including the viewing of the inspirational documentary “The Weight of a Feather” and timely updates on local eagles. See you there!!!



For more information, call 928-532-2308