Monroe Lake’s annual Eagles over Monroe event offers a wide range of programs and activities about bald eagles from Jan. 22 to 30.

Included are a mix of small to medium-size in-person programs and hikes, a self-guided tour and scavenger hunt and a virtual presentation on Facebook Live.

Details, including full descriptions and registration links, are available at bit.ly/eaglesovermonroe2022.

One featured program is a conversation with Al Parker, a wildlife biologist who guided Indiana’s bald eagle reintroduction program. He will share history and personal stories starting at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at Paynetown State Recreation Area. Space for this free program is limited to 40 attendees. Advance registration is required by Jan. 26. Entrance to Paynetown SRA and all other SRAs at Monroe Lake is free during the winter months.

On Jan. 30, the Indiana Raptor Center will offer two live raptor presentations at Paynetown at 1 and 3 p.m, respectively. The presentations will feature up-close looks at multiple raptor species, including a bald eagle and a golden eagle. Each presentation requires advance registration by Jan. 27 and is limited to 30 people. A program fee of $5 per person is required.

A free self-guided driving tour and scavenger hunt will be available throughout the Eagles over Monroe period. An online map will guide you to some of the lake’s best spots for eagle viewing. The scavenger hunt with clues hidden at select viewing locations can be completed along the way for a chance to win an Indiana State Parks annual entrance permit.

For those who prefer having help when looking for eagles at the lake, sunset eagle watches will be offered on three different evenings. Volunteers will have spotting scopes set up, and hot cocoa will be available for attendees who bring their own travel mug.

Visitors are invited to drop by, no registration needed, between 5 and 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at Pine Grove SRA, on Jan. 28 at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office on Monroe Dam Court and on Jan. 29 at Paynetown. The sunset watches are free, but donations will be collected to support future programming and events at Monroe Lake.

On Jan. 27, Monroe Lake interpretive naturalist Jill Vance will offer a live virtual presentation on the history of the bald eagle reintroduction program in Indiana. “Return of the Bald Eagle” will stream via Facebook Live at 11:30 a.m. The presentation will be recorded for those unable to watch live.

Special hikes also are scheduled throughout the week. All hikes are free but require advance registration and have limited spots available. If a hike is full, consider signing up for the waiting list.

Fairfax Birding Stroll at 10 a.m. Jan. 22 (limited to 15 people)

Winter Exploration Hike at 1 p.m. Jan. 24 (limited to 10 people)

Northfork Birding Hike at 10 a.m. Jan. 25 (limited to 15 people)

Bald Eagle Hacking Tower Hike at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 (limited to 20 people)

Bald Eagle Hacking Tower Hike at 10 a.m. Jan. 29 (limited to 20 people)

For information, email [email protected] or call 812-837-9967.