Winter Eagle Watch Returns to Upper Delaware Region

Each winter, an estimated 150–200 bald eagles migrate to the Upper Delaware River Scenic and Recreational River, where the region’s warmer open waters and quiet forests of the Pocono Mountains offer ideal feeding and roosting conditions. As northern lakes freeze, the iconic raptors travel hundreds of miles south to spend the season in Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York.

And each year, their presence draws thousands of visitors for the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s annual Eagle Watch. From crisp riverside overlooks to frosty forest perches, spotting a wild bald eagle in this pristine winter landscape is an unforgettable NEPA experience.

From Threatened to Thriving

Once on the brink of extinction, the bald eagle has made a remarkable recovery in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the U.S. In 1983, the Pennsylvania Game Commission documented just three remaining nests in the state. It was a dire reflection of widespread habitat loss and the devastating effects of environmental neglect. Thanks to intensive restoration efforts in the 1980s, eagle populations steadily rebounded.

Today, Pennsylvania is home to more than 300 active nests. And what was once a rare sight has become a celebrated winter tradition through the annual Eagle Watch.

“Every year, people are just so excited to get to see eagles in the wild,” said Bethany Zarnowski, Operations and Communications Director at the Delaware Highlands Conservancy. “For many people, they remember when it was really uncommon to see them. It’s great to see that enthusiasm—from kids and adults alike—year after year.”