Submitted by Jane Raunikar
(January 23, 2023) — Cold winds are part of the Connecticut River in the winter season, but so are eagles, mergansers and goldeneyes! Eagles, once rare, are now commonly seen fishing along the unfrozen lower Connecticut River.
The Connecticut River Museum is once again offering Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises in February and March. These popular trips offer visitors a chance to get out on the River in winter to see eagles and other winter species that visit the waters of the Connecticut River, including harbor seals, the only marine mammal common to Connecticut. Cruises aboard the environmentally friendly RiverQuest provide passengers with a comfortable, heated cabin supplied with hot coffee and tea, as well as binoculars to aid in spotting, and narration from a staff naturalist. Cruises depart Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at various times in the morning and early afternoon and are $45 per passenger.
The annual Eagles of Essex exhibit offers a wealth of information about bald eagles and their return to the Connecticut River. Among the eagle displays, you will find a map showing good shore viewing locations. Join us on the opening day of the season, Friday, February 10, 2023.
To book your eagle cruise, go to ctrivermuseum.org/booking-calendar/
For more information, call 860-767-8269.
The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main Street and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students, $8 for children ages 6-12.
Photo by Joan Meek
