Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : December 6, 2007

Soar with the Eagles at Pipestem Resort State Park January 5

The Third Annual Winter Eagle Survey at Pipestem Resort State Park is scheduled for Saturday, January 5, according to Jim Phillips, Pipestem Resort Naturalist. The annual eagle survey places volunteer observers at points along the New, Bluestone and Greenbrier Rivers in Virginia and West Virginia from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The alternative survey date in case of bad weather will be Sunday, January 6, barring additional severe winter or hazardous driving conditions.

“Our goal is to get a better idea of the number of eagles wintering in southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia,” Phillips explained. “During the winter of 2006-2007, we found at least seven bald eagles and three golden eagles in our area. In recent weeks we’ve had reports of two bald eagles and one golden in the Pipestem area. This will be a great survey time and we encourage folks to call and let us know if they want to help count.”

Phillips is an avid bird watcher and has an easygoing educational style that allows anyone from the novice to the professional birder to enjoy his daily interpretive activities at Pipestem. Interpretive activities are posted on the Pipestem Resort Web site at www.pipestemresort.com.

Other events at Pipestem include a Ballroom Dancing Workshop Weekend, December 7-9; Audubon Christmas Bird Count, December 15; and New Year’s Eve Celebration (dinner/dance) December 31 to round out the 2007 event year.

Anyone wishing to participate in the eagle survey or the Audubon Christmas Bird Count should contact Jim Phillips, Park Naturalist, Pipestem State Park, Pipestem, WV, by calling (304) 466-1800, extension 344 by January 2, 2008 or e-mail pipestemnaturalist@wvdnr.gov.

To learn more about activities and events at Pipestem Resort or any WV State Park or Forest, go online to www.wvstateparks.com. To receive a monthly e-mail from state parks, the Web site offers a “join our newsletter” option. The newsletter is brief and draws attention to discounts, upcoming activities and new additions to the parks system.

**DNR**