When to watch

Although we are at the site for seven months of the year, the best times to visit are during the height of the Golden Eagle migration when we average about 200 birds a day. In the spring the best times are from about March 10 to the first week of April; in the fall from the end of September to the end of October. At any time there is usually something interesting to see. If you can only spend an hour or two at the site, the maximum migration is usually in the late afternoon, although this can be modified by weather conditions on any given day.

What to bring

Food and water

When visiting the site for any long period of time we recommend that you bring a packed lunch and something to drink as there are no facilities in the immediate area.

Clothing

The weather that is encountered during the count periods varies enormously. Temperatures normally range from 30°C to -35°C depending on the time of year, and within any single day temperatures can vary by as much as 30°C. Dress accordingly, or bring warm clothing to put on when the sun dips behind the mountains to the west! For people who are used to hiking or skiing in the mountains remember that this is a standing-still activity, so pay particular attention to warm footwear, hats and gloves. Remember the altitude and bring sunscreen.

Binoculars

We have built benches at the site, but if you plan to stay for a while it might be an idea to bring a lawn chair. Most of the movement takes place along the mountain ridges to the east and west of the site so you will need to bring a pair of binoculars and, if you have one, a tripod-mounted telescope. If you don't own optical equipment we usually have a spare set of binoculars and a telescope handy.

 

The Observation Sites . . .