Join the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps on Saturday, February 8 from 10 AM – 12 PM for a one-mile, birding walk along the shore of Onondaga Lake to explore newly restored habitats that attract thousands of waterfowl, dozens of Bald Eagles, and other wildlife during the winter months. Participants will learn from habitat experts from the Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon about birds, wildlife and the importance of wetlands in supporting the Onondaga Lake watershed.

Onondaga Lake is an Audubon Important Bird Area that provides habitat, food and water sources that many bird species depend upon for survival during the cold winter months. Some of the most abundant bird species that rely on Onondaga Lake are the Bald Eagle, Common Merganser, American Black Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Mallard, Redhead, and Ring-necked Duck.

“Over the past several years, Onondaga Lake has been home to New York’s largest roost of wintering Bald Eagles in an urban environment,” said Chris Lajewski, Director of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps and Montezuma Audubon Center. “Most of the eagles perch in the trees along the shoreline at the southern end of the lake but they are also seen sitting on the ice and soaring overhead. The resurgence of the Bald Eagle and Onondaga Lake as a community asset is a testament to conservation efforts that have restored habitats for birds, other wildlife and the Central New York community.”

Participants should wear shoes or boots that can get wet or muddy. The walk will be easy to moderate with flat trails, but with some uneven footing. Binoculars and field guides will be provided. The event will proceed rain or shine.

The event will begin at Honeywell’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center located at 280 Restoration Way, Syracuse, NY 13209. To access the Center from points west, take I-690 East to Exit 7, turn left onto State Fair Boulevard, take the first left passing under I-690, drive straight toward the lake and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center. From points east, take I-690 West to Exit 7, turn right at the off ramp and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 315.365.3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with "Onondaga Lake" in the subject line.

The fee for the event is $5/person, $15/family. Please bring exact change to the event.

The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.

The Corps was founded in 2012 to inspire future stewards of Onondaga Lake and its watershed through a hands-on, experience-based program that offers citizens and organizations the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain Onondaga Lake and its value as an Audubon Important Bird Area.

Onondaga Lake is an important wintering area for Bald Eagles and waterfowl, providing habitat, food, and water sources that many bird species depend upon for survival during the cold winter months.

Visit our YouTube channel to see the work of the Corps in action!