Don't Miss: Hudson River EagleFest 2022 Is Feb. 4-6

OSSINING, NY — Celebrate the annual winter migration of bald eagles to the lower Hudson Valleyat Eaglefest 2022, and get ready for the fun by entering Teatown's birds-of-prey photo contest.

This year Teatown will host a mix of online and outdoor activities during the 3-day festival including events at the nature reserve and guided walks at Croton Point Park. Tickets are on sale now. Learn more and register here.

The line-up of in-person and virtual presenters includes:

• Christine Peyreigne, who became a falconer when she was just 16 years old and started hunting with her red-tailed hawk, Theron;
• Brian Bradley, one of the greatest lure falconers in the Northeast;
• Anne Swaim returns to present her virtual and popular “Raptor for Rookies” program.

Teatown’s own birds of prey will also make their usual unforgettable appearances.

The in-person programs will have limited capacities and will be held outdoors, so be prepared to dress warmly.

Click here to reserve spots for one of the guided walks at Croton Point Park Feb. 4, 5 and 6 and here for life flight demonstrations at Teatown.

Snacks and hot beverages will be available for purchase in Teatown’s Visitor Center. The Nature Store will be stocked with amazing “all about the birds” merchandise, including books, games, toys, and the exclusive, new-design Teatown EagleFest T-shirts.

Check the EagleFest web site often for updates and information on new programs.

While you're planning, get outside with your camera.

The second annual Teatown Hudson River EagleFest Photography Competition opened Thursday and the deadline is Jan. 30. This year’s contest is in honor and memory of Ed Mertz, a Croton-on-Hudson resident, long-time Teatown supporter, and well-known bird and nature photographer.

Photographers are encouraged to submit their photos showing a bird of prey (e.g., eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, etc.), whether perched in a tree, soaring in mid-flight, or dining on fish on a Hudson River ice floe.

The jury for the photography competition includes:

• Bill Graham, long-time national and international birding photographer and Zeiss Sports Optics representative
• Lisa Kelly, Teatown’s Animal Care Supervisor and expert raptor handler
• Mike Stewart, noted Hudson Valley photographer (www.lens-work.com), administrator of the “Peekskill NY In Pictures” and “Historic Peekskill NY in Pictures” Facebook pages, and photography archivist at the Peekskill Museum
• Kevin Carter, Teatown’s Executive Director

First-place, second-place, and third-place winners will receive Zeiss Sports Optics binoculars, and a fourth-place runner-up will receive a gift card from L.L. Bean.

Winners will be announced Feb. 3 before Eaglefest 2022 begins. Learn more here.