This weekend, Dallas County Conservation invites the public to an event focused on everyone’s favorite raptors, with the annual Eagle Watch.

The program is a joint effort between the Dallas and Polk County conservation departments, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers. It will be held Sunday from noon – 4 p.m. at the Saylorville Reservoir. Dallas County Conservation Outreach Coordinator Ken Keffer says this time of year is perfect for viewing eagles, and the Saylorville area is a hotspot for wintering birds. Keffer adds, the program is especially meaningful considering just 10 years ago it probably wouldn’t have been possible. “(It’s) another conservation success story, you know? I mean, here it’s hard to believe our national symbol was pretty hard to come by back in the day, and so that’s been a great conservation success and a good recovery. And so come on out and celebrate the eagles!”

There is no cost to attend the Eagle Watch, and registration is not required. Binoculars will be available for attendees to use, and naturalists will be on hand for some show and tell demonstrations. Specific viewing locations and programming schedules will be available at the Saylorville Visitor Center the day of the event.