Milford Nature Center to Host Eagle Day with Free Bald Eagle Tours on January 24

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The Milford Nature Center will host its annual Eagle Day on Saturday, January 24, offering the public a chance to learn about bald eagles and other birds of prey through guided tours and hands-on activities.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and features free guided bus tours around Milford Lake, where participants may spot bald eagles and other wildlife. The tours will be followed by educational programs and family-friendly activities at the Nature Center.

According to Katlin Dunsing, Assistant Director of the Milford Nature Center, four separate bus tours will be offered throughout the morning, each lasting about one hour.

Bus tours will begin at 9:00 a.m., with departures every 30 minutes until 10:30 a.m., allowing multiple groups to explore different areas of the lake.

In addition to the tours, visitors can attend several live raptor programs scheduled throughout the day. Inside the Nature Center, guests will find craft activities, bird-of-prey artifacts and specimens, and light refreshments.

Dunsing encourages attendees to bring binoculars and cameras and to dress appropriately for outdoor winter weather. While bald eagle sightings cannot be guaranteed, she noted that a steady group of eagles has been present at the lake, making the event a valuable opportunity to learn about the nation’s bird.

Bald eagles and other birds of prey play an important role in the Kansas ecosystem, helping control rodent and insect populations and cleaning up animal carcasses.

Dunsing also explained why bald eagles are commonly seen near lakes and reservoirs during winter months. Fish make up most of an eagle’s diet, and cold weather pushes the birds to gather near open water where food remains accessible. Although bald eagles are typically solitary, they tend to tolerate being near one another during colder periods, especially when surrounding waters freeze.

No registration is required for Eagle Day. Bus seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.