Bald eagles from the north make Fort Collins their winter home in the early new year. The Fort Collins and Larimer County City of Fort Collins Engage offer free viewing while they are here. They station volunteer Master Naturalists at viewing piers where eagles spend their nights snuggled in communal roosts in the cottonwood trees near the reservoir.
The naturalist explains the Eagles’ natural history and helps visitors view them through spotting scopes and binoculars. Eagle Watch Programs require a short walk along a paved trail to a viewing pier.
The viewing pier is open year round but Cattail Flats Trail is closed in the winter to prevent disturbance to the birds. Occasionally, viewing scopes and binoculars are available near the parking lot. This is a drop in event and is free. No registration is required, but if temperatures are below freezing, or it’s windy or foggy, they may cancel the Eagle Watches.
Visit www.fcgov.com/naturalareas for weather cancellations and updates before you go.