TUNKAHNNOCK — For the first time at the Endless Mountains Nature Center, the Carbon County Environmental Education Center (CCEEC) will present its bald eagles and golden eagles. Franklin Klock, naturalist at CCEEC, will discuss the birds and how eagles have impacted history. Eagle Day will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at the center.

The nature center will also fill Eagle Day with children’s activities, including making an eagle-themed craft. People can walk to view the Vosburg eagle nest and see educational displays.

Space is limited and registration can be made online at EndlessNature.org. The fee is $5 per person. The presentation will be at Merrill Lodge, and the event will happen come rain or shine. SWN, Southwestern Energy is sponsoring the event.

Those attending Eagle Day this year will get to see some interesting raptors. In 2001, the CCEEC took in a Bald Eagle injured by a car, common to many rehabilitated birds of prey. Renamed Renshaw to honor his former trainer who passed away, he is a well-behaved educational bird of prey, unusual for Bald Eagles, which can be skittish around humans.

Also in 2001, Pennsylvania Game Commission officers brought an injured Golden Eagle to the CCEEC. Despite being protected by law, she had been shot, but survived to become a welcome member of the CCEEC. Named after a WWII Navy captain, Charles Butler McVay, Miss Charles is a visual reminder of what can happen when people do not protect our natural resources.

The presenter from CCEEC, Franklin Klock II, is a naturalist who was the first Wildlife Capture and Transport Permit holder in Pennsylvania after rehabilitation laws came into effect. Although he originally volunteered with fundraisers and construction projects, among other things, Klock became the primary eagle handler at CCEEC.

Franklin Klock and Miss Charles, a Golden Eagle.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_ABJ-Eagles.jpg.optimal.jpgFranklin Klock and Miss Charles, a Golden Eagle. Submitted photo

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Endless Mountains Nature Center.