West Virginia is seeing a fast growing population of Bald Eagles.  I just saw one on a recent raft trip in the New River Gorge and it make me want to go and read about the newest addition to the Bald Eagle population.  With a 1,000 ft gorge, home to cliff top after cliff top, it’s the perfect environment for the All-American bird.

There have been almost daily sightings on the Middle New River section where we raft with our family trips.  This is a float section with class 2 whitewater and is perfect for ages 6 and up (making you the coolest parents around when you book it, BTW).

The New River Gorge is 1,000 ft deep with cliff outcroppings along the way.

Binoculars are a must!

The most abundant kind of wildlife you see on a whitewater rafting trip are the birds: swallows dipping in front of the raft and zipping away, the sound of woodpeckers pounding away in the distance, vultures soaring around the top of the gorge, cardinals (the WV state bird), hawks & ospreys looking for the next fish dinner.

I see a field trip in your kids’ future.  What a great “summer-school” activity.

Good luck birding on your trip!