From the Delaware Water Gap to Hancock, New York, some 120 miles, eagles have made this area their home, the largest gathering of wintering eagles east of the Mississippi River. It is not uncommon to see eagles soaring over Port Jervis and to see as many as 15 or 20 when one travels north of the city on Route 97 for ten or fifteen mile. See the map below for the best viewing locations. They are magnificent to watch, both perched in trees along the river and soaring on the updrafts. Please follow the eagle etiquette suggestions that follow if you plan to come and look for the eagles.
Human presence can stress the birds and negatively affect their feeding and roosting.
The energy they use to avoid human disturbances is no longer available for other uses during the winter. Repeat disturbances can cause problems for the eagle, especially in heavily visited viewing areas along the Delaware River. For this reason the New York Audubon Society has put together some eagle viewing guidelines, which they feel will provide the least intrusive and most successful viewing opportunities. Copyright 2001The City of Port Jervis. All rights reserved.