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歡慶老鷹節 美中西部溫暖過寒冬

2008年01月22日
摘譯自2007年1月17日 ENS密蘇里,聖路易報導;楊佳珊編譯;蔡麗伶審校

白頭鷹翱翔於密西西比河流域 圖片來源:ENS沿著密西西比、密蘇里及伊利諾河,包含威斯康辛州到田納西州支流在內,河岸旁的居民們每年冬季都引頸仰盼著成千成百隻白頭鷹的到來,而他們如此耐心等待終於在這個月份得到了回報,大約有2300隻駐留在威斯康辛州過冬,2200隻在密蘇里,而伊利諾州北部則至少有3100隻左右。

由於加拿大及五大湖區水域都會結冰,導致老鷹很難捕魚果腹,因此在12月底到2月初這段期間為老鷹遷徙季節,他們會沿著河流往南飛,去搜尋開放水域,一旦找到時,他們將駐留在當地,且倘若當地氣候不至於太冷的話,老鷹也有可能停留到3月中左右。

2008年「老鷹節」將於1月19、20日早上9點到下午3點,在橫跨密西西比河、連貫麥迪遜及伊利諾州的舊岩石大橋(Old Chain of Rocks Bridge)舉行,橋上所及的視野將能讓賞鳥者有機會一賭野鳥在大自然中生存的真實樣貌,此外,老鷹節當日節目流程包括了現場賞鷹、展覽、各式活動、影片欣賞及茶點供應等。

倘若氣候溫暖或是維持穩定的話,老鷹將有可能停留在當地,但若氣溫下降,那老應就會繼續飛往南方,他們會棲息在白楊樹、無花果樹等生長在岸邊的樹,大約在1月份會開始築巢,而等到3月中到5月中,老鷹就會開始孵卵並哺育幼鳥。

老鷹節包含兩個層面的意義,其一便是讓居民及遊客有機會能和白頭鷹近距離接觸,此外,此節日能喚起大眾對白頭鷹的關注,因而讓他們得以安全生存且繁衍下去。

Eagle Celebrations Brighten Midwest Winter Days
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, January 16, 2008 (ENS)

People along the Missisippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers and their tributaries from Wisconsin to Tennessee eagerly await the appearance of thousands of bald eagles each winter. This month their patience is being rewarded. About 2,300 bald eagles winter in Wisconsin, about 2,200 in Missouri and at least 3,100 in southern Illinois.

In Canada and the Great Lakes region bodies of water freeze, which makes it difficult for eagles to catch fish. The birds fly south looking for open water, following the rivers as they migrate between late December and early February. They stay in an area as long as the water remains open, and if the weather is not too cold, they may stay until mid-March.

The 2008 Eagle Days are scheduled for January 19 and 20 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi in Madison, Illinois.

Spotting scopes along the bridge will give eagle watchers a chance to see the wild birds in their natural habitat. Events include live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos and refreshments on-site or nearby. If the weather warms or remains constant, the eagles may linger there. If the temperature drops, they will continue southward. They roost in large cottonwood, sycamore and other riparian trees. Nesting begins in January, with incubation and rearing of the young taking place from March through mid-May.

The purpose of Eagle Days is two-fold. First, the event gives residents and visitors to the Lake area the opportunity to interact with live bald eagles in close proximity. Also, the program helps raise awareness of the bald eagle and that helps keep them safe and flourishing.

全文及圖片詳見:ENS

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.