See Bald Eagles On Speaker Heck

Editor’s Note, September 8, 2015: We have updated this article to include additional information from the DEC and a video.

Have you ever wanted to see a bald eagle in person? Now is your chance! There are currently bald eagles living on Lake George, so grab your camera and go catch a glimpse, but remember to respect this majestic bird as well as this beautiful area of Lake George.

Bald eagles were once on the federal list of endangered species,
but have since made enough of a resurgence to be removed from the list.
In 2010, the Department of Environmental Conservation reported that 173
breeding pairs of bald eagles were living throughout New York State,
and the future of the bald eagle population is looking bright.

That doesn’t mean they aren’t protected though! In fact, eagles are protected under five sections of the Environmental Conservation Law of New York and the DEC has an active Bald Eagle program designed to keep New York’s eagles healthy. In addition, harassing, disturbing or injuring a bald eagle is a federal offense and carries a penalty of up to $20,000 and/or one year in jail.

The Lake George region is lucky to have an established nest of eagles living among us, and one of the best places to see them is from Dock #27 on Speaker Heck Island. From the dock, turn back toward the island and scan the treeline. To the right of the outhouses, look way up, and you’ll see a large tree that bends to the right, and that’s where the nest is located. From this vantage point, armed with a camera lens, binoculars or a very keen eye, you will be able to see the eagles nest, and hopefully, get to see the amazing sight of an eagle in-flight. Remember, be respectful and don’t do anything to try and make the bird fly.

For those of us without a way to visit Speaker Heck Island, we found this wonderful YouTube video that captures both the beauty of the island as well as its special guests.