Eagles Soar in Southbury

Debuting new telescopic lens viewing equipment and building updates, FirstLight Power Resources, the operator of the Shepaug Hydroelectric Power Station in Southbury, will open the Shepaug Bald Eagle Observatory December 19.  The observatory will be open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from December 19, 2015-March 13, 2016. 

Over 30 years in operation, the Shepaug Bald Eagle Observatory has hosted more than 150,000 visitors from all over the U.S. and the world.  This observatory provides families, bird enthusiasts, and nature lovers a unique opportunity to see the eagles in their natural habitat. 

“This is a great place to watch these raptors fish and hunt alongside other birds and water fowl such as red-tailed hawks,” said Howie Person, Plant Manager for the Shepaug Station.  “We’ve made some significant improvements to the observatory and invested in all new equipment this year, so we hope to see many people come out.” 

Specialists will be on-site with high-powered telescopes to help visitors see the eagles in action and to answer questions about America’s national symbol.  Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and to bring binoculars if possible to augment use of onsite telescopes. 

All are welcome and admission is free of charge, but advance reservations are required.  To make reservations individuals, families, and groups can go online at http://www.gdfsuezna.com/shepaug/ and click “Book Now”.  FirstLight will be hosting a celebration in early-January to rededicate the facility and showcase its newest improvements.

FirstLight is a subsidiary of GDF SUEZ Energy North America, which manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers.  GDF SUEZ Energy North America is a part of the international energy group ENGIE. For more information, please visit www.gdfsuezna.com.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

A Flanders Nature Center Adventure Jan. 18

On Monday, January 18 while off from school for the Martin Luther King Day holiday, kids in grades kindergarten through 5th are invited to come to Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury to experience  “A Flanders Adventure” !  

Participating children will spend the day learning about the animals that live at Flanders and in the wild in the northwest Connecticut woodlands.  Kids will take a guided  hike with a naturalist to find tracks to see who is active in the snow. 

This will be a fun filled day packed with exploring the great outdoors, and age appropriate stories, games and crafts. Preregistration is required. 

A Flanders Nature Adventure takes place  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.and offers before and after care for an extra fee. The cost per child is $35 for Flanders members and $45 for non members. Parents are asked to have their children dress for the weather and to bring a bag lunch.

Register online or call Flanders at (203) 263-3711, extension 10. For more information, visit www.flandersnaturecenter.org.  For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com