Osprey Cruise 2016
Date and Time
Saturday Jul 9, 2016
8:30 AM - 8:30 AM PDT
Description
The Chamber's Natural Resource Committee invites the community to participate in their Annual Osprey Cruise where passengers will be able to view an osprey family on the nest while touring Cougar Bay on a 2-story cruise boat piloted by Captain Carl Fus of Coeur d’Alene Cruises.
Dr. Wayne Melquist, PhD, retired Idaho Department of Fish & Game wildlife biologist, will be banding baby osprey chicks from a ladder in a boat alongside the piling and nest. He is the foremost authority on Idaho Osprey with over 30 years of experience banding and tracking these special fish hawks, native to North Idaho waters. He will give a talk about the osprey afterwards, answering questions from those onboard.
Wildlife and waterfowl experts from the BLM and Audubon will also provide information and answer questions, including having mounted bird displays and other exhibits. If the conditions allow, there may also be a chance to see live birds on display by Beth Paragamian, wildlife and bird specialist with the BLM and IDF&G educational programs.
Cruise participants will also have a chance to learn about other environmental and “green” topics related to the lake and its surroundings. Presenters with the Coeur d’Alene Lake Management Plan and Coeur d’Alene Basin Watershed Protection programs will be aboard to talk about water quality of the lake and its watersheds. They will have displays and will be available to answer questions from all those on board.
It has been said that this is the only place in the world where a wildlife cruise of this type with sighting of osprey in their habitat and banding of fledgling chicks can be observed.. It is always a treat and often other birds are seen as well, including cormorants, varieties of ducks, grebes, and possibly eagles, which have had a nest overlooking the protected bay.
On board presenters will include:
Beth Paragamian and Phil Cooper, public information specialist with the IDF&G,
Jana Paronto and Cary Hugo with the BLM
Kris Buchler bird identification specialist, local chapter of the Audubon Society,
Ed Hagland and Sue Flammia with the Cougar Bay Osprey Protection Association
Sandy Emerson representing the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation
These and other speakers will provide information about the osprey, an orientation of the public land in the bay and new trails and other amenities, as well as other topics.
Boarding: begins at 8:30am. Cruise will depart from the east side of the Coeur d'Alene Resort boardwalk by Tubbs Hill and McEuen Park.
Departure/Return: Cruise departs promptly at 9:00am and returns at 11:00am
Parking: There is 2 hours free parking at the McEuen Park parking garage off of Front street.
Cost: Adults $15, children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
Family rate: $35 for two adults and 3 children up to 18.
Seniors/students: $10.
The cruise is limited to 150 persons. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED!
Morning coffee or a breakfast snack is available for purchase onboard.
Reservations are required. Call the Coeur d'Alene Chamber and reserve your space. 208.664.3194.
Please allow adequate time for boarding.