FirstLight’s Shepaug Bald Eagle Observatory Opens for the Season
Visitors have enjoyed over 40 sightings of the U.S. national bird, the bald eagle, since opening day and can look forward to much more activity ahead for families and guests of all ages
Southbury, CT – January 10, 2025 – FirstLight, the owner and operator of the Shepaug Hydro Generating Station in Southbury, opened the Shepaug Bald Eagle Observatory on Saturday, December 21, 2024, for its 39th season, days before President Biden signed long-awaited legislation declaring the bald eagle the official national bird of the United States. Observatory visitors have witnessed plenty of activity since opening day, with over 40 eagle sightings recorded at the Observatory to date.
Over the years, the Observatory has welcomed more than 150,000 visitors from across the nation, providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity for families, bird enthusiasts, and nature lovers to observe these birds of prey in their natural environment. The area boasts one of New England’s largest concentrations of wintering eagles, where visitors can see these majestic birds perching, flying, or feeding on the Housatonic River’s aquatic life. The site also attracts many other birds, including waterfowl, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, goshawks and great blue herons.
The Observatory has seen record-breaking eagle sightings in recent years, with 32 eagles spotted in a single day in 2022, the highest number since 1985. It has also become a go-to winter activity for New Englanders and visitors to the area – just last year, The Boston Globe Magazine named the Shepaug Eagle Observatory number two on the list of 30 tiny, perfect things about winter in New England.
“It’s an exciting time to visit the Shepaug Eagle Observatory,” said Andy Brydges, Director of Community Relations at FirstLight. ” What better way to celebrate President Biden’s official declaration of the Bald Eagle as America’s national bird than watching them soar, feast, and rest on our beautiful Connecticut shorelines.”
The Observatory is open for the season through March 9, 2025, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM. To ensure a positive experience for all visitors, FirstLight’s recreation facilities, including Shepaug, are now Autism WelcomingSM thanks to the training and support of Advocates’ Autism Alliance. In addition to robust staff training on best practices for supporting individuals with sensory sensitivities and autism, FirstLight has sensory kits available onsite for anyone who may need them.
The attraction, which is free of charge to visitors, also offers Bird of Prey shows for visitors throughout the season:
CT Audubon Society
- Every Saturday – shows throughout the morning
Christine’s Critters
- January 19 – 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM
- February 9 – 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM
- February 23 – 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM
Horizon Wings
- March 9 – 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM
Reservations are required to visit the Observatory – use this link to make a reservation. Interested parties can also follow us at https://www.facebook.com/baldeagles for updates.
ABOUT FIRSTLIGHT
FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1,600+ MW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 2,000+ MW of solar, battery, and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage, utility-scale solar, large-scale battery, and offshore wind assets. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, and Oshawa, ON, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America. FirstLight has been wholly owned by PSP Investments since 2016. To learn more, visit www.firstlight.energy or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.