Hosted by the Cajun Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Eagle Expo returns with a weekend of presentations, social events, birding boat tours, and field trips all set deep within the Atchafalaya Basin and its surrounding waterways—home to numerous nesting pairs of Bald Eagles and other rare species of flora and fauna. Once you purchase your mandatory registration ticket, we'll email you the links to sign up for your choice of guided boat tours.

Registration includes:

• Admission to the Wings to Soar presentation - Thursday, February 17th , Patterson Civic Center at 6 pm (Cancelled due to illness, we will reschedule for April or May.)
• Friday Night, February 18th, Social at Lake End Park and Campground at 5:30 pm
• Admission to Continental Breakfast and Seminars, Saturday, February 19, Cajun Coast Welcome Center

 8:00 am to 9:00 am - Krista Adams on Purple Martins

9:15 am to 10:15 - Erik Johnson with Louisiana Audubon Society

10:30 am to 11:30 am – Louisiana National Estuarine Research Reserve System (LA NERR)

project by Justin Lemoine and Brian Roberts. 

2022 BOAT TOURS AND FIELD TRIPS

REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY. To participate in any boat tour, purchase your registration ticket here and you'll receive the links to sign up for the guided boat tours in the confirmation email. If you are ONLY going on the field trips to the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge or the Green Foundation Property, please contact Christal at 985-380-8224.

• Boat Tour #1 - Atchafalaya Basin Tour with John Burke (aka "Captain Caviar)

Captain Caviar will lead the way into the Atchafalaya Basin to view the American Bald Eagle. The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest overflow swamp in the U.S., covering over 850,000 acres and encompassing 10 distinct aquatic & terrestrial habitats ranging from large rivers to backwater swamps. Most noted for its Cypress-Tupelo Gum swamp habitat and Cajun heritage, the basin is home to over 170 bird species and an important wintering ground for the birds of the Mississippi Flyway. Departs Russo's Landing, 3059 Hwy 70, Morgan City. Maximum 5 people.

Tour times: 9 am Friday (FULL), 1 pm Friday (FULL), 8 am Saturday (FULL), 2 pm Saturday (FULL). Tour Price: $70

Tour Has Been Cancelled

• Boat Tour #2 - Bayou Long Tour with Captain Ivy

The Bayou Long Tour visits various waterways including Lake Verret, Bayou Magazille, Four Mile Bayou, Grassy Lake, Bayou Cheramie, Bayou Milhomme, and Lake Palourde. Attendees can expect to view Bald Eagles and their nests, Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Belted Kingfishers, White Ibis and various other species. Maximum 5 people per boat. Departs from the home of Capt. Ivy St. Romain, 1093 Dawn Drive, Stephensville.

Tour Times: 9 am Friday, 1 pm Friday (4 Left), 8:00 am Saturday, 2:00 pm Saturday. Tour Price: $70

Boat Tour #3 - Bayou Black Tour with Billy Gaston

Billy Gaston, swamp tour operator of Cajun Man's Tours, will journey into the backwater of Bayou Black, adding his special Cajun touch. This tour will meander along the old oil and gas canals, giving visitors chances to see multiple birds of prey including Bald Eagles, Ospreys and various species of hawks. Other birds likely to be encountered include various species of ducks, wading birds and some songbird species. Great for families or groups. Covered flat bottom boat. Bathroom on board. Departs Bayou Black Marina, 251 Marina Drive, Gibson. Maximum 39 people.

Tour Times: 9 am Friday, 1 pm Friday, 2 pm Saturday. Tour Price: $35

Field Trips

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge

The Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge in Franklin was established to provide critical habitat for the Louisiana black bear. The refuge provides a home for an abundance of wildlife including neotropical songbirds, wading birds, waterfowl, reptiles, and amphibians. Options include the Franklin Walking Trail and the Boardwalk.

Tour Times: Friday, 2 pm

Cotten Road/Green Foundation Property

Green Foundation property off Cotten Road, Description: During the winter months, this bottomland hardwood forest includes wet sites that attract Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested and Neotropic cormorants, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck, along with raptors such as Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned hawks, Merlin, American Kestrel and American bald eagle.

Tour Times: Saturday, 2 pm

IF YOU HAVE A GROUP OF 5 (FIVE) OR MORE,

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR GROUP RATES AND REGISTRATION

[email protected] - 985-380-8224

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