Cruise the River

RiverQuest offers opportunities to observe wildlife

HADDAM » Early April is when the Osprey returns to Connecticut from its southern wintering grounds. It is a wonderful sign that spring is finally here. It shares the Connecticut River with other wildlife, including the Bald Eagle.

The Osprey is a large bird of prey with a 4-foot-6 to 6-foot wingspan and eats only fish, so it is sometimes referred to as the Fish Hawk.

Ospreys migrate south for the winter months to areas where their food supply will not be affected by frozen rivers and lakes. They settle down in the southern U.S., Central America, South America, and have been seen as far south as Argentina.

Ospreys of breeding age are returning north now, to start a new nest or to re-establish a nest they may have used in previous years.

A great way to see this nesting activity is by boat.

RiverQuest, an eco-tour vessel located at Eagle Landing State Park in the Tylerville section of Haddam, is offering several cruises to the general public throughout the month of April to view and learn about the Osprey and other wildlife that may be spotted, including hawks and another famous raptor, the Bald Eagle.

After disappearing from Connecticut in 1948, the Bald Eagle has made a return and there are several active eagle nests on the river. Two of these nests will be visible from RiverQuest and guests will most likely see one or more of our resident Bald Eagles.

There are many Osprey nests along the lower Connecticut River, from the mouth of the river in Old Lyme/Old Saybrook up river as far north as Middletown.

There will be activity on the many man-made nesting platforms at the Roger Tory Peterson Preserve in Old Lyme and on other platforms located along the Connecticut River, in “natural” tree settings and on the top of each of the large navigation aids that mark the river channel.

Other areas of interest that will be seen on the cruise include the Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette Castle and the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry.

The cruises are approximately 2.5 hours in length and cost $40 per passenger (no children under 10 years old). There are binoculars on board for loan during the cruise and complimentary coffee and tea.

To learn more about these informative cruises and to reserve your spot with our easy on-line booking, visit ctriverquest.com or call RiverQuest at 860662-0577.

WWW.CTRIVEREXPEDITIONS.ORG. Connecticut River Expeditions RiverQuest offers cruises in April, providing an opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat.

WWW.CTRIVEREXPEDITIONS.ORG. Connecticut River Expeditions’ RiverQuest offers cruises in April, providing an opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Above, an eagle lands on its nest.

WWW.CTRIVERCRUISES.COM Ospreys like this one are making their way back to the Connecticut River.

WWW.CTRIVEREXPEDITIONS.ORG. This is a view of the Connecticut River in late winter.

WWW.CTRIVEREXPEDITIONS.ORG. Connecticut River Expeditions RiverQuest offers cruises in April, providing an opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat.