Eagles & Agriculture continues

Staff Reports

More than 200 people in four buses went off in search of eagles Wednesday morning and found more than a half-dozen.

Dan Kaffer of Western Nevada Resources Conservation and Development said the eagles were spread over several ranches included in the tour.

"There were a bunch down on Highway 88 at the Thunderbird Ranch," he said.

Kaffer said the first tour of Eagles & Agriculture went well.

"We saw dozens and dozens of red-tail hawks, marsh hawks, kestrels," he said.

Rancher Clarence Burr said he saw some eagles early, soaring at about 8,000 feet, but they turned and headed north. Burr agreed that breezy conditions may have discouraged some of the birds.

Eagles & Agriculture, which is in its fifth year, brings non-profit, private, ranching, business and environmental groups together to demonstrate how agriculture and wildlife can cohabit.

In 2003, 35 bald eagles were spotted during a four-hour period on the tour.

Wednesday's tour was sold out, but as of Thursday there were still about a dozen spots left on Saturday's tour, which includes a buffet lunch.

There are also still seats available for tonight's birds of prey lecture and reception featuring Gold Gate Raptor Observatory and UC Davis professor Dr. Allen Fish. Falconer Gene Landfather will bring a live European goshawk. Fish will discuss raptor migration, the biology of birds of prey and their habitat and identification.

Both the owl prowl tour and the photo workshop for Saturday are sold out. A raft and canoe trip down the Carson River still had two seats on Thursday, which are expected to go quickly.

In addition to the outdoor activities, exhibits and a drawing to raise money for Eagles and Agriculture are part of the event at the Carson Valley Inn.

Thirteen exhibits installed by area businesses and non-profits provide information on environmental conservation, preservation and restoration and the use of natural products to enhance agriculture in Carson Valley.

Full Circle Compost provides a wide range of information on soil augmentation and types of humus they produce. They have donated two $50 certificates for humus. Paradise Bird Feed promotes song bird seed socks and has provided 10 socks for the drawing. Carson Valley Conservation District's exhibit explains the role of waterways, erosion and riparian habitats.

The district staff has donated a barn tour for four adults with lunch valued at $300. Lahontan Audubon Society promotes birding, conservation of bird habitat, and environmental education. The society has donated a package of birding books and a year's membership. Alpine Watershed Group, also focusing on the habitats around and in waterways, has donated custom made jewelry for the drawing.

Douglas County Historical Society will be selling their barn book and donated a large basket filled with many items from their museum store. Nevada Farm Bureau exhibit describes the role of agriculture and ranching. The bureau donated a large basket of Nevada-made items for the drawing. Comstock Seed of Gardnerville focuses on the collection of wild seed, mostly wildflowers, to be used in restoration of desert habitats. They have donated two bags of wildflower seeds for the drawing.

Moments In Time Photography, locally owned by Steve Noble, will display his photos and has donated a wildlife photo valued at $114 for the drawing. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has an exhibit on controlling weeds, especially noxious weeds. The extension has donated a soil analysis for the drawing. Tahoe Wildlife Care Inc., of South Lake Tahoe provided a logo embroidered jacket for the drawing and will be at the displays to explain rescuing and restoring health to wildlife and returning it to the wild.

The Bently Biofuels exhibit focuses on the use of plant and recycled materials to produce vehicle fuel. They have donated a certificate valued at $50 for either biofuel or compost. The Nevada Rock Art Foundation exhibit tells of the role rock art has played in Nevada history and the importance of preserving and studying it. The Foundation has donated books and jewelry with a rock art motif for the drawing. Carson Valley Inn will have a set up from the gift shop of items with eagle motifs and has donated a jacket with an eagle embroidery.

In addition, the drawing includes a wide array of prizes. Beef is provided by Home Grown Nevada of Wellington and by Dallas and Barbara Byington. Tahoe Breeze Alpacas has donated a stunning alpaca blanket and alpaca socks valued at $149 as well as a soft, blue alpaca sweater and socks valued at $189.

Russell's Mercantile donated a $50 basket of bakery good, and The Nature Conservancy a book, "Heart of the Land, Essays on Last Great Places. " Eastern Sierra Feed and Farm Supply, Ironwood Stadium Cinema 8, Lake Tahoe Horizon Casino Resort , Harvey's Hotel Casino, David Walley's Resort, Bing Materials, Carson Valley Golf Course, and Hamdogs also contributed drawing prizes.

The winners need not be present to win when the tickets are drawn on Saturday afternoon. Tickets can be purchased Friday 5:30-8 p.m. and Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at Carson Valley Inn. For further information contact Mary Ellen Conaway, 265-7651.

For tickets, contact the Carson Valley Visitors Authority at 782-8144 or info@carsonvalleynv.org