It's a Carson Valley tradition this time of year - the annual Eagles and Agriculture event is later this month. It's a chance to see the raptors that flock to the area every year on their way up north.
"It's primarily migratory; they're on their way up north," said Bill Chernock, Executive Director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce. "We don't really know where they go because you can't tag them. Over the years this part of the trip has coincided with the calving season and eagles like raptors like an easy meal. Here we go - it's the afterbirth that draws them like a buffet."
The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce organizes four days of tours and events to get people up close and personal with some of the birds.
"The bald eagles are the ones that everyone wants to see and we may have 30 or 40 in a given year in the valley," Chernock said. "But there are goldens here, and any number of hawks."
And the tours have another purpose - to show residents and visitors just how important ranching is to the Carson Valley,and highlight some of the challenges ranchers are facing these days.
"One of the things we do on the ranch and eagle tour, kind of the heart of this event, is we give the ranchers a chance to talk to the people who are on the tour and let them know what they're facing," Chernock said. "What they're up against and what they can do."
It's a big draw for birders - and those that want to learn more about a unique corner of Northern Nevada.
"It brings out all the coolest things about the Carson Valley and about Northwest Nevada," Chernock said.
https://www.carsonvalleynv.org/eagles-ag/
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