During a recent introduction of the City of Williamsport as a designated Birdtown USA city, council President Eric Beiter observed how glad he was to see an explosion of the Bald Eagle population here in Lycoming County.

Eagles and their young, known as egglets, are seen on the trees along the West Branch of the Susquehanna banks near the mouth of the Lycoming Creek, for instance, and there is a popular viewing spot across Little Pine Creek at Little Pine State Park.

“I remember being a kid growing up and they were nonexistent and now we have quite a few and I would not even venture to guess how many, but there is not a day that goes by that I’m not driving around and it is commonplace now and my kids really have no idea the impression and you see them on the side of the road when you’re driving sometimes and so on so it is really neat to see that that has made a comeback,” Beiter remarked.

Additionally, several years ago there were Peregrine falcons nesting on the Market Street bridge. At Rose Valley Lake, about 20 minutes north of the city, there is a huge habitat of ospreys, Beiter noted.

The Lycoming Audubon Society is planning several activities in spring regarding birds.

And speaking of eagles, Beiter also later acknowledged the Scouting USA Troop 14 from St. John’s United Methodist Church was in attendance at the council meeting for an Eagle Scout required citizenship in the community merit badge.