For many years, especially for several decades spanning the 1950s – 1980s, the American Bald Eagle, our National symbol, was nearly wiped out, primarily because of the use of the insecticide, DDT.

With the banning of that chemical in the United States, along with a host of protective measures that came along with the species being placed on the Federal Endangered and Threatened List, the bird is now enjoying a thriving status.

In fact, the species has recovered to a point now that in 2007, the Department of Interior took the American Bald Eagle off that list, although they are still a protected species under federal law.

Several “Eagle Watch” events are held in Kentucky, including one event that is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Dale Hollow Lake later in January.

However, that isn’t the only Eagle Watch event that is traditionally held on Dale Hollow.

Last week, a group of Dale Hollow Lake enthusiasts made their own now long-time traditional day-long Eagle Watch on New Year’s Day.

About 30 people spent Friday afternoon touring the region of Dale Hollow near the Kentucky and Tennessee boundary between Eagle Cove Marina and Trooper Island Camp, looking for and enjoying the sighting of several American Bald Eagles.

The birds are a mixture of nesting pairs that have made Dale Hollow their permanent home and have raised several young, as well as many eagles that migrate to the area in the winter months from the northern region of the United States as well as Canada.

This year’s group was hosted on a houseboat owned by Rick and Connie Delk, of Bardstown, who call Wisdom Dock their lake home.

The day-trip has been a long-time tradition that was started by Allen and Lisa Smith and Al and Janie Gibson more than 15 years ago.

This past Friday, while the group has seen more eagles in other years, several eagles were spotted in the area during tour, including spotting of two pairs that were in close proximity of each other at Eagle Cove Marina, and another pair just east of Trooper Island Camp.

A portion of the group who spent New Year’s Day on Dale Hollow Lake viewing several American Bald Eagles during a traditional event that was started over 15 years ago.

This pair of adult American Bald Eagles were spotted Friday on the northern side of Tennessee Island on Dale Hollow Lake in Clinton County.

Activity by the group of New Year’s Day eagle watchers moved to the south side of the Rick and Connie Delk houseboat as they tried to get a good look at a pair of eagles that were spotted high in the trees on Tennessee Island in Clinton County.