Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

06/18/2026

Eagle chick naming update: Skanon is currently in first place with Oneida a very close second. Casey is in third place. Voting ends Friday and the new name will be announced on Saturday!

To cast your vote and help with our eagle camera fundraiser visit https://finwr.org/donate/, make a donation and put your name choice in the box for "specific cause".

Name choices are:
Oneida — Honoring one of the original Haudenosaunee nations, symbolizing unity,
endurance, and deep cultural roots.
Casey — A tribute to Casey Road, where the headquarters stands watch over the refuge,
grounding the eaglet’s story in the very place that protects it.
Skanon — A Seneca Nation word meaning peace and wellness, reflecting the calm
strength and timeless cycle of life carried forward in this nest.

06/14/2026

A Special Announcement From Our Eagle Parents:
Cayuga and Seneca's beautiful eaglet is growing strong, and is almost ready to take flight! We're exited to be launching a small naming fundraiser. Every vote supports the continued protection, monitoring, and storytelling of this remarkable eagle family.

Name Choices are Inspired by the Land and Its legacy
1. Oneida — Honoring one of the original Haudenosaunee nations, symbolizing unity, endurance, and deep cultural roots.
2. Casey — A tribute to Casey Road, where the headquarters stands watch over the refuge, grounding the eaglet’s story in the very place that protects it.
3. Skanon — A Seneca Nation word meaning peace and wellness, reflecting the calm strength and timeless cycle of life carried forward in this nest.

To cast your vote visit our website donation page make a suggested $5 donation and write your choice for the name into the "specific cause" box.
https://finwr.org/donate/

Together, we honor the land, the culture, and the future, taking wing right before our eyes!

06/13/2026

We’ve got our booth set up at the Rochester Adirondacks Club’s Outdoor Expo at Mendon Ponds Park south of Rochester. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello.

06/13/2026

An Announcement from the Eagle Nest!
In celebration of the rich Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) heritage that surrounds the refuge, we are proud to share the official names of our devoted eagle parents.
IF1 will now be known as Cayuga — a name rooted in the People of the Great Swamp, reflecting strength, resilience, and deep connection to the waters and wetlands that cradle this nest.
IM1 will now be known as Seneca — honoring the Keepers of the Western Door, a name that carries the spirit of guardianship, wisdom, and watchful protection.
Together, Cayuga and Seneca stand as noble stewards of their tree-top home, raising their eaglets under the same skies and stories that have shaped this land for generations. A beautiful tribute to the refuge, the culture, and the wild family we’ve all come to love.
Stay tuned for another big announcement tomorrow!

06/12/2026

It was a big day for the eagle chick today as it "branched" for the first time. This is when a chick starts to leave the nest and is able to perch and balance on nearby tree limbs. Usually this means they are about a week away from actually fledging! It's a bit nerve wracking for us viewers, but everything went well and the parents even brought in a fish reward.

06/12/2026

If any of you are going to be in the Rochester area tomorrow, the Friends group will be tabling at the Rochester Adirondacks Club’s annual Outdoors Expo at Mendon Ponds Park. Exact location and other details in attached link.

https://adk-gvc.org/play/outdoor-expo-before/?fbclid=IwZnRzaASZQtpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeWfri4VFE1_rwKU1-8U1-U4HTd_db__Fp16cJ_3E6i-_1ZaDgP5WCgWVQnpk_aem_iQ4PbomDKMUO5zxFxwuuJg

27th ANNUAL OUTDOOR EXPOpresented byGenesee Valley ChapterAdirondack Mountain ClubandMonroe County ParksSaturday, June 13, 20269:30 am to 3:30 pmMendon Ponds Park, Pittsford NY Join us this June for our annual celebration of the great outdoors! Free and open to the public, the Outdoor Expo is held a...

06/08/2026

My, but how our eaglet has grown! The first photo was taken April 2 and the final one was the end of last week. What a transformation in a short amount of time.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! Take some advice from the eagle family and come on out to the refuge for a holiday picnic with your loved ones.

05/22/2026

Some evening footage from the marsh shows how big INWR2 is getting!

05/21/2026

Stopped by the post office today to pick up my copy of the new bald eagle stamp. I like the way they show the life cycle. Pretty sweet.