Bald eagles will be the topic of the Saturday, Sept. 5, Moon Walk conducted by the Black Hills National Forest.

The September Moon Walk will take visitors along the north shore of Deerfield Reservoir.

Speaker Lou Conroy, wildlife biologist from the Mystic Ranger Station, will lead visitors on the hike where they can view and discuss a nesting pair of bald eagles. Visitors will learn about the history, biology, management and habitat needs of bald eagles on the national forest, according to a news release.

"We will have a couple of spotting scopes for visitors to use to view the nest," Conroy said. Visitors also may bring their own binoculars and scopes.

Participants are asked to meet Forest Service officials by 7 p.m. at the North Shore Deerfield Trailhead parking area, approximately 19 miles west of Hill City. To get there, travel west on Highway 17, the Deerfield Road, for 18.7 miles from Hill City to the north side of Deerfield Reservoir. Turn right on FDR 461 and travel 1.3 miles to the parking area and trailhead.

Travel time from Hill City is approximately 40 minutes. Signs will be posted at major intersections to guide visitors to the parking area.

The one-mile roundtrip walk is over uneven terrain through a meadow and travels on and off the Deerfield Trail. The Forest Service suggests that visitors dress for unexpected weather and cooler nighttime temperatures.

The program will not be canceled due to rain unless lightning is spotted.

About 100 visitors per walk have been attending the programs, so forest officials ask participants to arrive early to allow Forest Service staff to help park vehicles. For more information about the program and summer schedule, or to be placed on an Internet mailing list to receive the Moon Walk news releases and directions, call the U.S. Forest Service at 605-343-1567 or go to www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.