ERROL — If you are hoping to catch sight of our national bird, the American bald eagle, New Hampshire has some beautiful viewing spots.

When on a quest to see bald eagles, it helps to have an eagle-eyed guide.

Bob Dupuis of TNT Guide Service is such a guide — so much so his pontoon-boat Eagle Tour through scenic Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge in Errol was recently certified as the 14th New Hampshire Grand Adventure by New Hampshire Grand.

New Hampshire Grand is the official visitor information source for the Great North Woods and the Northern White Mountains. Certified Grand Adventures meet strict guidelines and are among the best experiences the region has to offer.

It took two years for the Eagle Tour to be named a New Hampshire Grand Adventure and Dupuis said he's thankful for the honor. He's hoping more people will take the opportunity to see the majestic bald eagles in their natural habitat.

Dupuis was born and raised in the North Country and grew up exploring the mountains and waterways of the Androscoggin River Valley. Fully insured and certified as a guide by the states of New Hampshire and Maine, he's been guiding fishing, hunting and wildlife tours since 1999.

“A couple of years ago I noticed more and more eagle activity,” he said. “And I thought this would be fun for people from the cities to see.”

So he put together a tailor-made adventure that includes visits to the bald eagle's favorite hunting spots and the remote eagles nest accessed only by water.

Tours usually start in the morning and last four to five hours, including snacks and lunch which Dupuis grills and serves on the boat. The tours can also go longer or include other activities such as a swimming break if participants desire.

“I had a group of college girls get together for a tour; they wanted a fruit basket instead of the lunch, so I got them a fruit basket,” Dupuis said. “I accommodate whatever they want to do.”

The Eagle Tour gives participants plenty of time to soak in the scenery, and explore the pristine shorelines of the Androscoggin and Magalloway Rivers and places like Indian Cove and Leonard's Pond.

Throughout the tour Dupuis shares stories about the history of the area and animal life, while watching for eagles and also spotting moose, loon, kingfishers, blue heron, and sometimes otters and mink.

“Every time you come out here it's different. The water's different, whatever you see is different,” Dupuis said. “I love being out here, and I love showing it to people.”

On previous tours Dupuis has watched eagles scoop fish from the water a few yards from his boat, and once had the privilege of watching the mother eagle teach her fledglings how to hunt.

On a recent late afternoon tour a threatening thunderstorm cut short the visit to the eagle's nest with two chicks, but while traveling the Magalloway River Dupuis spotted an eagle several hundred feet away and pointed it out.

“We always see an eagle,” he said.

Cost for the eagle tour is $250 for the first person and $50 for each additional person with kids 14 and under free.

For more information on TNT Guide Services Certified Grand Adventure Eagle Tour, go to www.tntguide.org. More info about other Certified Grand Adventures can be found at www.nhgrand.com.

kgarofalo@newstote.com