Editor's note: This corrects information from an earlier version.

Unusually cold temperatures this winter have left extensive stretches of the Connecticut River north of Old Lyme looking more like New England's longest skating track than its main waterway.

With Haddam harbor frozen, the Connecticut Audubon Society has postponed the start of its annual EcoTravel eagle cruises on the river until next month, the society announced Friday. The vessel RiverQuest normally takes passengers onto the river from docks at the Connecticut River Museum starting the first weekend in March to view nesting eagles and chicks.

"Ten to 20 inches of ice on the Connecticut River is not something locals are used to and has proven difficult to many," the society said in a news release. "With a recent trend towards warmer weather our hope is for open water which will allow us to start cruises on Saturday, April 4."

The society said it expects to offer the cruises through the end of April. The vessel leaves from Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam.

South of Essex and Lyme, near the mouth of the river at Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, tidal flushing from Long Island Sound has kept the river from freezing. David Simpson, director of marine fisheries for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said the river is open at DEEP's Marine Headquarters office in Old Lyme, although he has been noticing ice floes drifting downstream - some with eagles perched atop.

Average temperatures for the past month have been more than 10 degrees lower than normal, according to the National Weather Service. The average temperature for February was 18.7 degrees, compared to the normal average of 31.8. Temperatures are expected to rise this week, reaching the 40s today and Monday, the National Weather Service said.

The Coast Guard, which operated an ice breaker to open the main navigation channel on the river earlier this winter, has continued to receive requests for service.

"We're aware of ice coverage in the Connecticut River," Lt. Junior Grade Marty Betts, public affairs officer with Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, said Friday.

Betts said the sector prioritizes requests for service according to pre-established criteria. Search-and-rescue requests and those necessary to prevent loss of life are handled first. Vessels stuck in the ice also are given high priority, Betts said.

Day Staff Writer Julia Bergman contributed to this story.

j.benson@theday.com

Twitter:@BensonJudy

MORE INFO

For information or to make a reservation for the Connecticut Audubon Society eagle cruises, call (860) 767-0660 or send an email to pwood@ctaudubon.org.