Eagles soar during Eagle Days bird watching festival

January 8, 3:38 AMOzarks Travel ExaminerPatsy Bell Hobson

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photo by Missouri Department of Conservation.

Soar with the eagles when Missouri Department of Conservation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources organize Eagle Days as an annual bird watching festival. The confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers offer the best winter eagle observation areas in Missouri and Illinois.

From late December through early February, look for eagles in the wild perched in large trees along the water's edge. To see the eagles flying and fishing, the best viewing is early in the morning.

One of the best places to find information about eagle viewing locations in the mid Mississippi River valley is greatriverroad.com  http://www.greatriverroad.com/Eagles/eagleevents.htm Eagle spotters should wear warm clothes, bring binoculars, and a thermos of something warm to drink.

Department of Conservation staff and volunteers will be on site with telgreatriverroad.com escopes. Enjoy live eagle programs, videos and some sites have mapped out driving tours for viewing eagles. Have a full tank of gas and bring your cameras.

Missouri Department of Conservation sponsors several Eagle Days. Jan. 19-20 at Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis; Jan. 26-27 at Lock and Dam 24 and the Apple Shed Theater, Clarksville; Feb. 2-3 at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. For more information about Eagle Days, visit the Conservation Department website , keyword: eagledays or write to Missouri Department of Conservation, Eagle Days, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone:573/751-4115 ext. 3289

Eagle Days - Chain Of Rocks Bridge

Located just outside St. Louis, the Chain of Rocks Bridge is a favorite birding location. On January 17-18, 2009   The Old Chain of Rocks will host Eagle Days from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is near I-270 and Ill. Rt. 3.

Spotting scopes will be set up to view bald eagles. Events include live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, guides with spotting scopes. Admission is free.

Eagle Days - Clarksville, Missouri

One of the best winter bald eagle watching spots is Clarksville, Missouri because it is close to  proximity to Locks and Dam #26, which keeps the water free of ice enabling the eagles to find fish during the coldest weather.  Eagle days events are January 24 - January 25, 2009 from 9 am - 5 pm both days. Clarksville offers free live eagle shows & video spotting scopes, Clarksville museum tours,  food and educational children’s activities. The whole town is out to help you celebrate.

Clarksville recomends that you bring warm outdoor clothing, blankets to sit on during eagle program and family and friends,to keep you warm. Also bring cameras, binoculars, and spending money for hot beverages and souveniers. There are plenty of food and lodging.

Eagle Days Pere Marquette

Pere Marquette is a great place for an eagle spotting getaway. Learn about overnight accommodations and dining at Pere Marquette Lodge by calling the lodge at (618) 786-2331 Reservations (618) 786-2331, Fax (618) 786-3498, email  thelodge@gtec.com or write to Illinois Route 100 ~ 13653 Lodge Blvd., Grafton, IL 62037 Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center is just outside Grafton, Illinois, overlooking the Illinois River.

The Site Interpreter at Pere Marquette State Park, will be presenting bald eagles programs throughout the winter. All programs begin at the park's visitor center at 8:30 a.m.  There will be a short video presentation followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Be sure to dress warmly and have a full tank of gas. Details of Pere Marquette State Park eagle days is at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R4/Bald_Eagle_Days.htm

January programs are Tuesday, 20th,Wednesday, 21st, Saturday, 24th, Sunday, 25th, Monday, 26th, Tuesday, 27th, Wednesday, 28th, and Saturday, 31st

 February programs are Sunday, 1st, Monday, 2nd, Tuesday, 3rd, Wednesday, 4th, Saturday, 21st, Sunday, 22nd, Monday, 23rd, Wednesday, 25th, and Saturday, 28th

Go to the Pere Marquette Bald Eagle Days, or to make reservations please call the Visitors Center at (618) 786-3323.

Go to the Pere Marquette State Park, or write P.O. Box 158, Grafton, Illinois, 62037  or call  (618)786-3323.

There are maps at the Visitors Center for marked hiking trails and the paved bike trail. Bird watchers can set out on your own or, reserve a spot at one of the park’s Eagle Day tours. There are a few nesting eagle pairs that make there home at Pere Marquette. The largest population of bald eagles migrate to the area in January and February.

Eagles migrate here from Canada and the Great lakes. Only Washington and Alaska have bigger wintering eagle populations than Missouri. As many as 2,200 eagles in Missouri and at least 3,100 in southern Illinois are expected to overwinter in the Mississippi River valley. Learn more about Eagle Days event locations and schedules at the Missouri Department of Conservation.  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays/

Missouri Department of Conservation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources organize Eagle Days as an annual bird watching festival. The confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers offer the best winter eagle observation areas in Missouri and Illinois.

From late December through early February, look for eagles in the wild perched in large trees along the water's edge. To see the eagles flying and fishing, the best viewing is early in the morning.

One of the best places to find information about eagle viewing locations in the mid Mississippi River valley is greatriverroad.com http://www.greatriverroad.com/Eagles/eagleevents.htm

Eagle spotters should wear warm clothes, bring binoculars, and a thermos of something warm to drink.

Department of Conservation staff and volunteers will be on site with telescopes. Enjoy live eagle programs, videos and some sites have mapped out driving tours for viewing eagles. Have a full tank of gas and bring your cameras.

Missouri Department of Conservation sponsors several Eagle Days. Jan. 19-20 at Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis; Jan. 26-27 at Lock and Dam 24 and the Apple Shed Theater, Clarksville; Feb. 2-3 at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. For more information about Eagle Days, visit the

Conservation Department website, keyword: eagledays or write to Missouri Department of Conservation, Eagle Days, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone: 573/751-4115 ext. 3289

Eagles migrate here from Canada and the Great lakes. Only Washington and Alaska have bigger wintering eagle populations than Missouri. As many as 2,200 eagles in Missouri and at least 3,100 in southern Illinois are expected to overwinter in the Eagle Days celebrate winter bird watching