Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Eagle Days 2014—Celebrate with WBS


Has the recent Polar vortex been keeping you housebound?  Do you have a serious case of cabin fever? 
An adult Bald Eagle in a tree near Alton, IL (photo by Gay Schroer)

If you live along the Mississippi flyway, as we do here in the St. Louis area, you may know that the colder temperatures herald the arrival some of winter’s most anticipated guests—Bald Eagles!  This is the season for eagle watching!

With the recent frigid temperatures the nearby rivers make for great eagle watching, particularly near Locks and Dams.  Bald Eagles migrate south along the Mississippi River, looking for good fishing in water that hasn’t frozen solid.
A Bald Eagle fishing in the Mississippi River near Alton, IL (photo by Billie Baumann)

If you can bear braving the cold and wind along the river, chances are you will see wild Bald Eagles in action, hunting their prey, perching in a tree, or soaring up above.  Eagle watching is an annual tradition for many of us, even those of us that are lucky enough to see and work with them every day. 

If you want to see a live bald eagle up close and in person, you can visit the World Bird Sanctuary, or catch one of the displays or presentations listed below.  Even though we’re well into Eagle season, it’s not too late to catch one of these special programs.
Our WBS education department staff pause for a photo during an Eagle Display

Alton Visitor’s Center
Alton, IL
January 18, and 25
from 10 am – 2 pm
Eagle Meet & Greet
Meet a live bald eagle and talk to a naturalist to learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they survived almost becoming extinct.

Audubon Center at Riverlands
West Alton, MO
January 19, 26, February 2, 9
10 am – 2 pm
Eagle Display
Meet a live bald eagle and talk to a naturalist to learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they survived almost becoming extinct.

Missouri Department of Conservation
Chain of Rocks Bridge
January 18 – 19
Programs from 9 am – 3 pm
All About Eagles Programs
Did you know that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey as our national symbol instead of the Bald Eagle? Get an up close and personal view of a Bald Eagle and learn the reasons it was chosen instead of the turkey.

Keokuk Eagle Days
Keokuk, IA
January 18 and 19
Saturday: programs from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: programs from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Raptor Awareness Program with eagle
Features birds of prey including falcons, hawks, owls and vultures. Not only will you see different species of raptors, but you'll also learn a vulture's secret weapon and how to identify a bird of prey in the wild. Sit back and enjoy an up close view as some of the birds soar right over your head!  At the end of the program, meet a live bald eagle!

Clarksville Eagle Days
Clarksville, MO
January 25 and 26
Saturday: programs from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: programs from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
All About Eagles Program
Did you know that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey as our national symbol instead of the Bald Eagle? Get an up close and personal view of a Bald Eagle and learn the reasons it was chosen instead of the turkey.

Fort Bellefontaine Park
St. Louis, MO
January 25
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Four bird display featuring a bald eagle and other birds of prey.  Naturalists will be on hand to talk about the animals.

National Great Rivers Museum
East Alton, IL
February 15 – 17
Shows at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm each day
Masters of the Sky Programs and Eagle Display
Features birds of prey including falcons, hawks, owls and vultures. Not only will you see different species of raptors, but you'll also learn a vulture's secret weapon and how to identify a bird of prey in the wild. Sit back and enjoy an up close view as some of the birds soar right over your head!  At the end of the program, meet a live bald eagle!

Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower
Hartford, IL
February 15
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Eagle Display
Meet a live bald eagle and talk to a naturalist to learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they survived almost becoming extinct.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

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