Friday, January 2, 2015

Eagle Days Are Back! See the full 2015 schedule here!


Join World Bird Sanctuary and our partners as we celebrate Bald Eagle Season around the region!  

At this time of year, the holidays are behind us, the weather has turned cold and nasty, and we’re all looking for something to do besides watch TV and hold down our recliners.

For those of us who live along the Mississippi flyway the colder temperatures herald the arrival of some of the most admired and magnificent creatures of them all.  No—not reindeer.  This is the season for eagle watching!

A wild Bald Eagle takes flight along the Mississippi River in winter.
Photo with kind permission of Sandra's Shooting Gallery.

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.

Eagle watchers regularly see Bald Eagles on the frozen Mississippi River during eagle days.
Photo with kind permission of Sandra's Shooting Gallery.
If you can bear braving the cold and wind along the river, chances are that 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 below:

Alton Visitor’s Bureau
January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 2015 | 10 am—2 pm
200 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002
“Bald Eagle Meet and Greet!” A bald eagle and naturalist will be on hand to talk to the public about bald eagles.  Get your picture taken next to a Bald Eagle and participate in fun kid’s crafts. 

Eagle Days around the region provide an opportunity for you to meet a Bald Eagle in person, 
before going out to look for wild ones along the Mississippi River!

Photo with kind permission of Sandra's Shooting Gallery.

Audubon Center at Riverlands
January 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 2015 | 10 am—2 pm
February 1st, 8th, 2015 | 10 am—2pm
301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386
A bald eagle and naturalist will be on hand to talk to the public about bald eagles.  Get your picture taken next to a Bald Eagle.  Be sure to bring your camera!  After this personal encounter you can pick up an official ‘All Around Alton Eagle Watcher's Guide’ and set off along the Great River Road to see eagles in their natural habitat. 

Carlyle Lake Eagle Days
January 14th, 2015 | 11 am
571 Franklin Street, Carlyle, Il 62231
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.

Chain of Rocks Eagle Days
January 17th, 18th, 2015 | 10 am—3 pm
Chain of Rocks Bridge, Riverview Drive, Saint Louis, MO
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.

Missouri Department of Conservation's popular Chain of Rocks
Eagle Days are back in 2014!
Photo with kind permission of Sandra's Shooting Gallery.

Prairie Commons Branch Library
January 14th, 2015 | 7 pm
915 Utz Lane, Hazelwood, MO 63042
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.

Clarksville Eagle Days
January 24th, 25th, 2015 | Saturday : 9 am—4 pm, Sunday : 10 am—3 pm
The Apple Shed, Clarksville, MO 63336
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.

City of Arnold
January 23rd, 2015 | 6 pm
Arnold Recreational Center—Gym, 1695 Missouri State Road, Arnold, MO 63010
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!

Fort Bellefontaine Park
January 24th, 2015 | 11 am—2 pm
13002 Bellefontaine Road, Saint Louis, MO 63138
4 bird display featuring a bald eagle and other birds of prey.  Naturalists will be on hand to talk about the animals.

Kaskaskia Lock and Dam
February 7th, 2015 | 10 am—2 pm
4800 Lock and Dam Road
Modoc, IL 62261
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. 
 
Most Eagle Days events provide expert eagle spotters who can help you find
wild bald eagles after enjoying a World Bird Sanctuary eagle presentation.
Photo with kind permission of Sandra's Shooting Gallery.
Dickson Mounds Museum
February 7th, 2015 | 11 am—2 pm
10956 North Dickson Mounds Road, Lewistown, IL 61542
Features birds of prey including an eagle, 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!

Palisades Yacht Club—Riverbill Eagle Watching
February 7th, 2015 | 3 pm—5pm
1670 Riverview Drive, Portage De Sioux, MO 63373
A bald eagle and naturalist will be on hand to talk to the public about bald eagles.  Get your picture taken next to a Bald Eagle.  Be sure to bring your camera! 

National Great Rivers Museum
February 14th, 2015 | 10 am—4 pm
February 15th, 2015 | 11 am—4 pm
February 16th, 2015 | 10 am—1 pm
Route 3 South, East Alton, Il 62024
Masters of the Sky Program with eagle
Features birds of prey including an eagle, 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!

Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower
February 21st, 2015 | 10 am—2 pm
435 Confluence Tower Drive, Hartford, Il 62048
A bald eagle and naturalist will be on hand to talk to the public about bald eagles.  Get your picture taken next to a Bald Eagle.  Be sure to bring your camera!

Bald Eagle Winter Watch—Saint Charles County Parks Department
February 28th, 2015 | 9:30 am—11:30 am
1550 Hide Away Harbor Drive, Portage De Sioux, MO 63373
A bald eagle and naturalist will be on hand to talk to the public about bald eagles.  Get your picture taken next to a Bald Eagle.  Be sure to bring your camera!

Master Naturalist of Missouri Meramec Hills
March 10th, 2015 | 5:30 pm & 7 pm
Rolla Middle School Auditorium, 1111 Soest Road, Rolla, MO 65401
Features birds of prey including an eagle, 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!

Wetlands for Kids—Missouri Department of Conservation
April 4th, 2015 | 10 am—3pm
Busch Wildlife Area, 2360 Hwy D, Saint Charles, MO 63304
A wetlands themed 4 bird display featuring birds of prey.  Naturalists will be on hand to talk about the animals.

With all these eagle programs, indoors and outdoors, there is no reason for you not to get outside this winter to enjoy our National Symbol!

Submitted by Catherine Redfern





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