Bald eagles return to Illinois for the winter

If you’ve never seen the U.S. national bird, the bald eagle, up close in the wild, now is the time to do so.  Official bald eagle watches begin in early January along the Mississippi River in northern Illinois and continue through February.

Over 2,000 of these magnificent birds make their winter homes along the Mississippi west of Chicago.  They begin arriving as early as mid-December and stay through early March, depending on the weather.  The river’s dams provide plentiful fish for the eagles, and the wooded bluffs overlooking the Mississippi offer excellent roosting (and sometimes nesting) possibilities.

Bald eagles in flight are a sight to be seen.  Their wingspans can reach up to eight feet, and, if you’re lucky, you can watch them as they powerfully, yet gracefully, dive toward the water for a meal, then grab a fish with their talons.  You may even see a couple of eagles fighting in mid-air over a fish or a few male eagles battling for supremancy in a tree.

Incidentally, not all bald eagles have the familiar white-feathered heads.  Immature eagles, up to five years of age, have dark heads, and you should be able to see both kinds of eagles.

Here are some suggestions for making your viewing time as pleasurable as possible for both you and the birds:

1.  Dawn and dusk are the best times to see the birds diving for a meal.

2.  When you’re not at a manned eagle observation site, stay in your vehicle. If you approach a tree where eagles are perched, you’ll chase them away, and they need to limit their flying time in order to preserve energy and maintain body heat to survive in the cold temperatures.

Suggested Viewing Spots:

The Mississippi River Visitors Center on Arsenal Island, between Davenport, IA and Rock Island, IL sets up scopes and eagle cams throughout the area for viewing bald eagles.  The Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau recommends the following as the best spots for viewing:

 Lock and Dam 14 at Pleasant Valley, IA and Hampton, IL

The Davenport, IA and Rock Island, IL riverfronts downriver from Lock and Dam 15 offer frequent sightings

Sunset Park in Rock Island and Credit Island in Davenport also serve as prime viewing area

       

Some of the towns surrounding the viewing spots in northern Illinois and Iowa offer special programs along with viewing opportunities:

Bald Eagle Events

Illinois

Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 7-9

QCCA Expo Center,

2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL

Hours:  Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm , Sunday 10am-5pm

Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by the World Bird Sanctuary

Special Attractions - Pella Wildlife Company Live Wolf Show and Niabi Zoo's Live Animal Show.

Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for kids

For more information contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center 309-794-5338 or the QCCA 309-788-2543

Clinton Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 8

Outdoor viewing: Lock & Dam 13, 8:30-3:30

Live Bird and Nature Programs: Clinton Community College, 9:30am-2pm

Exhibits: Clinton Community College from 9am-2:30pm

Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area

For more information call the Thomson Ranger office: 815-259-3628

Mississippi River Visitor Center
January 15 - February 20, Weekends Only

Arsenal Island, Rock Island, IL

Combination eagle watches and historical clock tower tours

Saturday and Sunday times are: 9:30am, 11am, and 1pm

Reservations required. Group size is limited.

For more information or to make reservations call the Visitor Center: 309-794-5338

Quincy Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 29

Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 21: 9:00 - 4:00

For more information call the Quincy Ranger office: 217-228-0890

Hampton Bald Eagle Watch
February - Call for Dates

Hampton Heritage Center, Hampton, IL

Call 309-755-8398 for dates in February

Iowa:

Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 15

Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 11 from 9am–4pm

Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 9:30am, 12:15pm, and 3pm

Pella Wildlife Company - Live Cougar Presentations at 11am and 1:45pm

Indoor Exhibits from 9am-4:30pm at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque

Trolley rides from Grand River Center to the National Mississippi River Museum and the outdoor viewing area.

For more information call the Dubuque Ranger office: 563-582-0881

Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
Saturday and Sunday, January 15 - 16

Outdoor viewing along the River Front

Indoor programs and Environmental Fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk, Iowa

Live Eagle Programs Saturday 9am-3pm and Sunday 10am-3pm

For more information call the Keokuk Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-383-1219

LeClaire Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday and Sunday, January 29-30
900 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, IA (I-80 exit 306)
Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 14, Sat. 10am-1pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm
Indoor programs at Mississippi Valley Welcome Center: Sat. at 10am, 11am, and 12pm; Sun. at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
For more information, please call 563-322-3911 x120 

Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch

Saturday, January 29

Outdoor viewing at Pearl City Station and Lock & Dam 16 from 9am-3pm  

Live Eagle programs at 9:30am and 12pm at the Pearl City Station in Riverside Park

Eagle Dance performances at 11am and 2pm, Pearl City Station

Conservation and environmental booths, Pearl City Station

For more information call the Muscatine Ranger office: 563-263-7913

Guided Tour/Photo Safari

If you’re a photo buff or would like to benefit from a guide tour, give Bald Eagle Safaris a try.  Guide Bob Motz provides spotting scopes that magnify 15 to 45 times for good viewing of eagles in trees. You’ll be so up close and personal that you can see the yellow of their eyes, the nostrils in the beaks, and the black talons of their feet. Binoculars are also provided to see eagles in flight. Cost is $20 per hour for one to four people. Two or three-hour safaris are recommended. Call Bob at 309-788-8389 or email him at eaglemotz@aol.com to arrange a safari.

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