Eagle Watching Sites & Events

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Welcome to the Great rivers Country tourism region!Visit Illinois to see the largest wintering population of bald eagles outside Alaska. In January 2014, a record number of eagles were counted in Illinois during the annual winter survey, with almost 6,000 eagles spotted in just over 2 weeks! Over 90 percent of those eagles were located in Great Rivers Country, which covers 33 counties along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Throughout this guide are locations where eagles can be seen in our region during the winter months (December-March) and information on eagle events and festivals taking place. Share your eagle images with us on Facebook and Instagram!

Please respect these magnificent birds by keeping a safe distance.

For more information, call us at 309.837.7460 or visit GreatRiversCountry.info.

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EaglE Watchingabout thiS guiDE

This guide includes our regional convention and visitors bureaus from the northern reaches to the southern tip of Illinois. We’ve provided eagle events and eagle watching locations to help you locate the best general places for viewing eagles this winter.

Information in this guide was provided by our tourism partners. Great Rivers Country is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Every attempt was made to verify the information in this guide, but before heading out confirm date, time and location for an event by calling the convention and visitors bureau or by visiting their website.

EaglE EvEntS anD FEStivalS

Bald eagle watch .............................................3

Bald eagle viewing van tours ..........................3

Bald eagle safaris ............................................4

eagle watch/Clock tower tours ......................4

Quad Cities Bald eagle Days ............................4

Bald eagle Bus tour .........................................5

eagles on the illinois River ..............................6

eagle Day Festival ............................................6

Alton-Audubon eagle-ice Festival ...................7

Bald eagle Days at Pere Marquette ................8

live Bald eagles at treehouse wildlife Center .................................................8

lunch-n-learn..................................................8

eagle Meet and greet ......................................8

Birds of winter .................................................8

native American tribute to the Bald eagle ........8

Masters of the sky ...........................................8

great River eagle Days ..................................10

eagle trek ......................................................10

gAlenA/Jo DAviess County Convention & visitoRs BuReAu ........................... 5720 Park Avenue | Galena, IL 61036877.464.2536 | Galena.org

BlACkhAwk wAteRwAys Convention & visitoRs BuReAu ........................... 3201 N. Franklin Avenue | Polo, IL 61064800.678.2108 | VisitNorthwestIllinois.com

QuAD Cities Convention & visitoRs BuReAu...... 41601 River Drive, Suite 110 | Moline, IL 61265800.747.7800 | VisitQuadCities.com

henRy County touRisM BuReAu .......................... 5224 W. Third Street | Kewanee, IL 61433877.436.7926 | VisitHenryCounty.com

gAlesBuRg AReA Convention & visitoRs BuReAu2163 E. Main Street | Galesburg, IL 61401800.916.3330 | VisitGalesburg.com

MACoMB AReA Convention & visitoRs BuReAu201 S. Lafayette Street | Macomb, IL 61455309.833.1315 | MakeItMacomb.com

PeoRiA AReA Convention & visitoRs BuReAu ..... 6456 Fulton Street, Suite 300 | Peoria, IL 61602 800.747.0302 | EnjoyPeoria.com

sChuyleR CountySchuylerCountyIllinois.com | RushvilleIL.com

QuinCy AReA Convention & visitoRs BuReAu .... 9532 Gardner Expressway | Quincy, IL 62301800.978.4748 | SeeQuincy.com

BRown County BrownCountyIL.com | MtSterlingIL.com

gReene County EldredHouse.com | VisitWestCentralIllinois.com

Alton RegionAl Convention & visitoRs BuReAu ... 7200 Piasa Street | Alton, IL 62002800.258.6645 | VisitAlton.com

the touRisM BuReAu illinoisouth .....................104387 N. Illinois Street, Suite 200 | Swansea, IL 62226800.442.1488 | TheTourismBureau.org

southeRnMost illinois touRisM BuReAu ..........10P.O. Box 378 | Anna, IL 62906800.248.4373 | SouthernmostIllinois.com

Blackhawk Waterways

Convention & Visitors Bureau

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EaglE EvEntS: Bald Eagle WatchJanuary 10; 8am Lock and Dam 13 off Illinois Highway 84Fulton, IL 61252815.259.3629StewardsUMRR.org

Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge & the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be presenting the 31st Annual Bald Eagle Watch on Saturday, January 10. Educational programs and environmental exhibits will be held at Clinton Community College in Clinton, Iowa.

Bald Eagle Viewing Van Tours Please visit StewardsUMRR.org for tour dates. Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center 7071 Riverview Road Thomson, IL 61285 (just south of Savanna) 815.273.273 stewardsumrr@gmail.com StewardsUMRR.org

Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge are pleased to announce Bald Eagle Viewing Van Tours during January, February and March 2015. They will be traveling to locations where they have the ability to see the most eagles, so destinations may change from week to week. Tours will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. Tours leave from Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center and each tour takes approximately 3 hours. Space is limited to 14 people and pre-registration is required.

EaglE Watching locationS:Mississippi Palisades State Park16327A Illinois Route 84Savanna, IL 61074

Marquette Park & Savanna MarinaWayne King Drive and Randolph StreetSavanna, IL 61074

Upper Mississippi RiverNational Wildlife Refuge/Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center7071 River View RoadThomson, IL 61285

USACE Thomson Causeway Recreation AreaLewis LaneThomson, IL 61285

USACE Lock & Dam 134999 Lock RoadFulton, IL 61252

Hennepin Feeder Canal209 Emmons AveRock Falls, IL 61071

EAGLE FACT:Bald eagles can fly at speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour and reach speeds greater than 75 mph in a dive.

Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

GreatRiversCountry.info 4

EaglE EvEntS:Bald Eagle SafarisJanuary–March309.788.8389

Get an up close view on a Bald Eagle Safari with Bob Motz. Spotting scopes are provided allowing you to see the yellow of their eye, the nostrils in the beak, and the black talons of their feet. Binoculars are provided to see eagles in flight. Safaris make a great gift! Cost is $20 per hour for one to four people. Two to three hours are recommended. Call or email eaglemotz@aol.com to arrange a safari.

Eagle Watch/Clock Tower ToursJanuary 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • February 7, 14Mississippi River Visitor CenterRock Island Arsenal309.794.5338

Combination eagle watching and historical clock tower tours are held at 10am and 12:30pm. Tours last about 1.5 hours. Reservations required.

Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days January 9–11 QCCA Expo Center 2525 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 309.788.5912 • QCCAExpoCenter.com

For those looking for a festival atmosphere, the Bald Eagle Days Environmental Fair and Wildlife Art Show is the place to be. Heralded as the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States’ national symbol of freedom, last year 30,000 people turned out for the event that includes live eagle, hawk, owl, and vulture flying demonstrations along with educational programs, interactive activities, and over 200 booths. Admission is charged. Free for children 5 and under. Free parking.

EaglE Watching locationS:Illiniwek Forest Preserve/ Lock and Dam 14Illinois Route 84 Hampton, IL 61256

Hampton Heritage Center251 S. State AvenueHampton, IL 61256

Mississippi River Visitors Center/Lock and Dam 15Arsenal Island Rock Island, IL 61201

Schwiebert Riverfront ParkBetween 17th & 20th Streets on 1st Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201

Sunset Marina10 31st Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201

Lock and Dam 16Route 92 Illinois City, IL 61259

Lock and Dam 17 New Boston, IL 61272

Lock and Dam 18 Gladstone, IL 61437

Hennepin Canal Parkway State ParkLocks 30, 31 & 32Access from Route 67 Milan, IL 61264

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gAlenA/Jo DAviess County Convention & visitoRs BuReAu

EaglE Watching locationS:Gramercy Park 300 Gramercy StreetEast Dubuque, IL 61025

East Dubuque Boat Launch 2nd Street & Menominee Avenue East Dubuque, IL 61025

Keough Effigy Land & Water Reserve1683 N. Cross RoadGalena, IL 61036

Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve 870 S. Pilot Knob RoadGalena, IL 61036

Apple Canyon Lake 14A158 Canyon Club Drive Apple River, IL 61001

Apple River Canyon State Park 8763 E. Canyon RoadApple River, IL 61001

EaglE EvEnt:Bald Eagle Bus TourEagleNature.com

A four hour bus tour of five bald eagle wintering communities. View bald eagles feeding, roosting and/or nesting. Reservations required. See EagleNature.com for 2015 tour dates.

henRy County touRisM BuReAu

EaglE Watching locationS:Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Lock 25Colona, IL 61241

Interstate 80 exit 9, head west on Route 6 to 84W, turn south on 6th Street, turns into Hennepin Canal Parkway Street, Colona

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Lock 24Geneseo, IL 61254

Interstate 80 exit 19, turn east on to Oakwood Avenue, head east to Route 6, turn north on to Chicago Street which turns into Grange Road, parking area is located at Lock 24 on east side and Bridge 26 on west

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Lock 23Atkinson, IL 61235

Interstate 80 take exit 27, head north to Route 6, head east to 2500th Street, turn north to North 1920th Street. Parking located on 1920th Street. Walking distance to Lock 23 is ¼ mile.

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Bridge 23Annawan, IL 61234

Interstate 80 exit 33, head north on Highway 78, ¼ mile on left is turn to the parking lot located on west side of Highway 78

Galena/ Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors BureauHenry County

Tourism Bureau

EAGLE FACT:Bald eagles are found only in North America.

Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

6GreatRiversCountry.info

EaglE EvEntS:Eagles on the Illinois RiverJanuary 10; 10am–12pmForest Park Nature Center5809 N. Forest Park DrivePeoria Heights, IL 61616

Each year hundreds of bald eagle over-winter in the Illinois River Valley. Join Forest Park Nature Center, Peoria Audubon Society, and Wildlife Prairie Park, as we celebrate this magnificent bird. This program will feature presentations including a live bald eagle and a tour to view bald eagles in their natural habitat along the river. Donations requested.

Eagle Day FestivalFebruary 7; 9am–4pmDickson Mounds Museumand the cities of Lewistown and Havana10956 N. Dickson MoundsLewistown, IL 61542

Activities include art and poetry competitions, crafts for kids, live raptor programs, and bird watching. Free for all ages. Donations welcomed.

EaglE Watching locationS:Lacon MarinaMarina DriveLacon, IL 61540

Shore Acres Park Located alongside the river at the south end of townChillicothe, IL 61523

River Beach DriveAccessed from Route 29, north of PeoriaRome, IL 61523

Mendenhall Park Wetland AreaMendenhall RoadBartonville, IL 61607

The Nature Conservancy Emiquon PreserveState Routes 78/97Lewistown, IL 61542

Havana Nature Center416 N. Schrader StreetHavana, IL 62644

Chautauqua NationalWildlife Refuge19031 E. County Road 2110NHavana, IL 62644

Henry, Peoria, East Peoriaand Pekin Riverfronts

EAGLE FACT:The wingspan of a bald eagle is 6 to 7.5 feet, their body is about 3 feet in length, and they weigh about 6 to 8 pounds.

Alton Regional Convention & VisitorsBureau

The Nature Institute 2213 S. Levis Lane Godfrey, IL 62035

Riverlands Migratory Bird SanctuaryThe Audubon Center at Riverlands301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 63386

The National Great Rivers Museum/ Melvin Price Locks & Dam 26#2 Lock & Dam Way Alton, IL 62002

Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower435 Confluence Tower Drive Hartford, IL 62048

EaglE EvEntS: Alton-Audubon Eagle-Ice FestivalJanuary 3; 10am–2pmAlton Visitor Center200 Piasa StreetAlton, IL 62002The Audubon Center at Riverlands301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 63386800.258.6645VisitAlton.com/EagleFestival

Join us for the kickoff of the eagle watching season. Activities include: live eagle meet & greet, preview of events at the Eagle Watching Hot Spots, kid’s activities, crafts and eagle viewing walks. Learn about eagle watching– how to spot eagles, where to look and what brings the eagles here each winter. Stop in Downtown Alton for ice sculpting on the streets during our annual Ice Block Party and a chance to win an eagle shirt and other giveaways. Admission is free.

EaglE Watching locationS:Hardin Riverfront On Route 100, cross theJoe Page Bridge in Hardin.Hardin, IL 62047

Pere Marquette State Park 13112 Visitor Center LaneGrafton, IL 62037

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge at Gilbert Lake One half mile upriver from the Brussels Ferry

Two Rivers National WildlifeRefuge at Swan LakeHC 82 Box 107 Brussels, IL 62013Ride across the Brussels Ferry into Calhoun County & follow the signs to Swan Lake.

Brussels Ferry 16211 State Highway 100 WGrafton, IL 62037-2316

Grafton Riverfront Walk the riverfront to view eagles perched in the trees and soaring over the river.Grafton, IL 62037

Elsah Elsah, IL 62028

TreeHouse Wildlife Center23956 Green Acres RoadDow, IL 62022

Piasa Harbor 10815 Lockhaven Road Godfrey, IL 62035

Clifton Terrace Park 6 miles from Alton, along Route 100

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Bald Eagle Days at Pere MarquetteDecember 19, 22 • January 8, 9, 16, 26, 28, 30February 3, 4, 6, 24, 26 • March 2Pere Marquette State Park 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, IL 62037618.786.3323VisitAlton.com

Spend the day eagle watching with your guide, site interpreter Scott Isringhausen. Learn to distinguish between immature and mature bald eagles, what eagles eat, why they spend winter months in the area and more. Reservations required. Free admission.

Live Bald Eaglesat TreeHouse Wildlife CenterSaturday and Sunday in Januaryand February; 10am–2pmTreeHouse Wildlife Center 23956 Green Acres Road, Dow, IL 62022618.466.2990TreeHouseWildlifeCenter.com

There will be live bald eagles every weekend in January and February at the TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Free admission. Donationsare appreciated.

Lunch-n-LearnJanuary 23 • February 6, 20 • March 6; 12pmTwo Rivers National Wildlife Refuge HCR 82 Box 107, Brussels, IL 62013618.883.2524FWS.gov/Midwest/TwoRivers

Bring your own lunch and sit down with the staff at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge to learn about eagles. Then head out for a short hike to see some eagles soar over Swan Lake. Free and open to all ages.

Eagle Meet and GreetJanuary 10, 17, 24, 31; 10am–2pmAlton Visitors Center 200 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002800.258.6645VisitAlton.com

Come see live eagle demonstrations by the World Bird Sanctuary. See a live bald eagle up close and personal! Ask and learn about their species and habitats. Then, grab your official All Around Alton Eagle Watcher's Guide as you journey out along the Great River Road to see eagles in their natural habitat. Free.

Birds of WinterJanuary 11, 18, 25; 10am–4pmFebruary 1, 8; 10am–4pmAudubon Center at Riverlands301 Riverlands WayWest Alton, MO 63386636.899.0090Riverlands.Audubon.org

Join us at the new Audubon Center at Riverlands this eagle season for eagle viewing and education in this designated Important Birding Area at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy the view from the comfort of the new building or venture out to the bird blind on the water’s edge for a closer look. Free admission.

Native American Tributeto the Bald EagleJanuary 31; 12pm–4pm Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower 435 Confluence Tower Drive, Hartford, IL 62048618.251.9101ConfluenceTower.com

Celebrate the elegance and significance of the American Bald Eagle and its impact on a variety of native cultures during this event at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower. Listen to Native American folklore and watch an authentic Eagle Dance performed every hour from noon to 3 p.m. The event is free. There is an admission to tour the Tower.

Masters of the SkyFebruary 14-15; 9am–5pmNational Great Rivers Museum2 Lock & Dam Way, Alton, IL 62002877.462.6979MTRF.org

Witness the “Masters of the Sky” birds of prey demonstration. Come see eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey at this educational and informational program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. Show times at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Admission fee: $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under; 3 and under are free. Only 10 tickets per person. Also, there will be a free eagle display at noon and 2pm for 30 minutes in the gallery on February 15-17.

GreatRiversCountry.info

GreatRiversCountry.info1

Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

EaglE Watching locationS:Hamilton, IL 62341Illinois Highway 96Across from Keokuk, IA Lock & Dam 19

Quinsippi IslandBonansinga Drive & Cedar StreetQuincy, IL 62301

Lock and Dam 21909 W. Lock and Dam Road Quincy, IL 62305

Two Rivers Marina at Pike Station13495 U.S. Highway 54Rockport, IL 62370

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EaglE EvEnt:Great River Eagle DaysJanuary 17-18; 9am-5pmOakley Lindsay Civic Centerand Lock & Dam 213rd & YorkQuincy, IL 62301217.577.1930 or 217.214.3700

Standing Bear Council celebrates the American Bald Eagle and Native American traditions during this 2 day festival held at the Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy. The event will kick off Saturday with a presentation by Dr. Drew Kaiser of the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, followed by the the Grand Entry Ceremony into the Circle, honoring veterans. Blessing of the Eagles Ceremony by Forrest Liggett is on Sunday at 10am and attendees will enjoy up close eagle viewing and be entertained by the Black Fox Singers & Native American Dancers, with prizes for the dancers. There will also be a presentation on Native American Mounds by Steve Tieken, a Native Spirit Productions solo presentation by Brian Hammill, and a presentation on Chief Keokuk history by Tawnya Jones, the Chief’s great, great, great grandaughter. Admittance to the event at the Oakley Lindsay Center is $3.00 per person 12 years old and above. Rangers will be available with complimentary scopes at Lock and Dam 21 for viewing eagles.

EAGLE FACT:Juvenile bald eagles are mostly brown with mottled white in varying amounts and don’t get their distinctive white head until they are about 4 to 5 years old.

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The Tourism Bureau ILLINOISouth

Southernmost Illinois Tourism

Bureau

GreatRiversCountry.info

the touRisM BuReAu illinoisouth

EaglE Watching locationS:Old Chain of Rocks Bridge W. Chain of Rocks RoadMadison, IL 62060

Kaskaskia Lock & Dam 4800 Lock and Dam RoadModoc, IL 62261

Chester Welcome Center10 Bridge Bypass RoadChester, IL 62233

EaglE EvEnt:Eagle TrekFebruaryKaskaskia Lock & Dam4800 Lock and Dam RoadModoc, IL 62261618.566.4451

Come out for eagle-watching with spotting scopes and meet some of the feathered inhabitants of the World Bird Sanctuary. Also, enjoy short interpreted walks both upstream and downstream from the Dam, and see the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers. Our experts will be onhand to tell you about other eagle-nestingsites nearby! Families and leash-trained dogs are welcomed for the hike.

southeRnMost illinois touRisM BuReAu

EaglE Watching locationS:Devil’s Backbone ParkBrunkhorst AvenueGrand Tower, IL 62942

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife AreaJust East of Route 3 Miller City, IL 62962

EAGLE FACT:Bald eagle nests can be more than 8 feet wide and 13 feet deep and may weigh more than half a ton!

11/2014 20M

While visiting Great Rivers Country contactany of the following for more information:

Great rivers Country reGionaltourism Development offiCe581 South Deere Road l Macomb, IL 61455

P 309.837.7460 l F 309.833.4754

GreatriversCountry.info

Alton RegionAl Convention& visitoRs BuReAu

200 Piasa Street Alton, IL 62002 800.258.6645 visitAlton.com

BlACkhAwk wAteRwAys Convention & visitoRs BuReAu

201 N. Franklin Avenue Polo, IL 61064800.678.2108

visitnorthwestillinois.com

BRown CountyBrownCountyil.com

Mtsterlingil.com

gAlenA/Jo DAviess County Convention & visitoRs BuReAu

720 Park Avenue Galena, IL 61036877.464.2536

galena.org

gAlesBuRg AReA Convention & visitoRs BuReAu2163 E. Main Street Galesburg, IL 61401

800.916.3330 visitgalesburg.com

gReene Countyeldredhouse.com

visitwestCentralillinois.com

henRy County touRisM BuReAu224 W. Third StreetKewanee, IL 61433

877.436.7926visithenryCounty.com

MACoMB AReA Convention & visitoRs BuReAu

201 S. Lafayette Street Macomb, IL 61455

309.833.1315MakeitMacomb.com

PeoRiA AReA Convention& visitoRs BuReAu

456 Fulton StreetSuite 300

Peoria, IL 61602 800.747.0302

enjoyPeoria.com

QuAD Cities Convention& visitoRs BuReAu

1601 River DriveSuite 110

Moline, IL 61265800.747.7800

visitQuadCities.com

QuinCy AReA Convention& visitoRs BuReAu

532 Gardner ExpresswayQuincy, IL 62301800.978.4748seeQuincy.com

sChuyleR CountyschuylerCountyillinois.com

Rushvilleil.com

southeRnMost illinoistouRisM BuReAu

P.O. Box 378Anna, IL 62906800.248.4373

southernmostillinois.com

the touRisM BuReAu illinoisouth

4387 N. Illinois StreetSuite 200

Swansea, IL 62226800.442.1488

thetourismBureau.org