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During the winter, the Middle Mississippi River Valley hosts one of North America's largest concentrations of bald eagles, who are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. Melvin Price Locks and Dam just across the river from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary insures that water stays free of ice and attracts bald eagles looking for easy fishing.
During the winter, the Middle Mississippi River Valley hosts one of North America's largest concentrations of bald eagles, who are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. Melvin Price Locks and Dam just across the river from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary insures that water stays free of ice and attracts bald eagles looking for easy fishing.
Since 1996 a group of environmentally oriented organizations have been holding the annual Eagle Days event. The World Bird Sanctuary holds an educational live eagle program where visitors can view an eagle up close. The St. Louis Audubon Society and The Great Rivers Greenway organization will have informational and educational exhibits. This event replaces the traditional event normally held at the Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Spotting scopes manned by volunteers are located in the center and spaced along the walkway lining Ellis Bay to view eagles diving for fish or roosting in the trees along the shoreline. The volunteers will have the eagles already sighted for easy viewing. Remember, eagle spotting is an outdoor activity, so be sure and bundle up, as it can get quite chilly.
There is a life-sized replica of an eagle's nest that children love to explore. This is a great photo opportunity! The average bald eagle nest is 4 to 5 feet in diameter and 2 to 4 feet deep. Eagles usually start a new nest in a living tree, though there are often dead trees nearby where they have a clear view all of what's going on around them around when they're resting. They interweave the sticks, and fill in spaces with grasses, mosses, cornstalks, Spanish moss, and other fibers. Looking at an eagle's nest, it's hard to understand why eggs don't get cracked or babies don't get poked by the sharp sticks. To keep the eggs from cracking they soften the bottom with their own feathers.
Times: 9 am - 3 pm
Free
Eagle presentations: 9:15, 10:00, 11:30, 12:15, 1:45, 2:30
For more information call 636-899-0090
or visit the event’s webpage
