The Missouri Department of Conservation invites people to discover nature through Eagle Days events and by watching bald eagles around the state.
From December through February, Missouri’s winter eagle watching is spectacular, according to MDC staff.
An indoor live bald eagle show will also be held Feb. 3 at the Puxico Activity Center, one of several such events this winter. The program will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and include representatives from the World Bird Sanctuary.
It will celebrate the return of bald eagles to Mingo Wildlife Refuge, Duck Creek Conservation Area and Lake Wappapello, according to organizers.
Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Visitor Center at Lake Wappapello, three locations on Mingo NWR and one location at Duck Creek CA during event hours.
Mingo Visitors Center will have presentations on the restoration project that took place on the refuge. All ages are welcome. Registration is not required. However, eagle shows have a capacity of 400 people and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.
Because of Missouri’s big rivers, many lakes, and abundant wetlands, the Show-Me state is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in Missouri.
Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food. More than 2,000 bald eagles are typically reported in Missouri during winter.
Watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water’s edge. Early in the morning you can see them flying and fishing. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don’t forget cameras and binoculars.
MDC is again offering various Eagle Days events around the state. Some will include live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, and guides with spotting scopes. Some require registration. Get more information on MDC Eagle Days events at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.
Can’t make an MDC Eagle Days event? Here are some hot spots for winter eagle viewing:
• Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia,
• Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell,
• Lock & Dam 20 in Canton,
• Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville,
• Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield,
• Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City,
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico,
• Moses Eagle Park in Stella,
• Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis,
• Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area east of West Alton,
• Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs,
• Smithville Lake north of Kansas City,
• Stockton Lake near Stockton,
• Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner,
• Table Rock Lake, and
• Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw.