How to Celebrate Eagle Season in Southwest Illinois
By NewsPress Now
(StatePoint) Playing host to the largest wintering population of American Bald Eagles, winters in Southwest Illinois are dubbed “Eagle Season” for good reason. They soar through the skies – their classic white heads and dark bodies easy to spot as they wing their way along the rivers of southwest Illinois. And it’s a limited-time-only viewing opportunity.
From late December through February, discover a place where eagles roam freely along the rivers, woodlands and prairies. Watch them float down the Mississippi River on ice floes in their hunt for a fresh meal. Or spy them around Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield, Beaver Dam State Park in Carlinville and Horseshoe Lake State Park in Collinsville. Take part in a free guided eagle tour at Pere Marquette State Park, where dozens of American Bald Eagles can be spotted on any given day.
Reserve your seat on the highly popular guided Eagle Shuttle Tours offered by the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. Each Saturday in January and February, enjoy tours showcasing the best eagle-watching hot spots in the region. Discover insider tips on eagle-viewing, view resident nesting eagles and learn about the behaviors of American Bald Eagles. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased at RiversandRoutes.com.
For more one-of-a-kind views of eagles and other wintering birds, visit the Audubon Center at Riverlands, the National Great Rivers Museum and Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Journey to Pere Marquette State Park and take part in regular Eagle Watching Tours or simply take a hike through the state’s largest park for an up-close-and personal look at nature. Rock climbing is also available at the park for outdoor adventurers. Be sure to bring your own gear!
Looking for more winter adventures? After a day of birding, sip some locally crafted and bottled wine at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus and make it an extra special occasion by booking one of the outdoor heated and insulated igloos. Or, lace up the skates and glide around the Loading Dock Ice Rink, an indoor facility located on the banks of the Mississippi River.
There’s only one place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the Great River Road and that is the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois. Visit riversandroutes.com to make your plans.
Photo 1 Credit: Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois
Photo 2 Credit: Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois
Photo 3 Credit: Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois
