Illustration by Vidhya Nagarajan
When the weather turns nippy, animals start migrating south, and in this area, bald eagles cluster around the major rivers. It’s awesome (in the most literal sense) to behold the magnificent raptors as they dive at the water and come up with squirming fish. Here are some tips for maximizing your chances of witnessing this predator’s ballet.
What to Bring: Take binoculars, or if you’re headed to the swanky Audubon Center at Riverlands (riverlands.audubon.org) in West Alton, Ill., consider borrowing one of its powerful scopes. Wear warm, layered clothing, because you’ll be outside in the cold. (What not to bring: your teacup Yorkie. Audubon Center senior ecologist Lane Richter says eagles prefer fish, but they are opportunists and will eat meat of all kinds.)
Where to Go: Head for anywhere in the Confluence area, where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers join. Popular spots include the Audubon Center; the Chain of Rocks Bridge near Interstate 270; the Great River Road in Alton, Ill.; Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Ill.; and the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge near Brussels, Ill. On special dates at the Audubon Center, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes guests aboard a “viewing barge” to get closer to the action.
When to Go: The colder the weather, the more likely it is you’ll see bald eagles. “During a really cold winter,” Richter says, “you might see 50 or more eagles right across from the Audubon Center in the trees on an island.” Eagles are early birds, so go in the morning, when they’re most active. Another tip: Call the Alton Visitor Center (800-258-6645) to learn where eagles have been spotted on a given day.
How to Look: Eagles often hang out near locks and dams, where fish emerge a little stunned from the water transfer, making for easier prey. Be sure to scan the trees, where you can find eagles roosting in groups (which they only do during migration). When the river freezes, bald eagles have been known to perch on ice chunks. Now that’s a photo op. Stay quiet, don’t move around, and be patient.
If All Else Fails: Can’t find any eagles? The World Bird Sanctuary offers meet-and-greets with captive bald eagles at both the Audubon Center and the Alton Visitor Center several times this month, so you can observe their magnificence up close.
