| The following are sites in the
area where you should have a good chance at spotting
"baseballs" and are listed in approximate geographic order following
the Mississippi River from north to south. |
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Ted Shanks Conservation Area
Pike County, Missouri |
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The Ted Shanks Conservation Area
consists of nearly 7,000 acres of habitat that Bald Eagles prefer when
they are roosting. An internal
road system that loops around the site provides for good automotive viewing.
For more information on the Ted Shanks
Conservation Area. |
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Clarksville Riverfront
Pike County, Missouri |
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Clarksville is located on the banks
of the Mississippi River and is directly downstream from Lock and Dam
#24. The dam helps prevent ice from forming on the river and the
structures churns the water stunning fish making for easy meals for
the hundreds of eagles that congregate here. Clarksville also hosts a
popular Bald Eagle Days event in late January.
For more information on Clarksville. |
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Hardin Riverfront
Calhoun County, Illinois |
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Bald Eagles like to roost in the
trees along the Illinois River near the town of Hardin. Many eagle
watchers like to take a lunch break after a morning of "baseball
spotting" at either the Barefoot or Mel's
Riverdock where diners can view eagles from large picture windows.
For more information on Hardin. |
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Sandy Island Bald Eagle Sanctuary & Lock and Dam #25
Calhoun County, Illinois & Lincoln County, Missouri |
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Adjacent to the Winfield Ferry is
Locks and Dam #25 and the 22-acre Sandy Island Bald Eagle Sanctuary owned
by the Nature Conservancy. The sanctuary is not open to the public
during the winter months.
Bald eagles can be seen during the winter as the birds take advantage of the
open churning water created by the lock and dam.
Please note that the Winfield Ferry is not
operating at this time.
For more information on Lock and Dam #25. |
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Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Calhoun & Jersey Counties, Illinois |
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A viewing station with long range binoculars can be found at the Visitors Center
in the Calhoun County portion of this refuge operated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Refuge is closed from October
15 to December 15, with the exception of the Visitors Center, which is open on
weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. This part of the refuge is most easily accessed by the Brussels Free
Ferry which may not be running if the river is frozen (See the Calhoun
County Ferries page for more information.) In Jersey County, eagles can be
spotted along the flat three mile long Gilbert Lake Hiking
Trail. Unfortunately the only known Bald Eagle nest in
the region was destroyed by a storm in the spring of 2002. NOTE: No cars
are allowed in this portion of the refuge. Parking is available on either end of
this trail, either near the Brussels Free Ferry or near the Pere Marquette
State Park Marina.
For more information on the Two
Rivers National Wildlife Refuge. |
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Pere Marquette State Park
Jersey County, Illinois |
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The Park offers free Bald Eagle Watching Programs from late December through
February. The programs involve a lecture, a video presentation, and an observational drive
to a variety of areas where eagles may be spotted. These programs are very popular
and advance reservations are necessary. Check the
Park’s
Winter Calendar Page for more details. Bald Eagles can be spotted in the Marina
area, which is across the Great River Road from the Lodge and the Visitor
Center. The Marina is also adjacent to the Gilbert Lake Hiking
Trail of the Two Rivers National Wildlife
Refuge.
For more information on Pere Marquette State
Park. |
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Brussels Free Ferry Area
Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois |
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This is a favorite area for Bald Eagles with two adjacent government wildlife
areas for roosting and the Brussels Free Ferry churning up fish to eat or to steal from the
ringed billed gulls. There is riverside Eagle Watching Parking
at the Ferry and several other off road parking areas just east of the Ferry
(towards Grafton.) Just west of the ferry along the Great River Road is the Gilbert Lake Hiking Trail of
the Two Rivers National Wildlife
Refuge.
For more information on Calhoun
County Ferries. |
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Grafton Riverfront
Jersey County, Illinois |
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Many Bald Eagles can be seen utilizing the islands across the water from
Grafton. When the river is frozen, Bald Eagles can be seen on the ice. The nests
of a Blue Heron rookery can be seen clearly on one of the islands upstream.
For more information on Grafton. |
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Hideaway Harbor Park
St. Charles County, Missouri |
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Located just west of Portage des Sioux, this
50-acre park contains historic and natural features, as well as
spectacular views across the Mississippi River toward the Great River
Road. Bald Eagles roost
in and around the park each winter. From St. Charles take MO-94 North
to Grafton Ferry Road and turn left. Continue on Grafton Ferry Road to
Portage Road and turn right. Follow Portage Road to Sioux Drive and
turn left. Follow Sioux Drive to the entrance of the park. |
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Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic
Byway
Madison and Jersey Counties, Illinois |
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From Alton to Grafton the Meeting of the Great
Rivers Scenic Byway runs along the Mississippi River under the
limestone bluffs. Eagles can be spotted riding the ice down the river
or soaring as they look for fish. There are a number of places that
eagle watchers can pull over to get a longer look. Don't forget to
stop at the Alton Visitors Center near the grain elevator to get
information on the area and on Saturdays in January to see an eagle up close.
For more information on the Meeting of the Great
Rivers Scenic Byway. |
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The Nature Institute
Madison County, Illinois |
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The Nature Institute is located on the bluffs
overlooking the Mississippi River in Godfrey. The office has a
spotting scope that visitors can use to look for eagles and is open
Monday through Friday. The Nature Institute also hosts several
informational Bald Eagle programs during January and February.
For more information on The
Nature Institute. |
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Bald Eagle - Up Close and Personal
Madison County, Illinois |
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You can see a live
Bald Eagle every Saturday in January from 10 am
to 2 pm at the
Alton Visitors Center. Experts from the World Bird
Sanctuary will be there to answer your questions,
books and souvenirs are available for sale, and other information can
be obtained on where to look for eagles as well as other information about
the area. The events are free and picture taking is
encouraged. The Alton Visitors Center is located at the corner of
Broadway and Piasa Street near the grain elevator in downtown Alton.
Call
1-800-258-6645 for more information. |
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Melvin Price Locks and Dams
Jersey County, Illinois |
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The water below the locks and dam are almost always free of ice which makes this
a popular place for Bald Eagles. The Esplanade park has several viewing
platforms and a good view of the Maple Island Conservation Area. The Locks and
Dam complex is adjacent to the new National
Great Rivers Museum.
For more information on the Melvin
Price Locks and Dams. |
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Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area
St. Charles County, Missouri |
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This area consists of 1200 acres of wetlands managed by the US Army Corps of
Engineers. Bald Eagles can be seen perching in the trees on Ellis Island and
feeding around Ellis Bay. Visitors can drive below the Melvin Price
Locks and Dam to view large numbers of eagles perched in the trees on Maple
Island. An observation deck and and several long range binoculars can
be found near the Visitors Center along the shore of Ellis Bay. As of February 5, 2002, the
Riverlands EDA reports that depending on ice conditions (the more ice, the
more eagles) visitors can see from 10 to 100 eagles in its vicinity. Visitors can
also see a group of approximately 45 Trumpeter Swans.
For more information on the Riverlands
EDA. |
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The Chain of Rocks Bridge
St. Louis County, Missouri & Madison County, Illinois |
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The Chain of Rocks Bridge spans the Mississippi
River on the north edge of St. Louis, Missouri and was the route used
by Route 66 to cross over the Mississippi. Its most notable feature is
a 22-degree bend occurring at the middle of the crossing, necessary
for navigation on the river. Originally a motor route, it now carries
walking and biking trails over the river. The rapids seen just to the
south of the bridge are caused by 2925 foot low-water River Dam #27,
the first permanent rock-fill dam across a major river in the United
States. The dam keeps the water open and attracts the bald eagles
looking for food. The bridge is the site of a popular Eagle Days event
held annually in January. The bridge is located just south of I-270 on
Riverview Drive. |
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World Bird Sanctuary
St. Louis County, Missouri |
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With over 130-acres the WBS is home to eagles,
owls, hawks, falcons, vultures, parrots, mammals and reptiles. A
team of Naturalists offer an array of education programs covering a
variety of environmental topics. Admission is
free
but there is a fee for programs and guided tours.
For more information on the World Bird
Sanctuary. |
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