Eagle Watching & Events
Welcome to Great Rivers Country! Visit Illinois to see the largest wintering population of bald eagles outside Alaska. In January 2014, a record number of eagles were counted in Illinois during the annual winter survey, with almost 6,000 eagles spotted in just over 2 weeks! Over 90 percent of those eagles were located in Great Rivers Country, which covers 33 counties along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Throughout this guide are locations where eagles can be seen in our region during the winter months (December-March) and information on eagle events and festivals taking place. Share your eagle images with us on Facebook and Instagram! Illinois River Please respect these magnificent birds by keeping a safe distance. For more information, call us at 309.837.7460 or visit GreatRiversCountry.com. Mississippi River Connect with us and share your eagle photos: Facebook Great Rivers Country Insta Instagram ILGreatRiversCountry 1
About THIS GUIDE This guide includes our regional convention and visitors bureaus from the northern reaches to the southern tip of Illinois. We ve provided eagle events and eagle watching locations to help you locate the best general places for viewing eagles this winter. Information in this guide was provided by our tourism partners. Great Rivers Country is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Every attempt was made to verify the information in this guide, but before heading out confirm date, time and location for an event by calling the convention and visitors bureau or by visiting their website. Eagle Events and Festivals Bald Eagle Watch...3 Bald Eagle Viewing Van Tours...3 Bald Eagle Safaris...4 Eagle Watch/Clock Tower Tours...4 Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days...4 Bald Eagle Bus Tour...5 Eagles on the Illinois River...6 Eagle Day Festival...6 Alton-Audubon Eagle-Ice Festival...7 Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette...8 Live Bald Eagles at TreeHouse Wildlife Center...8 Lunch-n-Learn...8 Eagle Meet and Greet...8 Birds of Winter...8 Native American Tribute to the Bald Eagle...8 Masters of the Sky...8 Great River Eagle Days...10 Eagle Trek...10 EaglE Watching VISIT GALENA...5 123 N. Commerce Street Galena, IL 61036 815.776.9200 VisitGalena.org BLACKHAWK WATERWAYS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU...3 201 N. Franklin Avenue Polo, IL 61064 800.678.2108 VisitNorthwestIllinois.com QUAD CITIES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU...4 1601 River Drive, Suite 110 Moline, IL 61265 800.747.7800 VisitQuadCities.com HENRY COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU...5 224 W. Third Street Kewanee, IL 61433 877.436.7926 VisitHenryCounty.com GALESBURG AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2163 E. Main Street Galesburg, IL 61401 800.916.3330 VisitGalesburg.com MACOMB AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 201 S. Lafayette Street Macomb, IL 61455 309.833.1315 MakeItMacomb.com PEORIA AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU.. 6 456 Fulton Street, Suite 300 Peoria, IL 61602 800.747.0302 EnjoyPeoria.com SCHUYLER COUNTY SchuylerCountyIllinois.com RushvilleIL.com QUINCY AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU..9 532 Gardner Expressway Quincy, IL 62301 800.978.4748 SeeQuincy.com BROWN COUNTY BrownCountyIL.com MtSterlingIL.com GREENE COUNTY EldredHouse.com VisitWestCentralIllinois.com ALTON REGIONAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU...7 200 Piasa Street Alton, IL 62002 800.258.6645 VisitAlton.com LLINOISOUTH Tourism......10 4387 N. Illinois Street, Suite 200 Swansea, IL 62226 800.442.1488 Illinoisouth.org SOUTHERNMOST ILLINOIS...10 P.O. Box 378 Anna, IL 62906 800.248.4373 SouthernmostIllinois.com 2
Blackhawk Waterways Convention & Visitors Bureau Mississippi Palisades State Park 16327A Illinois Route 84 Savanna, IL 61074 Marquette Park & Savanna Marina Wayne King Drive and Randolph Street Savanna, IL 61074 Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge/Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center 7071 River View Road Thomson, IL 61285 USACE Thomson Causeway Recreation Area Lewis Lane Thomson, IL 61285 USACE Lock & Dam 13 4999 Lock Road Fulton, IL 61252 Hennepin Feeder Canal 209 Emmons Avenue Rock Falls, IL 61071 EAGLE EVENTS: Bald Eagle Watch January 6, 2018 Lock and Dam 13 off Illinois Highway 84 Fulton, IL 61252 815.259.3629 StewardsUMRR.org Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge & the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be presenting the 31st Annual Bald Eagle Watch on Saturday, January 10. Educational programs and environmental exhibits will be held at Clinton Community College in Clinton, Iowa. EAGLE FACT: Bald eagles can fly at speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour and reach speeds greater than 75 mph in a dive. 3
Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau Illiniwek Forest Preserve/ Lock and Dam 14 Illinois Route 84 Hampton, IL 61256 Hampton Heritage Center 251 S. State Avenue Hampton, IL 61256 Mississippi River Visitors Center/Lock and Dam 15 Arsenal Island Rock Island, IL 61201 Schwiebert Riverfront Park Between 17th & 20th Streets on 1st Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 Sunset Marina 10 31st Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 Lock and Dam 16 Route 92 Illinois City, IL 61259 Lock and Dam 17 New Boston, IL 61272 Lock and Dam 18 Gladstone, IL 61437 Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Locks 30, 31 & 32 Access from Route 67 Milan, IL 61264 EAGLE EVENTS: Bald Eagle Safaris January March 2018 309.788.8389 Get an up close view on a Bald Eagle Safari with Bob Motz. Spotting scopes are provided allowing you to see the yellow of their eye, the nostrils in the beak, and the black talons of their feet. Binoculars are provided to see eagles in flight. Safaris make a great gift! Cost is $20 per hour for one to four people. Two to three hours are recommended. Call or email eaglemotz@aol.com to arrange a safari. Eagle Watch/Clock Tower Tours See website: 4 tours each month January & February Mississippi River Visitor Center Rock Island Arsenal 309.794.5338 Combination eagle watching and historical clock tower tours are held at 10am and 12:30pm. Reservations required. Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days January 5-7, 2018 QCCA Expo Center 2525 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 309.788.5912 QCCAExpoCenter.com For those looking for a festival atmosphere, the Bald Eagle Days Environmental Fair and Wildlife Art Show is the place to be. Heralded as the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States national symbol of freedom. Flying demonstrations along with educational programs, interactive activities, and over 200 booths. Admission is charged. Free for children 5 and under. Free parking. 4
Galena Visit Henry County Tourism Bureau VISIT GALENA Gramercy Park 300 Gramercy Street East Dubuque, IL 61025 East Dubuque Boat Launch 2nd Street & Menominee Avenue East Dubuque, IL 61025 Keough Effigy Land & Water Reserve 1683 N. Cross Road Galena, IL 61036 Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve 870 S. Pilot Knob Road Galena, IL 61036 Apple Canyon Lake 14A158 Canyon Club Drive Apple River, IL 61001 Apple River Canyon State Park 8763 E. Canyon Road Apple River, IL 61001 EAGLE EVENT: Bald Eagle Bus Tour EagleNature.com A four hour bus tour of five bald eagle wintering communities. View bald eagles feeding, roosting and/or nesting. Reservations required. See EagleNature.com for 2018 tour dates. HENRY COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Lock 25 Colona, IL 61241 Interstate 80 exit 9, head west on Route 6 to 84W, turn south on 6th Street, turns into Hennepin Canal Parkway Street, Colona Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Lock 24 Geneseo, IL 61254 Interstate 80 exit 19, turn east on to Oakwood Avenue, head east to Route 6, turn north on to Chicago Street which turns into Grange Road, parking area is located at Lock 24 on east side and Bridge 26 on west Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/Lock 23 Atkinson, IL 61235 Interstate 80 take exit 27, head north to Route 6, head east to 2500th Street, turn north to North 1920th Street. Parking located on 1920th Street. Walking distance to Lock 23 is ¼ mile. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park/ Bridge 23 Annawan, IL 61234 Interstate 80 exit 33, head north on Highway 78, ¼ mile on left is turn to the parking lot located on west side of Highway 78 EAGLE FACT: Bald eagles are found only in North America. 5
Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau EAGLE WATCHING LOCATIONS: Lacon Marina Marina Drive Lacon, IL 61540 Shore Acres Park Located alongside the river at the south end of town Chillicothe, IL 61523 River Beach Drive Accessed from Route 29, north of Peoria Rome, IL 61523 EAGLE EVENTS: Fulton-Mason Eagle Day Festival February 3, 2018; 9am 4pm Dickson Mounds Museum and the cities of Lewistown and Havana 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Lewistown, IL 61542 Activities include art and poetry competitions, crafts for kids, live raptor programs, and bird watching. Free for all ages. Donations welcomed. Mendenhall Park Wetland Area Mendenhall Road Bartonville, IL 61607 The Nature Conservancy Emiquon Preserve State Routes 78/97 Lewistown, IL 61542 Havana Nature Center 416 N. Schrader Street Havana, IL 62644 Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge 19031 E. County Road 2110N Havana, IL 62644 Henry, Peoria, East Peoria and Pekin Riverfronts EAGLE FACT: The wingspan of a bald eagle is 6 to 7.5 feet, their body is about 3 feet in length, and they weigh about 6 to 8 pounds. 6
Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau Hardin Riverfront On Route 100, cross the Joe Page Bridge in Hardin. Hardin, IL 62047 Pere Marquette State Park 13112 Visitor Center Lane Grafton, IL 62037 Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge at Gilbert Lake One half mile upriver from the Brussels Ferry Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge at Swan Lake HC 82 Box 107 Brussels, IL 62013 Ride across the Brussels Ferry into Calhoun County & follow the signs to Swan Lake. Brussels Ferry 16211 State Highway 100 W Grafton, IL 62037-2316 Grafton Riverfront Walk the riverfront to view eagles perched in the trees and soaring over the river. Grafton, IL 62037 Elsah Elsah, IL 62028 TreeHouse Wildlife Center 23956 Green Acres Road Dow, IL 62022 Piasa Harbor 10815 Lockhaven Road Godfrey, IL 62035 The Nature Institute 2213 S. Levis Lane Godfrey, IL 62035 Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary The Audubon Center at Riverlands 301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 63386 The National Great Rivers Museum/ Melvin Price Locks & Dam 26 #2 Lock & Dam Way Alton, IL 62002 Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower 435 Confluence Tower Drive Hartford, IL 62048 EAGLE EVENTS: Alton-Audubon Eagle-Ice Festival January 6, 2018; 10am 2pm Alton Visitor Center 200 Piasa Street Alton, IL 62002 The Audubon Center at Riverlands 301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 63386 800.258.6645 visitalton.com/events/detail/39/altonaudubon-eagle-ice-festiva Join us for the kickoff of the eagle watching season. Activities include: live eagle meet & greet, preview of events at the Eagle Watching Hot Spots, kid s activities, crafts and eagle viewing walks. Learn about eagle watching how to spot eagles, where to look and what brings the eagles here each winter. Stop in Downtown Alton for ice sculpting on the streets during our annual Ice Block Party and a chance to win an eagle shirt and other giveaways. Admission is free. 7 Clifton Terrace Park 6 miles from Alton, along Route 100
Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette December 28, 29; January 19, 22, 26, 27, 29, 30; February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 23, 26; March 1 Pere Marquette State Park 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, IL 618.786.3323 VisitAlton.com Spend the day eagle watching with your guide, site interpreter Scott Isringhausen. Reservations required. Free admission. Eagle Days at TreeHouse Wildlife Center January 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28; February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 10am 4pm TreeHouse Wildlife Center 23956 Green Acres Road, Dow, IL 62022 618.466.2990 TreeHouseWildlifeCenter.com View live bald eagles up close at TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Enjoy fun for the entire family including a special eagle craft activity for the kids. Also, meet Emrys, the Center s new outreach and education bald eagle. Eagle Meet and Greet January 6, 13, 20, 27; 10am 2pm Alton Visitors Center 200 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002 800.258.6645 VisitAlton.com Come see live eagle demonstrations by the World Bird Sanctuary. See a live bald eagle up close and personal! Ask and learn about their species and habitats. Then, grab your official All Around Alton Eagle Watcher's Guide as you journey out along the Great River Road to see eagles in their natural habitat. Free. Bald Eagle Festival January 28; 11am 3pm Pere Marquette State Park Lodge 13653 Lodge Boulevard Grafton, IL 62037 618.786.2331 pmlodge.net Live music, special presentations by World Bird Sanctuary (11am, 1pm.& 3 pm), face painting, children s crafts, wine tasting and more. Masters of the Sky tickets are $3 per person and will be sold at the Lodge front desk and in advance. Audubon Center "Birds of Winter" January 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28; February 3, 4, 10, 11, 10am 4p 10am 2pm Audubon Center at Riverlands 301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 63386 636.899.0090 Riverlands.Audubon.org Join us for eagle viewing and education in this designated Important Birding Area at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Masters of the Sky February 17-18; 9am 5pm National Great Rivers Museum 2 Lock & Dam Way, Alton, IL 62002 877.462.6979 MTRF.org Witness the Masters of the Sky birds of prey demonstration. Come see eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey at this educational and informational program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. Admission fee: $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under; 3 and under are free. Eagle Shuttle Tours January 6, 13, 20, 27; 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm Reservations: VisitAlton.com/Shuttle or by calling 800.258-6645 Take a 45-minute guided shuttle tour along the Mississippi River to find some of the best eagle viewing spots in the region. Schedule stops include: Maple Island, Heron Pond, Ellis Island and the Audubon Center. Get tips on how to eagle watch this season. $5 per person, advance reservations required. 8
Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau EAGLE WATCHING LOCATIONS: Hamilton, IL 62341 Illinois Highway 96 Across from Keokuk, IA Lock & Dam 19 Quinsippi Island Bonansinga Drive & Cedar Street Quincy, IL 62301 Lock and Dam 21 909 W. Lock and Dam Road Quincy, IL 62305 Two Rivers Marina at Pike Station 13495 U.S. Highway 54 Rockport, IL 62370 EAGLE EVENT: Great River Eagle Days January 27-28; Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm Oakley Lindsay Civic Center, 3rd & York and Lock & Dam 21 Quincy, IL 62301 217.577.1930 or 217.214.3700 Standing Bear Council celebrates the American Bald Eagle and Native American traditions during this 2 day festival held at the Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy. The event will kick off Saturday with a presentation by Dr. Drew Kaiser of the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, followed by the the Grand Entry Ceremony into the Circle, honoring veterans. Blessing of the Eagles Ceremony by Forrest Liggett is on Sunday at 10:30am and attendees will enjoy up close eagle viewing and be entertained by the Black Fox Singers & Native American Dancers, with prizes for the dancers. Admittance to the event at the Oakley Lindsay Center is $5.00 per person 12 years old and above, $3 for adults over 60. Rangers will be available with complimentary scopes at Lock and Dam 21 for viewing eagles. Lock & Dam 21 is on Lock & Dam Road, off Gardner Expressway in Quincy. The best viewing spot is from the adjoining boat ramp. EAGLE FACT: Juvenile bald eagles are mostly brown with mottled white in varying amounts and don t get their distinctive white head until they are about 4 to 5 years old. 91
ILLINOISouth Tourism Southernmost Illinois ILLINOISouth TOURISM Old Chain of Rocks Bridge W. Chain of Rocks Road Madison, IL 62060 Kaskaskia Lock & Dam 4800 Lock and Dam Road Modoc, IL 62261 Chester Welcome Center 10 Bridge Bypass Road Chester, IL 62233 SOUTHERNMOST ILLINOIS Devil s Backbone Park Brunkhorst Avenue Grand Tower, IL 62942 Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Just East of Route 3 Miller City, IL 62962 EAGLE EVENT: Eagle Trek February Kaskaskia Lock & Dam 4800 Lock and Dam Road Modoc, IL 62261 618.284.7160 Come out for eagle-watching with spotting scopes and meet some of the feathered inhabitants of the World Bird Sanctuary. Also, enjoy short interpreted walks both upstream and downstream from the Dam, and see the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers. Our experts will be on hand to tell you about other eaglenesting sites nearby! Families and leashtrained dogs are welcomed for the hike. EAGLE FACT: Bald eagle nests can be more than 8 feet wide and 13 feet deep and may weigh more than half a ton! 10
GREAT RIVERS COUNTRY TOURISM OFFICE 581 South Deere Road l Macomb, IL 61455 P 309.837.7460 l F 309.833.4754 GreatRiversCountry.com While visiting Great Rivers Country contact any of the following for more information: ALTON REGIONAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 200 Piasa Street Alton, IL 62002 800.258.6645 VisitAlton.com BLACKHAWK WATERWAYS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 201 N. Franklin Avenue Polo, IL 61064 800.678.2108 VisitNorthwestIllinois.com BROWN COUNTY BrownCountyIL.com MtSterlingIL.com Visit Galena 123 N. Commerce Street Galena, IL 61036 815.776.9200 VisitGalena.org GALESBURG AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2163 E. Main Street Galesburg, IL 61401 800.916.3330 VisitGalesburg.com GREENE COUNTY EldredHouse.com VisitWestCentralIllinois.com HENRY COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU 224 W. Third Street Kewanee, IL 61433 390.761.8437 VisitHenryCounty.com MACOMB AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 201 S. Lafayette Street Macomb, IL 61455 309.833.1315 MakeItMacomb.com PEORIA AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 456 Fulton Street Suite 300 Peoria, IL 61602 800.747.0302 EnjoyPeoria.com QUAD CITIES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 1601 River Drive Suite 110 Moline, IL 61265 800.747.7800 VisitQuadCities.com QUINCY AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 532 Gardner Expressway Quincy, IL 62301 800.978.4748 SeeQuincy.com SCHUYLER COUNTY SchuylerCountyIllinois.com RushvilleIL.com SOUTHERNMOST ILLINOIS P.O. Box 378 Anna, IL 62906 800.248.4373 SouthernmostIllinois.com ILLINOISouth Tourism 4387 N. Illinois Street Suite 200 Swansea, IL 62226 800.442.1488 ILLINOISouth.org