Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is encouraging the public to participate in eagle-watching events across the state during January and February. The winter months are an ideal time for observing bald eagles, as they seek open water areas for fishing. Illinois hosts more than 3,000 bald eagles during this season, making it the state with the largest population outside of Alaska.

Several state parks and locations, such as Starved Rock State Park and the Illinois State Museum's Dickson Mounds, offer eagle-watching programs during this period. IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie stated, "Illinois residents have a unique advantage when it comes to opportunities to catch a glimpse of eagles soaring over our scenic waterways and river bluffs." She invites everyone to "bundle up, grab their binoculars, and head outdoors to one of the many eagle-watching events happening throughout the state this winter."

The following locations will host eagle-watching events:

- Adams County: Carlyle Lake Eagle Watch at Case-Halstead Library on Jan. 25; Great River Eagles Days at Oakley Lindsay Center and Lock and Dam 21 on Jan. 25-26.

- Jersey County: Pere Marquette State Park Bald Eagle Days in Grafton on Jan. 30-31; additional dates include Feb. 4, 7, 11, 21, 24, 26, and 28; March 7.

- LaSalle County: Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend in Utica on Jan. 25-26.

- Madison County: Eagle Saturdays at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on Feb. 1.

- Marion County: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Eagle Watch in Marion on Feb. 1-2.

- Mason County: Fulton-Mason Eagle Day at Illinois State Museum Dickson Mounds in Havana and Lewistown on Feb. 1.

- Randolph County: Kaskaskia Eagle Fest at Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam in Modoc on March 1.

- Rock Island County: Mississippi River Eagle Watch at Mississippi River Visitors Center in Rock Island Arsenal on Jan. 25 and Feb. 1.

For further details about these events, individuals can visit the Illinois Save Our Eagles website.