Visitors can discover our national bird in the wild and up close at this free eagle viewing festival.
Few words can describe the thrill of seeing America’s national symbol soaring through the air in the wild, or close enough to touch.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and its partners offer the chance to discover a close connection with the bald eagle. The Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Festival takes place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, and Sunday, Jan. 14.
Visitors can view eagles through spotting scopes staffed by trained volunteers at any time from the vantage point of the historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. The bridge is part of the Mississippi Greenway, also known as the Riverfront Trail. On both days, the World Bird Sanctuary will be presenting an educational program featuring a live bald eagle, repeated every 20 minutes from 10 a.m.-2:40 p.m. Programming includes a hands-on exhibit of local birds presented by St. Louis Audubon, a full-size replica of an eagle’s nest, and warming tent activities, including children’s art.
Guests will also enjoy Lewis and Clark living history demonstrations at both sides of the bridge. The Missouri Bridge entrance will feature re-enactors from the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles both days. Visitors can see how Lewis and Clark and their crew lived, cooked, and traveled more than 200 years ago. Demonstrations will also include a flag raising at 10 a.m. and lowering at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The Illinois side will feature re-enactors from the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Ill., on Saturday.
Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes (eagle viewing occurs at the center of the Bridge, a half-mile walk from each Bridge entrance), and leave their pets at home. Hot food and drink will be available onsite for purchase.
Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is produced through a partnership between MDC, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Great Rivers Greenway, and is sponsored by Cabela’s.
During the winter, the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of bald eagles; they are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. The Chain of Rocks rapids to the south of the Bridge create open waters which are ideal fishing waters for eagles. This is a unique opportunity to watch them fish, ride ice floes, soar overhead and roost in nearby trees while having access to an educational program featuring a live eagle and warming tent activities.
For more on Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, including directions to the bridge, visit http://greatriversgreenway.org/eagledays/. For more info about bald eagle viewing opportunities throughout Missouri, go to https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/events/eagle-days.