Visitors
can discover our national bird in the wild and up close at this free eagle
viewing festival.
ST. LOUIS, MO – 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.
Directions to the Old
Chain of Rocks Bridge from St. Louis: Take I-270 east toward Illinois. Exit at
Riverview Drive exit and turn right. Turn left into the entrance of the Confluence of the
Mississippi and Missouri Park/Missouri Bridge. Parking at the Missouri Bridge entrance costs $5.
(See below for free parking information.)
From Illinois: Take
I-270 west towards Missouri. Exit at IL Route 3, go south to Chain of Rocks Road and follow
west to the bridge entrance parking area (free). OR to park on the Missouri side,
continue on I-270 west, over the Mississippi River; exit at Riverview. Drive and turn left. Turn
left into the entrance of the Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Park/Missouri
Bridge. Parking at the Missouri Bridge entrance costs $5.
Free parking is available
at two satellite lots in Missouri, the St. Louis Welcome Center at Riverview
and I-270 and North Riverfront Park, off of Riverview south of the waterworks.
A free shuttle will be available from both locations. Free parking is also
available at the Illinois Bridge entrance.
For eagle lovers eager to
see more eagles, MDC also sponsors another free Eagle Days event the following
weekend at Clarksville Lock and Dam Number 24.
It takes place Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Jan.
28, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Clarksville is
an exceptional location for eagle viewing.
Visitors can see bald eagles through spotting scopes and at live eagle
programs, along with many other educational activities. For more information on the Clarksville Eagle
Days event, call 660-785-2420.
For more on Eagle Days at
the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, visit http://greatriversgreenway.org/eagledays/. To learn more about bald eagle viewing
opportunities throughout Missouri, go to https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/events/eagle-days .
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