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Missouri offers spectacular winter eagle watching opportunities between December and February each year. The first Eagle Days event this year is at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 5. The Missouri Department of Conservation invites everyone to enjoy nature during the Eagle Days or simply go see the eagles on their own.

Because of its big rivers, multiple lakes, and abundant wetlands, Missouri is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in the Show-Me State. Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food. More than 2,000 bald eagles are typically reported in Missouri during winter.

MDC offers Eagle Days events throughout the state. During the events there will be live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos and guides with spotting scopes. Visitors should watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water’s edge. Early in the morning it’s possible to see eagles flying and fishing. Essentials for eagle viewing are warm winter clothing, cameras and binoculars.

In the St. Louis area, Eagle Days will be held Jan. 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off Riverview Drive in St. Louis. More information is available at 314-877-1309.

Eagles can also be viewed any day at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, east of West Alton. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays.

Winter Eagle Days and 2016 Eagle Viewing in Missouri:

Dec. 5 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Dec. 6 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City. Call 816-271-3100 for more information.

Jan. 9 (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), Jan. 10 (10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at Smithville Lake Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse north of Kansas City. Call 816-532-0174 for more information.

Jan. 16 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Jan. 17 (12:30 to 4:30 p.m.) at the MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Call 417-888-4237 for more information.

Jan. 30 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Jan. 31 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at Lock and Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater in Clarksville. Call 660-785-2420 for more information.

Feb. 6 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Schell City Community Center in downtown Schell City, and at the Schell-Osage Conservation Area. Call 417-876-5226 for more information.

   Viewing Sites:

• Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell
• Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia
• Lock & Dam 20 at Canton
• Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville
• Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico
• Moses Eagle Park at Stella
• Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs
• Smithville Lake north of Kansas City
• Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City
• Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner
• Table Rock Lake and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery southwest of Branson
• Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw

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