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Bald Eagles Have Been Spotted; Eagle Watching Trips Available in Alton Area
Jane Banaszek photo
As the cold temperatures begin to set in, a few of Alton’s favorite winter guests have been spotted in the region. The numbers of eagles migrating through the region will continue to grow as January gets closer, making every day a great eagle adventure all around Alton. Every January, experts anticipate nearly 1,000 eagles will migrate to the region, many reclaiming their winter nests along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway from Alton to Grafton and Pere Marquette. Beginning in late December and January, visitors can plan their own eagle watching adventures, or they can take advantage of the numerous eagle meet & greets and touring opportunities available every day of the 2011 eagle season.
The Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau has recently released the 2011 Eagle Watcher’s Guide to lead the way for visitors. The new guide features general information about the American Bald Eagle, tips for eagle watching, a series of driving routes for viewing the eagles, eagle watching hot spots, “eagle caching” adventures, getaway packages and a listing of all the eagle watching events happening throughout the winter months. This guide is the #1 tool for St. Louis visitors planning a trip to see the eagles, and can be requested online at www.VisitAlton.com.
Eagle Meet and Greets happen every Saturday in January. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St. As part of a partnership with the World Bird Sanctuary, visitors can learn more about this beautiful bird of prey from a professional handler. Admission is free. While at the Visitor Center, eagle enthusiasts can also pick up a free Eagle Watcher’s Guide, area information and restaurant and lodging options. Call 1-800-258-6645 or go to www.VisitAlton.com for more information.
For visitors looking for professionally-guided tours, there are eagle tours and events happening from January-February:
• Pere Marquette Bald Eagle Days – Grafton. Scott Isringhausen, site interpreter at Pere Marquette State Park, will be presenting free, informative programs about bald eagles.
There will be a short video presentation followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles.
Programs begin at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. Reservations are required. Call (618) 786-3323. Dates: Jan. 3, 4, 10, 22-26 & 29-31; Feb. 1, 2, 12, 13, 26 & 27; and March 2, 6, 7 & 9.
• A Day in Eagle Country. Take a day-long adventure of eagle and wildlife spotting with Bluff City Tours. The tour includes: transportation by motorcoach or trolley, professional tour guide, continental breakfast and lunch at Pere Marquette.
All tours depart from and return to the Upper Level Parking Lot at Alton Square Mall. Tours last from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations are required. Call (618) 466-8693. Dates: Jan. 5, 8, 15, 19, 22, 26 & 29 and Feb. 5, 9, 12 & 16.
• Eagle Meet and Greet Sundays. Come see a live bald eagle up close at the National Great Rivers Museum, #2 Lock & Dam Way. Free program from noon-4 p.m. on Sundays, Jan. 23 & 30, and Feb. 6 & 13. Call 1-877-462-6979.
• Sample of Eagle Country Tours. A 75-minute tour all around Alton viewing American Bald Eagles in their natural habitat. Tours will be departing from both the National Great Rivers Museum and Alton Visitor Center on weekends in January and February. The cost for this “sample” tour is $5 per person. Go to www.VisitAlton.com for tour times. For more information, call Bluff City Tours at (618) 466-8693.
• Masters of the Sky. Witness the “Masters of the Sky” birds of prey demonstration at the National Great Rivers Museum, #2 Lock & Dam Way, Feb. 19, 20 & 21, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
See eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey at this educational and informational program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. Fee: $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under. Three shows each day: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There will also be an eagle meet and greet from noon-2 p.m. Call the National Great Rivers Museum at 1-877-462-6979.
Most eagle watchers plan all day adventures all around Alton, including watching the eagles in the early morning hours, breaking for lunch at one of the many fine restaurants in the region and spending the afternoon browsing the dozens of specialty shops in Grafton and Alton.
For those wishing to spend extra time and make eagle watching a winter getaway, there are numerous eagle watching getaway packages at hotels and bed & breakfast inns in Alton, Grafton and Elsah, viewable online at www.VisitAlton.com.
