Listen Live
(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites the public to eagle-watching events across the state in January and February.
Winter is the best time to see bald eagles in Illinois, as the state hosts more than 3,000 eagles each season. Popular spots include Starved Rock State Park and the Illinois State Museum’s Dickson Mounds.
“I encourage everyone to grab binoculars and enjoy these majestic birds this winter,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie.
Eagle-Watching Events
Adams County
- Jan. 25: Carlyle Lake Eagle Watch, Case-Halstead Library, Quincy
- Jan. 25-26: Great River Eagles Days, Oakley Lindsay Center and Lock and Dam 21, Quincy
Jersey County
- Jan. 30-31: Pere Marquette State Park Bald Eagle Days, Grafton
- Feb. 4, 7, 11, 21, 24, 26, and 28: Pere Marquette State Park Bald Eagle Days, Grafton
- March 7: Pere Marquette State Park Bald Eagle Days, Grafton
LaSalle County
- Jan. 25-26: Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend, Utica
Madison County
- Feb. 1: Eagle Saturdays, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Madison
Marion County
- Feb. 1-2: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Eagle Watch, Marion
Mason County
- Feb. 1: Fulton-Mason Eagle Day, Illinois State Museum Dickson Mounds, Havana and Lewistown
Randolph County
- March 1: Kaskaskia Eagle Fest, Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam, Modoc
Rock Island County
- Jan. 25 and Feb. 1: Mississippi River Eagle Watch, Mississippi River Visitors Center, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island
For more information about Illinois eagle-watching events, visit the Illinois Save Our Eagles website.