Missouri Eagle Days

Taken by Adrian Pingstone in July 2004.

Did you know that Missouri is a top stop for many migrating bald eagles during the winter? Well, Missouri is actually a very popular "vacation spot" for our fine feathered friends, who are drawn to our state's large rivers, lakes and wetlands. In fact, all of our natural beauty, small game and habitat make Missouri one of the best spots in the lower 48 for avid bird watchers to spot a bald eagle.

In celebration of our winter visitors, and to bring attention to Missouri's year round bald eagle population, the Missouri Department of Conservation hosts Eagle Days throughout the state during the months of December, January and February, garnering you an excellent opportunity to learn more about our large flying friends through live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos and MDC guides with spotting scopes. You'll be able to scan the water's edge and large trees for the more than 2,000 reported bald eagles, who may measure over six foot from wingtip to wingtip!

If you're looking to take advantage of the MDC Eagle Days, you'll want to hit up these locations during these dates (click to visit the area via Google Maps):

• December 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and December 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Contact number (816) 271-3100
• January 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and January 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Smithville Lake Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse. Contact number (816) 532-0174
• January 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and January 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Contact number (417) 888-4237
• January 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and January 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Contact number (314) 877-1309
• January 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and January 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lock and Dam 24 an Apple Shed Theater in Clarksville. Contact number (660) 785-2420
• February 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Puxico. Contact number (573) 222-3589
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is a personal favorite of our family! A great place to see a ton of nature...

If you'd rather avoid the guided tours and just take a weekend or weekday to try your luck at spotting a bald eagle, you may want to visit these sites (click to visit the area via Google Maps):

• Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam, just east of Bagnell, MO.
• Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on route K southwest of Columbia, MO.
• Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville, MO
• Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield, MO
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, just northwest of Puxico, MO
• Personal note: I LOVE this place and bald eagles may be seen here nearly year round
• Moses Eagle Park, near Stella, MO
• Old Chain of Rock Bridge, south of I-270, just off Riverview Drive in St. Louis, MO
• Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area, just east of West Alton, MO
• Schell-Osage Conservation Area, north of El Dorado Springs, MO
• Smithville Lake, north of Kansas City, MO
• Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, south of Mound City, MO
• Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, south of Sumner, MO
• Table Rock Lake and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, southwest of Branson, MO
• Truman Reservoir, west of Warsaw, MO

As always, enjoy and thank you for reading. I hope to see you out taking in an eyeful of eagle this winter. Please remember to bundle up though, Missouri gets C-O-L-D during these prime eagle viewing months.

Of course, if you want to get AMPED about the bald eagles, you may want to listen to a bit of this: Tick tock, tick, doo, doo, doo, doo... I wanna fly like an eagle, to the sea, fly like an eagle, let my spirit carry me...Hey, it sounds great when I sing it in my shower...

More Information:

Local Treks on facebook 
MDC Eagle Days Webpage
Additional Information On The Bald Eagle Photo At Top