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

Free Photography Class At Kirksville's MDC Office!

Personally, I love taking pictures and feel nearly naked on a hike if I don't have my handy Nikon by my side. I've caught wildlife at play, fragile local wildflowers blooming, and my family's adventures forever through the digital eye of my camera. I value every single snap of my camera's shutter, and I can now look back through those photos and find myself instantly teleported to that moment in time. If you too love photography or are just thinking about taking it up, you may want to read on about a free class the MDC is offering in Kirksville, MO.

If you're lucky enough to live near the Missouri Department of Conservation's Kirksville, MO office you can take advantage of a fantastic free class on nature photography this Saturday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m. The class is open to all ages, but children are required to be accompanied by an adult, and no registration is required. So bring your digital camera and dress for the season, who knows, you may very well find your inner Ansel Adams!

Directions & Address:


Missouri Department of Conservation: Northeast Regional Office
3500 S. Baltimore Street
Kirksville, MO 63501

For additional information or questions on this event, you can call MDC Naturalist Amanda Moore at (660) 785-2420 or visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's event page by clicking here.

Come Fly With Me: MDC's Peregrine Falcon Web Cam

A screen capture from today May 22, 2014. All three chicks are mighty hungry!

I have seen these majestic birds many times on our hikes here in Missouri, and if you haven't had the opportunity to check out the SiouxZee, Coal and their new baby peregrine falcons on the Missouri Department of Conservation's FalconCam, then your missing out! You can view the live stream from 7am - 7pm every day of the week on FalconCam which is a perfect time for taking an "eye" break while at work, right? If you're looking for a bit of mood music to watch the camera by you may want to visit Old Blue Eyes on YouTube and play it in the background.

Right now is a prime time to watch as the baby peregrines and their appetites are getting bigger and bigger. Both mother SiouxZee and father Coal are always out finding more food in order to keep the babies growing.

A screen capture from FalconCam. Here the first chick to hatch is only 1 hour old.
Found on MDC Online
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera

The site also includes a link to educational materials, where you can learn more about the fastest animals on Earth. You may also be interested in some of the questions that have been asked before, there are some egg-cellent (a horrible, nasty, disgusting pun, and for that I apologize) answers. If you have a question you can also email Jeff Meshach at the World Bird Sanctuary and see if he'll answer your questions too!

More Information

MDC FalconCam Homepage

Get Hooked: Missouri Kid's Fishing Days 2014

I am a huge proponent for getting kids outside and developing their relationship with nature. Now, the Missouri Department of Conservation offers a great way for you to get the kids out and have some family fun, all while introducing kids to the outdoors and conservation. Kids Fishing Days are created to help families and groups learn about fish, important fish habitat, conservation and fishing techniques. At many of these Kids Fishing Days, the program provides fishing equipment, bait and instruction, so all you need to supply are the kids and a spirit of adventure. Some even supply lunch, just in case you don't get a "wiggler" on the line.

Hopefully a fun day spent with you trying to land a monster fish will turn into more fun days with you outdoors, enjoying even more that our state has to offer. Who knows, it may even lead to you all exploring one of our great Missouri trails!

When & Where To Find A Kids Fishing Day

Here are the Kids Fishing Days events I've found so far around the state. You can click the name of the area below to visit the website for more information.

• Maramec Spring Trout Park in St. James, MO: Saturday, May 17
• Free hotdogs and soda for lunch
• Goodie bags for all participants
• Entire upper portion is reserved for kids 15 and under
• Rainbow trout will be restocked during the event
• Contests and activities all day long for prizes and awards
• The day lasts from 6:30 a.m. - 8:15 p.m.
• Roaring River State Park in Cassville, MO: Saturday, May 17
• Free hotdogs, chips and soda for lunch. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Seminars on fish cleaning, fish cooking, knife sharpening, knot tying , fly tying, stream biology, fly casting, how to fish Roaring River and more.
• Kids 15 and under receive a free trout tag and a portion of the park will be reserved just for them to fish 
• Roaring Rivers State Park also features seven hiking trails... Just sayin'...
• Kellogg Lake Park in Carthage, MO: Saturday, June 7
• Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the pavilion.
• Limited poles available, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own poles
• Bait will be provided
• Learn how to cast a fly rod and much more
• Refreshments and prizes available
• Shepard of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson, MO: Saturday, June 7
• Free performance at noon by the "Fishin' Magicians"
• Free Goodie Bags for kids 15 and under
• Learn how to tie knots, cook fish, bait and fly cast, ethical fishing, how to rig up a pole and more
• Limited number of poles will be available, so you may want to bring your own to avoid waiting

Also if you're lucky enough to live near the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center they have a pond that is reserved for children 15 and under all the time. They will even provide a fishing pole and bait for your child to fish with, available at the front desk, and that's each and every day while the Nature Center is open. 

Wishing you good luck, sunken bobbers, and many happy trails.

For More Information:

Kids Fishing Day Homepage on MDC.mo.gov
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
The Fishin' Magicians