Eagles now common at city lake, Du Quoin fairgrounds, Pyramid Park
The Du Quoin City Lake is now home to the American Bald Eagle much of the year and the beautiful birds are now commonly seen in the tree tops at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds and Pyramid State Park as their numbers increase.
Every winter, Illinois presents visitors with the opportunity to see more than 3,000 bald eagles in their natural habitat - more wintering American bald eagles, in fact, than in any other state outside Alaska.
Many now call the area home. Others migrate here. The first eagles of the season are spotted in Illinois in December and remain in residence until they migrate back north in March, with January and February the optimal time for visitors to see eagles.
Du Quoin State Fair spokesman Norm Hill said eagles are more common on the grounds. "I think they are migrating here," said Hill. "They follow the geese down here. I haven't seen a nest yet," he said.
The sight of a pair of eagles at Pyramid State Park is common. Park personnel have seen one nest at the park.
The Du Quoin City Lake is now both a home to eagles and the winter migration of eagles. There is at least one pair nesting at the lake. Because of the lake there is an abundant food supply and lake residents are stewards of these birds.
The US Fish & Wildlife Service considers the magnificent American bald eagle as protected.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds residents of a number of formalized eagle-watching events in the region. They include:
Alton Eagle Festival - Audubon Center at the Riverlands & Downtown Alton, IL Saturday, January 4. Events include an "eagle meet and greet," eagle viewing walks, kids activities, ice sculpting, wildlife art and photography. Additional information on eagle watching activities throughout the Alton area can be found at http://www.visitation.com
Eagle Days - The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - Granite City - Illinois/Missouri January 18-19 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Live eagle educational programs every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. each day. There are viewing scopes for eagle watching. It is hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation. There are living history demonstrations and warming tent activities. For additional information visit http://www.confulencegreenway.org/eagledays
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Eagle Watch near Marion January 25-26. There is bald eagle and waterfowl viewing and guided tours on Saturday's at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are required.
Mississippi River Eagle Watching January-February 2013
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes visitors to see bald eagles at lock and dams along the Mississippi River each winter. Locations and dates are available at http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/eagle%20watching/eagle%20main.htm