 Eagle population rising... From the US Army Corps of Engineers
"The Eagle count has more than doubled from 2006 to 2007".
Count of adults and immature is at 2,746
Enjoy a winter retreat at one of Carroll County’s many hotels and bed & breakfasts while viewing the splendor of the American Bald Eagle.
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First
Weekend in January
Annual Bald Eagle Watch
8am-4pm
Eagle Watching at Lock and Dam 13 along
the Great River Road. Educational Programs
at Clinton Community College from 10am—2:30
pm
Savanna-Sabula Backwaters—The
Miss. River backwaters between Savanna,
IL, and Sabula, IA, are excellent spots
to view eagles from your car or a quiet
spot. Eagles are found in the tall
island trees and often sit on the ice
catching their favorite food in pockets
of open water. Savanna is located on
Hwy. 84 north of Thomson, IL, and Sabula,
IA is located north of Clinton, IA
on Hwy. 67 / 64. Mississippi Palisades State Park—The
high bluffs of Miss. Palisades State
Park, located one mile north of Savanna,
IL, offer a great opportunity to view
eagles soaring in the air on warmer
winter days or sitting in island trees
on colder days. Several overlooks exist
within the park to give the visitor
a panoramic view of the Miss. River
Valley. Note: The overlooks are closed
during bad weather. The park is located
north of Savanna on Hwy 84. |
 Lock
and Dam 13
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lock
and Dam 13, located north of Fulton,
IL, off IL Hwy. 84, is an excellent spot
to view eagles. At the Lock and Dam,
look at raceway behind the dam where
the river waters remain open even in
the icy winter months. Look over the
river; check the tall trees where eagles
often roost; check the ice, small islands
and rocks for eagles also. Special care
should be taken not to enter the Iowa
shore of Lock and Dam 13 as human disturbance
will frighten the birds off and they
will lose badly needed energy – which
they need to survive the winter. PLEASE
NOTE: Due to security concerns, vehicle
access to the Lock & Dam facility
is restricted, but vehicle access via
a newly constructed road, will take visitors
to the Visitor Overlook. Walk in access
is permitted. Limited parking is available. |
Eagles
along the Mississippi River in Northwest
Illinois.
100’s of eagles
make their nests along the river each
year from November through February.
Important Eagle Watching Tips
- The best eagle viewing occurs when
it is cold enough to freeze large
stretches of river so that eagles
must concentrate at specific feeding
areas. Mild winters mean eagles are
more widely dispersed and spotting
them is that much more difficult.
- For eagle watchers, the combination
of guides, equipment, and an opportunity
to view "up close and personal" the
many wintering eagles along the Mississippi
River has proven irresistible.
- Watch, but do not disturb. Eagles
spend about 98% of their time roosting
or perching. Loud noises, movement,
trying to approach too closely will
cause the birds to fly away, thus
wasting valuable energy needed just
to hunt and survive.
- Use spotting scopes and binoculars
so you can stay a good 100-400 feet
away from the birds. They are visible
with the naked eye, but to really
view their bright yellow beaks and
piercing eyes, the truly beautiful
white head and tail feathers, binoculars
are best.
- Stay in a parked car when viewing
so that your movements don’t
frighten them. Birds are most susceptible
when roosting and roosting areas
must not be disturbed at night.
- If you find an injured or dead
eagle, leave it where you found it
and call your local DNR. Though no
longer endangered, eagles are still
listed as threatened, and it is against
the law to kill them for any reason.
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When
planning your next Eagle Watching trip to Carroll County to view all the spectacular sites
and wildlife,
be sure to check our Lodging section
to find
relaxing accomodations for
overnight or weekend stay.
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