|
Bald eagles soar friendly skies of
Illinois
Birds already spotted, will remain in
area through February
Send a link to a friend
[DEC.
29, 2004]
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinoisans have the
opportunity to observe the bald eagle in the wild in the coming weeks, as
conditions are ideal for viewing: leafless trees and churning waters beneath
dams on partially frozen Illinois waterways. While not yet a common sight,
the majestic bird has come back from the edge of extinction, thanks in part
to efforts by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife
watchers who view the eagles are credited with making a significant
contribution to the Illinois economy.
|
|
“Virtually any Illinois resident can make a day
trip to view eagles,” said Joel Brunsvold, director of the
Department of Natural Resources. “From Rock Island to Grafton,
Quincy, east to Shelbyville, on sunny winter days, the birds can be
spotted soaring high in the sky, apparently for the pure joy of
flying. They are awe-inspiring.”
The economic impact of bird watching is
significant. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that in
Illinois, 638,000 residents traveled to watch wildlife in the most
recent year studied, 2001. The agency estimated those watching
wildlife in Illinois spent $5,960,000 that year alone.
Its feeding habits factor into predicting sites
where the bald eagle can be observed in Illinois. The bald eagle is
the only fishing eagle that inhabits North America. During months of
cold temperatures, the eagle can often be spotted feeding beneath
locks and dams, especially as rivers begin freezing. The birds are
most active in the early morning or late afternoon.
[to top of second column in
this article]
 |
“In the past 25 years, we've seen a remarkable
resurgence of the bald eagle,” said Glen Kruse, manager of the
Restoration Ecology Section of the Department of Natural Resources.
“By fostering development of wetlands and protecting the bird's
nesting sites, we've been able to make Illinois a place that's
hospitable to the bald eagle.”
Several locations overseen by the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources are home to the bald eagle. See
chart below.
[Illinois
Department of Natural Resources news release]
 |
|
Area |
Location |
Probability
of
seeing eagles |
Special
events |
|
Starved Rock State Park |
LaSalle County |
High |
Bald eagle tours
Jan. 5, 8, 12, 15, 17, 19, 26, 29
Tours include eagle viewing and educational presentation.
Reservations required: (800) 868-7625 |
|
Pere Marquette State Park |
Jersey County |
High |
Eagle-watching programs
scheduled
Jan. 9-11, 22-24, 26, 30 and Feb. 5-8, 12-14, 19-20, 27
(618) 786-3323 |
|
Sanganois Conservation Area |
Cass/Mason County |
Moderate |
|
|
Hamilton boat ramp, Lock and
Dam 19 |
Hamilton, Hancock County,
Ill., near Keokuk, Iowa |
High |
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
Jan. 15-16 |
|
Union County Conservation
District |
Union County |
High |
|
|
Mississippi Palisades and
area near lock and dam |
Carroll and Whiteside
counties |
High |
Quad City Conservation
Alliance Bald Eagle Days
Jan. 8-9 |
Horseshoe Lake
|
Alexander County |
Moderate |
|
Eldon
Hazlet
|
|
Low to moderate |
|
Dickson Mounds
|
Havana |
Moderate |
|
|
Lake Shelbyville |
Shelby County |
Low to moderate |
|
|
Ray Norbut Fish and Wildlife
Area |
Pike County |
Moderate |
Most of the conservation area south of I-72 is
closed for the benefit of bald eagles wintering on the river
bluffs. Bald eagle viewing is allowed, but watchers are not
allowed south of the highway bridges. |
|
Mississippi River State Fish
and Wildlife Area |
Composite of 15 wildlife
management areas and 11 access areas, along 75 miles of
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers in Calhoun and Jersey counties |
Highest at Lock and Dam 25
in Calhoun County |
|
|
