JEFFERSON CITY - From December through February, Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular.
Eagle Days events are being planned around the state, including an event in Jefferson City.
Because of the state's rivers, many lakes, and abundant wetlands, Missouri is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in the Show-Me State. Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food. More than 2,000 bald eagles are typically reported in Missouri during winter.
MDC Eagle Days events are listed below. They include live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, and guides with spotting scopes. Watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water's edge. View them early in the morning to see eagles flying and fishing. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don't forget cameras and binoculars.
Events are listed by date.
Mound City: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City. Call 816-271-3100 for more information.
Kansas City: 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6 and 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Smithville Lake Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse north of Kansas City. Call 816-532-0174 for more information.
St. Louis: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 13-14 at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off Riverview Drive in St. Louis. Call 314-301-1500 for more information.
Springfield: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 20 and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Call 417-888-4237 for more information.
Jefferson City: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 27 at the MDC Runge Conservation Nature Center. Call 573-526-5544 for more information.
Clarksville: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 27 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 28 at Lock and Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater in Clarksville. Call 660-785-2424 for more information.
Schell City: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 3 at Schell City Community Center and Schell Osage Conservation Area. Call 417-876-5226 for more information.
Can't make an Eagle Days event? Other hot spots for winter eagle viewing include Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K, southwest of Columbia.