Mississippi River Project E-Newsletter - December - Courtesy of Wendy Frohlich
Tis' the Season - to plan ahead for your eagle watching adventure! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi River Project invites you to attend one or more of the Bald Eagle Watches listed below or our popular Eagle Watch/Historic Clock Tower Tours.
As the weather turns colder and the river starts to freeze, the American Bald Eagle will begin lining the trees of the Upper Mississippi River. Eagles congregate on the river and near locks and dams because the turbulent water on the downstream side of the dam doesn't freeze and makes for great fishing! Most will only stay here for a few short months before returning north as the weather warms up once again.
If you would like a unique experience check out our Eagle Watch/Historic Clock Tower Tours! Not only will you be able to view eagles on your tour but you will also be watching them from one of the Quad Cities oldest and most recognized historic structures – The Clock Tower Building.
Tours will begin with a brief presentation about the American Bald Eagle in the Visitor Center Theater. We will then walk to the Clock Tower for an overview of this unique historical structure. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger will lead you back into history. While in the tower we set up a spotting scope to view eagles and answer your questions. So sign up today to view eagles and find out exactly what makes that clock tick.
The tour starts at the Mississippi River Visitor Center located at Locks and Dam 15 on the west end of Arsenal Island. Each event will last approximately 75 minutes. The tour size is limited to 15 persons. You are encouraged to bring binoculars. There are several stories of stairs to climb and the Tower is not heated. Reservations are required, call the Mississippi River Visitor Center at (309) 794-5338.
Weekend access to the Island is through the Moline or Davenport entrances. All vehicles are subject to search. Persons over 16 years of age will be asked to show a picture ID. We recommend that you allow extra time for passing through security.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us or visit us on the web at www.missriver.org. Here you can check out our live eagle cam and look for updates on eagle counts at various lock and dam sites.
2008 Bald Eagle Watch Events
Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days
Saturday and Sunday, January 12-13
QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois
Hours: 10:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Saturday, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Sunday
Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by The World Bird Sanctuary
Special Attractions - Arctic Wolves & Native American Dancing
Wildlife Art Show & Sale and Environmental Fair
For more information contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center 309/794-5338 or Arlynn Hartwig 309/788-2543
Mississippi River Visitor Center
January 5 - February 17, Weekends Only
Combination eagle watches and clock tower tours
Saturday and Sunday times are: 9:30, 1:00, 3:00
Reservations required. Group size is limited. Call 309/794-5338
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 5
Outdoor viewing: Lock & Dam 13, 8:00-4:00
Live Bird and Nature Programs: Clinton Community College, 9:45-2:00
Exhibits: Clinton Community College from 9:00 - 3:30
Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.
For more information call: 815/259-3628
Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 19
Outdoor viewing south of Lock and Dam 11 at A.Y. McDonald Park from 9:00–4:00
Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by the The World Bird Sanctuary at 9:30, 12:30 & 3:00
Indoor Exhibits from 9:00 - 4:30 at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
Trolley rides from Grand River Center to outdoor viewing area
For more information call: 563/556-4372 or 563/582-0881
Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 12
Outdoor viewing from 9:00 to 1:00 at Riverside Park & Lock and Dam 16
Live Eagle programs at 9:30 & 11:00 at Riverside Park
For more information call: 563/263-7913
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
Saturday and Sunday, January 19-20
Indoor programs and Environmental Fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk, Iowa
Live Eagle Programs Saturday 9:00-3:00 and Sunday 10:00-3:00
Outdoor viewing along the River Front
For more information call: 1-800-383-1219
LeClaire Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday and Sunday, January 26-27
Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 14, Sat 10-1; Sun 1-4
Indoor programs: Sat. at 10, 11, & 12; Sun. at 1,2, & 3
Indoor programs: Mississippi Valley Welcome Center
For more information call: 563/322-3911 x120
Quincy Bald Eagle Watch
Sunday, January 27
Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 21: 10:00 - 4:00
For more information call: 217/228-0890
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE at the Mississippi River Visitor Center
The Mississippi River Visitor Center, located on the west end of Arsenal Island, will be closed Monday, December 24, 2007 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM and all day Tuesday, December 25, 2007. We will re-open at 9:00 AM, Wednesday, December 26. The Visitor Center will also be closed all day Tuesday, January 1, 2008. We will re-open Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 9:00 AM.
The Mississippi River Visitor Center is one of few local sites from which the American Bald Eagle can be viewed in a warm indoor environment. We invite residents of the area to bring out of town guests to see our National Bird in its winter environment. We will have a spotting scope set up for public use.
Except for the above noted days, the Visitor Center is open year around, 7 days a week, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All vehicles are subject to search. Persons over 16 years of age must carry a picture ID. We recommend that you allow extra time for passing through security. For more information call the Mississippi River Visitor Center at (309) 794-5338.
River Specific Gifts Available at the Mississippi River Visitor Center
Here are a few ideas: A Camping Gift Certificate; Lock and Dam Mug (shown with Government Bridge); Lock and Dam T-Shirt; Eagle Watching Long Sleeved or Short Sleeved T-Shirts; Mississippi River Books; the Upper Mississippi River Chart and many more!
Eagles, Our Winter Guests
The Mississippi River Visitor Center is offering an American Bald Eagle program on Sunday, December 9th at 2:00 PM. As the weather turns colder, and the river starts to freeze, the beautiful Bald Eagle will return to the Quad Cities to inhabit the trees along the Mississippi River. They will only stay here for a few short months before returning north as the weather warms up once again. Bring the whole family for this informative and interactive program for all ages. If you are lucky you might even get a chance to see a Bald Eagle in the wild! This free program will be held at the Mississippi River Visitor Center located on Arsenal Island at Lock and Dam 15. Reservations are required so please call early to reserve your spot. To make reservations or for more information please call (309) 794-5338.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Media representatives MUST contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contact noted on this release to arrange for entrance to, and escort within, the Arsenal. We would appreciate advanced notice of attendance in order to make necessary arrangements for media escorts. Media representatives must enter through the Moline Gate, provide photo identification, and be prepared for random vehicle searches by Arsenal security.
The Eagles Are Soaring
Each winter hundreds of American Bald Eagles visit our area. At almost every Lock and Dam site along the Mississippi River, from November through February eagles can be seen perched in trees or soaring above the waters. Eagles roost near these sites because the dams create open water, which allows the eagles to feed on fish. The tall trees and forests along the river provide the eagles with a place to roost and to keep warm in the winter months.
Because eagles often attract a large number of eagle watchers, and are easily frightened by people; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to provide safe roosting areas for the wintering birds.
The Iowa side of Lock and Dam 13, a popular fishing area during the summer, will be closed to foot traffic during the bald eagle season (November 15 - February 25). The closure is to protect the birds in this prime roosting area. Eagles that are scared off burn up badly needed energy and may become too weak to search for food.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visitor overlook at Lock and Dam 13 continues to remain open to visitors. This facility is a popular winter eagle viewing area.
The Annual Bald Eagle Watch event will take place on Saturday, January 5, 2008. For further information about the eagle roosting areas, or eagle viewing, please contact the Thomson Park Rangers at (815) 259-3628 or the Fish and Wildlife Service (815) 273-2732. |