37th annual Eagle Days at Squaw Creek

Free event highlights eagles and wetland conservation in northwest Missouri 

Mound City, Mo. – Bald eagles and waterfowl have migrated to wetlands in the Missouri River bottoms for thousands of years. It’s an ancient pageant that often includes huge snow geese flocks squawking as they arise from the marsh, ducks loafing in flotillas atop the water and eagles peering from perches in tall trees. People who enjoy nature and value conservation will celebrate the 37th annual Eagle Days at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6.

   The refuge is near Mound City in northwest Missouri, north of St. Joseph, not far as the eagle flies from the Missouri River. Visitors will have a chance to see wild eagles along the refuge’s driving tour. But Eagle Days also provides a close-up view of captive eagles displayed by the Dickerson Park Zoo of Springfield, Mo.

    All activities are free. Eagle Days is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other public and private conservation partners.

    Eagle and waterfowl viewing is always weather dependent. Cold weather in northern states but moderate weather in Missouri that leaves marshes unfrozen tends to help the refuge attract and hold waterfowl and eagles.  Bitter cold and frozen marshes reduce bird numbers. But rare is the Eagle Days event without some watchable wetland wildlife present.

    4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. They will offer exhibits about wetlands and wildlife. Spotting scopes will be set up at key locations and staff will help visitors see eagles or watch waterfowl. A wide variety of wildlife uses Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. For example, elegant trumpeter swans often can be spotted among the waterfowl in the marshes visible from the driving tour.

MDC staff and volunteers will be at interpretive stops along the refuge driving tour from 9 a.m. to

   Dickerson Park Zoo Staff will present live eagle shows at the refuge headquarters hourly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The zoo rehabilitates birds of prey such as eagles. Those birds with injuries too severe for them to return to the wild are used in exhibits and give visitors a close-up look at live eagles. The presentation includes interesting facts about eagles and their abilities.

   The Squaw Creek refuge is reached via Interstate 29 by taking the U.S. 159 exit west.

   For more information about Eagle Days at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, call816-271-3100, or visit http://1.usa.gov/1XoQu4m.

   MDC and partners also offer other Eagle Days events throughout Missouri.

   A new event this year is Missouri River Eagle Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at LaBenite Park in Sugar Creek, Mo. The park is on the south side of the river east of the Missouri 291 Bridge in the heart of the Kansas City metro area. The free program open to all will include live captive eagle displays, nature stations and youth activities. Also, there will be boat tours on the Missouri River to watch for eagles. Boat tour space is limited and advance registration is required, with registration beginning Dec. 1 by calling 816-228-3766.

   The 21st annual Smithville Lake Eagle Days will be Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10. The event will also include raptor programs and guided eagle viewing areas lakeside.

  For information about these and other Eagle Days events throughout Missouri, and for eagle viewing sites throughout winter, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays.

Discover nature with MDC Eagle Days events around the state

Events include live captive-eagles, exhibits, activities, videos and guides with spotting scopes.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- From December through February, Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Discover nature with Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Eagle Days events around the state, or enjoy eagle-viewing on your own.

Because of its big rivers, many lakes and 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. 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.

The following locations are hot spots for eagle viewing and MDC offers Eagle Days events on the dates listed. The events include live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos and guides with spotting scopes:

·         Dec. 7-8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City. Call 816-271-3100 for more information.

·         Jan. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Jan. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Smithville Lake north of Kansas City. Call 816-532-0174 for more information.

·         Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Call 417-888-4237 for more information.

·         Jan. 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 in St. Louis. Call 314-877-1309 for more information.

·         Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lock and Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater in Clarksville. Call 660-785-2420 for more information.

·         Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schell City Community Center in downtown Schell City and the MDC Schell Osage Conservation area north of El Dorado Springs. Call 417-876-5226 for more information.

Can’t make an Eagle Days event? Other hot spots for winter eagle viewing include:

·         Lake of the Ozarks Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell

·         Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia

·         Lock and Dam 25 east of Winfield

·         Mingo National Wildlife refuge northwest of Puxico

·         Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary east of West Alton

·         Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner

·         Table Rock Lake southwest of Branson

·         Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw

For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays.

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Discover nature with Eagle Days around the state

Big rivers, many lakes and wetlands make Missouri especially attractive to bald eagles.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Because of its big rivers, many lakes and 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.

From December through February, Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Discover nature with Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Eagle Days events around the state, or enjoy eagle-viewing on your own. Eagle Days events include live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos and guides with spotting scopes. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don’t forget cameras and binoculars. Watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water’s edge. View them early in the morning to see eagles flying and fishing.

Eagle Days events:

•        Dec. 1-2 at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City (816-271-3100)

•        Jan. 5-6 at Smithville Lake north of Kansas City (816-532-0174)

•        Jan. 26-27 at Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville (660-785-2420)

•        Jan. 26-27 at MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center (417-888-4237)

•        Feb. 2 at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico (573-222-3589)

Other places for winter eagle viewing:

•        Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell

•        Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia

•        Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield

•        Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis

•        Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area east of West Alton

•        Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs

•        Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner

•        Table Rock Lake and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery southwest of Branson

•        Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw

Wings over Weston planned May 12 at Weston Bend State Park

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kansas City Area Outdoor Learning Opportunity

Learn all about the world of migratory and resident birds at the Wings over Weston event Saturday, May 12 at Weston Bend State Park near Weston. The event, a birding festival for the entire family, is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Activities will focus on birds, their ecosystems and bird watching. There will be guided bird hikes and programs on building bird houses and feeders, how to use binoculars and making bird masks and hats. Other activities will include face painting, mural painting, touch tables, story time, a migration obstacle course and more. Prizes, raffles, and refreshments will be offered throughout the day.

Special guests will include Operation Wildlife with live rescued birds and the Missouri River Bird Observatory in Marshall, who will band birds and allow children to release them into the wild. The Bluegrass Tornadoes with provide live entertainment, and Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will sell Missouri native plants for the benefit of Wings over Weston.

Wings over Weston is sponsored by Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri State Parks, Kansas City Power and Light, City of Weston, Platte County Parks and Recreation, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Volunteers will be on hand from the Missouri Master Naturalists Loess Hills and Osage Trails Chapters, The Wildlife Society from Missouri Western State University, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Friends of Squaw Creek.

Saturday’s event is part of a two-day program to celebrate the world of birds. On Friday, fourth grade students from the surrounding areas have been invited to visit the park for a hands-on experience about birds. The students will rotate among five educational stations staffed by trained volunteers.

This is the third year for Wings over Weston, which showcases the kind of landscape birds depend on to survive and thrive. Weston Bend State Park is part of an Important Bird Area or IBA. The IBA program is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds. The IBA that includes Weston Bend State Park is known as the Iatan/Weston River Corridor IBA and contains one of the largest surviving tracts of old-growth bottomland forest along the entire length of the Missouri River.

Weston Bend State Park is located south of Weston at 16600 Highway 45 North. For more information about the event, contact Weston Bend State Park at 816-640-5443. For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Discover Nature with Eagle Days

MDC offers events at locations around the state along with other viewing opportunities.

Courtesy MDC

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular as large numbers of our national symbol congregate along Missouri rivers, lakes and wetlands. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages people to discover nature through the following Eagle Days events, which include live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, guides with spotting scopes and refreshments:

·        Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Mound City, on Dec. 3-4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 816-271-3100.

·        Smithville Lake Little Platte Park Course Complex, Smithville, on Jan. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 816-532-0174.

·        Old Chain of Rock Bridge, St. Louis south of I-270 off Riverview Drive, on Jan. 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 314-877-1309.

·        Springfield Conservation Nature Center, Springfield, on Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 22 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 417-888-4237.

·        Lock & Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater with driving tour at Ted Shanks Conservation Area, Clarksville, on Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 660-785-2420.

·        Shell City Community Center and Shell Osage Conservation Area, Shell City, on Feb. 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 417-876-5226.

Can’t make Eagle Days? View eagles in the wild at numerous locations throughout the state including:

·        Lake of the Ozarks Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell

·        Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area off Route K southwest of Columbia

·        Lock & Dam 24 in Clarksville

·        Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield

·        Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico

·        Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis

·        Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary east of West Alton

·        Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs

·        Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City

·        Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner

·        Table Rock Lake southwest of Branson

·        Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw

Dress for the weather and don’t forget cameras and binoculars.

For an MDC brochure on Eagle Days, visit www.mdc.mo.gov and search “Eagle Days.”

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Trumpeter swans numerous at Squaw Creek refuge

Image via Wikipedia

KANSAS CITY Mo -- A majestic white bird – bunches of them -- may be on the water or wing for Eagle Days this weekend (Dec. 4-5) at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

The refuge staff on Monday counted 96 trumpeter swans making a migration stopover at the marshes, said Ron Bell, refuge manager. A few decades ago the swans, a species recovering from near extinction, were seen infrequently at the refuge. But the trumpeter population increased in recent years thanks to conservation and swan recovery programs.

“It’s unbelievable,” Bell said, adding that it’s one of the largest trumpeter tallies he’s seen in 23 years at the refuge. “They’re just everywhere.”

They will add bird watching variety when the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service host the 32nd annual Eagle Days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The activities will include captive eagle programs and observation stations along a driving tour for spotting eagles at refuge marshes.

Unless they head south, trumpeter swans will be among the bald eagles and thousands of ducks and geese present for viewing and photography. Most of the swans are congregated in the Pintail Pool on the west side of the refuge driving tour road, Bell said.

Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in North America with seven-foot wing spans, snow white plumage, black bills and a graceful elongated neck. They are the largest swans in the world.

Habitat destruction and market hunting dropped their numbers to fewer than 70 in the Lower 48 states by the early 1930s, with those birds concentrated at a location near Yellowstone National Park. Another population was later discovered in Alaska.

Today, there are only about 16,000 trumpeter swans in North America, and 13,000 of those are in Alaska, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The remainder nest during spring and summer in Canada, the upper West and the upper Midwest.

For information about trumpeter swan history and ecology in Missouri, go to the MDC web site at: http://xplor.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/trumpeter-swan.

The refuge, celebrating its 75th anniversary, is about 30 miles north of St. Joseph and reached off of Interstate 29 via Missouri 159.

For more information about Eagle Days, contact Squaw Creek at 660-442-3187, or the Missouri Department of Conservation at 816-271-3100.