Eagle Watching

Dec. 26, 2025; Jan. 31, 2026; Feb. 4, 7, 11, 21, 24, 26, 28, 2026; March 7, 2026

• Reservations Required (starting Nov. 15)
• Informative Programs begin at the park visitor center at 8:30 a.m.
  
• Video Presentation
• Observational Driving Tour of Eagle Watching Locations near the Park
• For additional information, call 618-786-3323 

Jan. 9-11, 2026

Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days Admission and more information; call 309-788-2543. 

• Eagle Viewing/Live Programs, interpretive programs, live bird of prey shows - The World Bird Sanctuary
  
• Craft & Lore Demonstration
  
• Wildlife & Art Show & Sale
• Admission Charged
  
• For more information, contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center at 309-794-5338

Jan. 2, 2026

• Eagle Viewing Walks
• Kids Activities
• Ice Sculpting
• Wildlife Art/Photography
• Free Admission and shuttle tours available for more information call 618-465-6676

Jan. 10, 2026

• Four Rivers is a favorite hangout of bald eagles during the colder months. Celebrate these fascinating birds of prey with guided hikes, family activities, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
  
• Dress for the weather and use caution while walking outdoors as snow and ice may be present on paths and parking areas.
  
• For more information call the Forest Preserve District of Will County at 815-722-9470

Jan. 18, 2026

• Festival will feature live music and entertainment by the World Bird Sanctuary as they showcase the Bald Eagle and several other raptor species in their Masters of the Sky Show at 11 a.m., 1 p.m, & 3 p.m.
  
• $5 Tickets for the shows can be purchased on the web site in advance or at the Front Desk at 10 a.m. the morning of the Festival.
• Unique vendor booths, grab a bite to eat in the restaurant, taste locally made wines.
• The Bald Eagle Festival takes place indoors. Entry into the Festival is free. 618-786-2331 ext. 338
  

Jan. 24 & 25, 2026

• Lots of great family-friendly fun activities 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Guided Eagles Tours at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  
• Live Birds of Prey Show with Illinois Raptor Center.
• Free Admission

• Eagle Watch, a collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Carlyle Lake Project and Case-Halstead Public Library, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31.
• The World Bird Sanctuary will present two "All About Eagles" programs, one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m., featuring a live bald eagle and offering a closer look at the fascinating nature of this iconic species.
• While the event is free, tickets are required to ensure a quality experience and manage limited parking. A maximum of 120 participants per session will be allowed. 
• There will be an eagle craft station for children, along with eagle identification sheets and maps of local eagle nests around Carlyle Lake. 

• Bird watching at various locations in Lewsitown and Havana.
  
• Food will be available for purchase.
• Kids activities.
• Sponsored by Forbes and Illinois River Biological Stations, Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds, Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, Therkilden Field Station at Emiquon, The Nature Conservancy, USFW Illinois River Refuges Complex.

Feb. 7, 2026

The public is invited to come to join at the lower dam in Rock Falls to view the eagles. Then head over to the Rock Falls American Legion in Rock Falls, at 10 a.m. There will be nature-related vendors at this event and a speaker or two about birds. 

• 9 a.m. meet at the lower dam (142 W. 1st Street) to view the eagles along the Rock River.
• 10 a.m. Rock Falls American Legion (712 4th Ave.) speakers and nature-related vendors. 
• All activities are free.

March 7, 2026

• Eagle watching with spotting scopes 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  
• Presentations by the World Bird Sanctuary
  
• Animology presentations
• Children's craft
• Experience the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia River
• Tour the Jerry F. Colstello Lock and Dam
• Families & leash-trained dogs welcome
• Food trucks on site.
  
• For more information, contact the U.S., Army Corps of Engineers Kaskaskia River Project Office at 618-284-7160.

January - February 2026

The U.S. Army Corps of The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes visitors to see bald eagles at lock and dams along the Mississippi River each winter.

Feb. 7, 2026

The Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton, Missouri, will host its annual Bald Eagle Days on Saturday, Feb. 7. The event features an eagle presentation, a life-sized bald eagle replica nest, educational tables, food and drinks. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is a partner in hosting the event with the Missouri Department of Conservation and others.

Jan. 24-25

Family activities and live entertainment throughout the day at the Oakley Lindsay Center and eagle watching at Lock and Dam 21.

Additional details available on the See Quincy website. 

In addition to special events, bald eagles have been found wintering throughout Illinois at locations including the Illinois and Michigan Canal and Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in northeast Illinois; at locations all along the Illinois River; along open waters on the Du Page River and Fox River in northeast Illinois, including Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry; at Volo Bog State Natural Area, Ingleside; along the Des Plaines River near Channahon State Park, Channahon; near the I-88 bridge in North Aurora on the Fox River; on the Fox River at the Pleasant Valley Forest Preserve in Woodstock; and, along the Rock River at locations including Lowden State Park, Oregon, Illinois.