Thousands attend Bald Eagle Watch at Starved Rock State Park

Each year Bald Eagles can be seen during January along the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park. The dam provides open water where the eagles gather to feed. Some years there are as many as 300 bald eagles fishing and nesting at Plum Island and the surrounding shoreline. Warmer temperatures prevented the river from freezing further north so there were fewer eagles this year. But whether you see 200 birds or just 1, it is still an incredible thrill to see a majestic Bald Eagle perched in a tree or soaring overhead.

On January 28-29, Illinois Audubon Society held its annual family event at Starved Rock, Bald Eagle Watch. Thousands of people come to the park from all over Illinois to see the eagles, watch The World Bird Sanctuary "Birds of Prey" show, learn about other conservation programs and organizations or enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. This year Openlands was at the event along with the Friends of Hackmatack supporting the proposal to create a new National Wildlife Refuge. We also joined with a coalition of local citizens to raise awareness about the proposed sand mineat the eastern edge of Starved Rock State Park.

Starved Rock State Park offers an incredible landscape of canyons, waterfalls and river overlooks that are even more stunning in winter. These features punctuated by wildlife like the Bald Eagle give a true sense of the importance of protecting our land and water for now and future generations.