MDC Twin Pines Conservation Education Center to host Eagle Days event Jan. 23

WINONA, Mo. - See just how majestic a bald and golden eagle are up-close with the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) free Eagle Days event at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center (CEC) in Winona.

Advance registration is required and can be completed online at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202985.

The center is partnering with Dickerson Park Zoo to bring the eagles for guests to ask questions and learn fun eagle facts. The fishing pond and trails at Twin Pines will remain open to visitors during this time.

"Eagle sightings are on the rise in our area, so we're offering this opportunity to learn more about them, how to identify them, and how to be a friend to them and other wildlife," said Reva Dow, Twin Pines CEC Manager. "This is one of several programs scheduled during our seasonal closure that occurs from December through March."

Because of Missouri's big rivers, many lakes, and abundant wetlands, Dow said the Show-Me state is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing year-round. And each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in Missouri.

Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food, she said.

According to Janet Haslerig, MDC Avian Ecologist, eagle numbers have increased to around 607 active bald eagle nests in Missouri as of 2024.

Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days, and visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/events by searching "Eagle Days."

If cancelation occurs due to inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center.

Twin Pines is located one mile east of Winona on U.S. Highway 60.

Eagle Watching on Your Own

Can't make an MDC Eagle Days event? Other local events and hot spots for winter eagle viewing include:

• Duck Creek Conservation Area north of Puxico on Highway 51 in Stoddard
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge on Hwy 51 in Stoddard County
• Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell
• Lock & Dam 20 in Canton
• Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville
• Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield
• Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City
• Moses Eagle Park in Stella
• Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off Riverview Drive in St. Louis
• Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area east of West Alton
• Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs
• Smithville Lake north of Kansas City
• Stockton Lake near Stockton
• 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
• Wappapello Lake's Eagle Point in southeast Missouri

For more information on bald eagles, visit the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bald-eagle.