MDC's Springfield Nature Center to host Eagle Days

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News from the region
Southwest
Published Date
01/06/2015
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – In winter, Missouri is an excellent state to view bald eagles. At this time of year, the state's small resident eagle population is swelled by migrating birds from the north. Missouri's mid-winter bald eagle count often numbers more than 2,000 birds.

People will have an excellent opportunity to learn about bald eagles at the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Eagle Days on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 at MDC's Springfield Conservation Nature Center in Springfield. Programs will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 17 and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 18.

When you see a bald eagle, you're viewing one of North America's truly spectacular creatures. Its large size (a wing span of up to eight feet), the striking contrast of its white head against its dark body and its fierce expression are among the reasons this bird has always been an impressive sight to humans.

The indoors portion of the Eagle Days events at the Nature Center will include an opportunity to view a live captive bald eagle furnished by Dickerson Park Zoo of Springfield and to see programs conducted by docents from the zoo. Spotting scopes will be set up outside of the Springfield/Greene County Parkboard's Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina for chances to view some of the eagles that winter at Lake Springfield each year.

For more information about Eagle Days, call 417-888-4237. MDC's Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located in southeast Springfield at 4601 S. Nature Center Way.

This is one of several Eagle Days events MDC holds at locations around the state. Information about these events and about bald eagles can be found at mdc.mo.gov.