MDC invites public to Eagle Days at Springfield Nature Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – In winter, Missouri is an excellent state to view bald eagles. During this time of year, the state’s small resident eagle population is swelled by migrating birds from the north to increase the numbers to more than 2,500 eagles during some winters.

Learn more about bald eagles at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Eagle Days event on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 at MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center in southeast Springfield at 4601 S. Nature Center Way. The free event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 20 and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 21.

The indoor portion of the Eagle Days, which will be at the Nature Center, includes activities, crafts, and an opportunity to view a live captive bald eagle furnished by Dickerson Park Zoo of Springfield. On Jan. 20, live eagle programs will be held every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Jan. 21, programs will be at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Also as part of the Eagle Days event, spotting scopes will be set up outside the Springfield/Greene County Park Board’s Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina for chances to view eagles at Lake Springfield. For more information about Eagle Days, call 417-888-4237 or visit https://mdc.mo.gov/eagledays.

Information about bald eagles in Missouri can also be found at https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bald-eagle