ST. LOUIS — Bundle up, grab your binoculars and look to the sky! It's peak eagle-watching season in the Show Me State, and the St. Louis area is home to some of the best spots for viewing bald eagles.
Although they are a symbol of freedom and strength in the U.S., the species was once in danger of extinction. Only 415 nesting pairs were known to exist in 1963, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Protections set in place through the Endangered Species Act led to the species' recovery. By 2020, the population climbed to about 71,500 nesting pairs.
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More than 400 active bald eagle nests have been recorded in Missouri, making it one of the leading lower 48 states for winter bald eagle viewing, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. America's bird can be found foraging near the state's lakes, rivers and marshes from late December to early February.
According to the MDC, here are some of the best spots for eagle-watching in the state:
- Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access, east of Bagnell.
- Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K, southwest of Columbia.
- Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville.
- Lock & Dam 25, east of Winfield.
- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Puxico.
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, south of Interstate 270, off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis.
- Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, east of West Alton.
- Schell-Osage Conservation Area, north of El Dorado Springs.
- Smithville Lake, north of Kansas City.
- Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, south of Mound City.
- 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.
The MDC recommends watching for the birds to be perched in large trees along the water's edge. For the best views, get out early in the morning to spot the eagles flying and fishing.
For those who don't want to go out bird-watching alone, the MDC offers a variety of learning and viewing experiences for all ages throughout the eagle-watching season. For a list of Eagles Days events taking place this year, click here.
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