15th annual Bald Eagle Watch Weekend set for Jan. 28 and 29

OTTAWA — The Illinois Audubon Society and the Corps of Engineers Waterway Visitor Center will conduct the 15th annual Bald Eagle Watch Weekend on Jan. 28 and 29.

Activities and events will be presented at Starved Rock Lodge and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each each. The trolley from Starved Rock Lodge will provide shuttle service between the areas for a nominal fee.

Visitors to the park and visitor center will see America's symbol in the wild as bald eagles search for fish in the open waters just below the dam.

Live raptors, including bald eagles, will be showcased several times daily during programs inside Starved Rock Lodge and the Waterway Visitor Center. The programs are free but tickets are required and may be picked up at each location the weekend of the event.

Other activities at Starved Rock Lodge include exhibits by numerous nature and conservation organizations. At 11 a.m., Rich Escutia, master falconer, will speak about the history falconry accompanied by three of his hunting birds. At 1 p.m., Steve Seaborn, historian, will speak about the immigrants who came to this valley. Volunteers from the Starved Rock Foundation will offer children's activities at the State Park Visitor Center and eagle viewing from the top of Starved Rock.

In addition to the raptor education programs at the Waterway Visitor Center, there will be presentations of Native American Eagle dancing, face painting and suet feeder make-n-take for all to enjoy. There will be indoor and outdoor eagle viewing through high powered spotting scopes with local Audubon members on hand to answer questions. Food will be available for purchase from several non-profit organizations.

For more information, call the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at 815-667-4054 or view the website at illinoisaudubon.org.