Rock Island District / Missions / Recreation / Illinois Waterway / Eagle Watching

Eagle Watching on the Illinois Waterway

Every year tens of thousands of people flock to the Midwest to view bald eagles gathering to feed along major waterways. They have come to catch a glimpse, perhaps for the first time, of our national symbol.

Thousands of bald eagles over-winter along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers near the lock and dams because the turbulence created below the dams provides open water and a smorgasbord of stunned fish to feast on. In addition, the wooded bluffs that overlook the rivers are excellent habitat for roosting and nesting. 

Bald eagle watches take place in many areas across the Midwest throughout January and February, but eagles can be seen from mid December through early March, depending on the weather conditions. As warm weather arrives, many eagles begin their journey back north to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada to prepare for the nesting season.

Lock & Dam Eagle Counts

Each winter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, conducts eagle counts to monitor the presence of the American bald eagle near locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The surveys are conducted at 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday and published to the web for public information.

Click the title of the lock and dam in the list below to view this year's count information. 

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 31162Collapse List item 31162  Marseilles Lock & Dam - Marseilles, Illinois

Date

Adults

Juveniles

Temperature

12/4/24

1

1

32

12/11/24

3

1

29

12/18/24

2

1

31

12/24/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/31/24

3

0

36

1/8/25

3

0

14

1/15/25

2

1

3

1/22/25

5

1

14

1/29/25

2

1

34

2/5/25

5

2

27

2/12/25

4

2

24

2/19/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/26/25

      
Expand List item 31158Collapse List item 31158  Peoria Lock & Dam - Creve Coeur, Illinois

 

Date

Adults

Juveniles

Temperature

12/4/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/11/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/18/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/24/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/31/24

NO

REPORT

--

1/8/25

NO

REPORT

--

1/15/25

NO

REPORT

--

1/22/25

NO

REPORT

--

1/29/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/5/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/12/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/19/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/26/25

      
Expand List item 31157Collapse List item 31157  Starved Rock Lock & Dam - Ottawa, Illinois

Date

Adults

Juveniles

Temperature

12/4/24

2

0

37

12/11/24

0

1

31

12/18/24

2

2

33

12/24/24

2

0

40

12/31/24

NO

REPORT

--

1/8/25

3

2

19

1/15/25

8

3

9

1/22/25

6

3

12

1/29/25

1

2

41

2/5/25

1

0

28

2/12/25

0

3

27

2/19/25

2

3

10

2/26/25

      
Expand List item 31156Collapse List item 31156  LaGrange Lock & Dam - Versailles, Illinois

Date

Adults

Juveniles

Temperature

12/4/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/11/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/18/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/24/24

NO

REPORT

--

12/31/24

NO

REPORT

--

1/8/25

NO

REPORT

--

1/15/25

NO

REPORT

--

1/22/25

NO

REPORT

--

1/29/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/5/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/12/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/19/25

NO

REPORT

--

2/26/25

      

Resources

Jan. 24-25, 2026

 

ALL WEEKEND: 
Starved Rock Audubon Society members will have viewing scopes set up at the Illinois Waterway Vistor Center and be available to answer all eagle questions.

SATURDAY - January 24, 2026

“Live Birds of Prey”
Showtimes: 10am & 12pm
Description: 45-minute, Live Birds of Prey Show
Presented by: Stillman Nature Center
Theater Capacity: 75 people maximum

“History of Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary”
Showtime: 1:30pm
Description: A look back on the history of Plum Island; how it transformed from airport to Bald Eagle Sanctuary
Presented by: Starved Rock Audubon
Theater Capacity: 75 people maximum

"Children's Owl Pellet Dissection"
Program Time: 3:30pm
Presented by: Wildlife Prairie Park
Description: 45-minute, hands on owl pellet dissection; Learn about and interact with local owl species
Theater Capacity: 35 Children Maximum; No Adults

SUNDAY - January 25, 2026

“Live Birds of Prey”
Showtimes: 10am & 12pm
Description: 45-minute, Live Birds of Prey Show
Presented by: Wings and Talons
Theater Capacity: 75 people maximum

"Through the Lens: Bald Eagle Photography"
Program Time: 1:30pm
Description: A discussion about experiences photographing Bald Eagles; tips on successfully photographing them in the wild
Presented by: Matthew Klein
Theater Capacity: 75 people maximum

"Make, Take & Learn Bald Eagle Puppets"
Program Time: 3:30pm
Presented by: Natalie Martin
Description: Make your own Bald Eagle puppet; learn facts and hear stories about these majestic creatures
Theater Capacity: 30 Children Maximum; No Adults
 

Events will also take place at: 

Starved Rock Lodge
Utica Village Hall
Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center

 

For a complete listing of weekend activities and times visit: 
Eagle Watch Weekend 2026