Welcome The Bald Eagles Back To Hideaway Harbor Park Feb. 8

Join the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department
for the annual Bald Eagle Winter Watch program, from 9 a.m. – 1p.m., on
Saturday, Feb. 8, at Hideaway Harbor Park, 1550 Hideaway Harbor Dr., in Portage
des Sioux, 63373, to view live eagles and learn why these majestic birds return
every winter. To celebrate the arrival of our national icon to the area, the
parks department is offering several birding activities for the public to
participate in while visiting. From 9:30 – 11: 30 a.m., get an up close and
personal look at an American bald eagle presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. Through
high-powered telescopes, provided by the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
(ASEM), spectators will get a chance to view eagles nesting in the trees, in
flight, and feeding off the open Mississippi River waters. Park staff will also
offer educational eagle presentations and park history tours at the top of
every hour, beginning at 9 a.m. through noon. Children will also enjoy
assisting staff with building a life-size eagles nest – perfect for photos! A
fire ring and hot cocoa will be offered to combat the winter chill.

During this free program, park staff will be available to
answer questions about the eagle’s feeding habits, their migration patterns,
the structure of their nest, as well as explain the rich history of Hideaway
Harbor Park and other birds that live in the 49-acre park. Guests will also
have the opportunity to walk to the outskirts of this riverside park that
mirrors the scenic Alton bluffs to get the best views of these majestic
birds. 

Each year, more than 2,000 bald eagles have been reported to
migrate to Missouri during the winter season. Eagle watching is usually best
during the morning hours when the majestic birds are most active fishing and
are frequently seen perching in trees along the river.