Tips for Watching Bald Eagles Along the Great River Road in Illinois

I live approximately three miles from the Great River Road, which runs alongside the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers between Alton, Illinois and Pere Marquette Lodge, just outside of Grafton, Illinois. During the cold winter months, the bluffs that run alongside the road are the site of the world's second largest overwintering home for Bald Eagles. People come from all over the nation, either on their own or with tours, to watch these majestic birds fly high in the ski, nest in the nearby trees, and dive into the icy river for a daily catch. You should know a few things, before you venture into the Alton/Grafton area to watch the Bald Eagles.

Where to Watch Bald Eagles

The Great River Road between Alton and Grafton is approximately 20 miles long. Some of the better sites for watching the Bald Eagle are near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, right across the Mississippi River on the Missouri side near the Clark Bridge, Pere Marquette State Park, and The Nature Institute, which is located on top the bluffs.

Tips for Watching Bald Eagles

-Even if you have excellent eyesight, take a pair of binoculars. Even a small pair will enhance your vision to give you a great bird watching experience.

-Look for the baseballs in the trees. Baseball is a term used by experienced Bald Eagle watchers because the head of a Bald Eagle resembles that of a baseball and is easier to spot amongst the branches of trees.

-Be sure to dress warm. Peak time for Bald Eagle watching is winter, so you will want to be appropriately clothed. Take along a thermos full of your favorite hot drink.

-Get an early start. Bald Eagles like to feed between sunrise and 9:00 a.m., which makes this the time when they are the most active.

-Do not try to watch the Bald Eagles from your vehicle while driving along the River Road. The Sam Vadalabene Trail runs beside the River Road and there are always people hiking and biking along this paved path. Check with the Alton Tourist Center before venturing up the River Road and they will tell you the best places to park and watch the Bald Eagles.

-Take advantage of the many viewing sites. Choose several viewing sites to watch the Bald Eagles, as they are all along the river. I often see them along the Mississippi River when I drive down Riverview Drive, going to work in St. Louis.

-Be patient and quiet. Try not to startle the Eagles, as they need to conserve their energy to stay warm. Bald Eagle watching is not a hurried event, take your time and you will be amazed at what you see.

My Favorite Spot for Watching Bald Eagles

Along the River Heritage Parkway (known in Alton as the Berm Highway), across from the Melvin Price Locks and Dam is a tree where each year, a pair of Eagles makes their nest and raises their young. There is plenty of room on the shoulder of the road to park or you can park at the locks and dam and walk back to this location. Over the years, protective metal barriers have been put up around the bottom of the tree to keep natural predators out of the Eagles nest. These barriers make it easy to spot the location from the road.

Source: Myself, Alton Tourist Center