Eagle Watch Weekend 2024

Eagle Watch Weekend
January 27 & 28, 2024

Events set to take place at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center have been moved to the GYM at the Utica Village Hall.

Events planned for Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center have been moved to Starved Rock Lodge, except for guided hikes which will still depart from the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center at 11am and 2pm (Saturday and Sunday).

Credit: Matthew Klein Photography

Eagle Watch Weekend is a two-day, family-friendly event in Starved Rock Country that celebrates the American Bald Eagle in Illinois. This event will offer many programs, activities and exhibits occurring simultaneously at four locations: Starved Rock Lodge, Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, the Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center and the Gym at Utica Village Hall, which are all within a short driving distance. All events are free and open to the public. If you’ve never seen an eagle in person, this is the perfect event for you! Gather up the entire family and make this a fun family weekend surrounded by nature.

Eagle Watch Weekend is presented by: Enjoy LaSalle County • Illinois Department of Natural Resources • Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center • US Army Corps of Engineers & the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center • Heritage Corridor Destinations & the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center • Illinois Raptor Center • Starved Rock Foundation • Village of North Utica

About the Trolley Shuttle: The Starved Rock Trolley will run throughout the weekend (from 9am to 4pm, both days). Trolley wristbands are $5.00 each and allow passengers unlimited rides from the Lodge to the Visitor Centers. On Sunday, there will also be a trolley stop at the Utica Community Gym and Starved Rock Country Welcome Center. Purchase wristbands as you board the trolley.

ILLINOIS WATERWAY VISITOR CENTER
950 27th Rd.; Ottawa, IL
(815) 667-4054

ATTENTION: All events taking place at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center have been moved to the GYM at the Utica Village Hall

SATURDAY - January 27, 2024

“Raptor Awareness”
Showtimes: 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Description: 45-minute, live Birds of Prey Show
Presented by: Hoo Haven
Theater capacity: 75 people maximum

SUNDAY - January 28, 2024

Photographing Raptors & Wildlife
Showtime: 10:00am – 10:45am
Presented by: David Anderson, Professional Photographer
Bio: David is an Ottawa native, has been photographing natural beauty in the area since 2001, where he first encountered the wildflowers found at Starved Rock State Park.
Description: Improve your skills as a nature photographer.
Bring your own camera. Part of session will be outdoors.
Theater capacity: 75 people maximum

Falconry
Showtime: 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Presented by: Great Lakes Falconry Association
Description: Birds of prey & the ancient art of falconry.
Theater capacity: 75 people maximum

Bald Eagle Craft and Storytime
Event time: 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Presented by: Park Ranger Sarah Fisher
Description: Children will make an eagle headband & enjoy storytime.
A costumed eagle will be in attendance.
Theater capacity: 25 people maximum

All weekend:
Starved Rock Audubon Society members will have viewing scopes and be available to answer all eagle questions.

STARVED ROCK LODGE
1 Lodge Lane; Oglesby, IL
(815) 667-4211

SATURDAY - January 27, 2024

Visit the exhibits in the Great Hall from 9am to 4pm both days.
Click here to learn more about the exhibitors.

Raptor Awareness
Showtimes: 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Presented by: Illinois Raptor Center
Description: 45-minute Live Birds of Prey Show
Location: Great Hall West (Starved Rock Room)
Tickets will be available two hours prior to each show. There is no cost to attend this show, but you do need a ticket. Tickets will be available in the Great Hall starting at 8am (for the 10am show). Limit of 10 tickets per person. Seating is limited to 185 people per show.

SUNDAY - January 28, 2024

Bald Eagle Craft and Storytime
Event time: 10:00am – 10:45am
Presented by: Natalie Martin, Master Naturalist
Description: Children will make an eagle headband & enjoy storytime.
A costumed eagle will be in attendance.
Location: Great Hall West (Starved Rock Room)

Photography Seminar
Session time: 1:00pm-1:45pm
Presented by: Sandra Rust, Professional Photographer
Bio: Sandra Rust studied graphic design, fine art and photography at Columbia College in Chicago. She presently works as a photographer and web/graphic designer. She loves sharing her love of photographing birds throughout the region.
Location: Great Hall West (Starved Rock Room)
Description: Improve your skills as a nature photographer.
Bring your own camera. Part of session will be outdoors.

“Raptor Awareness”
Showtime: 3:00pm-3:45pm
Presented by: Illinois Raptor Center
Description: Live Birds of Prey Show
Location: Great Hall West (Starved Rock Room)

GYM AT UTICA VILLAGE HALL
248 W Canal Street; Utica, IL

SUNDAY - January 28, 2024

Click here to register for a “Meet & Greet” Session

Meet and Greet
Event time: 10am-10:45am
Presented by: Illinois Raptor Center
Description: Get up close and take your own photos with live birds of prey.
Cost: Admission is free, but pre-registration is required.

Meet and Greet
Event time: 1pm-1:45pm
Presented by: Illinois Raptor Center
Description: Get up close and take your own photos with live birds of prey.
Cost: Admission is free, but pre-registration required.

Meet and Greet
Event time: 3pm-3:45pm
Presented by: Illinois Raptor Center
Description: Get up close and take your own photos with live birds of prey.
Cost: Admission is free, but pre-registration is required.

STARVED ROCK STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER
2678 East 873 Road; Oglesby, IL
(815) 667-4726

ATTENTION: Events taking place at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center have been moved to Starved Rock Lodge, except for guided hikes.

SATURDAY - January 27, 2024

Raptor Awareness
Showtimes: 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Presented by: Illinois Raptor Center
Description: 45-minute Live Birds of Prey Show
Cost: Admission is free, but seating is limited.
Room Capacity: 80 people maximum

Guided Hike
Departure times: 11:00am and 2:00pm
Description: Take a guided hike to Starved Rock where you will learn about and observe Bald Eagles
Cost: Admission is free, but pre-registration is required.

SUNDAY: January 28, 2024

Bald Eagle Craft and Storytime State Park
Event time: 10am-10:45am
Presented by: Lisa Sons, Starved Rock State Park Naturalist
Description: Children will make an eagle headband & enjoy storytime. A costumed eagle will be in attendance.
Location: Audio/Visual Room next to Front Desk
Room Capacity: 40 people maximum (Indoor event)

Guided Hike
Departure times: 11:00am and 2:00pm
Description: Take a guided hike to Starved Rock
where you will learn about and observe Bald Eagles.
Location: Depart from front of the Visitor Center

Matthew Klein Photography Session
Presented by: Matthew Klein, Professional Photographer
Bio: Matthew Klein is a Starved Rock area photographer & videographer. He enjoys teaching photography and combines his interest in hiking with his passion for photography.
Event time: 1pm-1:45pm
Description: Improve your skills as a nature photographer.
Bring your own camera. Part of session will be outdoors.
Room Capacity: 80 people maximum

Owl Program
Event time: 3pm-3:45pm
Presented by: Mac Chamberlain
Description: Learn about current research and conservation efforts for owl species in Illinois.
Location: Audio/Visual Room next to Front Desk
Room Capacity: 80 people maximum