MDC will help host the 41st annual Eagle Days Dec. 7-8 at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can see wild eagles during the refuge driving tour, a captive eagle show by Dickerson Park Zoo staff, and migrating waterfowl using the refuge wetlands such as trumpeter swans. (Photos by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation)

The 41st annual Eagle Days at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will be Saturday, December 7, 2019.

As waterfowl migrate south on winter winds, stopping to rest on open water, bald eagles follow. The migration will be featured Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, at the 41st annual Eagle Days at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Mo. The wetlands at Loess Bluffs attract thousands of waterfowl and dozens of eagles to Holt County in northwest Missouri.

This event is hosted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at Loess Bluffs NWR in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and volunteers.

Visitors to the free Eagle Days event can see special displays and a captive eagle show by staff at from the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Mo. Wild eagles can also be spotted along with waterfowl during a driving tour through the refuge. Special stations along the route will be staffed with refuge staff and volunteers offering information about wetland ecology and helping visitors spot wildlife.

Activities throughout the day include live captive eagle programs provided by Dickerson Park Zoo; drive around the refuge auto tour route independently or take advantage of a free guided bus tour and stop at eagle viewing stations staffed by volunteers to view eagles up close with spotting scopes. There will be special eagle exhibits on display and Remington Nature Center volunteers to help with crafts for kids. Fairytale Face Paint will be available for magical face painting creations on Saturday. The Midland Empire Audubon Society will be selling wild bird seed and feeders and the Nature Shop will be open in the visitor center. Mound City Boy Scouts will have food and drink for sale on Saturday and Sunday or visit the local community for more food options.

SATURDAY, DEC. 7–

• Eagle shows, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., every hour on the hour.

• Free guided bus tours each half hour, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Free shuttle bus, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., available from the alternate parking area located near the Garden Inn Truck Stop.

SUNDAY, DEC. 8–

• Eagle shows, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every hour on the hour.

• Free guided bus tours every hour, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Alternate parking for passenger cars and groups will be provided near the Garden Inn Truck Stop, located on the corner of Highway 159 and Exit 79 off of I-29 (south of Mound City), three miles away from the refuge.

For current bird survey numbers or questions about programs and the event flyer at Loess Bluffs NWR, http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Loess_Bluffs/. In case of inclement weather, check the Loess Bluffs NWR Facebook page or listen to local radio and local TV for updates for the Eagle Days event.

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is located in Northwest Missouri near Mound City. Take Interstate 29 to Exit 79 south of Mound City, Missouri then travel south 2½ miles on U.S. Highway 159. For more information call 660-442-3187.