Eagles continue to soar around Alton

While eagle counts may not have yet reached the same heights as previous years, the best could still be yet to come as the migration continues well into February and March.  Eagles can be spotted while traveling along the meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway from Alton to Grafton, Ill., and eagle programming is just getting off the ground with events happening throughout the month of February.

From guided tours to eagle meet and greets, there are plenty of opportunities to see the eagles along the Byway all around Alton, Ill. Visitors can go to www.VisitAlton.com for the latest eagle counts, a complete listing of eagle watching activities or call 1-800-ALTON-IL to receive a free Eagle Watcher's Guide.

The eagle counts are changing daily. Colder temperatures and a frozen river early in the season forced many eagles to travel further south in search of open waters for food.

Admittedly, the eagle counts are not quite what they may have been in past years, but there are still plenty of eagles to be seen.

Reports of eagle counts from regional eagle watching hot spots, have ranged from 61 eagles at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary to eight eagles near the marina at Pere Marquette State Park.

Eagle watching tours through Pere Marquette State Park are just starting to come into full swing, with tours offered through March 7.  Tours are free, but reservations are required. For more information, call 618-786-3323, ext. 1.