Illinois
Sept. 17, 2009 I was headed north on Caledonia Road in Boone County Illinois having just gotten on the road from Rt.76. As I went over the little creek, there was a Bald Eagle sitting in a dead tree to the west. This is not the first time I have seen a bald eagle in this area of Illinois. Last December 29th I saw a bald eagle flying south following the Kishwaukee River. It passed over my car as I crossed the bridge just outside of the Cherry Valley. To see that eagle coming straight at me was a beautiful sight!
H. VanUtt
my family and i saw a bald eagle on a sand bar in the kishwakee river in rockford illinois. it was so cool it flew in landed looked around in the water then flew away. We have never seen them here before.
Steve Vercande
My son and I saw a bald eagle in Rockford IL on Saturday 9-19-09. Took a couple pictures of it. Amazing - I have never seen one in Illinois before.
Bill Boeckmann, Ingleside IL
9/13/09 - Naperville, IL. My daughter and I saw two young bald eagles at the top of a pine tree at the corner of Book Road and 104th St. One of them was dining on a rabbit or some other small animal.
Tom Casey
9/7/09 - My wife and I were kayaking the Fox River on Labor Day 2009 and we spotted our first Bald Eagle perched high in a tree. We were located about 0.5 miles North of Millington where we made our sighting.
Dan and Mila Sokolowski
9-5-09 We saw a Bald Eagle flying over the Boone County Conservation today. It was awesome! Heading North. There was no mistaking it's white head and tail feathers.
Kelly Kennedy, Rick Schultz, Scruffy, Bud and Comet
Belvidere, IL
Feb. 22nd. My husband & I just had an adult Bald Eagle soaring & circling around our pond in our back yard. We live in Elburn @ Rt. 47 & Seavey Road, just north of I88. It just so happened that we also had a mink in our pond the same morning!
Denise Rogers
I observed a bald eagle in downtown Elgin, IL at 1:15 pm, 2/20/09. It was soaring about 200 feet above the Fox River and about 200 feet north of the riverboat casino.
David Martinez
I live near Elmwood, IL. Today I saw both a juvenile and an adult bald eagle along IL Route 8 about 2 miles west of Kickapoo/Edwards road.
- Colleen Karn
February 19th at 3 pm, spotted one Bald Eagle soaring and circling 100 yards off the fox River in Dundee IL.
Robert Gorman
I saw a bald eagle Saturday on the Fox River, next to the I-88 bridge in North Aurora, Illinois. First time I had seen one this far south.
Cathy Becker
My wife and I went on Sunday, Feb. 8 to Lock No. 13 at Fulton -IL. on the Mississippi River. We saw about 50 eagles there fishing in open waters at the south side of the lock and dam.
Later we traveled to the Iowa side and went to Bellevue at Lock No. 12. There were about 40 birds there fishing at the south side of the lock. One larger bird hauled a fish carcass up on the ice and about six different birds had a good meal. There is a nice Subway restaurant there with a great view of the lock and surrounding area which is nice if you want to get out of the cold for awhile. We did not see any birds between the two locks as the river seemed to be well frozen over still. We had a wonderful time.
Mike Ryan
Juvenile Bald Eagle spotted fishing along the Fox River in St. Charles IL on Saturday Feb. 7th 2009.
Mike Becker
My girlfriend and I were riding our horses on Saturday, February 7, 2008 and were delighted to see a Bald Eagle flying in the sky above us. It came down and got something of the ground and then flew away. We were riding in the Pleasant Valley Forest Preserve in Woodstock, IL. That is the first one I have ever seen in Illinois and it was very exciting and beautiful!
Denise Young
We live on the Fox River in Algonquin, Illinois, below the dam...We have had frequent eagles for about the last 9-10 years. Last year we had two, one bald and one juvenile bald, we think. >From your wonderful web site, we have determined that "he" indeed is still just 2-3 years old. He has gotten some more white on the back of his neck this past month. We had the pleasure of seeing him scoop up a fish, about 12 inches and watching him eat it in our tree. He likes to perch there. He and the mature bald eagle fly around wonderfully. Today I had the pleasure of watching the little guy, the more mature and even a third one ALL DAY long! The regular bald had gotten a fish today...The calls between the two mature balds was very interesting. They only "called" for a few seconds when they first became within distance from each other. They stayed perched for over 4 hours, then flew away. I am sure I will see them tomorrow. This morning while filming the little guy and the regular guy, two coyotes also ran along my base of the river on the snow covered ice traveling north towards the dam. Got them on film too.
Laura McCarthy
Spotted a Bald Eagle 2/2/09 4:30pm in Rockton,Illinois. Eagle was spotted on Old River Road between the Rock River and the Stephen Mack Middle School in the thick trees on the West side of the road just North of the Route 2 overpass perched in the top of a tree. First one I've ever seen around here. Hoping to see more.
Jim Hamby
My wife spotted two Bald eagles on county highway 1 five miles south of Taylorville IL on 1/31 2009. I was lucky enough to get some pictures.
Stephen Lecocq
I am not sure if the bird was an eagle, but my 13 year old daughter thought it was. January 26th, around 3:30 pm. We were driving over the bridge to Peoria, IL from East Peoria, IL on 74. I saw a bird souring over the river and then over the bridge. I thought to myself, that bird is really big and I noticed the wings and I thought is that an eagle? At the same time, my daughter said out loud, "That bird is huge. I think it's an eagle. That is an eagle." I couldn't look better or longer, because I was driving over a bridge and it flew above and then behind the van. I was trying to find a web site that would tell me whether or not eagles would be in the Peoria, IL area this time of year, when I came across this eagle sight site. We are going after school today to see if we can see the bird again.
Tonya Nagler
Spotted two adults and one juvenile perched in a tree about 20 miles east of Lock and Dam #11 on the Mississippi. Unusual for us to see multiple birds that far from the Mississippi. All the water around here is frozen so we were even more amazed when we saw them. They stayed one day and moved on.
Kevin Kavanaugh
Sunday, January 18, 2009 around 10:30 am a mature bald eagle was sighted in Willowbrook, Illinois on Clarendon Hills Road just North of 63rd Street. He was sitting in the tallest tree, then flew off to the West.
Suzanne Berglund
Mature Bald Eagle spotted and photographed soaring over the Rock River, northern edge of Oregon, IL about 3:30 PM on January 10, 2009. Temp: 20 deg F, Partly cloudy skies, light breeze.
Frank Masterman
I saw a Bald Eagle in Elgin, Illinois on January 05, 2009. It was standing on the edge of the ice on the Fox River watching the flowing water in the middle of the river. He/She was about 100 feet north of the Elgin Riverboat. I called a friend who has an office in downtown Elgin, I called her and she ran out and saw it as it was circling a downtown park.
Michael Kalland
We had a Bald Eagle eating a squirrel in our back yard on Friday,
Dec. 5, 2008 at 2:15 pm. We live 4 blocks south of 75th Street and 2 blocks east of RT 53 in Woodridge.
Bob & Mary K Paxson
We saw a bald eagle circling overhead above the visitor's station at the Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside on Thursday, November 13, 2008.
Gloria Morris
I observed an adult Bald Eagle at Busse Wood Forest Preserve in Schaumburg (Cook Co., IL) yesterday afternoon (February 29, 2008). It was flying over the open water of Salt Creek, on the north side of Higgins Road.
While 'googling' to see if there might be any other reports of Bald Eagles from this site in the past (I have seen one there during a fall migration a few years ago, but no others), I found your site.
It was interesting to see that Chris Huege had reported an eagle at that preserve on the south side of Higgins Road this past December. Now I wish I had birded this preserve more often this winter, to see if the eagle had stayed all winter!
Alan Anderson, Des Plaines
For the past 2 months I've been seeing between 10 and 100 Bald Eagles almost every day, the average is about 50 on any given day. Some day's their also a large number of white Pelicans. There is a large public boat ramp with a big parking lot right beside the bridge at US Hwy 54 Rockport, Illinois just across the Mississippi River from Louisiana, Missouri. The thousand's of dead fish on the ice provides for hours of viewing. There is also a large restaurant there with big picture windows where you can watch from inside. 02-24-08
Troy Macy
I observed a bald eagle on 185th street about 2 miles east of Prior Lake, MN this afternoon. I was able to watch the eagle for about ten minutes with binoculars. The eagle was perched in a tree top. It was a very pleasant observation looking at what seemed to be a very healthy bird.
Burdell (Dell) Oye
Last week(2 23-080 my husband I went down to view the swans that come in this time of year on the De plaine river in channohon and we spoted a bald eagle, today we went to bufflo rock down by starvered rock and we counted at least 30 and on plum island we seen between 5 to 8 eagles It was a very nice day and to see the eagle made it even better.
Monica Dunlap
2-22-08
Crossing over the Fox River in South Elgin, Illinois, I saw a bald eagle at about 7:10 a.m.
Michelle ZappiaEickmeier
I just wanted to take a moment and say thanks for the great website and the information you provide on eagles. I've been trying for several weeks now to get the perfect shot of one. I'm taking mine in Fulton, Il at lock & dam #13. I also met a uncle and niece there. The girl is 11 and has never seen an eagle, she was amazed.
Kevin Sinksen
Wow!
Today, 2/16/08 while letting the dogs back in the house we noticed a very large bird swoop down along the Fox River in front of our house in Johnsburg, Illinois (near McHenry/Fox Lake). It flew around for a minute and landed in a large tree along the river.It stayed there about 10 minutes…long enough for us to get some great pictures and long enough to make the "local" crows upset.The crows landed in the lower branches of the same tree and were very very loud, almost like an attempt to chase the Eagle away.After a few minutes he took off and flew along to river out of sight.
Lisa Perry
We counted a total of 25 bald eagles along the Mississippi River on the west side of Davenport around the I280 bridge and along the river road. Several of them were young and their head had not turned white yet. They were very close and a great sight to behold.
Knoblochs --Goodfield, IL
I live in Roscoe Illinois on the east side of the Rock River. The west side of the river is farm land. A pair of Bald Eagles will watch from a large branch overlooking the Rock River river. They show no fear of us or even my lb German Shepherd. This is the 4 year.. About 3:00 p.m. Feb,1 2008 we watched the pair fly over the house. I video taped the eagles last year swooping down from their look out branch to grasp a fish from Rock River. When I tell about seeing bald eagles in my back yard most would not of believed me without the tape.
Joseph Gulotta
We went to Starved Rock in Illinois on Monday, 1/28/08. We saw approximately 8 eagles near the locks. The temperature was about 42 and the eagles were pretty active. The best sightings were on a small pull off on the side of the road that goes to the Illinois Waterway Canal. There was only room for 2 cars but the eagles were in a tree straight across from us and were looking for food in the river.
Patricia Goeringer
I watched an eagle circle a little bit then fly northeast from a small wooded area in southeast Rockford, Illinois. I saw the beautiful sight at about 10:30 a.m. On January 16,2008.
Deborah Gilley-Cherry Valley, IL
Sighted at least 6 bald eagle males and/or females and immatures along highway 24 near Quincy, Illinois on January 13, 2008 in late morning. 1 adult and an immature landed in a barren field next to the highway. The area is less than a mile from the Mississippi River.
Vicky Carson
On December 11, 2008 at 8:00 am I sighted a bald eagle in the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village, IL on the South side of Route 72 between the road and the large narrow necked bay. Approximately at 42° 01' 48.50" N, 88° 00' 22.13" W. It was perched near the top of a tree at the water's edge.
Chris Huege
I work on the Illinois river in Naples, Il every day. We have about 10 to 12 eagles that have been staying and feeding on the fish that the wheel wash from our tug boat washes up. They are beautiful and I enjoy watching them.
Gary Brogdon
In early December I spotted a bald eagle casually flying over head while I was driving on Rt. 25 just north of Rt. 56, North Aurora. What a beautiful sight!
Susan Frick
Where's Info on the upcoming annual Eagle watch at Fulton Illinois on the Mississippi River. We have had a bountiful hatch of fledgings throughout pool 13 of the Mississippi River and the freeze up is on schedule which should bring large numbers here to winter.
Chauncy Gardner
2008 Bald Eagle Watch Events
Had to share that about a month ago, just before Halloween, in Aurora, Il.....witnessed what I initially thought was a Very large, dark brown Hawk, flying just above me in our cul de sac. We live in a very wooded area. Collecting mail,at the end of our driveway, there was a Huge, dark, shadow that blocked out the sun, across the breadth of our driveway. I looked up to see this enormous, graceful bird. It was an unseasonably warm day, very bright, and it is not uncommon to see a hawk playing in the down-draughts above our houses. I stopped to follow him, and realized we had "company."
To my shock, and sheer delight, there was another bird, same wing-span, same deep dark, color, and the face, although resembling a hawk, was very definitely Not a hawk. As I managed to collect myself, and reached for my cell phone to call my husband in his home office, to come out and witness these birds.......circling, almost vulture style above me.......but fairly low to the ground.....a third bird joined in the 'play.' My husband raced out the front door, because all I could manage to whisper into the phone was ....."Come outside, in the front, and use the front door!!!".....he had imagined I may have run something/someone over.
We both stood there in sheer awe as these three birds, circled and played, Just above our heads.........they would head off towards a pond not far away, and then back to an enormous copse of Oak trees on our property and behind. We stood there looking up at this 'air show' for about twenty minutes or so. I had an appointment, for which I was going to be late, but I couldn't leave this spectacle. I went in, to research 'if' Eagles could or had ever been sited in Illinois, as I wasn't sure I had ever seen them.
My folks had a home in Deltona, Fl, for over twenty years, wherein there was an enormous Bald Eagle's nest. We had witnessed several years' of baby bald eagles being born, fed, raised, and learning to fly. The number of 'nest accidents' to young flyers......and the concurrent screeches from the "Mama Eagles" were part of our lives, and the joy of the walks around and through their neighborhood. I had no idea, until I just remembered about their visit,and sought to do some research, that Illinois has more wintering bald eagles than any other state in the country, outside of Alaska. How fun is that to know?
Although they are expected to 'arrive' in December, these were most definitely Eagles that we saw playing not one hundred feet above us. It is not the 'nature' of hawks, to play together, as their inherent territoriality almost precludes more than one hawk to be occupying the same space, of a 5 mile radius. They are known to be more territorial, and isolated, from each other. These three Eagles, looked like they were on a mission but found a particularly sunny, windy spot, to be able to play for a bit.
I just had to share. Just after Thanksgiving, it's yet another thing to be most grateful for. Three Eagles circling over your head, at one time, in your front yard.......how lucky is that?! I have to go research Symbology to determine the significance of three Eagles finding their way into your home, life, cul-de-sac, yard!!!
The Kochs
Barb & Jim
11-06- 07
Have spotted mature and immature bald eagles flying in this area over the last three days along Route 84 in Port Byron and Rapid City in Illinois. This is right along the Mississippi River.
Malora Redman
Tuesday 10/10/07 12:30 PM, Bald Eagle Sighted in Carol Stream IL.
I work in an industrial park just south of North Ave. (Rt. 64) and East of Gary Ave.
Rocky Falco
I was driving east on Coal City Rd and Novy Rd. near Shadow Lakes in Braidwood, IL today and passed by a large field. There was the biggest bird I have ever seen in my life, just sitting there. As I stopped the car to get a better look, it took flight and was soaring and circling over my car. I still can't believe what I saw - a bald eagle! This is my first sighting and I am still in awe at how large this creature is.
Kathy Bobal
I travel all day with my job and I am up in the Lasalle Peru area in Illinois, I have to cross the Illinois river 3 times a day and I always see at least 5 bald eagles. Today I had the most breath taking experience though, 02-23-2007 I was in Henry IL., and I thought I would go to the river to see if any were there, and yes right in front of me on the top of the tree was a beautiful adult bald eagle, I sat with him for about 30 mins. Took lots of pictures and just looked at him with true respect. I never thought a bird could that beautiful, I was very lucky to have this experience.
Lisa Van Hook
My partner Todd and I saw a bald eagle around 1pm crossing the Desplaines River in Lockport Il. yesterday 02/08/07 and now am very intersted in viewing this great bird.
Mike Glenn
My wife and I spotted a beautiful Bald Eagle today 02/08 at about 11:45 a.m. in St. Charles, IL. Spotted him eating a carcass of some sort out on the ice of the Fox River. He was having his meal about a half mile south of North Ave near the east bank of the Fox River. We were headed South on Rt. 25 and pulled over to watch him feast. He was tearing up a pretty good size meal but took flight after a passenger in another car decided to jump out and run down toward the bank to take a picture. If the photographer guy had not jumped out of his car we probably could have sat there for quite a while enjoying the show. The "big bird" landed himself in a tree down river a couple hundred yards on the West side.
Great show,
John Rice
3-26-06 this past Sunday, a bald eagle & juvinile (almost all black) were soaring over Mayfair park in Westchester, Illinois heading east.
One of the little kids said it was an eagle, which I quickly doubted. As I
followed its approach and when it was just above us, I could see it had a
white head. I couldn't believe it!
This is very unusual for this area! It made my weekend. This area is just
north-east of Bemis Woods.
Courtesy of Dan Nunamaker
Naperville, IL
Just S. of 75th and just W. of Book Road in Naperville
Park District Reserve- Springbrook Trails.
Date: March 21st
Time: 11:45 am
Comments: Bald Eagle was eating dead prey on the
ground and then took flight heading E. over Book Road
to perch itself in a tree just E. of Book Road.
After a few minutes, the eagle flew E. towards
Naperville/Plainfield Road, still S. of 75th Street.
Courtesy of Stacey Ranzieri
We have sighted three bald eagles inthe Sterling Rockfallls, Illinois area. They are flying outside my back yard next to the Lawrence park area. We have seen a female eagle and two male bald eagles. One is prominently larger than the other male.We've seen them active since sunrise to sunset. When not in flight they tend to land in the same two trees; we've seen them for almost a week now. Courtesy of Francine Gallegos, Michael Gallegos and Todd Chaney
Every winter for the last 9 years I have observed Bald eagles fishing the open
water of the Rock River. My home sits atop a bluff, and many times the eagles
use the oak trees in my yard to rest. One day I counted nine eagles total 3
adults and 6 immatures, all in the same tree. Today I sighted a number of very
young eagles practicing their flying skills, close by where 2 adults who were
being very vocal. I have never heard them be so noisy. Courtesy of K.
Weiland,Rockford,Il.
On January 27th at approximately 3 PM I crossed the Illinois river on Route 67 just north of Beardstown, Illinois. I saw one mature eagle in the top of a tree. What a thrill! I live in central Illinois and was really hoping to be fortunate to see one and my wish came true. Courtesy of Cindy Gollus
Sunday afternoon, December 31, 2005, on the Great River Road just north
of Alton, Illinois, I had the thrill of a lifetime - I viewed fifty or
so eagles! What a amazing site. The eagles soared in groups of four
or five - hugging the bluffs, drifting in the afternoon breezes. My
friend and I stopped on the side of the highway (with numerous other
curious folks) to view the birds in flight. As I had never heard an
eagle before, it took me by surprise at the sounds they produced. I
have never, ever seen so many beautiful birds in one place ! They
just seemed to glide - oblivious to those of us below -- watching them
with our binoculars focused on their antics. Young and old alike, we
(the curious seekers of the wintering eagles) delighted in the
peaceful, graceful loops across the winter sky. I am hooked! This
weekend I will be back again - awaiting those gleaming white heads and
powerful, black wings! Courtesy of Kathleen Hawkins, St. Louis.
December 28th, Went "Eagle Watching" on the Great River Road just North of St. Louis – from Alton, Illinois up to Pierre Marquette..My family has always enjoyed taking the very scenic drive along where the Mississippi & Missouri Rivers meet..Today was very cloudy – around 37 degrees and very windy..Overall, we saw probably a total of 30 eagles – some diving for food – others soaring.. Actually snapped two very good shots in trees very close to locations to pull over..I was very pleasantly surprised at the amount of Eagles we witnessed..I would highly suggest making the trek from St. Louis or surrounding areas to this great location for Eagle Watching… Courtesy of Monte Maxey
Christmas Day - North of the Quad Cities on the Mississippi River - at least 50 bald eagles fishing, soaring above the dam off of Route 84. Normally, there are 5 to 10 in the months of January and February. We have never seen so many. What a Christmas present we received! Courtesy of Mark and Jean Palazzo
Dec. 19, 2005 Place Lock & Dam Mississippi River North of Albany, Illinois Viewed over 200 Eagles over only open water on river. ALL IN 10 minutes time..They were diving at each other, as others were feeding. There also were a pair of Golden Eagles trying to feed during the many Bald Eagles. Temp. was 4 degrees above zero, with 15 mile an hour winds. COLD!!!!! Courtesy of Bob McArdle
The Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge along the Mississippi River in the Savanna, IL, area is a great spot to enjoy eagles and all forms of waterfowl. The preserve encompasses Spring Lake, which is encircled by a manmade levee; a breech on the south side gives access to the river and main channel. The lovely new visitors' education center on Riverview Rd., just off Hwy 84, 4 miles south of Savanna, features a great viewing area complete with telescope. You can also enjoy the displays, buy maps & wildlife related items,and have your questions answered by helpful professionals. Other viewing areas along the highway are clearly marked with those familiar brown signs. We never tire of watching resident eagles gather on the lake ice every morning during the winter or see them scouting for prey when we take the boat thru back sloughs while fishing during the rest of the year. If you're ever up that way, check it out. Courtesy of Pat Frederick
Starved Rock State Park hosts an annual Bald Eagle Viewing weekend, usually the last weekend of January. Opportunities to watch the birds with high-powered telescopes are offered at the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Visitors' Center on the north side of the Illinois River [on Dee Bennett Road] while at Starved Rock a variety of educational activities are offered the whole weekend. I took my daughter yesterday and we spotted several eagles as soon as we got out of the car!
There is great concern locally and state-wide because developers want to build on Plum Island, which is where the eagles gather. You can learn more by visiting www.friendsofplumisland.org
Courtesy of Rachael Mellen |