Flock to Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days this weekend

Jamie Williams, education specialist at Dickerson Zoo, discusses characteristics of the barred owl to guests during one of several programs given at Heritage Elementary in Lake Ozark, Mo.
Jamie Williams, education specialist at Dickerson Zoo, discusses characteristics of the barred owl to guests during one of several programs given at Heritage Elementary in Lake Ozark, Mo.

Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days 2017 is scheduled to take flight 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days is a free event that allows families, residents and visitors to learn about bald eagles and other birds of prey, see the live animals up close and in their natural lake habitat, and participate in a variety of additional fun activities.

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AP

FILE - This Oct. 17, 2012 file photo shows a flu shot administered in Jackson, Miss. More children than ever got vaccinated against the flu last year, and health officials are urging families to do even better this time around. A severe flu strain swept the country last winter, sparking a scramble for last-minute vaccinations. There's no way to predict if this year will be as bad. But protection requires a yearly vaccine, either a shot or nasal spray. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it's time for people to start getting immunized. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

More than 2,000 bald eagles are reported around the state's large rivers and reservoirs in the wintertime, making Missouri one of the leaders in bald eagle viewing in the lower 48 states, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The bluffs and large wooded areas surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks make this area a popular stop during their annual exodus from the frigid temperatures of the north, according to a news release from the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau.

Highlights of the program include live eagle programs from the World Bird Sanctuary with naturalists on hand to answer questions and show off their birds, including a bald eagle, at Osage National Golf Resort. The World Bird Sanctuary programs begin at 9 a.m. and continue on the hour with the last program at 3 p.m. Saturday, starting again at 10 a.m. Sunday and continuing on the hour with the last program at 2 p.m.

School of the Osage Heritage Elementary will also feature three programs from Dickerson Park Zoo, in Springfield. The "day shift, night shift and garbage gal" program provides information about hawks, owls and turkey vultures, at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

The second program, "Live Owls in Missouri," features information about the species of owls indigenous to Missouri. Owls in Missouri is at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The final program talks all about the American bald eagle, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Guests at Heritage Elementary can also participate in coloring and photo contests; face painting from Ameren Missouri and children's activities; and nature-related exhibitors including the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Jim Rathert Photography & Mugs, Master Naturalist Lake of the Ozarks chapter, Adair's Animal Nuisance Trapping, Missouri Highway Patrol and Water Patrol Division, Missouri State Parks and MDC.

The Bagnell Dam Osage River Access will have eagle viewing, nest making, rope making and other activities with the Boy Scouts and Master Naturalists. There will be burn barrels, and free hot chocolate will be served.

New this year are eagle-viewing cruises aboard the Celebration II, which will depart from 1066 Bagnell Dam Blvd. near the dam. The cruises are at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the eagle cruises are $15 for adults and $10 for children.

The Camden County Astronomy Club will host wild eagle-viewing activities at Willmore Lodge, along with tours of the lodge's historic lake museum.

Eagle watchers are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring cameras and binoculars to Willmore Lodge and the Bagnell Dam Access to view eagles.

Except for the eagle-viewing cruises, all other activities are free.

Visit LakeoftheOzarksEagleDays.com or call 573-964-1008 for details.