Eagle Days Expands to Two Locations
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO --The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced the popular Eagle Days program will “spread its wings,” expanding to two Lake Ozark locations in 2008.  For the 19th annual event on Jan. 5-6, fans of these majestic birds will be able to view them at Willmore Lodge off Business Highway 54, just northeast of Bagnell Dam, and at nearby Osage National Golf Resort on Osage Hills Road off Highway 54.  Hours for the free event will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

   At Osage National, visitors will have the opportunity to see wild eagles in their natural Osage River habitat, as well as up close in the Pavilion Room along with other birds of prey from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis.  Naturalists will answer questions and interactive exhibits and videos will offer fascinating facts about eagles.

   Across the road at historic Willmore Lodge, high-power scopes on the outer deck will be available for viewing eagles in a natural lakeside habitat.  Eagle-themed crafts projects will encourage kids to learn more about these birds of prey.  In addition, visitors will be invited to tour the Lodge’s museum, which tells the amazing story of the construction and history of Bagnell Dam.

   Other eagle observation sites will be set up at the Missouri Department of Conservation river access points, above and below Bagnell Dam.

   If the weather permits, on Saturday the paddlewheeler Tom Sawyer will offer 30-minute Eagle Watch Cruises at $4 per person.  During each excursion a Missouri Department of Conservation naturalist will be onboard to point out eagles indulging in their favorite daytime activity – perching in large sycamore trees along the water’s edge. Tickets can be purchased at the Tom Sawyer prior to departure.  Visitors are urged to bring binoculars and cameras and to dress for the weather.

   “People who come to Eagle Days leave with a deeper concern about these magnificent birds and about the environment in general,” says Trisha Creach, executive director of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.  “Eagle Days also provides a great way for families to escape the winter doldrums and enjoy some cool-weather fun at the Lake of the Ozarks.”

   Only Alaska and Washington have more bald eagles than Missouri. The birds move south from the Great Lakes and Canada along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers between late December and early February and they stay until mid-March.  Today more than 2,800 eagles annually migrate to Missouri, including more than 100 that congregate at the Lake of the Ozarks to spend the winter and hunt for fish.

   Eagle Days has become one of the highlights of winter at the Lake of the Ozarks.  The first live-eagle program held in 1999 attracted 651 participants.  Last year the event drew more than 4,800 visitors, setting a new record.  Event co-sponsors with the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce are the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

   “We are really excited about the changes to Eagle Days this year,” Creach says.  “Teaming with Osage National provides not only a larger indoor facility but also a larger parking area.  These improvements will help make attending the event even more fun and convenient.”

   Eagle Days is just one of the many entertaining and educational events regularly scheduled at Central Missouri’s scenic Lake of the Ozarks.  For details about 2008 Eagle Days contact the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-451-4117 or visit www.lakeareachamber.com.  For information on other Lake-area events, as well as attractions, shopping, lodging, dining and more, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau’s web site at www.funlake.com.