For Immediate Release         Media Contact:  Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
December 18, 2008                                       Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbmg.net

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

 Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. – Due to last year’s huge success, the popular Eagle Days program at the Lake of the Ozarks once again will be held at two locations, allowing visitors to view majestic bald eagles in both their natural river and lake habitats.  The 11th annual event, sponsored by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, will take place Jan. 3-4 in Lake Ozark 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.
           
More than 2,800 eagles migrate to Missouri annually, including more than 100 that spend the winter at the Lake of the Ozarks.  They return north in mid-March.  Only Alaska and Washington have more bald eagles than Missouri. 

“Dividing eagle-viewing and activities between two locations last year worked out very well,” says Michelle Cook, Lake Area Chamber marketing director.  “At both Willmore Lodge and Osage National, there’s ample parking and visitors have more room to move around inside and outside.”

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 eagles’ nesting and migration habits.  Outdoors, naturalists will demonstrate how eagles build their huge nests, among other fascinating exhibits.  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.

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 be on hand to answer questions and interactive exhibits and videos will provide more information about the magnificent eagle.

The Missouri Department of Conservation also will set up telescopes and have binoculars available at river access points above and below Bagnell Dam.  Hot chocolate and fire pits will help keep eagle-watchers warm.

If the weather cooperates, on Saturday the paddle wheeler Tom Sawyer will offer 30-minute Eagle Watch Cruises at $4 per person at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.  During each excursion a Missouri Department of Conservation naturalist will point out eagles perching in large sycamore trees along the water’s edge.  Tickets can be purchased at the Tom Sawyer, docked at Bagnell Dam, prior to departure.  Visitors are urged to bring binoculars and cameras and to dress for the weather.

“Eagles are such charismatic birds, and so striking with their black and white plumage and their great size and power.  They just compel people to watch them,” says Robin Grumm, assistant manager at Runge Nature Center.  “Also, although eagles are here in Missouri year-round, it’s eaiser to spot them in the winter because there are more of them as they migrate south from the Great Lakes and Canada.”

Grumm adds, on windy days it’s not unusual to see eagles happily taking advantage of the air currents.  “They like to fish at the dam and it’s truly a thrill to seen an eagle gliding down and grabbing a fish out of the water,” she says.  “In the past few years we’ve also seen more immature eagles, which is a good sign that the population is strong.”  

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.  Today the event draws around 5,000 visitors, depending on the weather.

“People are becoming more educated about eagles at the Lake of the Ozarks, but they always learn something new at Eagle Days,” says Cook.  “Eagle Days programs are held around the state but our event here at the Lake provides a convenient central location and a chance for families to enjoy some winter-time fun at the Lake.”

For more information about 2009 Eagle Days, please contact the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at (573) 451-4117 or (800) 451-4117, or visit www.lakeareachamber.com.  To find out more about 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 www.funlake.com.