Sat. January 24 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sun. January 25 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Eagle Watch Weekend will take place on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, 2026. This is a two-day, family-friendly event! Admission is free to all events and exhibits. Look below to see event times & locations.
“Birds of Prey” Programs will take place at:
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
The Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
The Utica Village Hall Gym & Welcome Center
There will also be educational exhibits in the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge.
Birds of Prey Program Presenters will be:
Stillman Nature Center
Hoo Haven
Wings and Talons
World Bird Sanctuary
Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab
Viewing Scopes
Throughout the weekend, Starved Rock Audubon Society members will have viewing scopes at the IL Waterway Visitor Center (located at 95027th Road; Ottawa, IL). Audubon Society members will be available to answer Bald Eagle questions.
Winter Guided Hikes ($20 per person)
Winter Guided hikes will be offered by Starved Rock Lodge both days, departing at 10am from the Lobby of Starved Rock Lodge. Hikers will learn about American Bald Eagles and why they like to roost along the Illinois River. Tickets are $20 per person and include a souvenir (drawstring) backpack, granola bar, water and a voucher for coffee or hot chocolate in the Starved Rock Cafe.
Reservations are required. Call (815) 220-7386 or book online at: starvedrocklodge.com.
About the Trolley Shuttle
Trolleys from Starved Rock Lodge will run in a loop both days, offering transportation to the four event sites from 9am to 4pm. Wristbands (for unlimited rides) will be $5 each, per person, per day. Passengers may purchase tickets with cash on the trolley or go to the Starved Rock Lodge Activities Department for credit card purchases.
Schedule of Events--
Starved Rock Lodge
1 Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL
(815) 667-4211
Saturday
10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Presenter: World Bird Sanctuary
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
200 people max.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Exhibitors in the Great Hall
Sunday
10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Presenter: World Bird Sanctuary
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
200 people max.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Exhibitors in the Great Hall
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Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
950 27th Road, Ottawa, IL
(815) 667-4054
Saturday
10:00 am, 12:00 pm
Presenter: Stillman Nature Center
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
75 people max.
1:30pm
History of Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary- Starved Rock Audubon
3:30 pm
Presenter: Wildlife Prairie Park
Feathered Friends Program
45 Minutes
75 people max.
Sunday
10:00 am, 12:00 pm
Presenter: Wings and Talons
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
75 people max.
1:30pm
Through the Lens: Bald Eagle Photography with Matthew Klein
3:30 pm
Kids Program
Wildlife Prairie Park
Owl Pellet Dissection
One Hour Interactive Program
32 people max.
Starved Rock Audubon Society will have viewing scopes available and answer bald eagle questions all weekend!
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Utica Village Hall
248 W Canal Street, Utica, IL
(815) 667-4111
Saturday
11:00 am & 2:00 pm
Presenter: Hoo Haven
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
100 people max.
12:30 pm
Heritage Corridor Kids Program
Wearable Bald Eagle Wing Craft
One Hour Interactive Program
20 children max.
Sunday
11:00 am & 2:00 pm
Presenter: Hoo Haven
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
100 people max.
12:30 pm
Heritage Corridor Kids Program
Wearable Bald Eagle Wings Craft
One Hour Interactive Program
20 children max.
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Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
2678 East 873 Road, Oglesby, IL
(815) 667-4726
Saturday
10:30 am, 12:30 pm
Presenter: Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
80 people max.
11:00 am
Nature Hike departs from Visitor Center – Park Volunteers
Sunday
10:30 am, 12:30 pm
Presenter: Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab
Live Birds of Prey Program
45 Minutes
80 people max.
11:00 am
Park Volunteers
2:00pm
Children’s Owl Pellet Dissection – Wildlife Prairie Park
*Limited to 20 kids
Thank you to our supporters:
Eagle Watch Weekend is made possible thanks to support from LaSalle County Tourism, Heritage Corridor Destinations and Starved Rock Lodge in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Starved Rock State Park, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Rock Island District) Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and the Village of North Utica.
As in the past, a variety of educational and photographic exhibits will be on display in the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge from 9am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday.
Also check out other Kids events & activities in Utica, Business events in Utica, Conferences in Utica.
