Visiting the Audubon Center at Riverlands can be a treat any time of the year, but the winter holds the allure of special avian guests and regular events to increase the opportunity and understanding of those big American birds.
Bald eagles bring out scores of bird watchers as open water areas north of Missouri freeze solid through the coldest months of the year. The national symbol is the most popular reason crowds flock to the water’s edge, but they are not the biggest attraction.
Trumpeter swans spread their wings up to eight feet wide, and with the reach of an elongated neck, they measure five feet long from their bills to the tip of their tail feathers and can weigh 25 pounds. The impressive bald eagle sports a wing span from five to eight feet and stands “only” 40 inches beak to bottom.
Eagle activities are planned in January and February at Riverlands, but trumpters get a couple of special days of their own, including a Swan Sunday event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on January 11. Spotting scopes will be set up in the main building. Educational and craft tables will be on display, and at noon, a free seminar will highlight the species.
Every Saturday in January visitors can get the chance to “meet and greet” with bald eagles. The small group sessions are scheduled each hour and cost $10 per person with advanced registration required. Some of the time slots are already sold out.
Other activities on Eagle Saturdays are free or request a donation. Guided walks on the paved trails for the sanctuary are scheduled each Saturday at 10 and 11 a.m. for the chance to see eagles and swans in their natural habitat. Participants are reminded to bring binoculars and wear clothing appropriate to the winter weather.
Riverlands’ big Eagle Day St. Louis event with the state Department of Conservation is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7. Six eagle presentations by the World Bird Sanctuary are scheduled from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. with a capacity of 150 people admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other conservation department Eagle Days events in the region include plans at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, Powder Valley Nature Center, Chain of Rocks Bridge, and virtually with the World Bird Sanctuary. All require advanced registration at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.
The Columbia Bottom outing is a driving tour from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. Spotting scopes will be available on the Chain of Rocks Bridge from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 24 with activities and informational tables available. The Eagles in Missouri movie will be shown in the theater at Powder Valley at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, and the WBS virtual events are planned at 10 a.m. on Jan. 26 and 27.
The Audubon Center at Riverlands celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026. The 3,700-acre migratory bird sanctuary is along the Mississippi River at West Alton and provides access to Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi.
The sanctuary has more than eight miles of trails throughout the property around the ponds, marshes and bottom land forests of the wetland areas. Bird blinds and viewing platforms provide spots for watching locals and migratory visitors. To pregister for events or to learn more about birds and the center at the sanctuary, visit audubon.org/riverlands.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.