Bald Eagles In Will Co: Forest Preserve Event Lets You Watch Them

(The following edited press release is from Cindy Cain at the Will County Forest Preserve.)

CHANNAHON — The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s 2025 Eagle Watch is about to take flight. The annual celebration of bald eagles is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.

“We’ll have lots of activities for the whole family indoors and outdoors,” said Jess McQuown, a program coordinator at Four Rivers. "There will be s’mores around the fire and hikes to see the resident eagles across the river. Inside the building, families can make a craft and experience an eagle’s superpowers for themselves.”

In addition to eagle-watching, the event will feature live bird presentations by Hoo's Woods Raptor Center. Two 45-minute sessions will be offered at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and a shorter 20-minute meet and greet is set for 12:30 p.m.

"Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center will showcase a bald eagle as well as several owls," McQuown said. "Seating is limited and first come, first served, so make sure to get here early."

There also will be guided hikes, family crafts, an Eagle Eye Scavenger Hunt and food from Lil’ Deb’s Mobile Eats.

Three 40-minute guided hikes are set for 11:50 a.m., 12:55 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. Two 15-minute Talon Talks will be offered at noon (Eagles of the World) and 2:30 p.m. (Eagle Eyes and Other Awesome Adaptation). Registration is not required.

Winter is the best time to look for these magnificent raptors as they flock to open water to hunt. And Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is in a perfect spot, because it’s located where the DuPage, Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers converge to form the Illinois River.

“People often dread colder weather at this time of year, but freezing temperatures bring bald eagles in large numbers to the water around Four Rivers,” McQuown said. “We are lucky enough to have a breeding pair near the preserve, so it’s possible to see them year-round, but we can see them daily starting in the late fall.”

The free, family-friendly Eagle Watch event will offer activities for children and adults.

“The wide range of activities allows visitors to dive as deep as they want into the world of eagles,” McQuown said.

If you want to prepare for the event, check out the “Bald is Beautiful” eagle shirt that is for sale on the Forest Preserve’s merchandise site, OutsiderThreads.com.