Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Keokuk Hosts Bald Eagle Appreciation Days

DVIDSHUB
/
Flickr Creative Commons

A few thousand people will flock to Keokuk this weekend to observe bald eagles in their natural habitat.

Tom Buckley with Lee County Conservation is the organizer of the 31st annual Bald Eagle Appreciation Days. The events are free and run Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

He said binoculars will be available and spotting scopes will be set up at the Victory Park and by the Southside Boating Club to watch the birds down on the Mississippi River.

“With the weather temperatures being as cold as they are they are pretty well congregated there,” Buckley said. “And the temperatures through the weekend are supposed to be much more favorable for us human beings so it’ll be a good chance to get out and see the eagles.”

Several other events are scheduled to be held in River City Mall throughout the weekend.

Buckley said there will be a presentation of other birds of prey at the movie theater every hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. He said the birds will fly over the audience and pick up items.

He said there will also be a series of seminars at the mall focusing on invasive plants, butterflies, and goats.

Iowa State University Insect Zoo will also have a display with hands-on activities.

“It will be interesting to people, sometimes a little creepy. But they’re actually fun to see and learn a little about those,” Buckley said.

Emily Boyer is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.