Bitter cold pushing bald eagles south into Illinois

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) – Plummeting temperatures are pushing large numbers of bald eagles south into Illinois as they search for fish in rivers and lakes that haven’t completely frozen over.

That’s good news for bird watchers.

In the Mississippi River city of Quincy, dozens of eagles have been spotted recently near Lock and Dam 21. Eagles gather to hunt fish around such navigation structures, where the water below generally remains unfrozen.

They’ve arrived just in time for several eagle-watching events this month.

Among them is Quincy’s Great River Eagle Days.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports the Jan. 17-18 event at the Oakley-Lindsay Center will feature dancers, drummers and story tellers. It’s sponsored by the Standing Bear Council, a Native American group.

Eagle-watching will take place both days at Lock and Dam 21.

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Information from: The Quincy Herald-Whig, http://www.whig.com