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Celebrate spring migration in Rock Falls. The Rock Falls Birding Trail Committee is pleased to announce that Tom Doig will lead the spring migration walk. Tom is an avid local birder.
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 7:30am, we will meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse Parking Lot at Centennial Park. Join us as we search for vireos, warblers, flycatchers and any other avian jewels that may be passing through or returning to nest. The walk will be at a leisurely pace on mostly paved paths until around 10am. Bring binoculars and some water. Prepare for the weather as we will be going rain or shine.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have an eagle land in a tree 10 feet from you? Look up to the sky and see 5-10 eagles circling, getting ready to pluck fish from the river? Observed as an eagle descended from above, with amazing grace and poise, landing on a large branch feet from where you are parked, and watched the branch bow? It is truly awe inspiring. Eagle watching is to be experienced first-hand. A picture online or on TV just doesn’t do our National Bird justice. For many years, Rock Falls has had an unusually high number of eagles.
The Rock Falls Birding Trail starts at the Upper Dam, follows along Second Street and loops around Lawrence Park. In Rock Falls, along the Rock River, we are fortunate that during the winter months, bald eagles have chosen to congregate here in the trees along our riverfront to hunt for fish. Eagles can be seen in trees next to the open water beneath the dams. They also populate the trees that surround the point of Lawrence Park Island and downstream past the high school.
Look across the river on the island.
Look up!
An island view that overlooks the Rock River.
Look toward Seward Park or above you, as they may be circling.
as eagles are protected by the Balk Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We do not want them to leave their nests and prevent their young from feeding.
or a spotting scope instead of trying get "a little bit closer." The eagles are very sensitive to human activity.
such as yelling, slamming a car door or honking the horn. Remaining still helps the eagles maintain body heat.
as they could become stressed and abandon their site, as well as waste valuable energy.
