<b>By CINDY LADAGE<br>
Illinois Correspondent</b> </p><p>

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — One of the joys of working the land is the wildlife one can see along the way.</p><p>
Those who live and work along the Illinois River valleys, reservoirs and waterfowl refuges are in prime locale to see more than 3,000 bald eagles that take up winter residence in Abe Lincoln’s home state.</p><p>
The birds arrive in December and remain in residence until they migrate back north in March. January and February offer the optimal time for visitors to see them up close.</p><p>
One place where eagles flock is Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Ill. There is even a special event called the Flock Expo, where events are planned throughout the day, and include Native American storytelling and trolley tours. Bald eagle tours will be conducted weekends throughout January and February. Admission is free.</p><p>
For more information, contact the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-746-0550 or go online to www.flocktotherock.com/events.htm or www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/interprt/starved.htm </p><p>
The city of Henry, Ill., also features indoor eagle viewing and presentations. Visitors can spend all day scouting for bald eagles along the scenic Illinois River at the Henry Lock and Dam, where the majestic birds like to hunt for food on the open water. </p><p>Admission is free. For more information, call 309-361-7487 or visit www.henryil.com</p><p>
The Quad Cities host a bird viewing celebration called Bald Eagle Days during January and the World Bird Sanctuary presents a seminar, complete with flying demonstrations, that features live bald eagles, hawks, owls, vultures and other birds of prey. Admission is $4 for adults and $1 for children under 16.
For more information, contact the Quad City Conservation Alliance at 309-788-5912 or visit www.qccaexpocenter. com/eagle.html
For those who like to travel in groups, the Bald Eagle Watch and Clock Tower Tours, held weekends from mid-January through mid-February, may be what they are seeking. Tours are conducted three times daily and admission is free. For more information, contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center at 309-794-5338 or online at www.missriver.org </p><p>
Outdoor eagle viewing is also available at Quincy City Park. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Quincy Ranger Field Station at 217-228-0890.</p><p>
Southern Illinois also offers popular spots for bald eagle watching. According to the Illinois Department of Tourism, visitors can view bald eagles and take wildlife photography off the main road, which runs down the middle of the Union County Wildlife Refuge.</p><p>
In addition to eagles, Union County is home to a winter population of 50,000-100,000 Canada geese every year – one of Illinois’ largest populations of wild geese in their natural habitat. Park rangers will be available weekdays to answer questions about the eagles and other wildlife spotted in the refuge. Admission is free. For more information on eagle watching, contact 618-833-5175.
At the Pere Marquette State Park, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and the Alton Lake section of the Great River Road also offer premier spots to check out the eagle’s winter habitat.</p><p>
For those who live along Illinois waterways, the eagles wintering may be just old hat, but for many Midwesterners, this is a chance to see the nation’s mascot and learn a bit about what makes this bird so fascinating as an icon.</p><p>