Saturday, February 7, 2026
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Free Event, Drop In
Winter is a perfect time to see bald eagles in the wild as they congregate to feed near open waters along the Fox River and at open spots on lakes. An In Search of Eagles outdoor event will be held at four sites on Saturday morning.
Representatives from Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Moraine Hills State Park, Geneva Lake Conservancy, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, McHenry County Audubon, and Lakeland Audubon Society will be on hand at the McHenry, Algonquin, and former Carpenter dam (meet at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve) sites along the Fox River in Illinois and at the Williams Bay boat launch on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin to help you search for eagles. There will be scopes and binoculars available for use at each location, along with guided activities for children. Visit the site closest to you or visit them all!
No registration is required. Attendees are asked to dress for the weather and to bring their own binoculars if they have a pair, but binoculars are not needed to enjoy seeing birds in the wild.
If you have any concerns on Saturday morning about the weather, please call the Friends of Hackmatack phone line at (262) 448-3558 where there will be a message regarding the status of the event.
Eagle Hike
Saturday, February 7, 2026
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Prairieview Education Center
Crystal Lake, IL
REGISTER HERE
The Eagle Hike is free to residents, and $5 for non-residents. Bring your binoculars and hike with us to the Fox. River to listen and look for bald eagles.
Raptors of Illinois
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Prairieview Education Center
Crystal Lake, IL
This FREE presentation features Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education. They will bring several live raptors (sorry, no eagles), to teach about the amazing traits all raptors have in common. Learn how we can protect them now and into the future.
Registration is required.
REGISTER HERE
