A 25-foot tall patriotic bald eagle greeted visitors at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge's 27th annual Eagle Days celebration. - Photo by USFWS Volunteer Ron McFee.

Despite the cold temperatures, visitors braved the light snow and freezing conditions on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4, to attend the 27th annual Eagle Days at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.  This year, they were greeted by a 25 foot tall bald eagle outside the headquarters building.  It served as a "Kodak Moment" for many of the visitors.  A total of 134 bald eagles (62 immature and 72 adults) were also present as well as approximately 60,000 snow geese and 50,000 ducks sitting on the ice and shrinking open water areas present during the two day event.

A total of 3,016 visitors entered the office, 1,777 attended the live eagle show presented by the World Bird Sanctuary, St. Louis, 6,876 visitors made a trip around the auto tour route, 576 took the guided bus tour around the refuge and 267 utilized the free shuttle bus service.  Approximately 800 third to eighth grade students from 13 schools attended the Friday, Dec. 2, session primarily run by the Missouri Department of Conservation. 

Attendees were able to get their picture taken with Service mascot "Puddles" and the 25 foot eagle which could be made into a free souvenir button.  In addition, visitors could get a tatoo, a print of an eagle furnished by the Missouri Department of Conservation, watch a video about eagles in Missouri, play the bird identification board game, guess at duck wings, watch a wood carver at work and build an eagle nest.  The Friends of Squaw Creek sold hot food and the Midland Empire Audubon Society sold bird seed and feeders.  The World Bird Sanctuary brought three captive birds and gave programs every hour for 1,777 visitors.

Eagle Days is a cooperative venture with the Missouri Department of Conservation, World Bird Sancuary and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Other cooperators this year included the Missouri Department of Transportation, Midland Empire Audubon Society, Burroughs Audubon Society, Friends of Squaw Creek, Mound City Chamber of Commerce, Mound City Kiwanis Club, Mound City McDonalds, Mound City Quik Zone, Laukemper Motors,  Squaw Creek Eagle Nest Plaza, Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University.