The American bald eagle is an opportunistic creature and will congregate wherever its prey seems easiest to catch.
One spot is in western Will County, where bird enthusiasts frequently can catch glimpses of the iconic raptor in action during mid-winter.
That’s because the wide waters around the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon is one of the last areas to freeze over, explained the building’s director, Chris Gutmann.
So that’s where eagles and other birds of prey can continue to dive and hunt for fish late into winter, Gutmann said.
Four Rivers, which is part of the Will County Forest Preserve District, is on an island near where the Des Plaines, DuPage Kankakee rivers meet to form the Illinois River.
Until recently the center was usually closed to the public, though the surrounding McKinley Woods and its trails were accessible.
The building being closed left winter bird watchers little refuge from the elements.
That changed last weekend, at an Eagle Watch 2020 event that doubled as a grand re-opening of the education center, which now will be open to the public on a regular basis.
The building includes restrooms and a fireplace for visitors to warm up.
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That’s welcome news to bird watcher Lisa Dinges, of Lockport, who often comes to the area for a chance to photograph eagles.
“Coming out here and not having a place to go inside is rough, especially when it’s really cold,” she said.
The building, which was constructed in 2009, had previously been used primarily as a venue for weddings and other events.
Gutmann said plans are in the works to make the site even more user-friendly, such as by installing viewing platforms near the water for bird watchers and designating outdoor classrooms.
He said more exhibits also will be on display inside the building to educate visitors about the surrounding terrain and animals in the area.
Gutmann said district officials are hoping to change the purpose of Four Rivers and make it accessible for everyday visitors.
“This is not a hub, yet, for birders, but we’re trying to change that,” he said.
That was the purpose of Eagle Watch 2020, which drew hundreds of visitors to the center on Friday and Saturday.
Tim and Vicky Marek, of Plainfield, brought their four-year-old grandson, Lincoln, to the event, where he busily built an “eagle’s nest” using cardboard pieces.
The Mareks said they had been looking for a place closer than Starved Rock to view eagles and they believe they’ve found it at Four Rivers.
The event included activities for children, a food truck, guided hikes and an indoor presentation of “Birds of Prey” by the Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center from Wisconsin.
Master falconer Dianne Moller presented several live raptors she rescued, including a snowy owl and bald eagle.
As she presented the birds, she noted an eagle’s nest can weigh up to two tons and that the peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal, reaching speeds of up to 285 miles per hour during a dive.
Moller also said one of the leading causes of death for raptors is lead left in their environments by humans who have been hunting or fishing.
She said many raptors scavenge and can eat lead shot from a deer or tackle from a fish.
Still, Moller said, eagles and other large birds have had a huge comeback in population numbers during the last decade in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
Gutmann said the animals are making a comeback because of conservation efforts and the banning of the use of DDT, an insecticide which can have devastating effects on the health of the natural food chain.
Visitors also can see other birds at Four Rivers, including native swans and pelicans by the hundreds in the spring and fall.
Cindy Cain, spokeswoman for the forest preserve, said people can try other activities besides bird watching at Four Rivers, including hiking, bicycling, kayaking and fishing.
“You name it, people can do it here,” she said.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.