On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 7-8, Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse will host Eagle Days at Smithville Lake. Activities will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and again from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. This event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and the Clay County Parks and Recreation Department.
Weather Permitting
At the eagle viewing area at the lake, conservation agents from MDC will answer visitors’ questions and assist them with using spotting scopes. In recent years, eagles have congregated at the spillway below the dam to feed on fish coming through during water releases. According to Corps Park Manager Derek Dorsey, the lake is drawn down this year due to dam work and water releases are limited. Waterfowl and eagles will be congregated at viewing stations near the lake, which will be announced closer to the event. Weather conditions can alter eagle and waterfowl viewing, as extreme cold snaps can drive birds south to warmer climes.
Exhibits
Even in bad weather, operation wildlife will present captive eagles at the clubhouse. The Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, the Friends of Lakeside Nature Center, Wings of Love, and Clay County Parks and Recreation Department will set up booths indoors. Exhibits will also feature live raptors and terrestrial wildlife, including turtles. Â
Show Times
Operation Wildlife will present captive eagle shows at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Then, at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. the following day. Live eagle shows have limited seating.
The Paradise Point Golf Course Clubhouse is located at 18212 Golf Course Drive, in Smithville, on the west side of the lake. For more information about seeing eagles in Missouri at their winter hangouts or at planned events, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zt6. This is open to people of all ages. There is no cost involved.
