Every January, Wyandotte County Lake Park transforms into the center of nature appreciation and family-friendly fun during Eagle Days. This annual celebration brings together bird lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and curious minds of all ages. Now in its 24th year, Eagle Days offers a distinctive blend of educational content centered around one of America’s most iconic birds: the bald eagle.
Eagle Days is hosted simultaneously at Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library and James P. Davis Hall within Wyandotte County Lake Park and runs during the third weekend of January. The event is free and open to the public, beginning early Saturday morning and continuing into Sunday afternoon.
The keystones of the program are the live birds of prey presentations at both the library and Davis Hall. Through our partnership with Operation Wildlife, visitors can see incredible native wildlife up close. Ambassador birds include species like eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. Patrons learn about the birds’ behavior, habitat, and rescue stories from Operation Wildlife's experienced volunteers. These interactions offer a rare opportunity to connect with wildlife in a safe, up-close setting. It also gives patrons an opportunity to donate and support the mission of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation which is core to the mission of Operation Wildlife.
Beyond the live animals, the event features crafts and hands-on activities for families, designed to spark curiosity about birds and the natural world. Patrons can make take-home crafts and participate in activities along the Stotler Cove trail. Families will have plenty of opportunities to engage creatively while learning about nature.
A highlight for many attendees is the chance to observe wild eagles and waterfowl around Wyandotte County Lake. We offer binocular checkouts available inside the library and spotting scope stations set up by volunteers from the Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City. Patrons can scan the lake for birds perched on ice or soaring overhead. This excellent opportunity for birdwatching is a testament to this region’s incredible diversity of birds of prey and waterfowl during the winter months.
Integral to Eagle Days is the jewel of Wyandotte County Lake, the Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library. It is a unique public library branch dedicated to science and nature education. The Schlagle Library is one of only a few environmental learning centers housed within a public library in the United States. It offers specialized environmental and science programs, summer camps, nature trails, live animal displays, and family-oriented events like Eagle Days (and fall event, Butterfly Festival) that connect learning with the outdoors.
What makes Eagle Days truly special is how it bridges community, education, and nature together. Sponsored by local partners including the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, this event celebrates not just eagles but the shared stewardship of the environment and a greater love for our community in Kansas City, Kansas.
Eagle Days is loved by seasoned birders and families alike and offers an unforgettable way to connect with wildlife, learn something new, and celebrate the beauty of the natural world right in the heart of Kansas City.
EAGLE DAYS
January 17, 2026 from 9 am - 5 pm
January 18. 2026 from 12 - 4 pm
at Mr. & Mrs. F. L Schlagle Library
and James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake Park
