National Great Rivers Museum Brings “Masters of the Sky” to Alton

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St. Louis District's National Great Rivers Museum along with the Meeting of the Great Rivers Foundation announces the return of the “Masters of the Sky” bird shows, presented by the World Bird Sanctuary, February 18-20, 2012, at the National Great Rivers Museum.

Trevor, a Eurasian Eagle Owl from Africa
seems to say, “I can see you,very, very
well,”as he stares at the audience
through his piercing, orange eyes.
Trevor is a prime, young example of his
species, which are the largest owls in the
world. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
photo by Public Affairs Specialist
Romanda Walker)

Our one-hour educational shows proudly complement the winter migration by bringing live bald eagles, owls, falcons, vultures and hawks to the National Great Rivers Museum where everyone can get an up-close view. These rehabilitated birds serve as ambassadors for their species. Naturalists focus their presentations on teaching the importance of raptors in the food chain, challenges they face as they travel from their northern nesting grounds to find a food source along the Mississippi River, and interesting traits of the species. One highlight of the show is experiencing flyovers from specially trained birds that skim just above the audience.

Shows begin at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Seating is limited to the first 200 tickets per show. Due to high demand, shows will be conducted outside in a heated tent. Please dress accordingly. Cameras and binoculars for Eagle spotting are welcome. Other activities include hands-on craft workshops, photos with “Eric the Eagle”, a 14-minute film “Where Eagles Soar”, and more. Tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam will also be available for free. Show tickets are $5 per adult, $3 per child. Tickets are on sale at the National Great Rivers Museum, over the phone by calling 618-462-6979, or can be purchased online at www.mtrf.org. 

This program is made possible by the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and preservation of rivers. The National Great Rivers Museum is located off River Heritage Parkway (IL Hwy 143) at #2 Lock & Dam Way, East Alton, IL 62024, adjacent to Melvin Price Locks & Dam. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has free admission plus the locks and dam tours. For more information, or to purchase tickets to a “Masters of the Sky” show, call 618-462-6979 or toll free 877-462-6979, or go online to www.mtrf.org. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreatRivers.