Published on Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Get Wild Along the Great River Road, Illinois

The Great River Road, Illinois winds 500 miles through the west of the state and is renowned for its wildlife and bird watching opportunities. It is a very popular holiday destination for wildlife lovers, especially for those wishing to spot the majestic American Bald Eagle in its natural habitat.

The lands surrounding the Great River Road are home to White-Tailed Deer, wild turkeys, ducks, and geese. The American Bald Eagle arrives in late November, and by late December hundreds of these magnificent birds are roosting in the rocky walls of the bluffs overlooking the river.

During their stay, the eagles take on celebrity status as local towns host festivals and tours in their honour. In Alton, Illinois there is the annual Alton Eagle Festival, which will be on 7^th January in 2017. See a live bald eagle up close and personal and make the most of the meet and greet with knowledgeable locals from the area's Eagle Watching Hot Spots.

Located outside of Grafton on 8,000 wooded acres along the Illinois River, Pere Marquette State Park is a nature-lover's paradise. Lush towering bluffs and an abundance of wildlife provide the perfect backdrop. About 230 species of birds have been identified within the area; pick up a checklist in the Visitor Centre to check them off each day.

The State Animal of Illinois, the White Tailed Deer, can be seen along the Great River Road. The White Tailed Deer can be found all along the Mississippi River. During the summer months they graze out in the meadows, and during the colder winter months spy the deer finding shelter in the forest lands. There are many tour and observation spots along the Great River Road.

Head to Great River Road for a wildlife treat. Here are the top 5 animals to lookout for:

1. American White Pelican

2. Red Bellied Woodpecker

3. Wild Turkey

4. White Tailed Deer

5. Bald Eagle

Find out more about the Great River Road at: www.greatriverroad-illinois.com

Book a trip to see the Great River Road Wildlife with My America Holiday: http://www.myamericaholiday.co.uk/america-fly-drive-holidays/great-river-road