After a losing battle with weather, Eagle Day in Stella was delayed a week, but that didn't stop the flow of traffic to the town on February 6. As humans turned their eyes on the eagles, the birds seemed to enjoy looking back and doing some people watching of their own.
Along all the roadways leading to Stella, cars drove slowly or were pulled to the side. Travelers took time to look and count these magnificent birds as they perched in treetops or rode, with seven foot wingspans stretched out, catching the thermals waves rising above the hills and valleys.
From the little city park on the creek in Stella, viewing was especially good as tree after tree hosted from one to six or seven birds. Binoculars, spotting scopes and just the old eyeballs picked up bird after bird, many in their adult plumage with their stark white head and tail.
Standing in one spot to see a dozen or more eagles, it was easy to understand why this little town in southeastern Newton County is know as the place "Where Eagles Soar."
But watching the wild birds was only part of the fun on eagle day. A tent manned by the Chert Glades' Master Naturalists was a popular spot. Members of the club were on hand to explain exhibits and distribute brochures and photographs. One of the highlights of a visit to this tent was a large banner painted by Joyce Haynes. This banner illustrated the wingspan sizes of birds from the American Bald Eagle down to the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Another attraction in town that day was the Stella Historical Society Museum which saw traffic throughout the event. The new cafe on the main street was open with "eagle day specials" and the Methodist Church provided hot drinks, cookies and other hand-held goodies along with chili-based lunches.
This is the second year for Stella to host Eagle Day and plans are already in the works to repeat next year.
Townspeople expect the new "emergency shelter" will have been built by next year and plans call for children's events to be held there. According to Doris Dalbom, one of the planners, it is hoped the Missouri Department of Conservation will be back to help with this program. Events might include such things as an on-the-spot art contest for kids to draw pictures of bald eagles, along with other events such as games and perhaps a film on eagles..
According to Dalbom, the day was a big success and an ornithologist in town estimated there were 120 eagles in the Stella area that day.
