A record-setting wave of bald eagles descended on a small area of northwestern Missouri right before the start of 2026, drawing in visitors from across the region.
"We have a new bald eagle record!" Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge said after conducting a bird survey on Dec. 30. "1,012 bald eagles were observed on the refuge during the survey. The previous record from January 3, 2022, was 833 eagles."
A survey conducted earlier this week also tallied over 20,000 snow geese.
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is a "birders paradise" in northwestern Missouri. The 7,440-acre refuge is a mix of wetlands, grasslands and forest -- habitat that makes it a major stop for migratory birds and local wildlife alike.
Loess Bluffs has also been named one of America's top 500 Globally Important Bird Areas by the National Audubon Society.
