Jan 6, 2026 - News
Downtown Des Moines becomes eagle country
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A juvenile eagle examines its catch Sunday near the Sixth Avenue Bridge in downtown Des Moines. Photos: Courtesy of Axios DSM reader Tom Alex
It's prime bald eagle-viewing season in the metro, with these beauties spotted this week near the Sixth Avenue Bridge in downtown Des Moines.
State of play: Winter and early spring are peak months for eagle viewing in Iowa, before nesting ramps up.
- Rivers and lakes with flowing water — including the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers that merge near downtown — are among the best spots.
The intrigue: Iowa now has hundreds of active bald eagle nests statewide, a dramatic rebound from the time when the species was endangered, according to the DNR.
