Grab your binoculars.

The majestic bald eagles are in town, and more are on the way to this favorite winter-feeding destination.

“We’re starting to get the ducks coming in, and that means the birds will be coming with them,” said Bunnie Watkins, park manager at Perry Lake.

Each year, more than 2,500 eagles vacation in Kansas, many concentrated around the lakes and rivers in the northeast part of the state.

They hail from the northern states and Canada, then head south following migrating waterfowl and searching for waters to snatch fish.

Kansas also is home to nesting eagles that stay year-round. This year, 20 nests fledged 35 young eagles, said Mike Watkins, wildlife biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

When viewed in person, the bird – America’s national symbol – is quite a sight.

The adult female’s wingspan spreads up to 7.5 feet, a bit larger than the male’s.

“Their talons are incredibly large – as large as a man’s hand,” Bunnie Watkins said. “Each of the claws would be easily an inch, an inch and a half. It would act like a razor blade, so when they grab something, it just slices right through that fish or that duck.”

They sail through the skies at 40 mph, but they can accelerate to more than 100 mph on the dive for prey.

The early birds come in the beginning of November and generally head back north in March.

Bird watchers point to Clinton Lake, Perry Lake and the Kansas River as natural spots to find eagles. The birds can be found on the river near City Hall.

Ron Wolf, a board member of the Jayhawk Audubon Society, said the scenic drive that runs south of the Kansas River between Lawrence and Lecompton is a good place to spot eagles.

The eagles also will be the stars of the annual Eagles Day organized by the Jayhawk Audubon Society. This year’s event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21 at Free State High School and will include displays, hands-on activities and a live eagle presentation.

Watchers may spot bands on the birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service applies the bands, Mike Watkins said.

“In Kansas, they try to band as many of the juveniles as possible by climbing the nest tree when the young are about 6 weeks of age,” he said.

Birds banded in Kansas get a unique purple-and-white band that allows watchers to identify the bird without having to trap it.