Wisconsin wintering bald eagles offer some of the best viewing in the nation
21st Annual event highlights Bald Eagle successes in Wisconsin
MADISON – With hundreds of wintering bald eagles congregating along open water areas of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, Wisconsin offers some of the best eagle viewing in the nation. Wildlife officials say this is the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states.
Wisconsin now has approximately 1,150 territorial pairs of eagles, according to Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists.
In 1971 Wisconsin banned the use of DDT after scientists determined eagle numbers were dropping as the birds, impacted by DDT, failed to reproduce because their eggshells were weak. The bald eagle was listed as both a state and federally endangered species.
A major milestone was reached in August 2007 when the bald eagles were removed from the Federal Endangered Species Act’s endangered and threatened species list. Wisconsin’s large and successful population played a significant role in the federal delisting.
“The bird is a spectacular example of the success of the state and national Endangered Species Acts, said Signe Holtz, director of the Endangered Resources Program for the DNR. It is also a reflection of the public support for the work done by the Endangered Resources Program, which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the income tax check-off in 2008.”
The tax check-off option found on Wisconsin state tax returns gives taxpayers the option of donating a portion of any tax refund toward the protection and management of endangered resources in Wisconsin.
Many of the best eagle viewing destinations are featured in the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail guides available from the Department of Natural Resources.
The Bald Eagle also is the subject of a feature story in the December 2007 issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine.
The communities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac on the Wisconsin River and Prairie du Chien and Cassville on the Mississippi River will all hold eagle watching events this winter.
Open water below the dam on the Wisconsin River at Sauk City and Prairie du Sac is a customary winter gathering place for Bald Eagles. The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council maintains an overlook for viewing eagles, preserves habitat for eagles, conducts eagle programs, educates people on how to watch eagles yet maintain the bird’s safety, creates educational material for schools and works with landowners to manage habitat. Council members also monitor night time eagle roosts during the winter.
Bald Eagle Watching Days at Sauk City-Prairie du SacThe 21st Bald Eagle Watching Days will be held Jan. 19 - 20 and begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with a breakfast in the Sauk Prairie High School Cafeteria sponsored by the Sauk Prairie Kiwanis.
Other events include guided eagle watching tours; an “Eagles in Wisconsin” program with Pat Manthey, DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources; a “Birds of Prey Show,” with live raptors presented by The Raptor Center from the University of Minnesota; wildlife photography with Bill Pielsticker; a “Meet and Greet Booth” with staff from the Raptor Center providing hands on teaching tools such as feathers, wings, skulls, feet and opportunity for close up photos; eagle conservation efforts presented by the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council; a program on “Fun Animal Adaptations” by David Stokes; children’s activities; and other displays and events. A complete schedule of activities can be found on the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council Web site at [www.ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org] (exit DNR).
Information is also available by calling 1-800-683-2453.
Cassville Bald Eagle DaysThe 15th Annual Bald Eagle Days Celebration will be held Jan. 26-27 in Cassville on the Mississippi River in Grant County. Each year hundreds of eagles spend the winter in the Cassville area where the birds can be seen along the village’s waterfront.
From 8 a.m. to noon knowledgeable volunteers from the Cassville area will assist birders in locating eagles at the Wildlife Observation Deck at Cassville’s Riverside Park. Education programs will be held at the Cassville High School, 715 E Amelia St. on Saturday January 26 beginning at 9 a.m. including:
* Herb Lange, wildlife photographer from Hazel Green Wisconsin
* Helen Anderson, wildlife photographer from Lancaster Wisconsin
* Sue and Merv Broten, Coulee Rehabilitation Center, Chaseburg Wisconsin
* Diane Moller, Hoo’s Woods Inc, Raptor Center, Whitewater Wisconsin
* Duke Addicks, storyteller
Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation DayBald Eagle Appreciation Day will be held Feb. 23 on the grounds of the Wisconsin Welcome Center/Prairie du Chien Chamber, 211 S Main, Prairie du Chien and co-host site AmericInn. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live Bald Eagle programs (eagle from the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn.); exhibits and presentations on eagles and raptors, birding experts on hand, outdoor viewing of bald eagles through spotting scopes, life-size bald eagle nest, activities for children, mini field trips to other viewing locations, refreshments, co-sponsored by Effigy Mounds National Monument and the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Council, 800 732-1673.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on bald eagles contact Randy Jurewicz, DNR endangered resources biologist - (608) 267-7507 or Pat Manthey, DNR avian ecologist, La Crosse at - (608) 789-5651.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: on Sauk-Prairie Eagle Watching Days - 1-800-683-2453; on Cassville Bald Eagle Days - (608) 725-5855; on Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation Days - 1-800-732-1673
