Celebrations, viewing events highlight successful recovery of bald eagles in Wisconsin
MADISON – Cold December weather causing early ice-up of areas of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers is resulting in earlier high concentrations of bald eagles and should make for excellent eagle viewing during three upcoming bald eagle watching events.
Sauk City and Prairie du Sac on the Wisconsin River will hold the 22nd annual Bald Eagle Watching Days on Jan. 16-17. Along the Mississippi River, Cassville will hold its 16the annual Bald Eagle Days on Jan. 24-25 and Prairie du Chien will hold a Bald Eagle Appreciation Day on Feb. 28.
Hundreds of bald eagles congregate along areas of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers each winter where they feed on fish in the open water below dams. Wildlife officials say this is the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states, offering some of the best eagle viewing in the nation.
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.
Wisconsin now has approximately 1,150 territorial pairs of eagles, according to Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists.
“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 Endangered Resources Program, which is celebrating 26 years of the income tax check-off in 2009.”
The Endangered Resources 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.
Bald Eagle Watching Days at Sauk City-Prairie du Sac
The 22nd Bald Eagle Watching Days will be held Friday evening and Saturday, Jan. 16 and 17. Wildlife humorist David Stokes kicks off the celebration at 7 p.m. on Friday with fun for the entire family at the Sun Prairie High School River Arts Center.
Saturday’s events include guided eagle watching tours; an “Eagles in Wisconsin” program with Pat Manthey, DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources and the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council; 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; 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).
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.
Information is also available by calling 1-800-683-2453.
Cassville Bald Eagle Days
The 16th Annual Bald Eagle Days Celebration will be held Jan. 24 and 25 in Cassville on the Mississippi River in Grant County. Every year hundreds of eagles spend the winter in the Cassville area where the birds can be seen along the village’s waterfront.
Each day, 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 Saturday, January 24 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Cassville High School, 715 E Amelia St.
This yearly event has earned Cassville the Governor’s Award for “Putting Cassville on the Map” for its contribution to Wisconsin’s status as a premier destination for Bald Eagle watching. This year’s program will include:
9 a.m. - Herb Lange, renowned wildlife photographer from Hazel Green.
10 a.m. - Ken and Barb Bowman, Bat Conservation of Wisconsin
11 a.m. - Bob Anderson-Raptor Resource Project, Canton, Minn.
noon - Dianne Moller, Hoo’s Woods Inc, Raptor Center,
1 p.m. - Art Shegonnee, Native American Dancer
2 p.m. - Merv and Sue Broten, Coulee Rehabilitation Center in Chaseburg.
More information is available at [www.cassville.org] (exit DNR).
Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation Day
Bald Eagle Appreciation Day will be held Feb. 28 on the grounds of the Wisconsin Welcome Center/Prairie du Chien Chamber, 211 S Main.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bald Eagle programs and exhibits will feature birding experts, outdoor viewing of Bald Eagles through spotting scopes, a life-size Bald Eagle nest, children’s activities, and mini field trips to other viewing locations. The event is co-sponsored by Effigy Mounds National Monument and the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce/ Tourism Council.
A brochure on Bald Eagle Appreciation Day is available on the National Park Service Web site at [www.nps.gov] (exit DNR; pdf).
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
