Eagle council seeks volunteers
The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council is seeking volunteers willing to help the organization assist bird watchers during Eagle Watching Days in January.
The council also is seeking volunteers to help count eagles and their roosts throughout the winter months along the Wisconsin River. Training is provided.
According to a press release submitted by the council, now is a good time to start eagle watching, photographing eagles and sharing observations and photos.
Bald Eagle Watching Days will be Jan. 17. This year's activities will only take place on Saturday, with no formal activities planned for Sunday, although individuals still will be able to see eagles on that day.
Volunteers are needed to assist at the Eagle Overlook in Prairie du Sac. Volunteers are also needed to help with bus tours. If interested in volunteering for roost counts, call Jeb Brazen at 544-2107. If interested in bus tours, call Joan Quean, (608) 393-9360.
Bald eagles in Sauk Prairie
American Bald Eagles tend to perch on island and shoreline trees during the day, watching for a meal to go down river. This fishing technique requires little expenditure of energy, which is critical for these raptors in winter, and this is why perching trees are critical along the river. At night in winter, eagles tend to congregate in sheltered roost sites near feeding areas.
Several pairs of eagles have raised broods along the Wisconsin River this past summer, and some of them may remain in the area for the winter. Most of the eagles wintering in the Sauk Prairie area come from their northern nesting areas because the area provides open water, open farm fields, sheltering bluffs for night roosts and perching trees where they can conserve energy and watch for a meal to come by.
The upper trail at Ferry Bluff, one roost site, will be closed to hikers as of Nov. 15. Violators can be and have been fined. It also is illegal to possess feathers from eagles unless permitted.
Help build a statewide biological database
The council also is encouraging area residents to participate in the Wisconsin Nature Mapping Program, which deals with the frog and toad survey, garlic mustard survey, Asian beetle survey and milkweed community study. The CSC program also allows citizens who watch birds at backyard feeders, discover tracks in snow or mud, or spot an opossum road kill to report their observations.
Nature mapping gathers everyday observations of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles across the state. This includes visual and auditory observations. According to the press release, any residents seeking to participate should note the geographic location of each observation and log onto www.wisnatmap.org to make a report.
- Eagle staff