Bald Eagle Watching Days Jan. 14-15
Public invited to visit Sauk City – Prairie du Sac area for 16th annual event
MADISON – The release of a rehabilitated bald eagle isamong the activities scheduled for Bald Eagle Watching Days 2006 which will be held Jan. 14 and 15 in the Wisconsin River communities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac.
This section of the Wisconsin River, just downstream from the dam at Prairie du Sac, is a winter gathering place for the United States’ national symbol and offers one of the greatest concentrations of bald eagles in the state.
Ferry Bluff Eagle Council began conducting eagle roost counts on Dec. 4, when they counted 187 eagles along the lower Wisconsin River. On Dec. 18 the number had risen to 198 eagles. Preliminary results for the most recent count, during this unusually warm period, found 131 eagles using the night roosts. An aerial survey of the river will be done just prior to Eagle days.
A highlight of the eagle-watching weekend will be the planned release of rehabilitated eagles from the VFW Park at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
"The strong current below the Prairie du Sac dam keeps the river from freezing, allowing eagles access to fish – their favorite food," said Randy Jurewicz, endangered resources biologist for the Department of Natural Resources, in explaining the reason for the annual concentration of bald eagles in the area.
"In addition to good fishing, the area’s bluffs and valleys provide shelter from severe weather and roosting habitat for the night," continued Jurewicz. "Watching an eagle dive to pluck a fish out of the water is an amazing sight that I never tire of seeing."
Pat Manthey, a DNR avian ecologist and Marge Gibson, a wildlife rehabilitator, will give a presentation on the status of bald eagles in Wisconsin along with a live bird-of-prey show from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the River Arts Center, 105 Ninth St.. There is limited seating for this event and tickets (free) are required. Tickets are available at the ticket booth at the River Arts Center.
Spotting scopes will be available at the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council’s Overlook, 540 Water Street, in Prairie du Sac but Jurewicz advises people to bring binoculars if they have them.
Visitors can make a day of it with eagle activities planned throughout Saturday and Sunday. Starting at 8 a.m. in the food court at Sauk Prairie High School, 105 Ninth St., the Sauk Prairie Kiwanis will serve pancakes, pastries, coffee and beverages. Kids activities (face painting, crafts and storytelling) are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and free guided eagle-viewing bus tours will depart on the half-hour between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Also, at the River Arts Center, at the south end of the high school, visitors can view eagle informational materials, exhibits and videos.
On Saturday evening WEAGLE Radio returns for a fifth year, bringing the "Eagle Home Companion" radio spoof to life again. This homegrown variety/comedy show has delighted audiences in past performances. Individual tickets are $5 and a whole family ticket is $10 with proceeds going to the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council. Tickets can be purchased at the Community Education Center beginning approximately Jan 3 and at the River Arts Center all day Saturday Jan 15.
Food and beverages will be available the VFW Park before and after the 2 p.m. eagle release each day.
Eagle watching days is sponsored by the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council and the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Endangered Resources. For more information, contact the Sauk Prairie Chamber of Commerce,
www.saukprairie.com or at 1-800-683-2453, the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council,
www.ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org, the Department of Natural Resources,
http://dnr.wi.gov/ – Bureau of Endangered Resources (608) 266-7012, or visit the Bureau of Endangered Resources’ bald eagle days Web page.
2006 Bald Eagle Watching Days Schedule of Activities
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14 and 15, 2006
River Arts Center (RAC) –High School, 105 Ninth St.
* 6-8 a.m., Live Broadcast, Q106 AM - Saturday Only, Leystra's Venture Restaurant.
* 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Food Court Open, Sauk Prairie Kiwanis, HS Cafeteria.
* 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Kids Activities, Kelly Kearns, DNR - Endangered Resources, RAC Gallery.
* 9-9:30 a.m. Soaring Eagle, 1st Response / Rehabilitation, RAC Theater.
* 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Eagle Watching Tours, Various Guides, FBEC & DNR, RAC Entrance.
* 9:45-10:45 a.m. Wildlife Photography, Bill Pielsticker, Photographer, RAC Theater.
* 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Bird Collection Display, Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society, Museum.
* 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Eagle Wines Release, Wollersheim Winery, Wollersheim Winery.
* 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Eagles in Wisconsin, Pat Manthey, DNR - Endangered Resources, RAC Theatre. Live Birds of Prey Program, Marge Gibson, Raptor Education Group, Inc., RAC Theatre. Limited Seating! Tickets Required. Free tickets in RAC ticket booth. Doors open at 10:45 a.m.
* 1 - 3:30 p.m. Food and Beverages for Sale, VFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Park.
* 1:30 - 2 p.m. Radio Tracking Demo, Jeb Barzen, Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, VFW Park.
* 2 p.m. Release of Rehabilitated Eagle, Marge Gibson, Raptor Education Group, Inc., VFW Park.
* 4 - 5 p.m. Family Variety Show Focusing on Eagles (WEAGLE) - Saturday Only -- $5 per person or $10 per family.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources - (608) 266-7012
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