If you want to spot bald eagles in their natural habitats, instead of staring at some sulky bird at the zoo, you may want to head up Highway 12 to Sauk City and Prairie du Sac this weekend to participate in Sauk Prairie’s 23rd Bald Eagle Watching Days on Friday evening, January 15th and Saturday, January 16th.
Each winter, bald eagles gather in the Sauk Prairie area near the Wisconsin River because of a unique combination of factors: For winter survival, eagles need open water for fishing, undeveloped shoreline with large trees for perching, and sheltered valleys for night time roosting.
According to The Ferry Bluffs Eagle Council, which is co-hosting this event with the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce and the DNR Bureau of Endangered resources, the best eagle watching is in the morning, when the birds are actively fishing.
Spotting scopes are available for use at the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council’s Overlook in on Water Street in Prairie du Sac (not far from the Blue Spoon Cafe).
On January 16th, eagle watching bus tours will leave hourly from the River Arts Center at the Sauk Prairie High School, 105 Ninth Street in Sauk City. To reserve a spot, call 1-800-68EAGLE. There is a $5 per person fee/donation (children 5 and under are free).
In addition to eagle spotting, there are many other related activities, including kids activities and a White Eagle Wine Tasting at the Wollersheim Winery. A full schedule of events is available on The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council website.
