Happy holidays one and all!  I hope your holiday has been everything you imagined it would be (in a good way!) I also hope those of you who get stressed out during the holiday season find time to take a little break.  If you do find the time for a little escape, I’ve got a secret for you.  Bald eagles are not just in Sauk Prairie any longer.  In fact, right here in Baraboo there are a bunch of eagles, mostly adolescents, hanging out on the Baraboo river right by the Circus World Museum.

Now the big question at the moment is, “Where’d they come from?”  One day last week we counted at least 6 from one vantage point. This is certainly something new. Well, first and foremost wintering eagles need a healthy food supply and access to it. This is why the Sauk Prairie Dam is so popular with the eagles in our part of Wisconsin.  There is always open water in the winter and always a good food supply.  Well, here on the Baraboo, the overall heath of the river and the fish population it sustains has been growing rapidly since the last of the dams were removed. Many locals remember the battles that caused! Now the section of river that runs through the city of Baraboo drops just over 4 feet from one end of the city to the other. The class I & II rapids are just enough to keep sections of the river open year ’round. Perfect for over-wintering eagles.

It seems like eagle populations have been growing rapidly in our area.  At least from my limited perspective.  From memory I can note the arrival of a nesting pair of Bald eagles on the South Shore of Devil’s Lake, then only a couple years ago I started seeing eagles buzzing the Baraboo river right through the city.  Suddenly this year the arrival of snow has brought the arrival of eagles on the river banks.  While we have seen a few adults,  most of the eagles we’ve seen on the Baraboo river in the past couple weeks do not have their adult markings. In fact they are looking a bit ratty. That tends to suggest a bunch of  young punks from the area who don’t have permanent homes yet..  Let’s hope they pass along the tip and the arrival of the eagles in Baraboo becomes an annual winter event.

Over the last few days we’ve been driving a route I’ve dubbed the “Eagle Loop”.  The 2 mile loop encircles a section of the Baraboo river and offers you the best access to the areas where the the eagles have been hanging out. It also takes you through some of the less “presentable” parts of the city as well…  I’ve added the loop to our Skillet Creek Google Map.

If you do plan on taking a drive up to see the eagles on the Baraboo river here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Bald Eagles are wild animals and not tourist attractions. They may or may not be here when you are.
2. Stay in your car at all times.  Use it as a “blind”. The eagles we’ve seen are very tolerant of cars. The road is at times very close to the river and the birds. You don’t need to get out of your car to see better or to take photos. Actions you take that disturb the birds and cause them to fly off only make them use what limited energy they have stored for the winter and put them at risk.
3. Do not make loud noises or otherwise harass the eagles. We want the eagles to feel comfortable, and of course return each winter.
4. Don’t throw food or otherwise litter.  Eagles don’t need popcorn!

Now, if you are really into Bald eagles you’ll want to visit Sauk-Prairie, Wisconsin for their annual “Eagle Days” event held January 15th & 16th 2010. There will be activities, learning programs, exhibits, food court and more.  Click here for more information.

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