Wisconsin's large and successful population played a significant role in the federal delisting. The bald eagle was listed as both a state and federally endangered species.Ī 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. 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. Wisconsin currently has approximately 1,145 territorial pairs of eagles, according to surveys conducted by DNR wildlife biologists. Eagle numbers along the Mississippi River were typical of an early cold and snowy December. He notes, however, it is possible that the extensive snow cover following the early December snowstorm drove birds farther south to the Mississippi River. Now that temperatures have fallen, much more of the river is frozen, so eagles should be more concentrated along the open water sections," Jurewicz said. "Temperatures were much milder then and there were larger sections of open water along the lower Wisconsin River, so eagles were likely more dispersed. Randy Jurewicz, an endangered resources biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said volunteer spotters from the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council but counted 98 eagles on Januup from the 49 birds near the dam at Prairie du Chien in mid December. 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. 30-31.Įach winter, hundreds of bald eagles congregate along areas of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers where they feed on fish in the open water below dams. Along the Mississippi River, Cassville will hold its 17th annual Bald Eagle Days on Jan. Sauk City and Prairie du Sac on the Wisconsin River will hold the 23nd annual Bald Eagle Watching Days on Jan. MADISON - The recent cold snap has begun to freeze up larger portions of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, which should result in higher concentrations of bald eagles in areas of open water, and should make for good eagle viewing during upcoming bald eagle watching events.
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