If you enjoy watching Bald Eagles, visiting the Prairie du Chien area is a must! Prairie du Chien is along the migration route and, is a normal wintering area for these birds in the Mississippi River valley.
Bald Eagle Report
 If you would
like to report Bald Eagle activities in the area, email your report
to this web site or contact the Chamber of Commerce office,
1-800-732-1673.
Thursday, March 15, 2008 Report: Just
returned from a quick trip to local eagle hangouts. The
eagles are moving and numbers are up. At Gremore Lake, 4
miles north of Prairie du Chien a dozen eagles are sitting on the
ice in front of the Lakeview Bar. Another dozen eagles were
flying in the area. Eagles are also present along Ambro
Slough out from the DNR boat landing near an active nest.
More eagles are present in and near the city, especially along St.
Feriole Slough, which is the slough just west of the Welcome
Center on US 18. Another 20 eagles were seen near the
Campion Boat Landing on the south side of town. About 15
eagles were observed flying over town, all heading north,
utilizing the west wind and the lift from the bluffs on the east
side of the city. Good eagle day.
Dennis and Alice Kirschbaum, Prairie
du Chien, Wi
Thursday, March 13, 2008 Report:
Spring has arrived - at least the birds think so!
The spring migration has started. In the
Prairie du Chien area the following migrating birds have been seen
in or near the park starting March 12th:Robin, Turkey Vulture,
Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle (watch for
groups of 8-10 flying over),Red-shouldered Hawk, Ring-billed Gull,
and Herring Gull.
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 Report:
My personal favorite bald eagle
location is Prairie du Chien on Ambro Road along Gremore Lake. Once
during bald eagle spring migration when I drove to the south dead
end of Ambro Road, I could count 194 eagles without moving my feet.
The ice was just 'going out' on the lake and there were 109 eagles
on the ice and 85 perched in trees. I just stood and counted. In
addition to that large one-spot count, the trees along the road and
Ambro Slough area were filled with bald eagles. If
you go to Prairie du Chien for eagle viewing be sure to check out
all the spots along the river....County K; the park area; boat
landing on south side; St. Feriole Island. Wabasha,
Minnesota is also a good spot for multiple sightings in one tree.
At evening feeding time, I have seen many
bald eagles at Lock and Dam # 7 at LaCrescent, Minnesota.
Keep Looking Up!
Sharon Swiggum :) Richland
Center in Richland County
Eagle Habits
The Mississippi River valley is an ideal wintering habitat for the bald eagle. There is food, shelter, and a good source of lifting winds in this area. The bald eagle prefers fish and the river has an abundance of species for the eagle to catch or scavenge. Eagles will also go inland where food sources are available. Eagles need deep valleys to roost in at night for protection from wind and cold.
During the day they use perching trees near open water feeding areas for resting and searching for food. Large riverbank cottonwood and oak trees are ideal for this perch. Eagles spend much of their time  soaring over the river looking for food or moving from one area to another. As the cold air of the morning warms it lifts. The greatest lifting action occurs along the river bluffs. Eagles take advantage of this lifting action and can be seen soaring along the bluffs for hours utilizing this free wind. As long as there is open water on the river there will be eagles in the area.
Prairie du Chien Viewing Areas
A good spot for eagle viewing is between the Blackhawk Avenue and Washington Street bridges in Prairie du Chien. A large artesian well provides open water. Eagles will perch in trees along the slough. Check the trees along the Mississippi River shore near and across from Lawler Park on St. Feriole Island is another location of eagle activity. The park is west and north of the Blackhawk Avenue bridge. A mounted bird scope for viewing is available (located in back of building) at the Wisconsin Welcome Center/Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce building, 211 S. Main. Enroute to Prairie du Chien watch for eagles soaring or perching in trees in open field areas looking for food.
Tips For Viewing Eagles
You can spend the day or several days viewing eagles. You will need appropriate clothing and binoculars. A spotting scope is nice too. Eagle watching begins in the morning about an hour after sunrise. The birds are most active from then until about 3:00PM, feeding in open water areas. Birds can be seen soaring, perching in riverside trees, and sitting on the ice. By late afternoon the birds will be heading for the roost and will not be active unless you are on a flight path to the roost.
The best places to see eagles in the area include the Gordon's Bay boat landing and Lock and Dam #9, 10 miles north of Prairie du Chien. The boat landing is cleared of snow so eagle watchers can simply park near the ramp facing slightly upstream. Watch for eagles in the big cottonwoods along the Wisconsin shoreline, across the river in trees along the Iowa shoreline, and soaring overhead or over the open water caused by flowing water from the dam. Staying in your vehicle will provide you the best viewing as soaring eagles have been known to come very close to the boat landing with their feeding activity. Eagles will be seen flying and perched in trees along the river as you travel to and from this area from Prairie du Chien.
Other Eagle Viewing Sites
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Three miles north of Marquette, IA,
563-873-3491
Pikes Peak State Park
2.5 miles south of McGregor, IA on Hwy 340
563-873-2341
Wyalusing State Park
10 miles south of Prairie du Chien, WI
608-996-2261
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