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Bald Eagle Viewing in Madison, Wisconsin

Updated on September 19, 2017
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Jaynie is from Madison, WI but has traveled extensively. Her family speaks 4 languages, making the world very accessible.

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Viewing Bald Eagles

The American Bald Eagle may be our national bird, but depending upon where you live in the US, sightings of this bird can be rare if not impossible.

In Wisconsin, where I live, there are opportunities for sightings, but the best viewing takes place in nearby Sauk City and Prairie du Sac along the Wisconsin River. Located only 18 miles northwest of the capitol city of Madison, Sauk Prairie, as the two communities are commonly referred to, offers excellent viewing opportunities from late December through late February.

The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, a grass roots non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Bald Eagle, sponsors the annual Eagle Days. In 2011, Eagle Days will take place on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15. This event will feature educational opportunities such as live raptor shows, children's activities and live entertainment. From 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on January 15, the Wollersheim Winery will host a wine tasting event.

The council offer bus tours every Saturday for $5.00 per persons over 5 years of age. Those 5 and younger ride for free. The tour takes guests through the known roosting areas and other areas in which eagles sightings are likely to occur such as the dam at VFW Park and the Eagle Overlook station. Council members are on hand on Saturdays and Sundays to help guests use the spotting scopes at the Overlook and to answer questions.

There is a tiny patch of land in the middle of the river near the Overlook upon which at least one or two eagles are routinely spotted. They provide excellent opportunities for photographs.

While you are in Sauk City, stop into any of their small local diners for homemade lunch and dessert or a coffee to warm yourself. Staff are always friendly an accustomed to guests that pass through only to view the eagles.

If you're heading back to Madison, you may also pop in to the Wollersheim Winery. Tours and tasting events are often available. You can also purchase a few bottles to take home and sip later as you review your photos from the trip.

For more information about tours, the preservation efforts of the council, or about the majestic bald eagle, visit www.ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org.

Eagle Overlook in Prairie du Sac

Young Bald Eagle

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    • Jaynie2000 profile image
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      Jaynie2000 7 years ago

      Wow, that's so great! I'd love to have that type of daily access. They really are amazing creatures.

    • gypsumgirl profile image

      gypsumgirl 7 years ago from Vail Valley, Colorado

      Thanks for sharing! Eagles are so majestic and mesmerizing to watch! I live in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado along the Eagle River and there's one that I watch out my back window all the time. Living right on the river definitely helps as it comes to fish.

    • Jaynie2000 profile image
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      Jaynie2000 7 years ago

      Wow! That's great. I usually see a few when we go out to the Sauk City area and there is a nest along the lake where we occasionally summer in Eagle River, but I rarely see them anywhere else. When we do, it's so thrilling!

    • rpalulis profile image

      rpalulis 7 years ago from NY

      Great photo, last year I had seen 3 different sightings of Bald Eagles here in NY while driving. Couldn't believe it, all my life living here never seeing one and then 3 just last winter. I was so mad because one was right on the shoulder of the road feeding on a deer carcass and I had no camera, not even my cell phone, figures right!

    • Jaynie2000 profile image
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      Jaynie2000 7 years ago

      Thank you Lilly. That sounds wonderful. I think they are such amazing birds.

    • LillyGrillzit profile image

      Lori J Latimer 7 years ago from The River Valley, Arkansas

      Thank you for sharing this. I am spoiled. Arkansas has been good to the Eagles. They are fairly free to prosper and are. Glad to always send props to our feathered friends. Thanks!

    • Jaynie2000 profile image
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      Jaynie2000 7 years ago

      Oh you are fortunate. I went to Wyoming and Montana about 5 years ago. Truly beautiful!

    • Deborah Demander profile image

      Deborah Demander 7 years ago from First Wyoming, then THE WORLD

      Thanks for this informative hub. I'm lucky to be able to see eagles often, here in southwest Wyoming.

      Namaste.

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