Wings Over Alma

1/6/2010 Bald Eagle Count:  39 
All Counts Are From The View Deck Of The Nature Center

With the Blizzard of 2009 came freezing water on the Mississippi River and the eagles arrived on December 12th.  Christmas Day brought 40 degree weather and the ice melted but the Mississippi River below Lock & Dam #4 in Alma, Wisconsin is frozen once again.

Don't miss a rare opportunity to view winter eagles in the wild and on the ice below Lock & Dam #4.  This viewing location on the Mississippi River and in the heart of Alma, Wisconsin couldn't be better.  Eagles can be viewed the entire length of the city of Alma but are especially visible from the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center.  From mid-December through mid-March, you will see dozens to hundreds of bald eagles sitting on the ice.  This is a spectacular occurrence and one that should not be missed.

Food availability for eagles in the winter is very important.  As a result, in the winter, eagles often gather below the locks & dams on the Mississippi River because of the open water for fishing and the ice where they can rest and digest their meal.  And they don't need to worry about frozen food ... when the air temperature is zero or below, open water cannot be colder than 32 degrees.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service says the numbers of eagles wintering along the Upper Mississippi River now rival those of Alaska's Chilkat River, which boasts the world's largest winter bald eagle population.  "We have estimated that as many as 4,000 eagles winter along the Upper Mississippi," says FWS.  The problem is they are spread throughout a very large area.  Alma's advantage is they gather right in our town!

Come watch the winter eagles and support the efforts of the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center.  For additional information on the Center or the winter eagles please call 608-685-3303.