Bald Eagle Watching Day has been scheduled for March 5 in Ferryville

The 8th Annual Bald Eagle Watching Day is being scheduled for Saturday, March 5 in Ferryville, WI at the Village Community Center located on State Highway 35, Wisconsin’s “Great River Road.” This program is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council and is free to the public. The event is co-sponsored this year by the Friends of Pool 9, an organization that does so much in the local area to preserve and protect the environment and the Mississippi Region of Pool 9.
Event activities take place from 10:15 a.m.-3 p.m., with doors opening at 10 a.m. There will be opportunities to see and learn about Bald Eagles plus enjoy refreshments. In addition, there will be free children’s craft activities throughout the event.
There are many eagle nests in the area, including a new one just south of Ferryville, WI. The Pool 9 section has more nests than in any other part of the Mississippi River.
Live Bald Eagle programs will take place at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. featuring eagles from the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. Learn how the Bald Eagles have returned to this area in increasing numbers and what can be done to support this effort to help the eagles flourish.
The University of Minnesota Raptor Center is back for the sixth year with raptors and an eagle, with photo opportunities available. Returning for the fifth year in a row is “Lois, The Owl”. Lois loves an audience and is a “must see” part of the raptor presentation.
Local photographic artist Larry Knutson will be exhibiting his award-winning art featuring scenes of nature, eagles and the area. Knutson is a native of Ferryville, WI and the region. His art is well known throughout the Driftless Region and this event provides an opportunity to meet him in person.
At 10:15 a.m., Chloris Lowe of the Ho Chunk Nation  will present a program about the Ho Chunk and the importance of the Bald Eagle in their culture, providing an opportunity for everyone to learn more about how the Ho Chunk lived in the area and see artifacts that are treasures from the past.
New this year, at 11:15 a.m., Brenda Kelly, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Mississippi River Wildlife Biologist, and Scott Kelly, De Soto High School educator, will present “Get Ready for the Spring Migration and Learn the Waterfowl of the Upper Mississippi River”.  This is a “crash course” in basic waterfowl identification skills to use for years to come.
At 1 p.m. there is a “Hooting Contest” for folks of all ages with awards in each of five age categories: Five years old & under, ages six-12, ages 13-18, ages 19-54, age 55 and up).
Bald Eagle Nest Building will take place at 1:30 p.m. Dr. Michael White will build a Bald Eagle nest with the help of youth in the audience.  Learn how “really big” these nests are, how heavy they are and how they are constructed.
De Soto Middle School students and Seneca Middle School students are participating in a display of art and science projects that educate about Bald Eagles. Kathy Schwarz, Middle School teacher at De Soto, Tom Stingl, Middle School Art teacher at De Soto, and Cody Sime of the Seneca Middle School are all working with the Ferryville Tourism Council to create this exhibit as part of the day’s activities.  Students compete for awards in the following categories: Creativity, Informative, Judges Choice and Most Artistic.  Student teams will receive trophies to recognize their scholastic achievements at the awards ceremony at 1 p.m.
Along with special treats available throughout the event, local restaurants are featuring special items just for Bald Eagle Day. For additional information, go to the Ferryville Tourism Council website, www.visitferryville.com, or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ferryvillewi.