Advertisement

Bald eagle fun in Ferryville March 4

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

Laura Freeman, of the University of Minnesota Raptor Center, and Maxim, an American Bald Eagle, delight a past Ferryville Bald Eagle Day audience. (Photo by Sherry Quamme)

The ninth annual Bald Eagle Watching Day in Ferryville is Saturday, March 4, at the Village Community Center on Highway 35. This program is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council, co-sponsored by Friends of Pool 9 and free to the public. Complimentary refreshments and children’s craft activities will be available throughout the event.

Event activities are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located right on the Mississippi River, Ferryville is an ideal place to host Bald Eagle Watching Day. There are many eagle nests in the area, including a new one just south of Ferryville. The Pool 9 section has more nests than in any other part of the Mississippi River.

At 10 a.m., bald eagle nest building will start off the day. Dr. Michael White, with the help of children from the audience, will build an eagle’s nest. Learn how “really big” these nests are, how heavy they are and how they are constructed.

Fantastic live bald eagle programs will be at 10:30 a.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 you can do to support this effort and help our eagles flourish. The University of Minnesota Raptor Center is back for its eighth year with raptors and an eagle. Visitors can take photos of the eagles and other raptors and also have their photos taken alongside this national symbol. Returning for the sixth year in a row is “Lois, the Owl.” Lois loves an audience and is a “must see” part of the raptor presentation. Maybe you can even hear her “hoot.”

Local photographer Larry Knutson will exhibit his award-winning art, featuring scenes of nature, eagles and the area. Knutson is a native of Ferryville and the region. His art is well-known throughout the Driftless Region.

At 11:30 a.m., participants will be able to try out their “hooting” skills in a hooting contest for folks of all ages, with awards and ribbons in each of five age categories. Practice up and see if you could be one of the hooting champions.

At 12:15 p.m., the DNR will present assets of the region and hold a drawing for a free eagle license plates for one year.

From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., John Howe and his team from the Decorah Raptor Research Project/Eagle Cam will present “What we learned from an Eagle’s Nest.”

Middle school students from De Soto, Seneca and St. Charles schools are participating in a display of art and science projects that educate the public about bald eagles. Art teachers from the three schools are working with the Ferryville Tourism Council to create this exhibit as part of the day’s activities. Students will compete for awards, as follows: category 1—creativity, category 2—informative, category 3—judges choice and category 4—most artistic. Student teams will receive trophies to recognize their scholastic achievements at the 1:30 p.m. awards ceremony.

Do you love treats, especially eagle and owl cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and Kickapoo Orchards cider? Be sure to enjoy these on your visit for Ferryville’s Bald Eagle Watching Day.

Local restaurants are featuring special items just for day, too. It is “Bald is Beautiful Day” at the Wooden Nickel, plus they have their new bleu cheese eagle burger w/chips. The Swing Inn has a grilled chicken breast and choice of soup or potato as their “Eagle Special” for the day. Ferryville Cheese has a free 12-ounce coffee with the purchase of a breakfast sandwich. Other merchants have plans to make the day extra special as well.

Spend a beautiful Wisconsin day enjoying the great outdoors, March 4, at Bald Eagle Watching Day.

For additional information, visit the Ferryville Tourism Council website at www.visitferryville.com.

For Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/ferryvillewi.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet