Raptors on Lake Beulah 

Submitted by Eric Tarman-Ramcheck

I remember when I saw my first bald eagle on Lake Beulah. I was up on the hill at Camp Charles Allis and witnessed a moment etched in my mind to this day. It was 2010 on a crisp fall afternoon, with the leaves starting to turn. Perched on a large white oak tree, an adult bald eagle took off over the tamaracks and lake below to fly towards Divine Word Seminary. Seeing that majestic bird was a pleasant surprise, and one I’ve become more accustomed to since then. I’ve seen them during every season, from ice-covered winter, to sunny summer days. Our national bird, the eagle is also an important symbol to our country’s indigenous cultures, which hold Eagles in a sacred manner. Strength, power and freedom are words that symbolize the birds’ attributes, but its population wasn’t exactly strong throughout Wisconsin for many recent decades. Our population of bald eagles in the contiguous United States was threatened with extirpation in the mid to late 1900s. Many factors contributed to the decline, to a point in the 1950s when there were only 412 known nesting pairs of bald eagles in the whole 48 contiguous states. Factors like illegal shooting/poaching and thinning of egg shells on nests by the pesticide DDT contributed to the decline. A New York ornithologist reported in 1930 that approximately 70,000 bald eagles had been shot in the previous 12 years. Fortunately, today the bald eagle population is growing, as well as the number of bald eagle nests. Today, the majestic bird is regarded by the DNR as a “least concern” for becoming endangered or extinct and it is reclaiming long-lost nesting places. The DNR has confirmed nesting pairs of eagles in areas near Lake Beulah. Bald eagles, while no longer endangered are still protected by several Federal, State and local ordinances with serious penalties for violations. It is illegal to in any way disturb a nesting site (either active or inactive) or to possess any eagle part without a permit. I am delighted to say my personal sightings of bald eagles on Lake Beulah are becoming ever more frequent, yet another example of natural beauty to behold on the lake. I hope you too are able to enjoy the majesty of our national symbol flying over our beautiful lake.