There aren't as many eagles along the lower Wisconsin River this winter.
Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Dan Goltz says he's only counted about 68 eagles flying along the river this winter, compared to more than 280 last year. Eagles are common in the region stretching from the Petenwell Dam to the Mississippi during winter months, because they use the area to hunt for fish.
Goltz says there's no reason to be concerned though. He expects the drop is due to an increase in ice cover this season and a drop in the population of fish the eagles typically go after.
Goltz suspects the birds are scavenging for deer carcasses and other food elsewhere.
