OAK HARBOR, OH - Cold and snowy winter weather did not deter the state's bald eagles from kicking off the 2003 nesting season as several eagle pairs recently began incubating eggs in four Ohio counties, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Eagle pairs in Seneca, Ross, Ottawa and Sandusky counties began nesting over the past week and others are expected to begin nesting between now and mid-April. State wildlife biologists expect another successful breeding season.
As our national symbol, these large, majestic birds deservedly attract public attention, said Steve Gray, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife. And as Ohioans commemorate Ohio's bicentennial anniversary this year, we can reflect upon the great resurgence bald eagles have experienced in the Buckeye State.
Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 25 years ago, to a record 79 eagle pairs in 28 Ohio counties in 2002. The pairs produced a record 107 young last year.
ODNR Division of Wildlife staff and a group of trained volunteers monitor existing nests and continue to look for nests that may as yet be undiscovered.
Active nests are located in the following 28 Ohio counties: Ashtabula (1), Crawford (1); Delaware (1); Erie (8); Geauga (3); Guernsey (1); Hancock (1); Henry (1); Holmes (1); Huron (2); Knox (2); Licking (1); Lorain (2); Lucas (5); Mahoning (3); Marion (1); Mercer (1); Noble (1); Ottawa (14); Portage (2); Ross (1); Sandusky (10); Seneca (4); Stark (1); Trumbull (6); Wayne (1); Wood (3) and Wyandot (5).
Anyone who observes eagles building a new nest should contact the county wildlife officer or a wildlife district office. Eagle observers are reminded that bald eagles and their nest sites are protected by state and federal laws. Any type of disturbance around a nest could cause the birds to abandon the nest or discourage them from using the nest in the future.
Although bald eagles may range over great distances, once they are mature enough to breed they usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Bald eagles reach breeding maturity at three to four years of age. They generally keep the same mate year after year, but if one of the pair should die, the other eagle will find another mate. An eagle's life span in the wild is generally 15 to 20 years.
Bald eagles build huge nests in the tops of tall trees near water, and often re-use the nest year after year. Nests may reach 10 feet across and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Eagles lay two to three eggs once a year, which hatch in about 35 days.
Eaglets are mottled brown and do not acquire pure white head and tail feathers until age five or six. The young are flying within three months, but remain under the care of the adults for another seven to 10 weeks.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife initiated the states bald eagle restoration program in 1979. The state's bald eagle management program is partially funded by donations to the Division's state income tax check-off program for Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species. Contributions can be made by checking line 24 (form 1040) or line 16 (EZ form) on the 2002 state income tax form.
The program is also funded by the sale of Ohio conservation license plates including the bald eagle and cardinal plates. The license plates can be purchased through a deputy registrar license outlet or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles toll-free at 1-888-PLATES3.