|
February 14, 2006
|
ACTIVE NESTS |
|
COUNTY |
# |
|
Ashtabula |
3 |
|
Brown |
1 |
|
Coshocton |
1 |
|
Crawford |
1 |
|
Cuyahoga |
1 |
|
Defiance |
2 |
|
Delaware |
3 |
|
Erie |
11 |
|
Geauga |
3 |
|
Guernsey |
1 |
|
Hancock |
2 |
|
Hardin |
1 |
|
Harrison |
1 |
|
Henry |
1 |
|
Highland |
1 |
|
Holmes |
1 |
|
Huron |
3 |
|
Knox |
4 |
|
Lake |
1 |
|
Licking |
1 |
|
Lorain |
2 |
|
Lucas |
6 |
|
Mahoning |
2 |
|
Marion |
1 |
|
Mercer |
2 |
|
Morgan |
1 |
|
Muskingum |
1 |
|
Noble |
1 |
|
Ottawa |
20 |
|
Pickaway |
1 |
|
Portage |
4 |
|
Putnam |
1 |
|
Richland |
1 |
|
Ross |
3 |
|
Sandusky |
19 |
|
Seneca |
6 |
|
Trumbull |
7 |
|
Tuscarawas |
1 |
|
Wayne |
1 |
|
Wood |
5 |
|
Wyandot |
8 |
OHIO’S BALD EAGLES BEGIN INCUBATING EGGS
Bald Eagle Resources
 OAK HARBOR, OH - Ohio’s bald eagle nesting season is underway with at least eight eagle pairs already incubating eggs, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
An eagle pair in Ashtabula County began sitting on eggs January 30. Wildlife biologists anticipate the eggs will hatch sometime in mid-March. Eagle nest sites this spring are expected to exceed the number identified in 2005, as a record number of bald eagles were discovered in the state last month during the annual mid-winter eagle survey. During the survey, biologists observed bald eagles in 63 of the state’s 88 counties, with most noted along the western shore of Lake Erie. However, eagles are expanding their range around the state, establishing nesting territories in central and southern Ohio.
“Bald eagles are doing exceptionally well in Ohio,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “We are looking forward to another banner nesting season.”
Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 26 years ago, to a record 125 eagle nests in 2005. Those pairs produced 136 young.
The Division of Wildlife staff and a dedicated group of trained volunteers monitor existing nests during the season and continue to look for nests that may as yet be undiscovered.
Active nests are located in the 41 Ohio counties listed in the chart.
Anyone who observes eagles building a new nest should contact the state wildlife officer for that county or a wildlife district office. Individuals are reminded that state and federal laws protect bald eagles and their nest sites. Any type of disturbance around a nest could cause the birds to abandon the site or discourage them from using the nest in the future.
Bald eagles range over great distances until mature enough to breed at 3 to 4 years of age. They usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Although eagles generally keep the same mate, if one of the pair should die the other will find another mate. An eagle's life span in the wild is about 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. The eggs hatch in about 35 days.
The young will fly within three months, but remain under the care of the adults for another seven to 10 weeks. Immature eagles are mottled brown in color and do not acquire their signature white head and tail feathers until age 5 or 6.
The Division of Wildlife initiated the state’s bald eagle restoration program in 1979. The bald eagle management program is partially funded by donations to the state income tax check-off program for Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species. Contributions to the fund can be made by checking line 29 on the 1040 or line 20 on the1040 EZ, 2005 state income tax forms. Donations can also be made via the Internet at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. Click on the red “donate” button on the left side of the page.
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, on the Internet at OPLATES.com or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-PLATES3.
|