January 26, 2005

OHIO’S MID-WINTER EAGLE SURVEY COMPLETE
PRELIMINARY TOTAL JUST SHY OF THE 2004 RECORD

OAK HARBOR, OH - A near-record number of bald eagles was observed in the state during the annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

A preliminary total of 366 bald eagles were observed, including 247 mature bald eagles and 119 immature eagles (birds less than 5 years old). Last year, a final count revealed 372 bald eagles during the mid-winter survey, a group composed of 282 mature and 90 immature birds. Last spring, 127 eaglets fledged from a record 108 nests.

“Ohio’s bald eagle population continues to expand throughout the state. This once federally endangered species has prospered due to conservation efforts and the desire by many people to bring back this magnificent bird,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Bald eagles were observed in 55 of Ohio's 88 counties during this year's two-week survey. Counties along the western shore of Lake Erie continue to report the largest number of eagles. Sandusky County had the greatest number of sightings with 56 birds.

Counties with the highest counts of bald eagles were: Sandusky-56, Ottawa-49, Erie-35, Wyandot-27, and Trumbull-19.

Although generally concentrated along western Lake Erie, bald eagles were sighted statewide wintering around the mouth of the Sandusky River, as well as the Kokosing, Scioto, and Muskingum rivers. Clermont, Scioto, and Hamilton counties along the Ohio River were the southern-most locations of eagle sightings.

State wildlife officials conduct the survey each January, part of a national effort coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The survey documents trends in wintering populations of eagles in the lower 48 states, including both the bald and golden eagles.

Although rarely seen in Ohio, one golden eagle (age unknown) was spotted this year. The number of sightings could increase as the golden eagle population in the eastern Arctic expands.

The annual eagle assessment includes a standardized aerial survey and observations from the ground by field personnel, a team of volunteers, and the general public.

Eagles were recorded in the following counties: Allen-3, Ashtabula-8, Auglaize-1, Clermont-2, Columbiana-2, Coshocton-6, Crawford-2, Cuyahoga-3, Darke-1, Defiance-2, Delaware-5, Erie-35, Fairfield-1, Franklin-1,Geauga-5, Greene-1, Guernsey-1, Hamilton-1, Hancock-2, Harrison-7, Henry-2, Highland-5, Holmes-2, Huron-1, Knox-9, Lake-2, Licking-2, Lorain-6, Lucas-11, Mahoning-4, Marion-3, Mercer-2, Monroe-1, Montgomery-2, Morgan-1, Muskingum-7, Noble-2, Ottawa-49, Pike-3, Portage-4, Putnam-2, Richland-12, Ross-10, Sandusky-56, Scioto-5, Seneca-5, Shelby-1, Summit-1, Trumbull-19, Tuscarawas-6, Vinton-1, Washington-3, Wayne-3, Wood-8, Wyandot-27.

The state’s bald eagle management program is funded by contributions to the state income tax check-off program for Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species and by the sale of Ohio conservation license plates that include the bald eagle and cardinal plates. Contributions can be made by checking the appropriate line on the Ohio 2004 state income tax form. 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.