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January 3, 2005
OHIOANS ASKED TO ASSIST IN ANNUAL MID-WINTER EAGLE SURVEY
More about eagles in Ohio
 COLUMBUS, OH Ohioans are encouraged to assist state wildlife biologists with the annual mid-winter eagle survey, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Wildlife biologists ask residents to report any bald or golden eagle activities they observe between now and January 15 to the Crane Creek Wildlife Research Station at 419-898-0960.
The mid-winter survey is conducted each January as part of a nationwide tally to determine the wintering eagle populations in North America. Last year, 366 bald eagles were reported across Ohio, including 247 adults and 119 immature birds. The survey includes aerial observations, as well as monitoring from the ground by state wildlife biologists.
“There are more opportunities today than ever for Ohioans to observe bald eagles in the wild as the population of these magnificent birds continues to expand throughout the state,” said Mark Shieldcastle, biologist with the Division of Wildlife. “The potential of breeding eagles is becoming a reality in all parts of the state.”
Observers are reminded not to approach a nest. Human interference prior to and during the nesting season may prompt an eagle pair to abandon a nest or discourage them from using it in the future. It is a violation of state and federal law to disturb an eagle nest.
Most eagle nests in Ohio are located along the shores of Lake Erie, but a growing number are found well inland. A few of the viewable inland nest locations include: Delaware State Wildlife Area in Delaware County, Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Killdeer State Wildlife Area in Marion and Wyandot counties, and Knox Lake State Wildlife Area in Knox County.
In 2005, Brown County on the Ohio River recorded its first bald eagle nest. One eaglet fledged from that nest and the adult pair was observed working on the nest this past fall. The nest is located 150 yards south of U.S. 52, across from Free Soil Road. The public can view the nest from a newly completed observation area in Ripley.
Other popular eagle-viewing areas include:
Ohio’s bald eagle population has gone from only four active nesting pairs along southwestern Lake Erie in 1979 to the current modern-day record of 125 breeding pairs. Last year, 136 eaglets fledged from 85 successful nests in 39 Ohio counties, all record numbers.
Last year, active nests were recorded in the following counties: Ashtabula (3), Brown (1), Coshocton (1), Crawford (1), Defiance (2), Delaware (1), Erie (11), Geauga (3), Guernsey (1), Hancock (1), Hardin (1), Harrison (1), Henry (1), Highland (1), Holmes (1), Huron (3), Knox (3), Lake (1), Lorain (2), Lucas (6), Mahoning (2), Marion (1), Mercer (1), Morgan (1), Muskingum (1), Noble (1), Ottawa (18), Pickaway (1), Portage (4), Putnam (1), Richland (1), Ross (3), Sandusky (18), Seneca (6), Trumbull (7), Tuscarawas (1), Wayne (1), Wood (5), and Wyandot (7).
Golden eagles are rarely seen in Ohio. However, a few have been observed over-wintering in the Buckeye State in recent years. The number of sightings is expected to increase as the golden eagle population in the eastern Arctic and from the reintroduction efforts of Georgia and Tennessee expands.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s work with bald eagles is funded through the sale of the bald eagle license plate. Proceeds from the sale of this plate are devoted to acquisition of habitat, as well as the, management and study of bald eagles. Purchase of the bald eagle license plate can be made online at OPLATES.com, from a deputy registrar’s office or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-PLATES3.
Additional funding for bald eagle restoration is derived from contributions to the state’s income tax check-off program, which supports wildlife diversity and endangered species. Ohioans wishing to support this program can donate on this year’s Ohio income tax form. Eagle restoration efforts also can be supported by donations via the Internet at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. Click on the red “donate” button on the left side of the page.
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