COLUMBUS, OH -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently confirmed the first recorded eagle nest in Licking County since the 19th century, when eagles were reported to have nested in the Buckeye Lake area. In late March, two adult eagles were seen building a nest on the east side of Newark.
"It is a little late in the season to expect the eagle to lay eggs this year," said Bill Bullard, Licking County wildlife officer. "But if not this year, hopefully next spring the nest will produce eaglets."
The Licking County nest is located on county-owned property behind Zerger Hall (745 E. Main). The best viewing spot for the nest and eagles is behind Zerger Hall near the guardrail with the dead-end road sign. Binoculars or a spotting scope are advised. ODNR urges courtesy when viewing the eagles and has asked motorists to park their vehicles to avoid block local traffic patterns.
Locally, bald eagle nests exist in Coshocton and Delaware counties; two nests are located in Knox County. The Newark nest is one of eight new nests confirmed so far this year in Ohio by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Last year, a record 63 bald eagle pairs nested in the state and produced a record 89 young.
Record hatches over the past decade are contributing to the tremendous growth in the state's bald eagle population. The number of new nests increases each year as young birds raised in Ohio reach maturity and establish their own nesting territories.
In 1979, there were only four bald eagle nests in Ohio. Bald eagles became endangered due to pesticide contamination and habitat destruction. This year, Division of Wildlife biologists confirmed a record 71 bald eagle territories in Ohio. They are monitoring several other areas where eagles may be building nests.
Eagle observers should be aware that bald eagles and their active nests are totally protected in Ohio. All laws, including endangered species protection and trespassing regulations, will be strictly enforced in the vicinity of the nest site.
Statewide, eagle nests are located in 25 counties. Bald eagles are classified as an endangered species in Ohio. They generally keep the same mate from year to year, but will acquire a new mate quickly if something happens to one of the pair. Eagles build nests made of large sticks. Pairs will frequently use the same nest from year to year, building it larger each year. They eat fish, waterfowl, small mammals and even carrion.
Anyone who observes what may be nest building activity by an eagle pair should contact their county wildlife officer or a Division of Wildlife office.
The state's bald eagle restoration efforts are funded by the sale of the Ohio conservation license plates, including the bald eagle and cardinal plates, and contributions to the state income tax checkoff program for wildlife diversity and endangered species. 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.
Ohio taxpayers can donate all or a portion of their state income tax refund to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund by checking the appropriate box on their 2000 state income tax form.