OAK HARBOR, OH Six bald eagle pairs have already begun incubating eggs in three Ohio counties along Lake Erie indicating that the 2004 nesting season is underway for our national symbol, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
An eagle pair in Sandusky County began sitting on eggs in early February and since then, five other pairs are known to be incubating in Sandusky, Ottawa, and Huron counties. Especially significant this year is incubation at a nest on Middle Bass Island.
“This is the first active nest on the Lake Erie islands with actual egg-laying since well before Ohio’s eagle populations declined during the 1960s and ‘70s,” said Mark Shieldcastle, eagle project leader at ODNR’s Crane Creek Wildlife Research Station.
Biologists have identified 94 nest territories in the state, six of which are new this year. Nesting at these sites is expected to begin between now and mid-April.
“This has the potential to be yet another record-setting year,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “Ohio is very close to having 100 nests. Reaching that milestone will be a great accomplishment.”
Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 26 years ago, to a record 88 eagle pairs in 34 Ohio counties in 2003. The pairs produced 105 young last year.
ODNR Division of Wildlife staff and a very dedicated 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 34 Ohio counties: Ashtabula (2), Coshocton (1); Crawford (1); Defiance (1); Delaware (1); Erie (9); Geauga (3); Guernsey (1); Hancock (1); Hardin (1); Henry (1); Holmes (1); Huron (1); Knox (2); Lake (1); Lorain (2); Lucas (5); Mahoning (2); Marion (2); Mercer (1); Morgan (1); Noble (1); Ottawa (14); Portage (3); Putnam (1); Ross (1); Sandusky (13); Seneca (4); Summit (1); Trumbull (6); Tuscarawas (1); Wayne (1); Wood (3) and Wyandot (5).
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 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 site or discourage them from using the nest in the future.
Bald eagles range over great distances until mature enough to breed; they usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Bald eagles reach breeding maturity at 3 to 4 years of age. They generally keep the same mate, but if one of the pair should die, the other eagle 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.
Eaglets are mottled brown and do not acquire their signature white head and tail feathers until age 5 or 6. The young will fly within three months, but remain under the care of the adults for another seven to 10 weeks.
The ODNR 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 can be made by checking line 25 (form 1040) or line 17 (EZ form) on the 2003 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.