COLUMBUS, OH - State wildlife biologists today announced a record 22 osprey nests in Ohio, putting efforts to reintroduce the raptor ahead of schedule, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This number surpasses the goal, set in 1995, of 20 nests in Ohio by 2010.
State wildlife biologists have located nests in Butler, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning, Pickaway, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Warren and Williams counties.
We are pleased to have been able to initiate the return of the osprey to Ohio, said Dave Sherman, wildlife biologist at the Crane Creek Research Station. This species adds to our states wildlife diversity and should continue to thrive here.
Ospreys, now an Ohio endangered species, were once fairly common in Ohio. They are also known as fish eagles because of their size and almost exclusive diet of fish. The large raptors have wing spans of nearly five feet.
Forty chicks this year hatched from 22 nests, up from last years breeding season when 32 chicks were produced from 19 nests.
In addition to successfully reproducing resident birds, 16 osprey were recently relocated to eastern and northern Ohio from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
Prior to Ohios reintroduction efforts, the last ospreys hatched came from Grand Lake Saint Marys in 1913. The last known nest in the state was at Buckeye Lake in 1941.
Reintroduction of the osprey is supported by sales of cardinal license plates. Plates can be obtained from any deputy registrars office or by calling 1-888-PLATES3. Ohioans can also contribute by checking the appropriate box for wildlife diversity efforts on their Ohio income tax return form.