A female Bald Eagle glides across the sky along the shore of the Clear Fork Reservoir near Lexington during a visit by a group of the bird’s enthusiasts following a recent program conducted by Jan Ferrell (below), a naturalist at the Gorman Nature Center.

EAGLES SOAR IN RICHLAND COUNTY—

In the latter half of the 1900s the insecticide DDT and other pesticides decimated the Bald Eagle population of Ohio.

Folks my age remember nesting eagles at Charles Mill Lake in the mid to late 50s. Then they were gone. As recently as 1999 there were no active nests in Richland County and only a handful throughout the state.

Our Nation’s symbol was nearly extinct in the state and was on the endangered species list.

Now these majestic birds have reestablished active breeding in Ohio. In 2000 their recovery revealed 63 nests. By 2006 there were over 550 eagles in the state. That number exceeded 600 last year.

Also, in 2006, Richland County enjoyed its first, known successful nest of this era. Eagle chicks were hatched and fledged near Mifflin. “Today, there are four known, active nests in the county,” smiled Jan Ferrell (left), a naturalist on the staff of the Gorman Nature Center.

After a recent presentation at the center Ferrell led about 20 eagle enthusiasts on a visit to an active nest on the shore of the Clear Fork Reservoir near Lexington. We squished our way through rapidly melting snow about ¼ mile from a parking area to within sight of the nest tree.

With the trees barren of leaves a nest some 6 feet or more in diameter and several feet thick is hard to miss. These huge nests, after several years of reconstruction and use have been known to exceed a ton in weight.

And, this nest was occupied—by both birds of this nesting pair. Ferrell believed the first egg was laid March 14th. The birds usually will lay a second egg, and sometimes a third, in two day increments. Incubation takes 35 days.

While the smaller male stayed hunkered on the egg(s), his head barely visible above the rim of the nest, the female treated us to several flying romps, usually landing on a high snag in a tree about 100 yards away from her excited visitors.

Lots of cameras, binoculars and spotting scopes got lots of use in absorbing this naturally beautiful, visual treat.

While the birds are no longer on the endangered list they are federally protected and enthusiasts should give their nesting areas a wide berth.

Ferrell pointed out a dozen or so of these stunning birds—with wing spans usually exceeding 7 feet—can often be spotted fishing in the open waters of the Pleasant Hill Dam spillway.

Look carefully at that big bird you may see soaring overhead and do not be surprised at your excitement if you notice it sports a brilliant white head and tail.

The female eagle exchanges incubation duties with her smaller consort who is just barely visible above the rim of the nest (center). She will average 15 pounds in weight while the male will be closer to 10 pounds and they, who mate for life, enjoy a typical lifespan of 40 years.