OHIO’S BALD EAGLES—
Enjoying a growing population

There were 215 eagle nests in Ohio in 2009 and they produced 197 eaglets. That is a whopping growth from the mere four nests that were recorded in Ohio just 31 years ago when Ohio’s restoration program began.

And, while their population is growing, their range in Ohio is expanding also. “Where once they were mostly located in the marshes of Lake Erie, Ohio now has a nesting pair on the Ohio River,” stated a volunteer with the Medina Raptor Center in a recent program near Loudonville.

That program, hosted by the Mohican River Inn, was along the Wally Road south of Loudonville, which area itself has grown to be an active eagle nesting area.

The highlight of the recent program was a visit by the raptor center’s “Program bird” a bald eagle with the Indian name Migisi (pictured above). The name is an Ojibwa term meaning “Eagle”.

Program birds are those that come to raptor centers for rehabilitation but are unable ever to be returned to the wild. They then become “Ambassadors” for their species, often appearing in educational programs—just like this one.

Migisi is an eight year old, eight pound female with a seven foot wingspan.

As you can tell from her expression she has retained her boundless dignity while enjoying her new role in life.

Eagles are known to have incredible eye sight; able to focus on multiple targets and believed to be able to read newsprint at 100 yards according to program officials.

Some of the nesting growth has occurred in curious places. There is a nest beside a bar parking lot in Cleveland where the birds seem oblivious to the constant human traffic.

Another nest was recently discovered within sight of the highway patrol post at the intersection of SR 95 and I-71.

Eagle population growth continues in Richland County as well. Resident eagle expert, Jan Ferrell of the Ohio Bird Sanctuary on Orweiler Rd. reports a brooding pair this year at Pleasant Hill Lake.

She continues, “Clear Fork brooding (but that is technically Morrow [County]. Mifflin...two reports, one says no, one says yes.... I haven’t heard from Jack Hattery yet about their pair up Franklin Church way (but they are pretty regular).”

And, here’s a suggestion. Pay attention to those big birds you see floating on the wind. Look closely and sometimes you will be rewarded to discover one of them has a white head and tail.

I have had that happen; once near downtown Lexington with an eagle flying by with a fish in its beak; likely returning to the nest with lunch for its new family.

Exciting? You-betcha’!
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(And, stay tuned.  Jon Minard a nesting expert and volunteer observer for Ohio's wildlife officials called with the locations of two active, local nests that he believes will provide nice photographic opportunities.  I expect to visit both of them at the earliest opportunity.)