State seeks public help to inventory bald eagle nests

Attention all eagle-eyed observers: the state wants you. For the first time in eight years, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is trying to update its inventory of bald eagle nests. It is asking residents throughout the state to report their findings to the agency's Division of Wildlife, beginning this Saturday and continuing through March 31. The once-endangered bald eagle never left Ohio, but its numbers thinned out and bird nests were largely in the western Lake Erie marsh region, which is along or near the shoreline of Lucas, Ottawa, Erie, and Sandusky counties. According to past and present Ohio DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists, the distribution expanded greatly along the shoreline and inland to other bodies of water as the bald eagle population made a comeback. Bald eagles have always been plentiful in Alaska, the state which has always had by far the most. But their survival became endangered in many of the Lower 48 states for a number of reasons — from chemical pollution of waterways to lead shot found in some of the carcasses of dead animals they had preyed on. Contaminants were blamed for fish tumors and suspected as a cause of eaglets born with deformities, including twisted beaks that made it difficult for them to eat. But one of the biggest causes of their decline was believed to be the widespread use of DDT to kill mosquitoes, especially after World War II. The chemical, banned by federal law in the 1970s, made eagle eggshells so thin they often broke during incubation. "The bald eagle's remarkable comeback speaks volumes about Ohio's conservation efforts," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "With its population on the rise, the bald eagle will continue to serve as a powerful symbol for our state and our country for years to come." Residents can submit sightings online at wildohio.gov/reportwildlife. The state encourages the public to also watch for updates of verified nests throughout the coming months at wildohio.gov. "From the Ohio River to Lake Erie, our state has become an ideal home for the bald eagle," Ohio DNR Director Mary Mertz said. "This is a great opportunity to get outdoors and see this soaring raptor, all while providing a valuable conservation service to our state." The Ohio numbers crashed so hard that the state was believed to have only four nestings left in 1979. But in 2007, the bale eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. Five years later, in 2012, it was removed from Ohio's. "Wildlife biologists estimate that Ohio hosted more than 350 nesting pairs of bald eagles in 2019," Kendra Wecker, chief of the Ohio DNR's Division of Wildlife, said. "Many of those nests are situated along Ohio's portion of Lake Erie and along Ohio's rivers and reservoirs." State biologists estimate the number of eagle nests by flying select areas of the state and verifying sightings. But Ohio hasn't actually verified the locations of all the nests since the state delisted bald eagles in 2012. The following locations are considered by the Ohio DNR to offer the state's best viewing opportunities: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area, and Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area. In southern Ohio, eagle nests are found near major rivers such as the Muskingum, Hocking, Scioto, and Great Miami. Bald eagles typically lay eggs and incubate in February and March. Young eagles, called eaglets, leave the nest — that is, fledge — about three months later, usually in June. The birds usually nest in large trees near large bodies of water to be closest to their food sources. Fish and carrion — the decaying flesh of dead animals — are preferred foods, the Ohio DNR said. Bald eagles are protected under both state law and the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. It is illegal to disturb bald eagles. The public is asked to stay at least 100 yards away from the bird or its nest. Disturbing bald eagles at the nest site could cause the pair to abandon their eggs, the state agency said. ——— ©2020 The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) Visit The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) at www.toledoblade.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.