Ohio's Bald Eagles Begin Incubating Eggs

[Donna]

OAK HARBOR, OH- Ohio's bald eagle nesting season is underway with at least two eagle pairs already incubating eggs, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
 
An eagle pair in Huron County began sitting on eggs January 30. Wildlife biologists anticipate the Huron County eggs will hatch sometime on or around March 6. A second active nest has been reported in Ashtabula County.
Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 31 years ago, to 180 eagle nests in 2010. In 2010, 207 eaglets were produced.
The Division of Wildlife staff and a dedicated group of trained volunteers monitor existing nests during the season and continue to look for nests that may as yet be undiscovered.
 
Anyone who observes eagles building a new nest should contact the county wildlife officer, a wildlife district office, 1-800-WILDLIFE or wildohio.com. Individuals are reminded that state and federal laws protect bald eagles and their nest sites. 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 at 3 to 4 years of age. They usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Although eagles generally keep the same mate, if one of the pair should die the other 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, often reusing the nest year after year. Nests may reach 10 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Eagles lay two to three eggs once a year. The eggs hatch in about 35 days.
 
The young will fly within three months, but remain under the care of the adults for another seven to 10 weeks. Immature eagles are mottled brown in color and do not acquire their signature white head and tail feathers until age 5 or 6.

WILD OHIO