Ohio’s bald eagle population continues to grow, and most of their nests are along the western shore of Lake Erie.
This year 116 active eagle nests have been identified and 72 pairs have laid eggs and begun incubation in Ohio. This year eight new eagle pairs have been identified in our area, three in Sandusky County, two in Wood County, and one each in Henry, Lucas, and Ottawa County.
Eagles, the symbol of our country, are also the symbol of recovery in our country. The decline of the bald eagle was a key indicator that something was wrong with our environment. Loss of habitat severely threatened eagles, including draining wetlands and chopping down large trees that support their nests. Eagles as scavengers eat animals shot by humans and ingest lead bullets, becoming poisoned by lead. Eagles are also caught in animal traps set out for fur-bearing animals. But the widespread use of DDT was the most damaging action to the eagle’s population.
Once the eagle began disappearing, research began into its disappearance and problems were finally addressed. Legislation was adopted and measures taken to preserve this species, specifically banning DDT. Eagles also benefit from the preservation of land in our area.
Many other wildlife species were saved due to the decline of the bald eagle.
Since early Americans competed with eagles for fish and game species they considered eagles as “varmints” and often killed them on sight. They told tales of eagles carrying away full-grown sheep and even human babies (unlikely since eagles can only carry four pounds). There were no laws prohibiting hunting or shooting eagles. A 1917 article in Popular Science describes using airplanes to net eagles. Over 100,000 bald eagles were killed in Alaska between 1917 to 1953 because fishermen feared they were a threat to the salmon population. When it became apparent in the 1930’s that the eagle was declining drastically, Congress acted and the Bald Eagle became a ward of the Federal Government. However they continued to decline in numbers until only 4 pair were recorded in Ohio.
Thanks to a massive recovery and conservation program, the Bald Eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. We can now enjoy coming across eagles in our daily lives. We can even spy on eagles in their nests.
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