Trumbull County Home to 26 Bald Eagle Nests
TRUMBULL COUNTY, Ohio — A recent census of bald eagle nests in the state has found Trumbull County is among the highest populated counties in the state.
During February and March, citizen scientists found 707 bald eagle nests in the state, according to a release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The census – the first such report in eight years – shows a 151% increase from the 2012 census, when 281 nests were recorded.
“The bald eagle is a symbol of American strength and resilience,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “The eagle’s comeback in Ohio and across the country proves that we can overcome any challenge when we work together.”
The Division of Wildlife received some 2,500 reports from the public for the 2020 census. Wildlife staff, including wildlife officers and biologists, verified nest locations in 85 counties.
“We are grateful to every Ohioan who contributed to this effort and thank those who support conservation of high-quality habitat that kept eagles nesting in Ohio,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker.
Counties along or near Lake Erie have the highest number of bald eagle nests because of the abundance of food and nesting habitat, according to the release.
Trumbull County is among the 12 counties with the highest nest count at 26. Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area was named among the best site for viewing opportunities. The 9,021-acre wildlife area is situated 15 miles north of Warren at the north end, and to the west of Mosquito Creek Reservoir. It can be reached from state Route 87 on the north, state Route 88 on the south, state Route 45 on the west and state Route 46 on the east, according to the ODNR’s website.
Rounding out the top 12 counties are Ottawa with 90 nests, Sandusky 50, Erie 32, Seneca 24, Wyandot 19, Lucas 18, Licking 17, Ashtabula 16, Knox 16, Mercer 16 and Wood 16.
Other viewing sites include Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Lucas and Ottawa counties, Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area in Sandusky and Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot and Marion counties.
The bald eagle was once an endangered species, with only four nesting pairs in Ohio in 1979. However, thanks to partnerships between the Division of Wildlife, Ohio zoos, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, concerned landowners, and sportsmen and women its population increased. After much hard work and continued conservation, the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007 and from Ohio’s list in 2012.
To support Ohio bald eagles and other wildlife, visit WildOhio.gov/support.
Pictured: Bald eagle mid-flight at Mosquito Lake State Park, October 2019. (Image: Nick Kerosky, Cortland photographer)
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
