COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is calling on residents to assist in its 2025 statewide bald eagle nest census by reporting active nests. Observers can submit locations at wildohio.gov through Sunday, March 16.
The census aims to track Ohio’s growing bald eagle population and monitor trends to ensure the continued success of the species. During the last statewide survey in 2020, officials identified 707 nests across the state.
Where to Spot Bald Eagles
Bald eagles prefer nesting in large trees such as sycamores, beeches, oaks, and cottonwoods, particularly near rivers, wetlands, and lakes where food is abundant. The winter months provide prime viewing opportunities, as trees are bare and eagle courtship and nest-building activities begin in January and February. Eagles typically lay eggs in February and March.
Ohio’s Bald Eagle Hotspots
During the 2020 census, Ottawa County led the state with 90 active nests. Other top counties for bald eagle nests included:
- Sandusky County – 50 nests
- Erie County – 32 nests
- Trumbull County – 26 nests
- Seneca County – 24 nests
- Wyandot County – 19 nests
- Lucas County – 18 nests
- Licking County – 17 nests
- Ashtabula, Knox, Mercer, and Wood Counties – 16 nests each
While eagles are most commonly found near Lake Erie and other large water bodies, sightings have been recorded in all 88 Ohio counties, including urban areas such as Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Summit.
Best Places to View Bald Eagles
Ohio’s top bald eagle viewing locations include:
- Magee Marsh Wildlife Area (Lucas & Ottawa counties)
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas & Ottawa counties)
- East Harbor State Park (Ottawa County)
- Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area (Sandusky County)
- Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve (Erie County)
- Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area (Trumbull County)
- Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area (Wyandot & Marion counties)
- Muskingum, Hocking, Scioto, and Great Miami Rivers in southern Ohio
For the best chance to spot an eagle, wildlife experts recommend bringing binoculars or a spotting scope. Adult bald eagles are easily identified by their white heads and tails, contrasting against dark bodies, while immature eagles have mottled brown and white plumage for their first four to five years.
Conserving Ohio’s Bald Eagles
Once on the brink of extinction, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback in Ohio. In 1979, only four nesting pairs remained in the state. Conservation efforts by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, local zoos, landowners, and wildlife rehabilitators have contributed to their recovery, leading to the species’ removal from the federal endangered list in 2007 and Ohio’s list in 2012.
The continued success of bald eagles relies on habitat conservation, funded in part by sales of bald eagle license plates, income tax donations to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund, and the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp.
Eagle Viewing Etiquette
Bald eagles remain protected under state law and the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which prohibits disturbing the birds. Observers should stay at least 100 yards away from nests to prevent disruption, as human interference can cause nesting pairs to abandon their eggs.
For more information or to report a nest, visit wildohio.gov.
