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Bald eagles nest spotted in Warren County

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 6:58 PM Thursday, March 18, 2010

Bald eagles have been spotted nesting in Warren County — the first such recording the state has made.

While sightings of the majestic birds are common in Warren County as bald eagles often migrate along the Little Miami River in the spring and fall, this is the first time a pair has been confirmed to be nesting, said Kathy Garza-Behr, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.

The nest is located in Hamilton Twp. along the Little Miami River near the border of Morrow. The pair have built their nest on top of an old blue heron’s nest. The eagles are about four years old and are not believed to be banded. The birds were first sighted by fishermen about two weeks and the nest was confirmed by ODNR at the end of last week.

“We’ve expected to probably have an eagle’s nest in the area and it appears this pair has decided to call Warren County home,” Garza-Behr said.

ODNR officials have not been able to confirm if the pair are incubating any eggs. Bald eagles lay between one and three eggs between the end of February and early April.

A report should be available sometime next week as to whether the Warren County pair, as well as a returning pair in Ross Twp. in Butler County, have successfully mated and laid eggs, Garza-Behr said.

Southwest Ohio has seen a spike in bald eagles found nesting. In addition to the Butler and Warren County nests, Garza-Behr said two have been recorded in Montgomery County, one in Hamilton County, one in Brown County, one in Highland County and two in Mercer County.

“Now will be the time (the eagles) will be initiating nesting,” Garza-Behr said. “It’s important they get this done early and get those little ones growing up in time to migrate.”

While bald eagles are not easily disturbed by noise — the Warren County pair have nested near a gravel pit — they can be spooked by people walking near their nesting tree. Ohio and federal laws prohibit the catching, harassing, killing or wounding of an eagle, Garza-Behr said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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