Byline: Brian Evans
Aug. 19--Many people might be surprised to learn Benjamin Franklin preferred the North American wild turkey to the bald eagle for a national emblem for America's great seal in 1782.
Perhaps to the benefit of those who enjoy turkey on Thanksgiving -- and perhaps to the benefit of the latest animal taken off the endangered species list -- a lesser-known founding father, Charles Thomson, 53, suggested the eagle -- an idea Congress quickly embraced before Franklin expressed his feelings.
Although Franklin thought the bald eagle was a creature of poor moral character, a "lazy bird" because it stole fish from the fishing hawk, others see the large eagle as a majestic creature with great strength, precision and beauty.
Pat Dray considers it a blessing each time she looks up and sees a large bald eagle soaring near her home in rural Putnam County, between Gomer and Rimer.
"When I see them, it's like God's telling me it's going to be a good day," she said. "I feel very blessed we have the opportunity to see them on a regular basis. Sometimes, they'll sit out here for a half-hour or an hour. We watch them quite a bit. We see them every day."
Dray and her husband, Mike Dray, said they built their home and moved into it about three years ago. When they moved there, they knew there was a nest in the area.
"About two and a half years ago, we saw them for the first time," Pat Dray said. "You could tell right away. They are very distinct. You can see their white head and they're huge. They've had young every year we've been here. My husband saw them the other day. They're teaching them to fly and hunt."
Dray said the eagles' nest is along the nearby Ottawa River, where they hunt fish.
"They'll perch on our side of the river, up in the
trees. It's really neat
to watch them," Pat Dray said. "They just sit up there and watch the river. Then, all of a sudden, they'll swoop down in the river and get a fish. Or, they'll swoop down in the field and get a small rabbit."
Wildlife experts say the Ottawa River, like many rivers and lakes in Ohio, is providing an ideal habitat to the once endangered species. No longer endangered
Shortly after the U.S. government announced in July the bald eagle was no longer on the endangered species list, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, announced Ohio's bald eagle population had reached a new record.
Officials say the number of bald eagles continues to increase as the bald eagle expands to new areas. Biologists from the division of wildlife said there were 164 nests of bald eagles in the state and this year is the 20th consecutive year the state's breeding bald eagle population has increased.
Of those 164 nests, officials reported, 115 were successful in producing young eagles. Wildlife biologists and volunteer observers indicate that 186 eaglets have flown away from nests in 45 Ohio counties. The increase from last year indicates there are 17 new nests in 14 counties.
Locally, Hardin and Putnam counties each have one nest, while Mercer and Hancock counties have two nests each. All have been producing offspring. Although eagles have been spotted, and are living in other local counties, those eagles have not yet nested -- though some, like a pair in Logan County along the Miami River, are expected to do so soon.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the continued recovery of the bald eagle in Ohio," said David M. Graham, chief of the division of wildlife. "This is an accomplishment not only for our staff, but all Ohioans."
Dramatic comeback to local land
Officials from the Division of Wildlife said bald eagles have made a dramatic comeback in the last 30 years. In 1979, only four bald eagle pairs were found in all of Ohio.
Officials said Ohio's bald eagle population was re-established through habitat development and protection, and extensive observation of eagle nesting behavior.
Although most eagle nests in Ohio are located along the shores of Lake Erie, where they find an abundance of fish, many nests are being found farther inland along rivers, lakes and bodies of water.
The first time Craig Morton saw a bald eagle at the Grand Lake St. Marys in Mercer County, he described the feeling as "majestic."
Morton has been the park manager at Grand Lake St. Marys for more than four years. During that time, he's seen more and more of the rare eagles frequent the wooded area surrounding the lake and state park.
"It's a great feeling to see them," he said. "It's majestic. Somehow, they've managed to prosper here."
During the past two years, Morton said, the area around the lake has been home to two active nests that are producing multiple offspring.
"It seems like, a few years ago, it was uncommon to see them," he said. "We were surprised to find we have two nests. ... Now, I think we have the capacity for a few more nests. I guess it just depends on how territorial they are."
Scott Butterworth, a wildlife management supervisor, said the two confirmed nests in Hancock County are along the Blanchard River
"We knew they were around," Butterworth said. "A group of volunteers keep track of them because there is no way we can monitor all of them now."
Jill Bowers is one of those volunteers. She and her husband, John, frequent Lake Erie and have observed eagles there, where nests are abundant.
When she began the training to be an observer for the Division of Wildlife, she was surprised to hear of a new
Wingspan: 6 to 7.5 feet Height: 3 feet on average Adult weight: Males are about 8 to 10 pounds; females, 10 to 14 pounds Nesting season: February to July Nest size: 3 to 5 feet wide by 3 to 6 feet deep Number of nests in Ohio: 164
Nests producing young eagles: 115 Nesting cycle: About 20 weeks Habitat: Lake Erie, major river systems and inland lakes and marshes with large, remote trees for nesting. Life expectancy: 15 to 30 years in the wild and longer in captivity Sexual maturity: Four to five years Incubation: 31 to 45 days Favorite food: Fish Other foods: Waterfowl, small mammals and carrion Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
nest, at Grand Lake St. Marys, near her home.
"They went over the list of nests and all the statistics," Bowers said. "That's when they told me there was a new nest in Mercer County. I about fell out of my chair. That's in my backyard."
After observing the nest for a season, she said, she was hooked.
"It's special to be a part of the babies' lives, to watch them grow and hatch," Bowers said. "To be able to see them up close and to know you have been a part of their life, the way it makes you feel, it's a pretty special thing."
Bowers said the babies start out in life looking "scruffy."
"They don't have their white head and tail," she said. "They begin to get that at the age of three and a half and then by the time they are six, then the head and tail are white."
As the eagles grow, Bowers watches them learn to hunt and fly until they eventually leave the nest. She said her job lasts from the end of January to around the Fourth of July. She spends about two hours a day observing and she sends reports to biologists from the Division of Wildlife.
"Seeing them soar and knowing they're a part of our heritage, our country's meaning, it's a special thing," she said.
Bowers said she also enjoys sharing with people, and letting people look through her spotting scope.
"When I first started doing this, the eagles were really special to people along the lake," she said. "Older residents get excited when they see them. They say 'I never thought I'd see a bald eagle.' Some of these men served our country in the military and they've never seen one. I think it's special to share that with them."
You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.
To see more of The Lima News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.limanews.com.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Lima News, Ohio
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
The American bald eagle is back: Bald eagle population soars to record heights.
Byline: Brian Evans
Aug. 19--Many people might be surprised to learn Benjamin Franklin preferred the North American wild turkey to the bald eagle for a national emblem for America's great seal in 1782.
Perhaps to the benefit of those who enjoy turkey on Thanksgiving -- and perhaps to the benefit of the latest animal taken off the endangered species list -- a lesser-known founding father, Charles Thomson, 53, suggested the eagle -- an idea Congress quickly embraced before Franklin expressed his feelings.
Although Franklin thought the bald eagle was a creature of poor moral character, a "lazy bird" because it stole fish from the fishing hawk, others see the large eagle as a majestic creature with great strength, precision and beauty.
Pat Dray considers it a blessing each time she looks up and sees a large bald eagle soaring near her home in rural Putnam County, between Gomer and Rimer.
"When I see them, it's like God's telling me it's going to be a good day," she said. "I feel very blessed we have the opportunity to see them on a regular basis. Sometimes, they'll sit out here for a half-hour or an hour. We watch them quite a bit. We see them every day."
Dray and her husband, Mike Dray, said they built their home and moved into it about three years ago. When they moved there, they knew there was a nest in the area.
"About two and a half years ago, we saw them for the first time," Pat Dray said. "You could tell right away. They are very distinct. You can see their white head and they're huge. They've had young every year we've been here. My husband saw them the other day. They're teaching them to fly and hunt."
Dray said the eagles' nest is along the nearby Ottawa River, where they hunt fish.
"They'll perch on our side of the river, up in the
trees. It's really neat
to watch them," Pat Dray said. "They just sit up there and watch the river. Then, all of a sudden, they'll swoop down in the river and get a fish. Or, they'll swoop down in the field and get a small rabbit."
Wildlife experts say the Ottawa River, like many rivers and lakes in Ohio, is providing an ideal habitat to the once endangered species. No longer endangered
Shortly after the U.S. government announced in July the bald eagle was no longer on the endangered species list, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, announced Ohio's bald eagle population had reached a new record.
Officials say the number of bald eagles continues to increase as the bald eagle expands to new areas. Biologists from the division of wildlife said there were 164 nests of bald eagles in the state and this year is the 20th consecutive year the state's breeding bald eagle population has increased.
Of those 164 nests, officials reported, 115 were successful in producing young eagles. Wildlife biologists and volunteer observers indicate that 186 eaglets have flown away from nests in 45 Ohio counties. The increase from last year indicates there are 17 new nests in 14 counties.
Locally, Hardin and Putnam counties each have one nest, while Mercer and Hancock counties have two nests each. All have been producing offspring. Although eagles have been spotted, and are living in other local counties, those eagles have not yet nested -- though some, like a pair in Logan County along the Miami River, are expected to do so soon.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the continued recovery of the bald eagle in Ohio," said David M. Graham, chief of the division of wildlife. "This is an accomplishment not only for our staff, but all Ohioans."
Dramatic comeback to local land
Officials from the Division of Wildlife said bald eagles have made a dramatic comeback in the last 30 years. In 1979, only four bald eagle pairs were found in all of Ohio.
Officials said Ohio's bald eagle population was re-established through habitat development and protection, and extensive observation of eagle nesting behavior.
Although most eagle nests in Ohio are located along the shores of Lake Erie, where they find an abundance of fish, many nests are being found farther inland along rivers, lakes and bodies of water.
The first time Craig Morton saw a bald eagle at the Grand Lake St. Marys in Mercer County, he described the feeling as "majestic."
Morton has been the park manager at Grand Lake St. Marys for more than four years. During that time, he's seen more and more of the rare eagles frequent the wooded area surrounding the lake and state park.
"It's a great feeling to see them," he said. "It's majestic. Somehow, they've managed to prosper here."
During the past two years, Morton said, the area around the lake has been home to two active nests that are producing multiple offspring.
"It seems like, a few years ago, it was uncommon to see them," he said. "We were surprised to find we have two nests. ... Now, I think we have the capacity for a few more nests. I guess it just depends on how territorial they are."
Scott Butterworth, a wildlife management supervisor, said the two confirmed nests in Hancock County are along the Blanchard River
"We knew they were around," Butterworth said. "A group of volunteers keep track of them because there is no way we can monitor all of them now."
Jill Bowers is one of those volunteers. She and her husband, John, frequent Lake Erie and have observed eagles there, where nests are abundant.
When she began the training to be an observer for the Division of Wildlife, she was surprised to hear of a new
Wingspan: 6 to 7.5 feet Height: 3 feet on average Adult weight: Males are about 8 to 10 pounds; females, 10 to 14 pounds Nesting season: February to July Nest size: 3 to 5 feet wide by 3 to 6 feet deep Number of nests in Ohio: 164
Nests producing young eagles: 115 Nesting cycle: About 20 weeks Habitat: Lake Erie, major river systems and inland lakes and marshes with large, remote trees for nesting. Life expectancy: 15 to 30 years in the wild and longer in captivity Sexual maturity: Four to five years Incubation: 31 to 45 days Favorite food: Fish Other foods: Waterfowl, small mammals and carrion Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
nest, at Grand Lake St. Marys, near her home.
"They went over the list of nests and all the statistics," Bowers said. "That's when they told me there was a new nest in Mercer County. I about fell out of my chair. That's in my backyard."
After observing the nest for a season, she said, she was hooked.
"It's special to be a part of the babies' lives, to watch them grow and hatch," Bowers said. "To be able to see them up close and to know you have been a part of their life, the way it makes you feel, it's a pretty special thing."
Bowers said the babies start out in life looking "scruffy."
"They don't have their white head and tail," she said. "They begin to get that at the age of three and a half and then by the time they are six, then the head and tail are white."
As the eagles grow, Bowers watches them learn to hunt and fly until they eventually leave the nest. She said her job lasts from the end of January to around the Fourth of July. She spends about two hours a day observing and she sends reports to biologists from the Division of Wildlife.
"Seeing them soar and knowing they're a part of our heritage, our country's meaning, it's a special thing," she said.
Bowers said she also enjoys sharing with people, and letting people look through her spotting scope.
"When I first started doing this, the eagles were really special to people along the lake," she said. "Older residents get excited when they see them. They say 'I never thought I'd see a bald eagle.' Some of these men served our country in the military and they've never seen one. I think it's special to share that with them."
You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.
To see more of The Lima News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.limanews.com.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Lima News, Ohio
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
