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OHIO'S FIRST EAGLET OF 2004 HATCHES IN SANDUSKY COUNTY COLUMBUS, OH - The first eaglet of 2004 has hatched in a nest at the
Village of Ballville in Sandusky County, according to the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
At least one eaglet hatched on March 7, according to experienced
eagle watchers who have kept the nest under observation since early February
when incubation activity began. It will be a few weeks before wildlife
biologists determine how many eaglets are in the nest.
The incubation period for bald eagle eggs is 35 days. Young eagles
fledge 72 to 75 days after hatching and leave their home nesting territory
by the time they are 18 to 20 weeks old.
To date, adult bald eagles are incubating eggs in 41 nests across
the state - evidence of the success of Ohio's bald eagle management program. Twenty-six years ago, there were only four nesting pairs of bald
eagles in the state, mostly along the Lake Erie shore. In 2003, a record 88
eagle pairs in 34 counties produced 105 young.
Ohio's bald eagle management program is partially funded by
donations to the state income tax check-off for Wildlife Diversity &
Endangered Species. Contributions can be made by checking line 25 (Form
1040) or line 17 (EZ Form) on the 2003 Ohio state income tax form.
The program is also funded by the sale of Ohio bald eagle license
plates. The license plates can be purchased through a deputy registrar
license outlet or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles toll free at
1-888-PLATES3.
Source: ODNR
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