OHIO’S FIRST EAGLET OF 2005 HATCHES IN HURON COUNTY COLUMBUS, OH - The first eaglet of 2005 has hatched in Huron County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. At least one eaglet hatched on March 16, according to experienced eagle watchers who have been observing the nest since early February when incubation activity began. It will be weeks before wildlife biologists can 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. Currently, adult bald eagles are incubating eggs in 103 nests across the state - evidence of the success of Ohio’s bald eagle management program. A record 121 active nests have been identified in the state so far this year. Twenty-seven years ago, there were only four nesting pairs of bald eagles in the state, mostly along the Lake Erie shore. In 2004, a then-record 108 eagle pairs produced 127 young. Ohio’s bald eagle management program is partially funded by donations to the state income tax check-off fund for Wildlife Diversity & Endangered Species. Contributions to the fund can be made by checking line 24 (Form 1040) or line 16 (EZ Form) on the 2004 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, online at OPLATES.com, or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles toll-free at 1-888-PLATES3.
Source: ODNR |