| Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District – Franklin and Delaware Counties |
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Highbanks Metro Park and Three Creeks Metro Parks each host nesting eagles. Contact Metro Parks for more information about current viewing opportunities.
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| Big Island Wildlife Area – Marion County |
Three nests are located on Big Island Wildlife Area. Only one is easily viewed by the public, located south of LaRue-Prospect Rd., approx. 3 miles west of State Route 203. The nest is located along the Scioto River just west of T-84. It is best viewed from the parking lots west of T-84, on the north side of LaRue-Prospect Rd. From there, look south to the tree line along the river. Watch for eagles anywhere within the marsh units to the north of LaRue-Prospect Rd. perched high in trees or low on muskrat huts. Eagles can be observed in the vicinity of the nest during late winter and spring, and anywhere on the Wildlife Area all year. |
| Hoover Reservoir – Franklin and Delaware Counties |
Eagles may be seen during the winter months anywhere along Hoover reservoir but especially near open water where ducks, geese and gulls also congregate. There are many public parking lots and boat launch ramps to safely park and watch. Currently there are no eagles nesting at Hoover Reservoir, so eagle viewing is mostly limited to late fall and winter. |
| Scioto River – Franklin and Delaware Counties |
Migrant bald eagles can be periodically viewed during the winter months along the Scioto River from the Columbus Zoo south toward Columbus. Eagles will especially frequent the river when most other water sources are frozen from frigid winter temperatures. Public access areas include O’Shaughnessy and Griggs Reservoirs. |
| Buckeye Lake – Fairfield, Licking and Perry Counties |
Eagles are becoming more frequent during the fall and winter in this area. There are numerous parking lots and boat launch ramps that provide public parking to observe from. There are nests in the region, however, all are located on private property and unfortunately do not offer public views. The odds are very good for a chance sighting at any time of the year. |
| Knox County |
Several nests are located in Knox County. Unfortunately, all are on private property so public viewing of the nests is limited. However, odds are very good for a chance sighting in many locations, including Knox Lake Wildlife Area, along the Mohican River in the vicinity of Brinkhaven, on the Kokosing River, and at Apple Valley Lake.
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