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March 10, 2006
OHIO’S FIRST EAGLET OF 2006 HATCHES IN ASHTABULA COUNTY
More Bald Eagle Resources
COLUMBUS, OH - The first eaglet of 2006 has hatched in Ashtabula County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
At least one eaglet hatched on March 4, according to experienced eagle watchers who have been observing the nest since incubation began in early February. It will be several 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 82 nests across the state - evidence of the success of Ohio’s bald eagle management program. A record 146 active eagle territories have been identified in the state so far this year.
Twenty-eight years ago, there were only four nesting pairs of bald eagles in the state, mostly along the Lake Erie shore. In 2005, 125 eagle pairs produced 136 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 29 (Form 1040) or line 20 (EZ Form) on the 2005 state income tax form. Donations can also be made via the Internet at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. Click on the red “donate” button on the left side of the page.
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.
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