Published February 2021
The bald eagle population in the state of Ohio has been producing record numbers of nests over the past several years. Thanks to a citizen science project, and confirmed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, it has been determined that the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region has the largest number of bald eagle nests in the entire state of Ohio with 122! With February and March as their main nesting times, now is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of these majestic eagles.
(Before you head out, please remember that while bald eagles are no longer an endangered species, they are still protected under both state law and the federal government Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. So please respect the bird’s space and stay at least 100 yards away from a bird or nest.)
So grab a pair of binoculars, your camera, and plan a multi-day getaway to Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands – the bald eagle capital of Ohio!
Here are just some of the great places you can see bald eagles and their nests:
- Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Also seen recently: Greater and Lesser Scaups, Eastern Bluebirds, American Wigeons
- East Harbor State Park
- Also seen recently: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees
- Great Egret Marsh Preserve
- Also seen recently: Buffleheads, Gadwalls, Ring-necked ducks, Common Goldeneyes
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
- Also seen recently: European Starlings, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes
- Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area
- Also seen recently: Northern Harriers, Northern Shrikes, Red-tailed Hawks
- Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve
- Also seen recently: Ring-billed Gulls, Lapland Longspurs, Redhead and Gadwall ducks
- Huron Lighthouse & Pier
- Also seen recently: Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, American Black Ducks
Be sure to check out our birding page for more information, and happy birding!
