At one point, Ohio was down to only four nesting pairs statewide. Now, that number is over 200 times what it was in the late 1970s.

America's national bird, at one time, may have been thought of as a rare sight in the Buckeye State, but in 2024, their presence is on the rise. According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Bald Eagle nests have increased from just over 700 statewide in 2020 to over 900 in 2023, with the Mosquito Creek Wildlife area named one of the best locations to spot the bird statewide.

"Eagles can be spotted at Mosquito Creek and that area because there's a lot of water and lots of food," says Jamey Emmert, Avian Education Coordinator with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. 


"They're hunting open water for fish; they'll eat rodents and maybe even other birds when the opportunity presents itself, like ducks, for example. So you look for food sources, look for open water that will help you narrow it down. But Eagles are so abundant these days," adds Emmert. 

Not only is Trumbull County one of the best in the state to spot the bird, according to the ODNR, but this time of the year is the best time to spot them.

"They really stand out in the Winter landscape when there is snow on the ground. It's a little easier to see them. Plus, there are no leaves on the trees that would be blocking your view, so it's easy to see birds roosting in large oak trees or sycamore trees," says Emmert.

So why is Bald Eagle nesting on the rise across the state?

"The banning of DET plus the improvements of healthy habitats, protecting habitats, protecting waterways to help protect fish populations, all those things help grow the populations," adds Emmert. 

The ODNR adds this time of the year is mating season for Bald Eagles, with egg hatching and incubating occurring in February and March.