Jan 24, 2008 ODNR press release :
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife conducts the annual study. This year's total included 426 mature and 223 immature birds. Last winter's survey counted 480 bald eagles, including 359 mature and 121 immature birds. Immature bald eagles are those without completely white heads. They are generally less than 5 years old. In 2007, 194 eaglets fledged from 116 nests in Ohio.
"Ohio's bald eagle population continues to expand throughout the state," said Mark Shieldcastle, a biologist with the Division of Wildlife. "Last fall's mild temperatures made eagle viewing excellent this year. Open water has held Ohio birds, and good weather allowed counters to get out and locate them."
Bald eagles were observed in 70of Ohio's 88 counties during this year's survey, conducted January 2-15. Sandusky, Ottawa, Erie, Trumbull and Wyandot counties, along the western Lake Erie shore, continued to report the largest number of eagles. SanduskyCounty had the greatest number of sightings with 76 birds. Good concentrations of bald eagles were also sighted around the mouth of the Sandusky River, and along the Kokosing, Mohican, Scioto, Grand and Muskingum rivers. The southern-most locations in the state to report bald eagle sightings were in Brown, Clermont, Scioto and Hamilton counties along the Ohio River.
State wildlife officials and volunteers conduct the mid-winter survey each January as part of a national effort coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The survey documents trends in wintering populations of eagles in the lower 48 states, including both the bald and golden eagles. The annual eagle assessment includes both a standardized aerial survey and ground observations.
Although rarely seen in Ohio, two immature golden eagles were spotted this year. The number of sightings could increase as the golden eagle population grows in the eastern Arctic, and as a successful reintroduction effort in Georgia and Tennessee expands.