Photo courtesy of Bruce Wunderlich Eagles are shown in mid-air in this picture by Marietta photographer Bruce Wunderlich. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting sighting notices for all Ohio eagle nests to count the state population better.

In 2019, estimates of the Ohio Bald Eagle population showed the state had about 300 of the national birds living within the Buckeye state.

But the Ohio Division of Wildlife doesn’t want to have to guess this year.

“We’re asking people to report all sightings on our website. That opened Saturday and they’re already flooding in,” said Brian Plasters, an Ohio Division of Wildlife spokesman. “The plan is next week to start sharing updates on how we’re doing, but we think the population may be up to 350 or more this year.”

The goal is to take in citizen-sightings and note any new nests aside from where state wildlife officers already know of locations. The detailed mapping will then aid in conservation efforts.

Typically, the organization gets it estimates from flying over certain areas of the state to spot reported nests.

Marietta wildlife photographer Bruce Wunderlich said there might be an opportunity to report a couple new nests in Washington County, outside of the two known near Devol’s Dam and on Buell Island.

“I’ve heard there might be some out near Newport,” he said. “The ones out by (Devol’s Dam) are the easiest to spot, they’re above the Edgewater on the west side of the Muskingum. And the one nest on the island can be seen from Joe Skinner Road in Belpre.”

Wunderlich, who was in Nevada on the hunt for visuals of golden eagles Tuesday, said he was happy to hear a count effort beginning in Ohio.

“They’re magnificent birds, really incredible to photograph,” he said. “And right now, they’re really active building nests, so it’s a good time to see them gathering for that.”

Plasters explained that between February and March, the mature eagles then lay their eggs–up to three– taking about a month to incubate before hatching.

In that window, Feb. 1- March 31 this year, will be the best time to locate nests and report via the divisions’ website addresses or coordinates.

“That way, if new ones pop up we haven’t seen before, we then have wildlife officers that can go out this year and verify the locations,” said Plasters. “We’re still in the information-gathering stage, so no maps are available just yet.”

Plasters also cautioned quiet respect for the birds as one documents their whereabouts.

“Try to avoid disturbance; they have a certain tolerance for humans, but blaring loud music or getting too close can spook them as they’re trying to build up that nest,” said Plasters.

Bald eagles are protected under both state law and the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and it is illegal to disturb bald eagles.

To report a sighting visit: ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/speciessighting/

Janelle Patterson can be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.

How to contribute:

• For the first time in eight years, the Ohio Division of Wildlife is attempting to find every bald eagle nest in the Buckeye State and is asking citizen scientists to report their sightings of the national bird from Feb. 1 to March 31.

• To report a sighting visit: ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/speciessighting/

• Bald eagles are protected under both state law and the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and it is illegal to disturb bald eagles.

• Guidelines for sighting include:

• Maintain a distance of 330 feet (100 meters) away from the nest.

• If the area is relatively open, stay farther back.

• Keep noise levels down.

• Minimize time spent in the area.

Source: Ohio Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources.