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Bald eagles nest in Dayton

A public viewing area could be set up to view the four birds in northeast Dayton.

Three Bald Eagles are in a tree near the Eastwood MetroPark area. Four of the birds, two adult and two juvenile were seen in the area. Staff photos by Ron Alvey

9 Feb 09. A Bald Eagle is seen above a nest in Eastwood MetroPark area. Four of the birds, two adult and two juvenile have made their home in the area.

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By Jim Morris, Staff Writer Updated 8:54 PM Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Four bald eagles have established residency in northeast Dayton and two are building a nest. It's most likely the first bald eagle nest in Montgomery County in recent decades.

Viewing the nest by the public is difficult, but not impossible. If you stand by the Eastwood MetroPark lake entrance (the one with no traffic light, on Harshman Road), use strong binoculars or a scope and look just north of east, the nest is visible in a sycamore tree just past a pole with two transformers on it. Once the trees fill with leaves, it will not be visible.

It is located in a fenced, restricted area of Dayton's well fields.

"It's exciting to see four eagles here," Ohio Division of Wildlife officer Trent Weaver said. The two white-headed adults are rebuilding an old redtailed hawk's nest. The other two are juveniles, perhaps from the two adults' nest last year.

Weaver said if the juveniles, both with dark heads and tail feathers, are from this adult pair, there is a good chance the adults will have a successful nest this spring.

Typically, eagles find a nesting spot during the winter, work on it and then lay eggs in late February. The incubation period for one to three eggs is 35 days, with chicks fledging 10-12 weeks after hatching.

People are likely to see the birds flying over the park now and then.

The public is not allowed near the nest because it is located in a highly restricted area, and federal and state laws prohibit people from approaching the nest of an endangered or protected bird.

"The area is constantly watched and people will be prosecuted if they enter," Weaver said.

Dave Kohler, district wildflife supervisor for the Division of Wildlife, said he would like to see a public viewing area set up.

"We are going to talk to the city people to see what can be arranged," Kohler said. "It has been done in other restricted areas where a viewing area is fenced in, so people can see the nest but can't get onto the property.

"Being able to see bald eagles is great for the public and good public relations for the property owners," he added.

Bald eagles, once nearly extinct in Ohio, have spread throughout the state. Most nests are at Lake Erie.

Kohler pointed out there also are two new nests south of Dayton, one on the Great Miami River in Butler County and another on the Whitewater River in Hamilton County.

Contact this reporter at

(937) 225-2409 or

jmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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