First-ever bald eagle's nest found in Butler County

Nest discovered in cottonwood tree along Great Miami River.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 2:31 AM Wednesday, February 11, 2009

At least one couple is finding housing in Butler County favorable as wildlife experts have discovered the area's first bald eagle nest.

This is the first pair of eagles — known to mate for life — that have been discovered nesting in Butler County in its 205-year history, said Brett Beatty, assistant wildlife management supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife.

The nest is situated near the Great Miami River about 30 feet up in a cottonwood tree on private property at Martin Marietta Materials, an aggregate company in Ross Twp. The nest is about "the size of a Volkswagen" at about six feet wide and two or three feet deep, Beatty said.

While other large raptors have been spotted in the area, wildlife officials said they are certain this nest belongs to the bald eagles.

"We saw two eagles in the area and one was physically in the nest so we are pretty sure," said Aaron Ireland, wildlife officer for Butler County.

Reggie Woods, a lab technician with Martin Marietta, said he has seen the birds hunting in the area.

"I got some binoculars to watch them. They are just beautiful," he said.

The eagles are about 4 to 5 years old. The birds are expected to lay between one to three eggs in the nest between the end of February and early April, officials said. The pair should return to the nest for years to come, Ireland said.

Although bald eagle sightings are not uncommon in southwest Ohio, the birds typically nest in the northern part of the state.

To date, Beatty said the Division of Wildlife has identified three other nests besides the one in Butler County. They include an established nest in Brown County, and two newly discovered nests in Montgomery and Hamilton counties.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843

or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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