Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley has announced Thursday, June 20, as Orv and Willa Day, proclaiming “…we are proud to have two very special bald eagles call Dayton home…”
“WHEREAS, The City of Dayton and its residents are thankful that Orv and Willa share their life with us, and we will continue to provide a welcoming environment to raise their family; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nan Whaley, Mayor of the City of Dayton, do hereby proclaim the 20th of June 2019 as Orv and Willa Day,” reads part of the city’s proclamation.
The day coincides with National Bald Eagle Day, a commemoration of June 20, 1782, the day the bald eagle was selected by the Second Continental Congress as the national emblem.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing that Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation, pauses to recognize the return of the bald eagle to the area,” Jim Weller, founder of Eastwood Eagle Watchers, said.
For 70 years, bald eagles were absent in Dayton. The last-known nest was abandoned in 1938, Weller said. It wasn’t until 2008 when a pair later named Cindy and Jim appeared near Eastwood MetroPark.
Orv and Willa built their first nest in the park last year. In the spring of this year, Willa laid more eggs and two eaglets, dubbed Aero and Prairie, are now 80 days old.
The eaglets will be ready to fly any day now, Weller said. The next two weeks will be a good time to visit the park and watch their attempts.
“The eagles are ambassadors of the park,” Weller said. “It’s a privilege to have them back.”
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