Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Nineteenth century sources describe Bald Eagles as being migrants and winter visitors, ranging from uncommon to common (Haymond 1869, Langdon 1879, Smith 1891). Butler 1897 describes them as formerly, but not currently, nesting in the Whitewater Valley. There are no other references to them breeding locally at that time.

By mid-twentieth century, Bald Eagles were of only infrequent occurrence (Goodpaster 1941, Kemsies and Randle 1953). However, Kemsies and Randle mention several sightings from along Indian Creek, just north of Hamilton County, including a nest found there in March 1952.

The widespread use of DDT further reduced the numbers of Bald Eagles throughout North America. After that pesticide was banned in 1972, they began a slow recovery. Local sightings became annual, but by 1983 Maslowski could still write that “Even our best birders consider it a rare treat to see one bald eagle in a year locally, but to see either two or three of them in half a day is highly unusual.” (Maslowski 1983).

Today, Bald Eagles are no longer considered endangered. They are encountered regularly, and several nests are found every year, along rivers and large lakes, and even smaller lakes such as Winton Woods.

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