ODNR: Mahoning Valley home to 44 eagle nests

Ohio's bald eagle population continues to grow, with 964 active nests documented across 87 counties in a 2025 statewide census. Trumbull County ranks sixth in the state for the number of active bald eagle nests, with 29 confirmed.

The Mahoning Valley collectively accounts for 44 bald eagle nests. Mahoning County has eight nests, and Columbiana County has seven.

Trumbull County's 29 nests place it behind Ottawa (112), Sandusky (61), Erie (40), Seneca (36) and Wyandot (31) counties. Other counties with a high number of nests include Lucas (27), Huron (21), Wood (20), Coshocton (19), Knox (19), Licking (19) and Mercer (19).

  ODNR

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife conducted the census with assistance from over 1,800 citizen observers. Active nests were defined as those with an incubating eagle, eggs or eaglets present.

ODNR Director Mary Mertz stated the bald eagle's comeback "proves how much we can accomplish when we conserve and protect habitat." Ohio's bald eagle population has increased 36% since the last statewide census in 2020, which documented 707 active nests.

Laura Kearns, a wildlife biologist with the Division of Wildlife, said the comprehensive study shows Ohio's eagle population is "resilient and thriving."

Bald eagles prefer areas with wetlands and large bodies of water, which provide easy access to food such as fish. Lake Erie and other large waterbodies host a significant number of eagles.

The bald eagle was once an endangered species, with only four nesting pairs in Ohio in 1979. Their population has increased through conservation efforts. Bald eagles were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007 and from Ohio’s list in 2012.

Bald eagles are protected under state and federal law. The Division of Wildlife reminds the public to observe eagles from at least 100 yards away to avoid disturbing the birds, particularly at nest sites.