Last updated: May 22, 2024
Article
Bald Eagles Return to Cuyahoga Valley
NPS/Jim Kaftan
Why Are Eagles Here?
The Cuyahoga Valley, with expansive, secluded wooded wetlands and rebounding fish populations, has become an ideal place for eagles to feed and nest. The great blue heronry in the Pinery Narrows was a natural choice for the eagles’ first nest location. Eagles prefer tall trees and pre-existing nests that they can expand. Bald eagles have been steadily increasing throughout the nation. In Ohio the greatest concentration occurs along western Lake Erie near Sandusky, from where eagles have been dispersing to new areas.
How Many Eaglets Hatched at Pinery Narrows?
Beginning in 2006, bald eagles built a nest in the Pinery Narrows area in Brecksville, the first recorded in Cuyahoga Valley. That nest was unsuccessful, but the breeding eagles returned and nested the following years with these results:
| Year | Nesting Results | Cumulative Total: Number of Eaglets Fledged |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The first tree was too small and nest blew down. | - |
| 2007 | One eaglet successfully hatched and fledged. | 1 |
| 2008 | One eaglet successfully hatched and fledged. | 2 |
| 2009 | A late winter storm in February caused the nest to fail. | - |
| 2010 | Two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged. | 4 |
| 2011 | A storm in early March blew down the entire nest tree; another nest was started but no eggs hatched. | - |
| 2012 | One eaglet successfully hatched and fledged. | 5 |
| 2013 | Two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged. | 7 |
| 2014 | Two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged. | 9 |
| 2015 | The nest failed for unknown reasons. | - |
| 2016 | Three eaglets successfully hatched and fledged. | 12 |
| 2017 | Two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged. | 14 |
| 2018 | One eaglet successfully hatched and fledged. | 15 |
| 2019 | One eaglet successfully hatched and fledged. | 16 |
| 2020 | One eaglet successfully hatched and fledged. | 17 |
| 2021 | The nest failed for unknown reasons. | - |
| 2022 | The nest failed, maybe due to increased competition between eagles. | - |
| 2023 | Two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged. | 19 |
| 2024 | Two eaglets successfully hatched. |
Photo Gallery
Baby Eaglets Photo Album
19 Images
The bald eagle nest in the Pinery Narrows is the first successful one ever documented in Cuyahoga Valley. It has become a symbol of the Cuyahoga River's recovery. This album is a collection of eaglet photos showing each baby that has grown up here since 2007. We selected images that show eaglets at different ages and reveal a range of behaviors.
Continued Protection
The US Fish and Wildlife Service removed bald eagles from the list of Threatened and Endangered Species on August 9, 2007. In an amazing coincidence, this was about a month after the Cuyahoga Valley's first eaglet fledged. These birds are still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both federal laws prohibit taking, killing, selling, or otherwise harming eagles, their nests, or eggs.
Visit our Bald Eagles page to learn more.
Learn More
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- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Observing Bald Eagles in Cuyahoga Valley
In 2006, bald eagles returned to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Read more to learn how to identify eagles and their behaviors, as well as what you can do to make sure you observe them appropriately when you visit.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
How a National Park Helps the Cuyahoga Recover
In 2007, something remarkable happened in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A young bald eagle took flight from its nest along the Cuyahoga River. It was the first successful nest ever recorded in Cuyahoga Valley. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is part of the ongoing story of renewal for the Cuyahoga River and the wildlife that depends on it.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Cuyahoga River Recovers
Once famous for being polluted and catching fire, the Cuyahoga River is making a comeback. Industries and cities discharge far fewer toxins into the river, and partners along the river, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park, are removing obsolete dams to improve oxygen levels and fish movement. People are enjoying the return of nesting bald eagles and other wildlife as well as new recreational opportunities along the Cuyahoga River Water Trail.