Brecksville, OH - A pair of bald eagles that was actively tending to its nest within the Pinery Narrows area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) has abandoned the nest for this year. Since the eagles are no longer tending eggs, the area around the nest tree is no longer closed. The park had closed the area in February to protect the nest from human disturbance.
In addition to human disturbance, other birds and the weather can negatively affect an eagle nest. Park scientists offered some possible explanations for this year’s failed nest: One possibility is that another young eagle (referred to as a sub adult) interested in taking over the area harassed the pair, causing them to abandon the nest. “Although it means that no eaglets will fledge from the nest this year, it is actually an encouraging sign." CVNP Biologist Ryan Trimbath said. “Overall, bald eagles have been doing well in northeast Ohio. The fact that there is competition means that it is a desirable habitat."
Trimbath also noted that Peregrine falcons recently moved into the area and could have contributed to the harassment. Finally, the early April snowstorm could have been a factor, but it is less likely to be the reason.
Bald eagles have nested in CVNP since 2007 and successfully fledged a total of 17 eaglets. This is not the first time that they were unsuccessful. In 2009, a late-winter storm caused the nest to fail. In 2011 the entire nest tree blew over in a storm. The pair attempted to nest in another tree but was unsuccessful. In 2015, the nest failed for unknown reasons. This year is the first time since 2016 that a nest has not produced eaglets.
In late winter, eagles lay one to three eggs that are incubated for approximately 35 days. Eagle eggs are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures, so adults must remain on the nest constantly. When the eggs hatch, the eaglets remain in the nest until they fledge in mid-summer. If the constant care is disrupted, eagles may abandon the nest. Typically, they do not attempt to re-establish a new nest or lay eggs again.
The Pinery Narrows area is north of Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, Ohio.
For more information about bald eagles in CVNP, visit Bald Eagles - Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural resources in one setting. For more information, visit us at www.nps.gov /cuva on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or call 440-717-3890.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
