No, not them …
I took my first break Friday a little after 3 PM. I came around the side of the building – where they have a bench for us to sit on – and noticed a large bird sitting on the light pole. As I continued walking, the bird took off and headed for a small tree next to the highway. I was struck by just how large it actually was – larger than a hawk, falcon, or buzzard – then noticed another leave that tree and head to one further south (closer to the river). At about this point I decided the only bird of prey that big in Ohio would have to be an eagle (a Canada goose would be similar in size but wouldn’t roost in a tree or on a light pole). Then the first one also headed for the river, and for a few minutes they were both in the same tree.
Since they seemed to be getting along, I decided they must be a mated pair (as opposed to one chasing the other to scare it off). After a few minutes they headed West along the river, and I quickly lost sight of them.
Eagles are pretty rare in this part of the country, but not as rare as they once were. There are several places where they have been reintroduced, and last I knew there was a pair nesting over near the reservoir … say, somewhat over 5 miles east of us (you could probably call it 10 km and be pretty close). Somehow, I doubt that pair would have flown so far through town – even if they were following the river – so I’m supposing this must be another pair, and that they have or will soon set up a nest somewhere on our side of town. Most likely West of here – while Findlay does have lots of trees in town I think they prefer fewer humans.
Hopefully I’ll be seeing them again – perhaps even when I have a camera handy.
