See bald eagles soar near downtown Columbus
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Star, an eaglet born in mid-April along the Scioto River, will soon leave the nest. Photo: Courtesy of John McManus
You don't need to travel outside Columbus to admire our national symbol — for years, visitors have flocked to a nest off Dublin Road just outside downtown.
Why it matters: The Birds of Prey and Wildlife Society has transformed an old state-owned parking lot into an impressive viewing area to teach others about bald eagles, track behaviors and meet fellow bird enthusiasts.
- The grassroots gathering space on the Scioto River is a reminder of how far the once-endangered species has come, thanks to federal protections.
The latest: A two-month-old eaglet the group named Star is learning to fly and should be leaving parents Athena and Apollo within the next few weeks.
By the numbers: There are 986 bald eagle nests across the state, per the latest Ohio Department of Natural Resources data.
- Lake Erie's shoreline has the most, but there are at least seven in Franklin County.
- In 1979, there were only four nests recorded in all of Ohio.
Flashback: Lori Montella, a leader of the self-proclaimed "eagle paparazzi," tells Axios she first spotted the nesting area off Dublin Road during her downtown commute in 2018.
- "It was a small group in the beginning, and everybody was trying to keep it a secret. Nobody wanted to scare the eagles away," she recalled.
- But as word got out, the urban birds quickly adapted and weren't bothered by their growing fan club.
- The nesting site has endured despite major development in the area, including Grandview Crossing across the street.
The first eagle pair, John and Annie (named for the Glenns), is no longer living there. Their original nest fell in 2019.
- Apollo landed in 2020 and Athena arrived last year. Star is their first eaglet, named after group founder Brazil Morningstar Lee, who died last year.
The bottom line: "We try to keep it going in her memory," Montella tells Axios.
- "It's been fun to get down there, talk to people, and see their excitement when they see an eagle in the wild."
Stop by: The lot is near 1009 Dublin Road. Look for the picnic table, signs and bird feeders.
- The nest is across the Scioto River, so bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens, and wear sturdy shoes for an unpaved walking path.
- Plus: Check out this Facebook group for photos and updates.
