By John Seewer
The Associated Press

TOLEDO - Ohio's booming eagle population is spreading all over the state and having more brushes with humans.

Some of the birds, though, don't seem to mind. In recent years, eagles' nests have been found along roads and rivers and even a firing range near Lake Erie.

"They definitely are adapting more to human activities," said Mark Shieldcastle, eagle biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. "The birds are acting very different than they were 25 years ago."

The eagles are more tolerant of noise and neighbors after years of work by the state to restore the bald eagle by fostering young birds and restoring their habitat.

This year the state reached a milestone with 105 active nests, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Most are hidden from view but there are nests in backyards, farm fields and even within the city limits of Toledo.

"Some birds seem very tolerant and some seem skittish," Shieldcastle said. He thinks more birds are at ease with the sounds of civilization because they have been raised in nests around humans.

Eagles remain an endangered species in Ohio. Their nest areas are legally protected, and anyone who disturbs an eagle and causes it to move could face a fine.

The most critical period to stay away is during nesting - about a two-month period that begins in early February when the eaglets are hatched.

Ottawa County, which has the most eagle nests in the state with 15, has not had any problems recently with people disturbing the nests, said John Waltos, the state wildlife officer in the county.

"I think it's because it's a national symbol, and people are enamored with that," he said.

One of the most unusual spots a nest has been located is near the firing range at the Camp Perry Air National Guard Station, which sits along Lake Erie.

The birds don't seem to mind at all, Shieldcastle said.

Locations of most eagles nests aren't known to the public and eagle watchers tend not to put up any warning signs to avoid attracting attention.

Shieldcastle said there is a concern that the growing number of nests will lead to less respect for them.

"The more nests you have, the more opportunity you have that someone won't care," he said.

Sometimes, though, it's pretty easy to find a nest.

A pair of eagles near Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio built a nest so close to a road they created traffic jams at times.