Where to see bald eagles, eaglets in Indiana this spring

JAY COUNTY, Ind. – February is a great time to take a walk in an Indiana nature preserve.

Two eagles were recently spotted displaying signs of courtship on Valentines Day in Jay County, Indiana.

Our national bird since 1782, bald eagles were once considered a state and federal-endangered species due to pesticide use and hunting. Since the Indiana Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program in 1985 began efforts to reintroduce them, they've been steadily making a comeback.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, bald eagles have nested in Indiana since the 1890's along major river systems or large bodies of water.

Officials at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources say bald eagles, like the pair pictured above, mate for life.

Egg laying for the eagles begins in February and can last throughout the spring with impressive nests measuring 5-6 feet in width and 2 feet deep. The nests are the largest among North American birds.

A breeding pair will choose the same nesting site where they were raised as eaglets when they are approximately 5-years-old.

Building nests and incredible sky-dancing displays are some of the things that can be witnessed during breeding season.

Bald eagles can be spotted at many Indiana nature preserves.

A full list of nature preserves by county can be found here.

The University of Notre Dame has an live eagle camera at St. Patrick's Park that can be viewed here. An egg was discovered on Feb. 22 in a nest in the park.