Carroll County becoming a nicer place to nest?
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Symbolic re-population Bald Eagles are again building nests along the banks of the Wabash River in Carroll County. At least one other was reportedly spotted at Eller's Pond near Adams Mill Covered Bridge near Cutler. The revered birds, once considered endangered, escaped the list with the aid of environmentally conscious human choices. Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp

While many local residents lament the disappearance of wildlife and natural areas as fast as new roads and buildings can overtake them, one soaring ray of hope could help assuage their pain.

Bald Eagles are slowly remanifesting their domains along the historic Wabash River in Carroll County.

This Comet reporter was fortunate enough to join in on a river trip April 22 with veteran riverside dweller Clayton Combs to see the symbolic birds' summer roosts.

Combs resides in Pittsburg and flies a U.S. flag on a rock pile in the middle of the river. He named the spot "Memorial Island" in honor of fallen American brothers. From that site, the search for the eagles began.

Two high-perched dwellings were visible within a mile of each other near newly-renovated Carrollton Bridge. The gorgeous stretch of river the birds selected was serene, spacious and sparsely populated by humans. Eagles tend to be skittish when it comes to human influence, Combs commented.

"They picked a good spot," Combs observed during the voyage. "There's good fishing for them in that area, too."

Protection of the county's river area and the lack of DDT, a chemical banned from farming use in 1972, helped local eagle numbers rebound considerably according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Birds would ingest fish affected by DDT, which in turn caused their eggshells to weaken and crack when nested upon. Since the chemical was banned, shells became stronger and allowed numbers again to flourish.

Combs said he was pleased with the decision to ban the product.

"That was hurting the fish a lot," he reasoned. "It made it tougher on all life out here. When one suffers, many suffer."

"The eagles are at home here," he concluded. "I imagine they are glad to be back to this great river and land we should continue to respect and protect."