In 1983, just three bald eagle nests existed in Pennsylvania -- all in Crawford County. Today at least 170 nests are scattered across 49 of the state's 67 counties. And 36 of those nests are new this year.

"The story of the bald eagle's recovery is living proof that responsible natural resource management and conservation make Pennsylvania a better place to live and ensure wildlife will be around for future generations to enjoy," said Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director Carl Roe.

Next year should see even more eagle nests.

"Some pairs that successfully nested in 2008 do not seem to be nesting this year because of storm damage to their nests," said Game Commission biologist Doug Gross. "Most of these pairs remain in their territories and may rejoin the active nesting population next year."

The recovery of the state's eagle population can be traced to 1983 when the Game Commission began a seven-year bald eagle reintroduction program. During that time, PGC employees traveled to Saskatchewan to get eaglets from Canadian wilderness nests. Eighty-eight Canadian eagles were released in Dauphin and Pike Counties. Financial assistance was provided by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the federal Endangered Species Fund.

Since 1983, Pennsylvania's eagle nests have produced more than 1,200 eaglets, a population growth rate of about 15 percent per year. Biologists expect the eagle population to continue to grow because plenty of vacant habitat remains. The Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and the Lake Erie coast are prime locations in Western Pennsylvania that might see nesting bald eagles someday.

Today the nesting population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states approaches 10,000 pairs. That's up from about 400 in 1963.

If you encounter a bald eagle nest that you think may be unknown to state biologists, don't get too close. Send its location to PGC biologists at pgccomments@state.pa.us. Put "eagle nest information" in the subject box.

"We can't protect a nest if we don't know about it," said Gross.