Dorchester County had the most with 58 nesting pairs, and Charles County was second with 37 pairs nesting mainly along the Potomac River. Though most eagles nest near tidal waters, several pairs are associated with large reservoirs and nontidal portions of the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers. Nesting pairs are known at both Loch Raven and Triadelphia reservoirs. Just last year, a new pair was found on the shoreline of the Potomac in Frederick County, making this the westernmost nesting pair of bald eagles in Maryland. Bald eagles nest in large trees, either pines or hardwoods, usually at the edge of a wooded area.
Many nests border active farm fields or shoreline.
Since eagles have such a large wingspan they cannot fly through woods easily, so they build nests where there is easy access. Nests 4 to 5 feet wide and more than 3 feet deep are made of large sticks and located in the upper crotch of trees. In Maryland, eagles start courting in December. By March, they lay their clutch of one to three eggs and begin incubating immediately. After hatching in April, young eagles remain in the nest for about 12 weeks.