Southwest Florida Eagle Cam patriarch, new mate building new nest on nearby cell tower
Southwest Florida’s most popular eagle family has lived in the same nest on the same property for nearly 20 years and covered multiple generations, from Ozzie and Harriet to M15 and F23.
Now, with M15 having found a new mate in F26, the pair may have decided to find a new place to live, which could mean the end of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam after 14 years, at least as millions of fans across the globe know and love it.
M15 and his latest mate are building a nest on a cell tower less than a mile from their previous location on Pritchett Farm off Bayshore Road. They are delivering sticks and nesting material to the top level of the tower, nearly 150 feet above ground.
The two have apparently started mating and can soon expect to have some eggs in the new nest.
M15 is still coming to the farm to get a drink in the pond. But as far as returning to the old nest full time, that’s up to F26, the new female who will make the decision as to where the pair will raise their young.
Virginia Pritchett-McSpadden, a founder of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, said they don’t know what will happen since they haven’t seen nesting happening, but there is activity.
“They are bringing sticks to the tower and attempting to build that second nest,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “The female usually determines the nest location.”
Pritchett-McSpadden said according to the Audubon Society, many of the eagles who were born and raised on artificial structures tend to build their future nests there.
“We have to think that’s the key here and that she is familiar with that location and prefers it over the tree in the pasture,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “There is still time. This is a new nest for the new couple. They still come to the old nest so we’ll have to wait and see.”
The tower is still within M15’s territory. The new nest will be labeled LEO26. The original nest is LEO26A and the former west pasture nest is called LEO26B.
The big question is what will happen to the eagle cam. It’s possible another bird can move into the nest. Owls, which have an interesting history with the eagles, prefer nests that are already established.
Pritchett-McSpadden said they are going to continue to stream and see what happens at the nest. Could we see Season 1 of the Southwest Florida Owl Cam?
“There have been owls in the area. We haven’t seen them in the nest,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “They have taken over abandoned nests. We’re going to continue streaming and we may see that happen and keep them along for the ride.”
Pritchett-McSpadden said she is sad the eagles appear to have moved on, but she understands, considering the new circumstances.
“We knew there was a chance this would happen with a new female in the nest,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “The nest tree is older, but there are a lot of mixed emotions. I’m sad we won’t be able to see the eagles like we have.”
For those who have filmed and taken pictures of the eagles, it will also be sad. Norman Wei, a photographer, said he has been taking in the activity at the new nest, though not many people are happy about it since they won’t be able to see the nest through the 24/7 live cam.
“The female decides where she’s going to lay their eggs. She calls the shots,” Wei said. “She apparently doesn’t like the old nest and M15 doesn’t really have a choice. We’ll see where she drops her eggs. That’s nature.”
The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam streams online at youtube.com/southwestfloridaeaglecam.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com