Florida Wildlife

Both eagles vanished, E21 for nearly five days and E22 overnight. But both are now back in the nest.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends property owners check homes and other buildings for roosting bats before maternity season starts.

Southwest Florida Eagle Cam has been livestreaming an intimate view of a North Fort Myers eagle’s nest since 2012. But with female eagle Harriet missing since February 2 after her two chicks hatched, the future of the eagle family is uncertain. Southwest Florida Eagle Cam co-founder Ginny Pritchett McSpadden joins us with an update on the the nest.

The drama involving Harriet the eagle at the Bayshore Road nest in North Fort Myers has caused some to become upset and make suggestions about placing food at the nesting tree and other recommendations, some of which go against federal laws governing protected species and can result in a fine of $100,000 ($200,000 for organizations), imprisonment for one year, or both,.

While Harriet is away, for whatever the reason, the male, M15, has been taking care of the two eaglets born weeks ago, E21 and E22. He has been feeding them and defended the nest from a larger, female eagle who tried to intrude.

Harriett and M15, the North Fort Myers American bald eagle pair who have been visually entertaining bird lovers and others for years via the internet, have been incubating two eggs at their Bayshore Road nest. One egg commenced hatching Tuesday shortly after 8 am.

Ozzie and Harriet were the North Fort Myers site's original bald eagle pair, making the nest their home every year from fall to spring since 2006. Ozzie was fatally injured and died in fall 2015. Harriet & M15 bonded later in the fall of 2015. Cameras have watched the North Fort Myers eagle nest for 12 years.

As director of new UF/IFAS Invasion Science Research, Dr. Matthew Thomas will bring together more than 120 UF/IFAS scientists dedicated to the control of nonnative and invasive wildlife and plant species.

The nature center will be closed for maintenance on buildings and grounds from Sept. 4 to 27

Awarded in the Mammals Behavior category and titled “Come High Water,” Mac Stone's photograph shows a mother raccoon rescuing her newborn after a storm likely flooded out her nest. Hear how Stone captured this award-winning image and learn more about his journey through wildlife photography.