The famous Fort Myers eagles M15 and F23 have been busy with their nest repairs after hurricane Helen and hurricane Milton.
The eagle pair can be seen dive bombing branches to break off nesting material, in addition to scouring the ground for nearby pine tree sticks and branches that may have fallen.
Hurricanes haven't been the only struggle for the eagle pair this season, as one of the neighborhood great horned owls made an appearance in the duo's nest early one morning. (Great horned owls do not build their own nests, they usually take over existing nests made by eagles, osprey, and hawks.)
The pair has been busy showing their affection for each other and we should have some eggs on the way sometime in the next month or so if things go well. It takes roughly 35 days for eagle eggs to hatch, which would bring some babies in mid to late December.
It then takes the newborn eagles 11 weeks to learn to fly and fully fledge so that they can start to make their own journey away from the nest.
The fledgling eagles may be the biggest birds in the sky here in Southwest Florida, but that doesn't stop smaller birds from attacking them. Crows, grackles, and a variety of smaller birds will mob the young eagles while they learn to fly. This can be especially dangerous around power lines if an eagle gets distracted.
Want to follow along the nesting season journey this year? Check out the SWFL eagle cams for 24/7 access to 4 different live cams: http://www.swfleaglecam.com
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Explore South Florida’s Majestic Kites: Swallow-tailed, Snail, and White-tailed Kites
South Florida is home to some of the most captivating birds of prey in North America — the Swallow-tailed Kite, Snail Kite, and White-tailed Kite. Known for their graceful flight and unique hunting behavior, these raptors are often seen soaring over wetlands, marshes, and open fields. South Florida is one of the only regions in the United States where birdwatchers can observe all three kite species in their natural habitat. From the striking black-and-white Swallow-tailed Kite to the snail-hunting Snail Kite and the elusive White-tailed Kite, these birds make South Florida a must-visit destination for birding and wildlife photography.
