Eaglets expected to hatch anytime now
Southwest Florida’s most famous eagle pair, Harriet and M15, are expected to become parents again at any time now.
A “pip,” or breakthrough, was discovered in one of the eggs, presumably E19, on Sunday at around 10 a.m., meaning a hatch is expected very soon. A second egg, which would be E20, is also expected to hatch in the next few days.
Harriet laid her first egg on Nov. 20 at 3:48 p.m. and laid her second one on Nov. 23 at 5:10 p.m., keeping with the tradition of Harriet laying her eggs in the late afternoon.
On Monday morning, thousands of people were on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam website, watching the goings on in the nest and hoping to see the new chick for the first time.
It has been an eventful incubation process, even if things have seemed routine. M15 has been routinely knocked off his perch by great horned owls, who have moved within close proximity of the eagles and who are the eagles’ only predator.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com