SWFL Eagle Cam fans wait for what’s next after eaglet deaths
It’s been about a month since the two eaglets being raised by Southwest Florida’s most famous eagle pair died from a strain of bird flu.
After great concern about whether M15 and F23 would come out OK following exposure to the virus, there are signs that things are returning to normal for the eagle cam stars who nest at the Pritchett Farm in North Fort Myers.
The hot topic is whether the pair might give parenthood another try this year.
The eagles have been seen resuming their normal routine, said Ginnie Pritchett McSpadden, co-founder of the SWFL Eagle Cam, which has shown the exploits of the eagles and their broods since 2012.
“We’ve started to see them rebuild the nest and even bond and mate. Those are great signs the eagles are recovering and hopefully thrive now and in the seasons to come,” Pritchett-McSpadden said.
The female, F23, laid two eggs in early November, which hatched in mid-December. The eaglets were about 6 weeks old when they died, presumably after eating a duck that may have contained the bird flu virus.
Pritchett-McSpadden said following the eagles in the aftermath left them concerned for the future.
“Those first 10 to 14 days after they started showing signs of the avian flu were crucial because it is normally a deadly disease to all raptors,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “Once they showed signs of recovering, CROW said they believed the (adult) eagles had strong antibodies and immune systems. They have shown they have fully recovered.”
Pritchett-McSpadden said it is also possible that the eagles were mourning the eaglets’ deaths, perhaps not ill.
Will there be a second clutch?
That’s anyone’s guess.
Pritchett-McSpadden said it depends on pair: Are they strong enough and is there enough time left in the nesting season?
A second clutch is not unprecedented.
In 2019-20, M15 and then-mate and original eagle cam matriarch Harriet had a second clutch after one of the eggs was no viable and the hatched eaglet died about four weeks later. That clutch came in late February about a month after the eaglet died. Both eaglets fledged successfully, although late, in early summer.
Harriet, who disappeared and, it is believed died, in February of 2023, and M15 were a seasoned pair.
F23 is about seven years old and less experienced. This makes it more of a watch-and-see situation.
Pritchett-McSpadden said many have wondered if the eagles can handle a second clutch or if the season would blend into summer too long and for the family to deal with more severe weather.
Even if the eggs were laid today, hatching would not occur until the beginning of April, with a fledge not happening until possibly early July.
“It’s an unknown. If we see a second clutch, it will be something researchers and our team can document and learn from because it is so rare,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “We’ll watch and see.”
The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam may be viewed at dickpritchettrealestate.com.
The original cam pair, Ozzie and Harriet, began nesting at the Pritchett Farm in 2006 and they became international stars with the cam’s inception, attracting millions of views.
After Ozzie died in the early fall of 2015, Harriet & M15 became a bonded pair.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com