Southwest Florida Ft. Myers: November 2019 ~ October 2020

loza · **Posted:** Thu Nov 28, 2019 11:48 am

Latest Update:2 minutes ago

Egg #1:19d 13h 11m 30s

Egg #2:23d 14h 12m 08s

On the nest:Harriet

10:38a Harriet rises up over the eggs, short vocal, she nudges the eggs, aerates, that back to incubating.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

They are in their usual places for the night!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

Harriet is up preening herself over the eggs right now, but she and M15 are in their usual places for the overnight!

loza · **Posted:** Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:07 pm

11/30
Latest Update:6 minutes ago

Egg #1:17d 06h 53m 33s
Egg #2:21d 07h 54m 11s

On the nest:Harriet

4:36pm M15 up off the eggs and to the veranda, then flies off to the pond for a drink, then up to the CSPS. 4:37pm Harriet drops to the nest, checks the eggs, aerates, rolls the eggs and settles to

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

Yesterday afternoon, M15 was on the eggs and disturbed by a drone flying around the nest tree. This type of activity could be very detrimental for M15 and Harriet and their nest!! Lady Hawk has a video of the event. But, here is the commentary under her video:

"A drone is seen flying around the nest tree this afternoon and hovering while M15 was in the nest incubating the eggs. M is very concerned about this intrusion in the air as he watches it flying by. Then it stops and hovers looking right into the nest before flying off.

It is illegal to fly a drone near an eagle nest and the USFWS prohibits this type of activity. It can lead to the nest being disturbed and possibly nest abandonment. The Pritchetts are aware of this activity and will be looking into this matter. Ground crew and photographers will also be watchful for any repeated attempts by the owner of this drone. This is very disturbing to say the least and Harriet and M do not need anymore disturbances around their nest especially with the chicks hatching in less than 3 weeks from now. Thank you for watching!"

Several weeks ago, I remember commenting on something flying at night with lights that caught the attention of Harriet and M15 with alert calls and I wondered then if it was a drone from it's flight pattern. They do have drones capable of flying at night that are equipped with lights.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

In my readings on above incident, since I posted I have learned that "Florida Fish and Wildlife" are aware of incident and looking into and a report with a part of Lady Hawk's video will air on their local news "NBC 2" tonight at 11:00 pm.

Currently, M15 is on the outer attic and Harriet is on the eggs.

gigi · **Posted:** Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:29 am

I heard about this yesterday and watched a video showing both the drone and a very anxious M15. My hope is that the perp is arrested, fined & sentenced to jail time, and that the drone is destroyed by M15.

loza · **Posted:** Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:40 pm

Latest Update:39 minutes ago

Egg #1:15d 09h 21m 53s
Egg #2:19d 10h 22m 31s

On the nest:M15

1:37p M back up slightly , checks eggs and settles to resume incubation.
1:38p H flies off outer lower branch west.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

Info on legal implications when flying a drone near an eagles nest from admin on chat this afternoon:

Dec 2, 1:42 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): A number of viewers saw a drone flying close to the nest where two eggs are being incubated. It is disappointing to learn that someone has such a low regard for the safety of the SWFEC eagles.
Dec 2, 1:43 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): Although flying near eagle nests may not violate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, it’s against the law to disrupt nesting native birds (Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act).
Dec 2, 1:43 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, forcing an eagle to leave its nest or perch could cost $5,000 or one-year imprisonment. A second violation can result in a $10,000 fine or up to two years in prison, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Felony convictions come with a maximum fine of $250,000 or two years of in prison. Fines double for organizations.
Dec 2, 1:43 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), UAVs, or drones, should not be flown within 1,000 feet of a bald eagle nest during the nesting season in order to avoid injury to eagles or disturbance to nesting pairs. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wild ... agle/faqs/
Dec 2, 1:43 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): Bald Eagles see a drone as a threat and may abandon the nest or injure itself if the eagle decides to attack the perceived threat. There have been a number of nests that were abandoned where drone activity was too close to the nest.
Dec 2, 1:44 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): Eliciting any reaction from a bird means a drone pilot is flying too close. It is important for those who pilot drones to educate themselves on the laws regarding nesting birds and to practice responsible drone flying habits. Always respect nature and your surroundings.
Dec 2, 1:44 PM
GinnyLWI (Admin): https://myfwc.com/

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

Harriet is preening while on the eggs and M15 is on the outer attic currently.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

M15 was hit by an owl last evening at about 8:00 pm and this is the commentary by Lady Hawk (who has a video of the incident):

Lady Hawk - "The Great Horned owl is relentless and attacks M15 tonight - knocking him off the attic branch. M flies around and is seen chasing the owl past the church before coming back to the attic. In regular time and slo mo and I added a zoom to see the 360 cam better! From cam 1 you will see M fly down on the left hand side at 2:13 (in regular time and slo mo) as Harriet is startled awake! M is watchful for more owl strikes and comes down to the nest to see Harriet and make sure she is okay. It is so sweet to see him standing on the side of the nest! If she would have let him, he might have incubated the eggs. He then returns to the attic so to stand guard."

:7val:

Currently, Harriet is on the eggs.

Edit to add:

:taz:

Watched the report by "NBC 2" on the drone that visited the nest last Saturday. It was reported people on the ground could hear a buzzing sound and when they looked up a drone was coming in from the north. It hoovered about 15 feet over the nest and kept going back and forth. Florida Fish and Wildlife is asking anyone with information to notify them.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

M15 is not on the nest tree tonight, but Harriet is on the eggs. Probably, the owl attack has something to do with this. Hopefully, he is nearby and can see the nest and is safe.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

M15 is currently on the eggs. This is his 2nd turn on them this morning. The IR returned last night. Harriet and M15 are about half way through incubation of the 1st egg at this point.

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2019 3:53 pm

Thanks for the reports SWINWK! I hope the drone and the owl are gone for good.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

Harriet is on the eggs and M15 has chosen to spend a 2nd night off the nest tree. I hope so, gigi! But, I have my doubts about the owls!! We'll probably have to put up with them the whole season, just hope nobody gets injured!! As far as the drone, a single name was seen on the drone by a ground viewer and I am hoping whoever it was, saw their drone antics on the news!!

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2019 8:20 pm

I know. Wishful thinking.

loza · **Posted:** Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:06 am

12/05 Morning. Harriet air the eggs and change. She is relaxing on a dry tree

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

M15 is back to sleeping on the outer attic tonight and Harriet continues on the eggs!

loza · **Posted:** Fri Dec 06, 2019 11:53 am

12/06 Harriet air the eggs and change. M15 arrived

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12730

Harriet is currently on the nest. They had a peaceful night per mods. Unfortunately, the IR was out last night.

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