29 September 2022
Thank you for your many notes and letters. I thought I should bring you an update on what is know so far and, in particular, about Captiva and SWFlorida nests.
As we wait to catch sight of our Eagles and Ospreys, the damage done to nests is slowly being revealed. There is no communication and the causeway bridge is virtually destroyed to Sanibel/Captiva. It is going to be some time before we know what has happened to the Osprey and Bald Eagle nests on Lori Covert’s property at Captiva.
Do we know about Harriet and M15?
What we do know is that the nest of Harriet and M15 at Fort Myers on the Pritchett Property is completely destroyed. The tree is still standing albeit there may be branches missing. What we know is that Eagles and Ospreys are extremely resourceful and hardworking when it comes to nests and no doubt Harriet and M15 will have a new nest ready for this breeding season! The cameras were also destroyed.
The nest of Ron and Rita in the Miami Zoo is fine.
The nest at the Achieva Credit Union of the Ospreys, home to Tiny Tot Tumbles, in St Petersburg survived intact – even the grass is still there!
I cannot find the streaming cam for Samson and Gabby near Jacksonville. It appears that there are currently power outages in the area as Tropical Storm Ian approaches. Samson and Gabby were last seen at their nest late Tuesday evening. Like Harriet and M15, they are strong eagles and would know where to hunker down.
This is the view of St Augustine which is just south of Jacksonville.
In other nest news, building also seems to have begun at the Notre Dame nest of our Little Bit ND17 in St Joseph’s Park in South Bend, Indiana. Dad has been caught on camera bringing in sticks! That is fantastic. We all worried that they would relocate elsewhere.
So many of you have asked about the birds – the Eagles and the Ospreys – that I hoped to find some positive information on sights. Not yet but we wait and hope.
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams and/or posts where I took my screen captures: to the person who sent me the image of M15 and Harriet’s tree thank you, Bald Eagles Nest Cam Live FB, WRDC, Cruise Radio, Notre-Dame Eagles and Achieva Credit Union.
What a terrifying experience this would be for all the wildlife. Thank you for all the updates, Mary Ann.
Wonderful that Little Bit’s dad is working on the Notre Dame nest!
Oh, Bill. You said that right. I cannot even imagine for a single second what it must have been like for them. I just hope they survived. Nests can be rebuilt. Cameras can be replaced. My son had horror stories of when Ivan hit Grenada and the birds. All the trees were gone. But it churned overhead for days and this one did leave so I am hopeful. ———–And, yes, that was a ray of sunshine seeing Dad back at the nest tree in St Joseph’s Park. It looks like Harriet and M15 will be rebuilding, too, unless they take up their old nest which apparently survived.
It will say a lot if the strength and smarts and resilience of the birds is such that they can weather this tremendous hurricane, but that the real threat to them — to the very existence of a number of species — is from human causes, as discussed in that Guardian article today that you cited.
Yes, it was a good article. Very enlightening. Sadly, humans seem to be the only animals that cannot take care of their own home!
Thank you for this report, Mary Ann. I’m so sad to hear about Harriet and M15’s nest being destroyed. Glad the tree is still standing though. My fingers are crossed that all our beloved eagles and ospreys survived the hurricane – along with all the other wildlife – birds and critters in the storm’s path.
Thank you again for all your newsletters. They are invaluable!!
Oh, Betty, let us all hope that they are safe. I cannot even imagine how horrific that storm was when it hit that area. Debris flying everywhere and well, all the water. Eagles are smart so I hope they got well out of the way.
Hopeful that all those birds in the path of the hurricane have found shelter. Meanwhile, we have the first hatch in Lonsdale Street. Mum can be seen at 03:16:35 eating half an egg shell.
Yes, she was brilliant. I thought – for once a female that gets rid of that shell and for a good purpose? Question: Are you getting any e-mails from me?
Thank you so much, Mary Ann. I hate it that Harriet and M15’s nest is gone, but hopefully they are ok and will rebuild in the same tree. Please let us know when Harriet and M15 have been sighted — praying that that will be soon.
Hi Gale. Fort Myers really took a hit from that hurricane. It is hard to watch when you live somewhere else and cannot do anything but wait. I am glad that the tree is still there. I have seen one Bald Eagle couple completely rebuild a huge nest in about 2 weeks. Harriet and M15 might have that nest built before they have power restored. But., we will all worry until we see that they are alright. I will be sure to let everyone know as soon as I do – and if you hear before me, let me know!
Thank you so much for the update. I couldn’t stop the tears as the devastation unfolded. I’m praying all life is safe in the area of the hurricane. I’ve looked hour on hour for some updates on Harriet and M15, your time given to provided such an update is greatly appreciated!
The Pritchett family posted a short response and said that they have found all of the cameras, etc but so far no sight of Harriet or M15. They can fly great distances to get out of the weather and with all the water and turmoil, let us hope that they are in a safe place eating prey and waiting it out to go home.
Thanks Mary Ann for all these updates. I pray the eagles and ospreys will return safely. I just read an update that Samson and Gabrielle have been seen on the nest and Gretchen was on her way there.
Hopefully Harriett and M15 will be back soon. Prayers for the ospreys to return soon too 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏