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We had two active nests here at the CHEC center. One
was deep in the woods. The mature couple dwelling
there has been together for at least twelve years,
producing offspring each season. They had to rebuild
their homestead three times due to heavy winds
destroying their former residences. They much prefer
wilderness environs, so have moved deeper into
remote areas each time they relocated. Visitor
rarely spot them while hiking the trails. We are
confident that they will rebuild a fourth time,
utilizing a still-standing slash pine tree.
The Burnt Store Road eagles, on the other hand, are
quite adapted to civilization and modern life in the
fast lane. This particular pair’s nest was first
spotted near the road by Richard Dorken, on
Valentine’s Day 2002. Volunteers, staff and local
wildlife experts were jubilant that the happy couple
chose to set up housekeeping on preservation land.
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All watched with fascination as the domicile grew in
breadth and strength. Instinct served the duo well
as he brought sturdy limbs to interweave and she
filled the living space with soft moss and leaves.
Like many humans, young and old, these birds were
procrastinators. It was very late in the season
(which usually begins in November) for this stage of
the nesting ritual. Never forget, this is Florida!
Animals (again, much like us) do not always follow
the rule book for typical seasonal behavior.
There have been previous, official recordings of
late season hatchings here in southwest Florida, but
this effort proved to be pre-nesting (playing
house). Yet, they built well. The sturdy nest was
still holding strong, high on the limbs of an old
growth slash
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| pine despite a lightening
strike, strong wind and storms. Then Charley
changed their environment drastically. |
The site had been surrounded by numerous snags that
served as refuge roosts for parents to escape
screaming-to-be-fed young. Those same dead trees
provided safe-distance landing destinations for
fledglings in flight school. Despite the loss of
many trees, including their nest host, there are
many snags and a few tall pines left with sufficient
needles for shade. Plentiful food supplies are still
available in nearby ponds and creeks.
The good news is that they are back! First we
spotted one eagle on the tallest remaining tree not
far from the downed former domicile. Then we spotted
the pair, side-by-side, on the same tree (perhaps
discussing their possibilities).
This sociable young couple has successfully produced
a total of four healthy fledglings – two in 2003 and
two more in 2004. We look forward to watching them
adjust their lifestyle to adapt to changing
conditions. Will they take a year off from parental
responsibilities? Will they begin to build, feather
and fill a new nest?
If you are lucky enough to be at the right place and
time, you may witness their continuing courtship – a
spectacular aerial foreplay, which includes locking
talons and descending in a series of somersaults.
Who knows what could follow?
Florida Wildlife magazine reports that there
are more than 1000 breeding pairs of Haliaeetus
leucocephalus in Florida. With protective
zones and seasonal restrictions on their
remaining habitat, we should be able to continue
sharing our southwest Florida environment with these
fantastic birds for many generations to come,
despite hurricanes! 
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Monica Dorken. Thank you!
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