M15 was busy adding huge sticks to the nest today and working on placing them with F23's help at times. If the crib rails get any higher and thicker, we may not see the eaglets until they fledge. LOL!! F23 also added a stick and grasses (M added 2 bunches of grasses). At one time, it appeared that F23 was covering M15 with small branches. LOL!! That is why I titled the video "Privacy Please". M & F mated/bonded twice while I was there too. They were busy. I also wanted to post our Eagle Nest Etiquette 2023 statement that speaks to visiting the nest in person. Here it is:
Eagle Nest Etiquette 2023
If you plan on traveling to the area to visit the nest, we have come up with a few things that you should remember when visiting.
If the objective is to socialize, share images and information, fans of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam may consider an alternate location to gather where they can swap stories, observations, talk and laugh without concern for impacts to the eagle family.
Eagle Watching Etiquette (recommendations for avoiding disturbance to nesting eagles):
-Park in a safe location and remain in or immediately next to your vehicle while viewing.
-Do not approach the nest directly or attempt to make an eagle fly.
-Avoid loud noises, such as yelling, door slamming, or horn honking.
-Use binoculars or a spotting scope instead of trying to get “a little bit closer.”
-Persons on foot can be disturbing to bald eagles.
-Respect private property.
-Maintain a buffer of 330 feet from the nest and respect restricted areas.
-If you feel you must visit the nest, view from sidewalk across the street near commercial parking (south side of Bayshore Rd).
-Please remember the closer you are to the nest, the less you can see. The best viewing location is from your desktop at home.
We want all to enjoy these beautiful birds for years to come so please be respectful of the nest and the eagles.
Thank you from our SWFL Eagle Cam Team
Thank you SWFEC, hosted by Dick Pritchett Real Estate, for providing & maintaining suitable trees & environment for this Bald Eagle Family. www.SWFLEagleCam.com
Thank you to Dick Pritchett Real Estate (SWFEC), Church of the Nazarene, Eagle Landing & several friends for allowing me to film on their premises.
And thank you to my 'spotter'.