A record-breaking thirteen bald eagle chicks have successfully fledged from their nests on Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva, and nearby islands this year. This surpasses last year’s total of nine chicks, signifying a thriving local eagle population.
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) plays a critical role in monitoring these majestic birds. Dedicated volunteers collaborate with SCCF throughout the nesting season (October 1st through May 15th) to observe the nests and contribute valuable data to the Audubon Society’s EagleWatch program.
A particularly heartwarming story unfolds at Sanibel’s well-known “Dairy Queen” nest. After years of dormancy, the nest finally produced a chick in the 2021-2022 season. Unfortunately, the female eagle went missing before Hurricane Ian struck in September 2022. However, the male found a new mate, a younger female with distinctive brown feathers on her head. Though the pair rebuilt the nest in 2022-2023, they were unsuccessful in raising young. This year, however, to everyone’s surprise, they hatched and successfully fledged two eaglets!
Protecting these magnificent birds is paramount. Bald eagles are shielded by various laws, including the Florida Eagle Rule, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The SCCF highlights a significant threat to bald eagles and other wildlife: rodenticides. These poisons can infiltrate the food chain and harm animals that prey on rodents, such as eagles, barn owls, hawks, and bobcats.
The SCCF encourages exploring wildlife-safe alternatives to rodenticides. For more information on these alternatives, please refer to the SCCF document [link to SCCF document on rodenticide alternatives].
Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated SCCF volunteers who tirelessly monitor the nests and to our partners at Audubon Florida for managing the EagleWatch Database. If you have any questions regarding our local eagles, feel free to email [email protected].
Let’s celebrate this achievement and continue to safeguard these soaring symbols of freedom!
