Eagle Nesting Season Has Begun: Here’s How to Help
Florida’s official bald eagle nesting season is now underway, running from October 1 through May 15.
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that many of our local eagles are already back and tending to their nests. While the season has just officially started, birds often return in late August or early September to prepare.
In fact, some local celebrities made a very early return.
“Many of our Lee County eagles have returned early… most notably Sanibel’s popular ‘DQ’ birds, who famously nest next to the old Dairy Queen on Periwinkle Way,” said SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht. “These birds surprised us all when the male returned Aug. 5, and the female joined him by Aug. 14.”
SCCF staff and volunteers are actively monitoring 10 nesting pairs across Sanibel, Captiva, and North Captiva, coordinating data with Audubon Florida’s EagleWatch program.
Want to Watch? There’s a Live Eagle Cam!
For those who want a close-up, responsible look at an active nest, SCCF’s partners at Window to Wildlife are once again streaming a live feed from one of the Captiva nests.
View the Live Captiva Eagle Cam:
https://www.windowtowildlife.org/captiva-island-eagle-cam/
A Critical Reminder: Construction and Eagle Nesting
With nesting season comes a crucial responsibility for homeowners and contractors. Bald eagles, while no longer listed as endangered, are still protected by state and federal laws, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
These laws are designed to prevent disturbances to active nests.
Here’s what you must know:
- The 660-Foot Buffer: A 660-foot buffer zone is in effect around all active bald eagle nests.
- Check Before You Work: Homeowners and contractors can see if their property falls within this buffer by checking the official Audubon EagleWatch nest map:
- View the Nest Map:
https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9ade9794b8494d2b84c8dea339ea1428
- View the Nest Map:
- Permits Required: Any disturbance within this 660-foot zone is prohibited without a federal nest disturbance permit and the required monitors. Information on permits can be found on the FWC website.
If you have questions about local eagles or wish to share your own observations or photos, you can contact the SCCF team at eagles@sccf.org.
