Southwest Florida Eagle Cam: Everything to know as the season gradually comes to a close

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·5 min read

It's official; the chaotic season for the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam is slowly coming to a close.

Lone eaglet E22 has been holding down the fort after sibling E-21 fledged and dad M-15 moved out, now spending its days playing in the pond and tidying up the nest that once held all four members of the eagle family.

Millions have been watching as E22 has been enjoying the remaining days at the North Fort Myers farm before the upcoming journey north for the summer.

Longtime fans of the livestream have eagerly tuned in over the course of eight months, sticking with the nest through a historic hurricane, the disappearance of an iconic animal, and the triumphs of a single dad raising two tiny eaglets.

Relive the top moment from this season A look back at Harriet the Eagle's final, chaotic season in Southwest Florida

Check out some more SWFL birds How'd he do it? Wildlife photographer shares insights on 5 stunning wading bird images

Need to catch up on your Southwest Florida Eagle Cam lore? Here are some Fort Myers News-Press pieces to get you caught up on the action before the season ends:

What is the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam?

The Pritchett McSpadden family cofounded the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam in 2012. The livestream, made available by Dick Pritchett Real Estate in North Fort Myers, provides a sneak peek into the eagles' lives.

The camera has brought in 150 million viewers regularly to watch the daily activities of the two adult eagles as they repair their nest, fly in to feed two hungry youngsters and keep a watchful eye on what's happening.

Where is the SWFL Eagle Cam?

The nest is located at 6601 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers. Operators advise those who visit not to interfere or intervene with any natural events in the nest.

How many eagle seasons are there?

The camera feed is on its 11th season since first livestreaming the eagles in 2012.

What technology do they use to film the eagles?

Four different cameras were used to provide views from all around the nest and pastures on the property. However, their 360 camera and Cam 2 were damaged during Hurricane Ian and were unrecoverable during the season.

Operators use primarily Axis PTZs. They also have an AXIS 360, which enhanced the 360-degree view. All cameras are powered using Power over Ethernet technology.

Who was Harriet the Eagle?

Harriet was a beloved Southwest Florida eagle who rose to fame through the SFEC Livestream. Viewers quickly latched onto the matriarch as they witnessed her triumphs and challenges each season, making her a fixture in both the local community and the animal world.

Brush up on your history in one go Harriet's History: Timeline of beloved eagle and her family's life in North Fort Myers

Harriet first landed on the Pritchett McSpadden property back in the 1990s with former mate Ozzie. After hatching several eaglets and even moving on to another partner, the female eagle secured her status as an adored animal icon.

Harriet and M15, the famous bald eagles from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam are rebuilding their nest after it was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. The whole nest was lost but is being built in the same location. The streaming cameras were damaged so it unknown when it will be back up and running. The couple was seen Tuesday, October 18, 2022 bring nesting material and sticks into the nest.

What happened to Harriet?

Everything changed on Feb. 2 when Harriet did not return to the nest after she was last seen flying northwest to chase off intruders, alerting both SFCE officials and viewers.

"Harriet, our dedicated and loyal matriarch, has not been seen in the nest area since yesterday late afternoon. While M defends & protects the nest solo, all we can do is watch and wait for a hopeful return of Harriet soon," SFEC officials posted the following morning, later explaining it was unusual for Harriet to be away from the nest so long.

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officials jumped in to search for the eagle. Locals also conducted their own search parties, sending in tips and photos to officials and Facebook groups.

Did she ever return?

Harriet never returned to the nest. SFEC officials have said they have not found any trace of her and do not have any concrete theories on what happened.

Many online assumed that Harriet was hurt or had died. She was at least 25 years old, and according to the National Wildlife Federation, eagles in the wild live between 20 and 30 years.

Can a male eagle solely take care of a nest?

In the wake of Harriet's disappearance, M-15 has stepped up to solely care for the nest — a feat that many viewers celebrated yet were nervous to watch play out.

Insight from a retired eagle expert Is she gone? Long-lived Harriet the bald eagle still missing, was at least 25 years old

However, according to retired eagle biologist Jim Beever, raising the eaglets would be difficult but not impossible for M15 because of his age and experience.

"It’s going to be tough for the male to raise two chicks, but it’s possible," Beever said. "And we’ll just have to see what happens. He has been covering them when it’s been cold and rainy, and he has been feeding them. If Harriet never comes back and we never find out what happened to her, he’s likely to come back to the same territory with a new mate."

How have E21 and E22 fared this season?

E21 and E22 have thrived under M-15's care, officially confirming since early February that the eaglets have been healthy and happy.

E21 and E22 from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam are getting prepared to fledge soon. They have been testing the limits of the nest as M15 continues to bring meals in for them to feed on. Harriet, the matriarch of the nest has been missing since Feb. 2. These were photographed on March 23 and March 21.
E21 and E22 from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam are getting prepared to fledge soon. They have been testing the limits of the nest as M15 continues to bring meals in for them to feed on. Harriet, the matriarch of the nest has been missing since Feb. 2. These were photographed on March 23 and March 21.

Over the past few months, cameras caught the eaglets as they grew larger each day, escaped the clutches of predators, learned new skills from dad and took their first leaps out of the nest.

Will any of the eagles return next fall?

Officials are not certain whether the eagles will return to the same nest, but there is always a chance that M-15 will come back.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SWFL Eagle Cam season ending. Where's Harriet? An insider's guide