At Audubon Florida, our coverage experience and science-based coverage options defend raptors throughout the Sunshine State. We’re particularly recognized for our lengthy historical past of Bald Eagle safety, beginning within the mid-Twentieth century and persevering with by to at this time. Along with advocating for land conservation and habitat, we additionally work with native entities to respect U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines and rules got down to defend this magnificent chicken from hurt.
In 2011 in Collier County, a pair of Bald Eagles started nesting in a tall tree on a spit of protect surrounded by improvement. EagleWatch, the Audubon Middle for Birds of Prey’s group science initiative, screens eagle nests and fledge success and formally recorded the nest. The eagles nested once more within the 2025-2026 Bald Eagle nesting season, which run from October 1 by Could 15. Sadly, on this specific yr, the owners on both facet of the eagle nest tree determined to reroof whereas the eaglet remained within the nest: a transparent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule infraction. Moreover, after they had been alerted to the truth that their work violated the principles, they didn’t cease working.
The native code enforcement company labored with Audubon to grasp buffer rules surrounding eagle nests throughout breeding season, then EagleWatch Coordinator Cheryl Merz labored with Southwest Florida Coverage Affiliate Brad Cornell to testify in the course of the code enforcement listening to concerning the significance of buffer zones to guard these nests from disturbance throughout weak occasions in the course of the breeding cycle. Whereas the case continues to be pending, the code enforcement officers consider such motion will ship a message to different owners and roofing firms working within the space, inflicting a wave of extra protections for Southwest Florida’s eagles.
EagleWatch has been a vital cornerstone of eagle safety within the Sunshine State since 1992, contributing to each science and advocacy for birds of prey. Do you need to turn out to be an EagleWatch volunteer? Click here.
