TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – As the search for Harriet, one of Florida’s most famous bald eagles continues, her partner, M15 has been holding down the fort by taking care of their eaglets while also fighting off intruders.
Since Harriet’s disappearance earlier this month, M15 has dealt with a few eagles invading his nest, and on Saturday, an unwanted eagle was seen kicking one of the eaglets.
The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam posted on Facebook Saturday that “right as dad went to grab a drink of water, a hungry intruder landed on the nest,” an eagle kicked the “sweet” eaglet named E22.
The Eagle Cam shared that M15 returned moments later and the other eagle quickly left.
Just days before the eagle kicked E22, another intruder was seen landing on the nest. However, M15 was nearby and quickly let the visitor know that it was time to go.
According to the SWFL Eagle Cam, Harriet was last seen at the nest on Feb. 2. The eagle cam stated that she had been vocalizing at intruders in the area before she left the camera.
“Harriet has not been seen on camera since Thursday afternoon. When she left the camera she had been vocalizing at intruders in the area,” the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam wrote. “Both the clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife and FWC are aware of the situation.”
With Harriet still missing, M15 has been protecting the young on his own and has even managed to bring food to the nest.
The Eagle Cam said male eagles aren’t used to not having a mate care for the young and that it’s “amazing” how quickly M15 has changed that behavior.
“M15 has been protecting his young and has even managed to bring food to the nest. He isn’t used to not having a mate to care for the young. He is used to having his own time away from the nest – and it is amazing how he has quickly changed that behavior,” the SWFL Eagle Cam shared.
Despite M15 caring for the young, officials said it’s still very difficult for one eagle to raise the young alone at this age, but that M is doing his “very best.”
“At this age, it is very difficult for one eagle to raise the young alone. It is not impossible and we have seen success stories in the past…. unfortunately, these are not that common, but in nature, you can never say never.”
As of 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Harriet’s whereabouts remain a mystery.
Harriet and her partner, M15 can be seen hatching eaglets on the popular Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, which livestreams the nest 24/7.
The eagles produced two eggs last year, which hatched in January.
