Harriet

📍 Location

📝 Description

Harriet, the female Bald Eagle previously nesting with M15 at the Bayshore Road nest in North Fort Myers, disappeared from the nest around February 2, 2023, leaving two eaglets (E21 and E22) in M15's care. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigated reports of possible illegal feeding at the nest, and federal partners noted this as a behavior-mitigation concern rather than an immediate intervention. Since Harriet's disappearance, M15 has continued parenting the remaining eaglets, and a new nesting season introduced a mate for M15 (F23). In late 2023–2024, a new eaglet (E23) hatched under M15 and F23, while in early 2025 two later eaglets (E24 and E25) died due to avian influenza, after which M15 and F23 continued to the next season. By late 2025, reports indicate the pair (M15 with F23) returned to the nest area for ongoing nesting activity, including a second egg confirmed by mid-November 2025. Harriet herself has not been observed since February 2023 and is presumed missing/deceased, with the ongoing SW Florida Eagle Cam focusing on the new pair and their brood.

🔍 Circumstances

Harriet disappeared from the Bayshore Road nest in North Fort Myers around February 2, 2023. An investigation into unauthorized feeding near the nest was conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. M15 remained at the nest, provisioning two eaglets (E21 and E22) and defending the nest. By late 2023, a new mate for M15 (F23) appeared, and E23 hatched in December 2023 and fledged in 2024. In January 2025, E24 and E25 died from avian influenza, after which M15 and F23 continued to raise subsequent offspring. By November 2025, the SW Florida Eagle Cam reported a second egg in the nest as M15 and F23 continued nesting efforts.

👤 Physical Description

Harriet: adult female Bald Eagle, typical brown body plumage with a white head. M15: adult male Bald Eagle. E21 and E22: bald eagle eaglets observed at the Bayshore Road nest prior to Harriet's disappearance. E23, E24, E25: subsequent offspring observed in later seasons (E24 and E25 died from avian influenza in early 2025). F23: female eagle that partnered with M15 after Harriet's disappearance.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Harriet has not been observed since February 2023. The nest and eagle activities have continued under a new pairing (M15 with F23). E23 hatched in late 2023 and fledged in 2024; E24 and E25 died of avian influenza in January 2025. As of November 2025, a second egg has been confirmed in the nest with M15 and F23 continuing nesting efforts. The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam has continued to stream nest activity, attracting global viewership.

🔗 Sources (9)

👥 Community Contributions

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