SWFL Eagles 11-6-26. M15 ADDS STICK & GRASS TO L4! + EVENING MATING 💕 & PASTURE ACTIVITY 11-5-26!

Video includes ground footage from 11-6-26, and cam footage from 11-5-26. Video opens with 11-6-26 footage, starting before sunrise. F26 is perched on L2, followed by a view of the L1 nest. M15 is perched on L4, next to the aviation obstruction light, plus another view of F26. This footage was all recorded in low light. My view spot changed with sunrise, and now we have a daylight view of M15 on L4 (00:43). Due to the height of L4 (148"), it is difficult to see the L4 nest as clearly as the L1 nest. This type of platform lends itself to large nests, getting considerably larger each season if not removed. F26 flies up to L4 (01:12), and M15 flies out and back to work in the L4 nest. M15 flies out and returns to L4 with nest material (03:54). F26 leaves for the morning (did not return during my visit). M15 flies out and returns with a long stick (05:33). His stick gets hung up on the side of the platform. M15 leaves for the morning. The last segment is cam footage from 11-5-26, bird activity in the pasture. First up is a Red-shouldered Hawk on the U branch (07:04), then an Osprey on an oak at the pond (07:38). At 08:14, a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk is perched on top of the church tree. The hawk gets swooped by another bird (I believe a Red-shouldered Hawk). A Great Blue Heron trolls the pond (08:46), show in 4X speed. The heron flies to the post at the drain rocks, and CamOps provides close-up views as the heron keeps cool, wings out and gular fluttering. Next up are views of M15 and F26 on their tower. The sky fills with birds flying by on their way to roost for the evening. Evening mating occurs (12:34). The setting sun provides a beautiful sky as M15 and F26 roost for the evening. ➡️ M15 is regularly visiting the pasture and his nest tree; this is his territory. He has brought two sticks total to the pasture nest, and moved one stick on another visit. Here are some facts: M15 and F26 continue to build their nest (appears to be two nests, L1 and L4) on the communications tower. The last five times F26 accompanied M15 to the pasture nest tree, neither went to the nest. M15 did not bring sticks, aerate the nest, or do any nest maintenance in an attempt to get F26 to join him. F26 has not been to the pasture nest this season. M15 has perched and roosted on the tower for a number of years, going back to when Harriet was his mate (long before F26 showed up). F26 joined M15 perching on the tower after F23 went missing. Here is some brief information about eagles on cell towers: We do not want our eagles nesting on communications towers or transmission towers. The eagles choose to nest on these structures, likely for a variety of reasons, and that may be different depending on the pair. In some areas, too many native trees have been taken down for development. Eagles may choose towers for safety/security, as the towers are high and provide a great view for keeping the territory secure. The towers, with their height, offer a natural buffer from foot disturbance. Eagles "may" choose towers to nest on if they were hatched/raised on a tower (current study on that is ongoing here in Florida). ➡️ ➡️ Note: 1. The tower company has halted repairs/maintenance on the tower, and work will resume post season. The tower continues to operate as normal otherwise. 2. The nest will not be removed from the tower without a USFWS permit. Typically, those are done post season here in Florida. 3. The fledge rate for tower nests is equivalent to the fledge rate for tree nests here in Florida (exception: 2022, Hurricane Ian + avian flu) 4. Eagles nesting on towers receive the same protections as eagles nesting in trees. 5. A camera will not be installed on the tower as season is underway (disturbance). 6. L1 (Level 1) is the bottom level; L4 (Level 4) in the top level; the Nest is on Level 4; the height of L4 is 148'. 7. Twenty percent of the known eagle nests in Florida are on manmade structures (communications towers, transmission towers). Cam1 - https://www.youtube.com/live/YGaF2La0... Cam 2- https://www.youtube.com/live/BbDdI0MD... Pond Cam - https://www.youtube.com/live/FCgli5GQ... SWFL Eagle Cam official Facebook page:   / southwestfloridaeaglecam   The FB page is public; you do not need a FB account to view the page. The official website is currently offline. Video courtesy of SWFL Eagle Cam and Dick Pritchett Real Estate, Inc.