SWFL Eagles 10-13-26. M15 & Female Work on Alternate Nest Build on Cell Tower; Ground Video.

This video includes footage from 9-30-26, 10-1-25, 10-5-26, 10-9-26, and 10-12-26. Video has captions. Video opens with coverage from 9-30-26. I watched M15 and the female/new mate back around the territory starting in September. They were active around a communications (cell) tower in the territory, as well as some different trees around the territory. Their activity led me to believe they may be looking to start an alternate nest. M15 and the female started bringing a few sticks to the tower, and that activity increased at the beginning of October. The tower is on private property, so I notified the owners of the property(s), discussed what the activity meant for the property owners/protection of the eagles, and what to do in the event of an emergency situation involving the eagles. Both M15 and the female bring materials and work on building the nest. Nest building is part of their bonding, and they are still building their bond. Does this mean the eagles will nest here? There is no way to know for sure at this point. M15 and Harriet had N2, the alternate nest in the W pasture, and they never nested there. We are half way through October, very early in the season. M15 is regularly visiting the pasture and his nest tree. The female has visited the nest tree several times with him, although she has not been to the nest. Those of you have followed me for a longer period of time are very familiar with eagles nesting on cell towers, as I used to regularly post videos of other local nests. Some of those pairs nested on cell towers. 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). Eagles that nest on towers have around the same success rate as eagles nesting in trees here in Florida. Some of my local pairs have (or had) tree and tower nests, and two of the pairs used both their tree and their tower nests. If M5 and the female nest on this tower, I will continue to share additional information about eagles nesting on towers. For now, I am hoping and praying the M15 and his mate start working on the nest in the pasture, and use it to raise their family. The female with M15 has not yet received a number/name. That will be determined by the Pritchett family and the SWFL Eagle Cam Team. Cam1 - https://www.youtube.com/live/GmQY04Jq... Cam 2- https://www.youtube.com/live/BbDdI0MD... Pond Cam - https://www.youtube.com/live/TqYTODM4... 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.