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Empty Nest Syndrome Worries Eagle Watchers

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By MARK DOUGLAS

mdouglas@wfla.com

Published: December 7, 2008

In a developing corner of Pinellas County, an Audubon volunteer says the empty nest of a pair of bald eagles - the symbol of the nation's strength - underscores the weakness of state laws meant to protect the birds America loves.

The eagle nest sits in a tall pine on a fence line, perched high above pasture land on 130th Avenue in Seminole - owned, coincidentally, by the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

On the other side of the fence is an industrial park. Eagle watcher Barbara Walker of the Clearwater Audubon Society thinks new construction there drove off a breeding pair of bald eagles.

Until now, the nest they inhabited hadn't gone empty in 10 years.

"I think in this case we're seeing the need for stronger local protections," said Walker, who wants to see Pinellas County adopt an ordinance strengthening government protection for bald eagles like one in Lee County.

"The point of an ordinance is enforceability and to make sure the same rules apply to various landowners that are affected by a bald eagle nest," Walker said.

Audubon eagle watchers say they monitor 22 active breeding nests in Pinellas and are developing similar lists in other Bay area counties.

The state agency that oversees wildlife protection disagrees.

"We don't support that," said Elsa Haubold of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Haubold wasn't familiar with the empty nest in Seminole but said eagles are generally thriving in Florida and notes they have been taken off endangered specials lists on the state and federal levels.

Commission records for 2008 show 17 active bald eagle nests in Pinellas County, 20 in Hillsborough, 18 in Pasco, 21 in Manatee, and 119 in Polk County.

"The eagle is a great success story for Florida," Haubold said.

Nest At Center Of Argument

The nest in Seminole has been at the heart of a dispute between development and conservation for a number of years, said Beth Lockwood, executive director of the local SPCA.

"We've had problems with the construction next door for several years, and we've contacted Fish and Wildlife and they've held them in compliance," Lockwood said.

After years of nesting and raising eaglets in the pine tree, the adult birds vanished during this year's October to May breeding season.

"I saw them arrive in August and I've seen them up to about a month ago," Lockwood said.

But even then, the eagles were only flying around, and not taking up residence.

Lockwood, like Walker, blames the new construction just across the fence line that runs under the nest.

"You're talking about banging and heavy equipment and that type of noise," Lockwood said.

Florida's Bald Eagle Management Plan, created April 9 after the state removed eagles from its endangered species list, bans construction within 330 feet of an eagle nest during breeding season and prohibits other disruptions that might disturb the state's growing eagle population.

Walker said the law is good but needs more local enforcement help. She cites the empty nest as an example.

Buyer Says He's Good Neighbor

Dean Miller, who is buying the property where the construction is under way, said the eagles there have adapted well, however.

Miller, who owns an adjacent industrial park, doesn't dispute that the nest may be vacant now. He just doesn't see a connection with the construction project.

"We had to hire an eagle expert to watch the eagles," Miller said. "It turns out I think I know more about the eagles than the eagle expert."

He enjoys watching eagles soar over his property and talked about watching one in particular. "He owns all the air space above that land."

The eagles, he contends, are "urbanized." He recalled watching as a bird perched and gazed out toward an excavating machine grinding away right under the nest.

"I can assure you we are not troubling that eagle in the least," Miller said.

Construction stopped on the new building recently, but not because of state intervention, he said. Rather, the current owner is selling to Miller as Miller works to build up his Ulmerton Industrial Mart.

Miller said he might even erect a tower with a camera to stream video of the eagles on the Internet if and when they return to the nest.

"I think they're kinda cool," he said.

Still, Walker is pushing Pinellas to pass an ordinance and would like to see Hillsborough, Pasco, and other Bay area counties do the same.

And like everyone else who has monitored the eagles at the SPCA over the years, Walker wants to see them return to breed again.

"We hope they're just taking a year off and they'll come back next year," she said. "But who's to say?"

News Channel 8 reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (727) 536-9603.

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