Welcome to the World: The Newest “Eagle Cam” Stars
Over the next four months, the world will be able to watch as two baby eagles mature and fly the nest
FORT MYERS, Fla. (December 26, 2013) – The wait is finally over! The world has two more tiny internet stars to watch. Nearly half a million people tuned in to watch Southwest Florida’s beloved eagles, Harriet & Ozzie, welcome two hatchlings into the world this week. After 36 days of incubation and 24/7 protection from their eagle parents, egg #1 hatched just before mid-night on December 23 and egg #2 hatched yesterday, on Christmas morning (Dec. 25).
Harriet & Ozzie will now spend the next 80 days watching over their young, as they develop in the nest. The eaglets will grow quickly over the first 30 days, gaining about half their full body weight. Then, as they begin to build strength and stability, their coordination and balance advances allowing them to stand on their feet and take small steps. After another 30 days, they will develop their juvenile feathers and start to use their wing muscles by jumping and flapping around in the nest. Finally, after almost three months on the nest, the eaglets will be able fly and hunt by observing their parents and then fledge, or leave the nest.
“The next 3-4 months will be exciting”, says Andy Pritchett, the project manager for the camera and son of landowner Richard Pritchett. “We couldn’t be more pleased by the popularity and success. We have a great team of volunteers, working tirelessly – this is just as much their success as ours,” continues Andy.
Similar to last year, the Pritchett family will host a naming contest for the baby eagles on the SWFEC Facebook page. The contest will allow viewers to submit their suggestions for names and the top submissions will then be publicly voted on in the New Year.
Since its inception in September 2012, the SWFEC has received more than 20 million views from over 190 different countries worldwide.
About the Cameras
To preserve the natural habitat of the eagles, camera one is positioned six feet above the nest and is attached to a tree limb, using no screws or nails. The noiseless camera also uses night vision. This feature allows the camera to see at night without disturbing the eagles. Camera two is positioned in a tree thirty yards north and has the functionality to pan and zoom on action happening around the nest tree, giving viewers various opportunities to appreciate the eagles and their surroundings. This camera will be especially important as the young eagles learn to fly and hunt in the nest area. The camera streams live video and can be viewed at http://www.dickpritchettrealestate.com .
History of the Eagles
Harriet and Ozzie have been calling North Fort Myers their winter home for over twenty years and typically reside in the nest between the months of October and April. This active pair of birds has been laying eggs and raising fledgling eagles for the past several years. During Season One of the SWFEC, the eagle couple, who mate for life, hatched two eaglets until they fledged the nest March 25 and left the area in late May.
About Dick Pritchett Real Estate
Founded in 1950 by Richard H. (Dick) Pritchett Jr., Dick Pritchett Real Estate has been serving Southwest Florida for over 60 years. Specializing in commercial, industrial and residential lots, Dick Pritchett Real Estate is a family owned and operated company that helps clients with every aspect of buying or selling real estate. Calling Southwest Florida home, Dick Pritchett Real Estate strives to provide customers with top notch service by helping clients find the location that best suits their current and future needs. For more information, visit our website at http://www.dickpritchettrealestate.com.
The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Foundation was created by the Pritchett family to help offset costs of the Eagle Cam. Contributions are gladly welcomed. To learn more or to donate, click here.
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Media Contacts:
Ginnie Pritchett, 239-633-9015, Virginia.Pritchett@gmail.com
Christi Pritchett Sarlo, 239-728-1720, cpsarlo@gmail.com