EagleWatch

Based at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, EagleWatch monitors Bald Eagles, active nest locations, and possible disturbances or threats to nesting activities. As one of the premier community science programs in Florida, EagleWatch works to protect approximately 40% of the state's nesting pairs. These efforts help ensure that we understand which areas are most critical to Bald Eagle population success, the threats those areas face, and how we can best safeguard the health and longevity of those habitats while respecting the needs of local communities.

Nearly brought to extinction by hunting in the late 1800s and later by the use of DDT in the 1950s, the Bald Eagle has made a comeback — after DDT was banned in the mid-1970s, Bald Eagle populations began to recover, and in 1995, the species was reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. By 2007, Bald Eagles were removed from the list of Threatened and Endangered species, having sufficiently recovered.  

Florida has one of the highest densities of breeding Bald Eagles in the United States, only surpassed by Minnesota and Alaska. 

Although they are no longer on the list of Threatened and Endangered species, Bald Eagles are still protected by both state and federal laws. Their current threats include habitat and nest destruction, vehicle strikes, and territory fights. With continuing land development, many eagles are choosing to nest on human-made structures such as power lines and communication towers. These non-natural nest sites can present many hazards to the young eaglets when they fledge. 

The EagleWatch program provides valuable information on nesting activity and current population trends of eagles in Florida. As a volunteer, you’ll spend some time monitoring one or more eagle nests in your vicinity. These observations help biologists determine the best conservation measures to ensure the success of the species. Additionally, the reports may be used by law enforcement agencies to prevent any harm to the birds and their nesting sites.