Southwest Florida Eagle Cam back for sixth season

Southwest Florida's most famous couple is back on camera, and thousands of people are already tuning in each day. 

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam is going into its sixth season and has been seen by more than 112 million viewers. Now the cameras are back on, and the eagles are putting the final touches on this season's nest. 

Several eagle fans were at the nest site Wednesday morning, watching the duo – from a distance – rebuild their nest before the eggs arrive. 

"They're working on the nest," said Vicki Ohsann, a Fort Myers resident and one of 19 people who help update the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam website. "The male, M15, will bring her food every now and then, and they're busy protecting their territory." 

More:Famous North Fort Myers eagles survive Hurricane Irma, begin rebuilding

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More:Harriet the eagle lays first egg

More:Eaglet E9 appears unhurt, moving back to nest

The nest is about 60 feet off the ground, in a slash pine tree on the north side of Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers at the Pritchett Real Estate headquarters. 

"They're magnificent," said Phyllis Hunt, a Michigan resident who retired to Venice and who makes trips to Fort Myers to see the eagles. "It's just interesting to see birds and what they do and how they live. They're our national symbol, so I just enjoy watching them."

Hunt said she watches the stream when she's not in Fort Myers to keep up with the eagles. 

If all goes well, Harriet will lay one to three eggs in November or December, with the survivors leaving the nest by May. 

Work on the nest has been nearly constant in recent weeks as the old nest fell completely apart in the spring of 2016. The couple has since spent much of their time rebuilding and adding to their massive cluster of sticks, Spanish moss and other debris. 

Harriet moved to this nesting location in 2006 with an eagle known as Ozzie. The two produced several fledglings over the years, but Ozzie died after suffering injuries during a fight with Harriet's current mate, M15. 

Online viewers are glad to see the pair again, too. 

Facebook poster Joanne Wadsworth Kelley wrote:

"This is glorious news! We've all missed sweet Harriett and her M. Can't wait to watch. Many heartfelt thanks to the Pritchett's who graciously support our viewing of the nest on their property. I look forward to chatting with our great (moderators) and watching Mother Nature unfold before our eyes."

The streamed footage is also used in untold numbers of classrooms. 

"I was worried because of the hurricane (Irma) and have been checking in. Best of luck to Harriet and M15," Facebook poster Karen Ashley wrote. "Thank you in advance to the Pritchett family and team! My 5th graders will love learning about eagle structures and their functions, as well as inherited (versus) learned behaviors."

Southwest Florida Eagle Cam history

2012-13: Ozzie and Harriet birth and fledged two eaglets, and more than 16 million watched the stream during the first year. 

2013-14: Ozzie and Harriet again produce two eggs, but only one eaglet survives. 

2014-15: The couple produced two eggs with one eaglet fledged. This the last season Ozzie would mate as he died after fighting with M15. 

2015-16: Harriet and M15 (male, 2015) produce two eggs, with both hatching and producing fledglings. 

2016-17: The new couple produced two eggs, but only one hatched and survived.