Mother eagle missing from famous North Fort Myers nest

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla.—A beloved pair of bald eagles in Southwest Florida has captured the hearts of viewers across the country for years. However, the story of this eagle family has taken an unexpected turn.

The mother eagle, known as F23, has been missing from the nest since Friday morning. This development has left many eagle enthusiasts concerned about the nest's future.

Linda Normoyle and Val Hgan, who frequently observe the nest, expressed their sadness over the situation.

"It's been sad because the female has disappeared," said Normoyle.

Normoyle shared that she first learned about the missing eagle through Instagram.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw it again, because we just had such a tragedy," she said

The disappearance of F23 feels like déjà vu for many, as another beloved mother eagle, Harriet, vanished from the same tree in the past.

Sandy Appleby recalled the community's efforts to find Harriet.

"Harriet disappeared. I had come here, and I watched people trying to find her, you know, sitting vigilantly waiting or going around the neighborhood," said Appleby.

Appleby explained the natural process that occurs when a female eagle disappears.

"When Harriet disappeared, there were female eagles that came because they're the ones that picked the nest. And so that whole process... it may or may not happen again," said Appleby.

Despite the uncertainty, Appleby emphasized the balance between human worry and the instincts of the eagles.

"We have a balance between worrying, because we're humans, and knowing that the eagles know. Leave it to the eagles, they know, they know," she said.

Normoyle and Hgan remain hopeful for the nest's future.

"I never want to give up," said Hgan. "And the baby. The babies always need their mothers. So if mama doesn't come back, dad will have to go looking for another mate."

As of now, no one knows if or when the mother eagle will return. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel is on standby, ready to assist any injured eagles if directed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Updates on F23 are awaited from the FWC.