A volunteer eagle watcher sprang into action after noticing an eaglet missing from the nest behind her home.
Jessie Dickson has lived in Kissimmee for eight years. She said what sold her on the house was Betsy and Benjamin, her two avian neighbors.
“A bald eagle flew over us and went and landed on the nest, and I was like, ‘sold,’” Dickson recalled.
As a volunteer eagle watcher, she monitors their nest and reports their movements to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. Last week, she discovered their baby—an eaglet—was gone.
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“So, my husband and I walked around the lake and over to the nest, and we found the eaglet under the nest,” she said.
Upon closer inspection, she realized the eaglet only had one eye, meaning it likely would not survive in the wild. Unable to capture it that day, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey coordinated a search party. They were able to get the bird, dubbed “Blink” by Dickson, and take it to the center for treatment.
“About 12 percent of our overall patient load is eagles. Last year, we admitted 739 patients that included 89 bald eagles,” said Katie Gill Warner, director of the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.
“Blink” will likely never be released due to its condition, but it is receiving the treatment it needs to survive.
“The vet did come and see it, just to determine that it is missing an eye. So, a diurnal bird with one eye. Our criteria is that we don’t release diurnal birds with one eye. They need both eyes to hunt,” explained Cheryl Merz, an EagleWatch assistant.
Many of their rescues come from volunteers like Dickson, who spend time helping this symbol of America survive and thrive.
“Well, my heart felt fell when I saw that he wasn’t on the nest,” Dickson said. “I was so relieved when we were able to catch the eagle. I mean, I didn’t think it was going to happen. So, I was very happy, very excited.”
For more information on how you can become a volunteer eagle watcher, click here.