Construction near eagles' nest concerns neighbors

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Construction threatens an eagle's nest with records dating back to the 1940s, according to the Audubon Society. 

The Society said it has been monitoring the "Pony Farm" nest, considered one of the most historic in Florida, for the last 12 years. Recently, a consultant with Ryland Homes notified the Audubon's Eagle Watch program the parent eagles had left the nest, along with eggs expected to hatch March 7.

The Society said volunteers went to the site at 8005 S. Racetrack Rd., they said many of the nearby trees had been bulldozed. Volunteers said they believe it was the reason the eagles left their nest a week before their eggs were scheduled to hatch. 

Meanwhile, the Florida Wildlife Commission said its officers have visited the site and found Ryland Homes has not broken any rules regarding disturbing an eagle's nest during nesting season. 

The Audubon Society said it hoped the construction company would have waited until after March 7 to bring work closer to the nest, in order to give the eaglets time to hatch. It added, a secondary nest was already destroyed by construction, in spite of efforts to save it.

Earlier in the eagles' nesting season, which runs from October 1 through May 15, neighbors formed a picket line in protest of the development.