Michele Murphy has turned love of wildlife into a passion
Michele Murphy has always had a special love for wildlife, especially birds. The Audubon Society has a volunteer training program in Florida called “Eaglewatch” that caught her eye. According to its website Audubon.org: “Based at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Audubon EagleWatch seeks information about 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.”
Murphy said the organization sends its volunteers surveys and maps in order to monitor the nests that the volunteer frequents. Right now, she said she’s the only Audubon volunteer on Pine Island, which leaves her with many nests to observe. Although the training doesn’t take long, she spends many hours studying the birds in their natural habitat.
“I used to live in Fort Lauderdale,” said Murphy, “and when I moved over here I was enchanted by the eagles. I just wasn’t used to seeing them over there.”
Shortly after she began watching the eagles on her own, a friend of hers who works for the organization suggested Murphy join the volunteer program.
“It usually takes around 30 to 35 days for the eggs to hatch once the mother lays them,” said Murphy. “Right now we currently have four babies, but I haven’t checked the nests on the north end.”
Murphy said there are also two babies currently nesting in Galt Preserve and she’s aware of a 12-year-old nest in St. James City.
“They grow up fast,” said Murphy, explaining that the eaglets will reach adulthood at only nine weeks.
Being an official volunteer requires Murphy to update the status of the nests regularly, but at the heart of her volunteer position, it’s a love for the forestry wildlife environment that fuels her passion for this.
“I’m currently on the board at Shy Wolf Sanctuary,” said Murphy. “The eagles give me a different venture, being that they’re birds of prey. I have always had a fascination with all of the animals.”