Osprey Live Stream, Stockton, Missouri
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Liberty Utilities Co. and Mid Central Contractors invite you to join us in celebrating the return of osprey to Stockton Lake. Enjoy this brief peek into the lives of this osprey family! But, please be aware, at times, nature can be difficult to watch.
On February 24, 2015, Liberty Utilities Co. moved the osprey nest from one of our transmission towers to this newly built nesting box. The pair had a nest burn in the previous summer after coming in contact with an energized electric line. The fire also did damage to the transmission tower and line, interrupting electric service. This new home for the pair of osprey is meant to be a safe nesting alternative while also increasing service reliability for Liberty Utilities customers. Click here to view photos of the installation of the nesting platform.
Above is a live stream of the nesting box. The box is approximately 4-feet by 4-feet and approximately 70-feet high. Although the power lines are visible in the background, the nesting box is approximately 50 feet away from the power lines. This nest also has night vision provided by infrared light illumination. Birds and humans cannot see infrared light, so the osprey are not bothered at night by the infrared light illumination. The cameras are powered by two solar panels. If there are several days in a row of overcast skies, the camera may run out of battery backup. But, once the sun returns, the camera will be operational again.
Note to viewer: Images presented on this live stream are the property of the Liberty Utilities Co. and may be used for educational and non-commercial purposes. Images may not be sold.
About Ospreys
Osprey are uncommon statewide, most are spring and fall migrants but a few nest here. Ospreys are up to 24 inches long, with a 5- to 6-foot wingspan. They are midway between eagle size and large hawk size.
They eat almost exclusively fish they have caught, including carp, catfish, perch, shad and suckers. Also called “fish hawks” or “fish eagles,” osprey usually fly back and forth over—and 50 to 200 feet above—the water while searching for fish. When an osprey spies a fish, it hovers a moment before diving and plunging into the water feet first. Often it will completely submerge except for the wings.
Osprey reach maturity at age 3 or 4 and usually nest near water on a tall structure, such as a tree or rocky bluff. Like bald eagles, they generally mate for life. Nests are built of sticks and miscellaneous other materials. Two to four eggs are produced and hatch in about 5 weeks. The chicks fledge after about 9 weeks. Both parents care for the young. Osprey live about 7-10 years but have been known to live for 25.
(Source: Missouri Department of Conservation)
For more information about osprey, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website here.
Comments 1,941
Mom feeding all four again. Dad doesn’t seem to have any trouble finding fish even in
the high waters……He is such a good fisherman and provider!
I have set up on my IPad so can stretch screen. Guess you can’t do that on computer. Is that right.
You can click on the 4 arrows at the bottom right of the cam screen and it will go to full screen, but doesn’t have the stretch option
that phones, etc have…….(as far as I know!)
….actually, my screen does not “stretch” on my iphone either……only goes to full screen….
Poor Mom enduring more rain!
Something overhead was bothering mom, dad came to help protect the nest then flew off after it……whatever it was…..
I cannot help but chuckle watching Mom trying to get all the babies tucked under her. That must be quite the job. LOL I can hardly wait until the camera gets zoomed in on the nest a little more. I want to get a close up of those little guys.
We have 4 chicks now!
Mindy, what was your suggestion for chick #4’s name? I am so happy to know that we have all the babies now. It is fun to watch them.
I don’t know. I am stumped on this one. Any suggestion? I am still thinking as well.
Sharon….are you by chance Heather’s Mom? I have wanting to ask.
Egg still there at 8:40am nest time, 5/24/17
new baby! saw all four little heads a bit ago while mom was feeding them.
Nope guess I was mistaken…….still an egg there.
I really enjoy watching the ospreys and their babies! Thank you for making it happen!!!!
Enjoying watching mom and dad on the nest at 2:25 p.m. today! Mom looks comfy!
I think No.4 is here really hard to tell…..but I see no more egg……and think I get a glimpse of a 4th head every now again.
Mom looking like she just wants to sleep….can barely keep her eyes open. Dad showed up with a fish. Mom ate some herself and fed all 3 babies. She snuggled over all of them again and Dad flew off with remainder of the fish. Hope she gets some much needed sleep.
Mom had to fight off two Osprey’s trying to take over nest. Very stressful for her and me too. LOL . Don’t know where Dad was. He normally comes to the rescue.
Just found this cam. I’ve been watching other Osprey cams but this is so much closer to home. These birds are beautiful.
Mom and Dad just got through feed the 3 babies. Still waiting for #4 to arrive.
7:30 pm. Mom feeding three equally. Dad also on nest eating a fish. Hope Mom got to eat.
Looks like 4th might be close.
Mom is upset about something….keeps alarming and something just flew overhead…..
….and now she has a fish so maybe something was following dad with his fish…..
….feeding three little squirmies…. 🙂
1:24. We have 3 babies!!!! Mom standing up & could see them really good!
Hooray!!!
YAY!!! =)
Three times a “Charm”. Baby chick #3 is hatching. Lower part of body still in the shell.
Thanks Gail for info on snapshots. I use my IPad & drop downs don’t give me that option. I do remember getting them last year. My computer smarts are not that great. Lol. I’ll keep trying. I certainly enjoy checking in & watching this Osprey family.
Mary Allen-Rippy……..This is a great family and these various Osprey cams are definitely addictive!! I can’t watch the more predatory
birds……can’t stand to see the variety of innocent creatures they bring to the nest to feed on! I know nature is nature, but……I’ll just stick to the O’s and their fish!! LOL
Still just two little bobble-heads this morning……..maybe today number three will hatch…..
5:15pm. Two babies & two eggs. I must have seen a piece of fish earlier instead of broken shell.
3:45 pm. Mom & Dad both feeding a baby. They R going after it. I believe I have seen another but not quite sure yet.
How do we find the snapshots. Thanks.
10:30 am. Two babies. Dad brought fish. Both babies were eating Dad adjusting twigs. Flew off & came back
Quickly. I saw a shadow of another large bird. Dad stayed on nest for a while talking.
Put your cursor on “Osprey Cam” in the upper right hand corner…..drop down options will appear.
Thank You Gail for answering her question, I was out of town.
Thank Mike……Can you tell me what side of the lake the nest is sitting on. I just can’t tell. North, South? I tried to figure it out when the storms were rolling in Friday.
You are welcome….no problem….
We appreciate YOU!!
Chick # 2 did eat some this feeding.
Wish Stormy (chick #2) luck. Not doing to well right now. A bit worried. Very weak and doesn’t seem to want to eat. Mom tries but not taking.
So I have been having fun with this. I decided to name the chicks. I have two names now, I know what I wamt the third to be and have to see about the fourth. Here’s the names and why.
1. First chick. “Glory” – mom and dad were doing the strange dance after the chick hatched and it was like a Glory dance
2. Second chick.” Stormy” – I checked on them at midnight and even though it was hard to see I could tell the chick was trying to crack the shell and it was very stomry lastnight.
3. Third chick to come “Charm” – three times a charm.
4. ??? Hope it is sunny and we could name it “Sunshine” ??
Now I think mom and Dad should be named. Any suggestion’s? Dad is an awesome catcher with fish. It’s like he is a King of catching them. He is bring one about every 11/2 to2 hours. Catcher? King? Mom? Trooper? What do you all think and what do you think of the names so far??? Please give input.
Love the baby names. Since it is Empire Electric Company how about Emperor and Empress? Or pic a name after an emperor or empress?
Which one to name Emperor and Empress. I like these names you suggest. Emperor for Dad and Empress for mom? I think that would be awesome. I realize once once the other two chick’s hatch we won’t know who is who. LOL. Well except Glory. I think we will always be able to tell.
Finally got a look….Two babies being fed! Yay!! Thanks, Mindy for the heads up!!
No problem Gail. My friend Heather thought I would be interested in the Osprey’s and I have been watching them since 4/13. I am hooked. I just leave it up on my computer at home and work. LOL
We have baby chick # 2!!!
Really???? Waiting for a peek!!
YAY!!!!!
I have been so busy today haven’t had a chance to check in until now……WooHoo!!
Congrats, Mom and Dad!!!
Mom riding out the storms and more headed. She is such a trooper. Hope all stays good. The storms coming that way look ugly. Wish the Mom, Dad and family well!
Poor mom getting slammed by another storm. Waiting for storms to hit here again too.
I’ve added some snap shots of Baby Osprey #17-1
Thank you!!!
5/19/17 1:53 pm. Mom and dad feeding one baby!
Both parents on nest. One feeding fish to baby.
The chick hatched between 7:10AM and 8:58AM today (5/19/17). So exciting!!!
10:42. We have a baby!!!!
Mom & Dad both on nest a lot. Celebrating!
I believe I just saw a broken egg shell. Has anyone else. 9:30 am
Yes there is a baby bird in there!
We have chick #1!
I just saw a baby bird!!!!!
Checking in from Ferguson Mo. Holy cow that was a wicked storm that blew through about 5:00 AM! Making sure Mom Stockton and nest/eggies are still intact! All looks well so far. My tomato plants blew over…ARGH!
I was also so worried about this nest as the storm came through early this morning but I am thrilled to see that mom is ok and am so excited that we have a baby!
Dad just brought Mom some fish breakfast. They changed places on the nest and I could see 4 eggs. No hatchlings yet. At least Mom got a break for a bit. Will keep looking in!!!! Can hardly wait for babies.
Very good Osprey cam in nice quality. I will add it on my website to animals live cams section. Thanks for service.
Do any of you watch the Hellgate Osprey pair in Montana? Iris and Louis are a bonded pair and she is currently sitting on 4 eggs. It is sad because fishing is difficult there with all the rain they have had and the Clark Fork River is a little flooded now, running fast and making fishing difficult for the male who is providing for the female and the competition is making it even more challenging. I hope our male osprey here in Stockton will not have any problems providing for his family with all the heavy rains the Midwest has had in the past several weeks. I watched this cam last year and this male was a wonderful provider for his family! I love him!!
I spend most of my Osprey time at Dunrovin, but keep close track of Hellgate, the Hog Island nest and here, of course.
This is the first year I’ve seen Iris have more than three eggs. Both of those Montana nests were covered in snow this morning….poor moms!!
Where are you located, Denise? (if you want to share)
Hi Gail: I am located in Wildwood, Mo which is about 45 minutes west of St. Louis. We had so much rain here several weeks ago and I was worried about the Stockton female osprey enduring the inclement weather conditions. However, I was so very happy to see that Louis came back with fish for Iris at the Hellgate nest! I hope they are successful this year in their eggs hatching since last year it was a no go for them. Poor Iris had a layer of snow on her yesterday morning but came through it ok! Louis has 2 puncture wounds on his left side I believe but everybody seems to believe that he is feeling better! Last year it was such a pleasure watching this nest here in Missouri because the babies were so well fed and there was no “bonking” going on when food deliveries came that I was able to see. Last year I also watched the nest at Charlo Montana and it was devastating to me to watch the older siblings “bonk” the baby and finally it died. I don’t know if many people know about this nest in Stockton but it is a pleasure for me to watch this family also!
I have been so busy today haven’t had a chance to check in until now……WooHoo!!
Congrats, Mom and Dad!!!
oops…..meant for that to go above….will repost….
I took a look for the first time at the Hellgate osprey yesterday and felt so sorry for Iris huddled in the nest, the weather so cold and damp. But, good news today. Louis brought two fish to the nest this morning and Iris is looking much perkier.
Hi Kris! Yes it was so wonderful to see Louis bring in fish at the Hellgate nest after being gone for a long time. I felt bad for poor Iris being covered in snow yesterday morning although they do say that at times it still snows in Montana in May. It is exciting for me to watch the ospreys in Stockton since I am from Missouri. I started watching this cam last year and was hooked. Dad seems to be such a good provider for the family and my heart melts when he helps mom feed the babies! I am hoping for another successful year here!
Mom stood up. Eggs were in her shadow so couldn’t see good. She was adjusting some of the smaller
Twigs. So maybe time is close.
Mom was on the nest, then Dad flew in . Mom left and dad took over.
I guess it was Dad flew in at 8:09 pm. Mom got up & flew from nest. Dad covered eggs. Still 4 eggs. No sign of hatching yet
Mom sitting on eggs. Dad doing a bit of nest maintenance — repositioning some of the twigs. Looks as if he is making the walls a bit higher. Could a hatchling be on its way?
Mom and Dad both on nest enjoying a fish.
Yes I have seen the third Osprey many times in the last 2 weeks diving at the nest. Can’t wait for the babies.