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
Just checking comments and so glad to hear that little #4 (Inky Dink) is appearing to be doing better. Go little one – we are all rallying around you! Isn’t it something how our emotions get all caught up with the underdog in any nest?!
#4 is certainly looking a lot better than it did a couple days ago. Fight little guy, fight! We are pulling for you.
The little one is eating and very well. Moving around well too. Think all will be fine. Keeping my fingers crossed. I call the little one Inky Dink. LOL
Mom is feeding one of the babies right now and #4 is sleeping. I sure hope this baby makes it.
Went to Stockton Lake yesterday, out in the boat with binoculars. We saw 3 other nesting platforms that Empire has put up. Two obviously had an adult pair in them, assume there were babies also, but couldn’t tell from the lake level. Not sure if there was activity in the third nest. Thank you so much Empire for doing this. We really appreciate the time and effort put into making this happen.
About the last little baby to hatch….I remember worrying so much last year about the runt. I really didn’t know if it could hold its own, but it continued on at is own pace and maybe because the fish were so plentiful, it grew up just fine and fledged on its own schedule. Today the little one was moving around and acting interested in eating, too, so I will continue to have positive thoughts about it until proven otherwise.
Thank you Becky for your comments. I, too, have been keeping an eye on nest throughout the day.
Baby 4 has been moving around nest eating & sleeping. The two youngest are fun to watch them trying
To get their wings arranged. I think we all are hoping for the best for this family.
9:20 am. Four babies spread out on nest. Mom watching. The little one moving also. I have seen mom feed it
I do hope that it makes it. I had not noticed there was a problem.
1:00 pm. Mom shading babies. Amazing how she can spread just one wing for their protection
From elements.
Sad, but doesn’t look like the one little bird is going to make it.
OH NO! What happened? Is one of the babies sick?
It was the last one hatched and the runt……nature seems cruel sometimes.
2:45 pm. Beautiful shot of Mom’s wings spread to protect babies from sun/heat.
Has another platform been put up near the 123 Hwy boat ramp. If so thanks.
Here is something that my husband pointed out………..have you ever noticed how Mom sits on the nest always rotating with the sun. She is always giving the babies the best shade.
8:30 am. Babies awake & ready to eat. Nest space is looking smaller. Babies are growing so fast.
Love the light and shadow of the nest at night. They look settled down for the night. Hope the storm that went through north springfield leaves the nest and family be
Love the contrast of light and shadow with these black and white pics. Mom (I guess is it mom) looks so alone with her babies. A happy family.
The babies seem to get bigger by the minute and mom and dad are such awesome parents! Is there ever any “bonking” going on in this nest between the siblings? I have not seen it on this nest like I see it in other nests which makes me happy!!
Mom standing at the side of the nest giving the babes an airing and room to move about. Two of them are at opposite sides of the nest while the other two huddle in the middle.
Good news new Spam Filter I think is working much better.
Awesome Mike! Thank you for EVERYTHING you do!
I sure hope mom and babie are going to be ok. It appears a bad storm is going to hit them soon. Mom has taken a beating with hail several times. Hang on tight Osprey’s!!!
Don’t they know there’s a 15″ length limit on bass?:) They are doing great and growing fast.
Dad just flew in with another big fish. All four lively young ones are ready for another meal.
10:00 am. Dad on nest watching watching family. They were cuddled. Mom
Flew back in & it seemed little ones wanted back under cover.
No. 1 & 2 certainly are growing fast.
Mom covering babies again. Rain. Lots of lightening. Stay safe!
So glad to see that Mom weathered the storm from last night once again! She is a wonderful mother!
I was watching after dark for a little while last night. There was tremendous lighting and it would light up the area while still far away. Mom is so brave and devoted to her babies!
It looks like Mom is going through another storm and it looks like the wind is picking up. It always worries me and I hope all will be ok. Hang in there, Mom!
They sure are growing fast. Love watching them but the camera still has problems. Buffering alot.
Looks like it is ☔️ raining. Mom is protecting the little ones. She looks so all by herself. So much rain so far.
I was wondering why everyone disappeared for 3 days! Haha….
Thanks, Mike!!
I see a double feeding!!1 Hope Little 4 gets a crop full!
Testing Spam Blocker, hopefully this works.
Wow, getting big fast!
Guess I spoke too early
Thanks for getting us back on
Okay, well I’m not sure what happened. I’ve been gone most of the weekend we had over 300 spam hits and some way or another several people got unapproved including me so don’t feel special. Anyway I think it’s all better now.
Thanks, Mike, for all you do so that we can watch this amazing osprey family.
Thank you, Mike!
Ahhhh the internet! With all the joys it can bring us it sure can be frustrating at times! Thank you for persevering Mike!
Mom is working hard to shade the babes today. I haven’t been able to get a good look at the chicks to make sure all made
it through the storms okay…..
Looks like a beautiful day at Stockton Lake and the babies are getting so big already. Dad was just on the nest with a fish but then flew off again with the fish! Mom is moving sticks around and sprucing up the nest! Such a wonderful Osprey family to enjoy! Happy Memorial Day to everyone and many thanks to all of those who have served our country!!
Having a late lunch or early dinner. Both parents on nest and kids look good. Sun. 05/28 3pm.
Man…mom is getting hit with pea sized hail. I feel so bad for her but she is protecting the babies.
Guess I got blocked again!
Things seem to be better today, All the cameras went down yesterday afternoon……..I have another camera at greenfield that I can view to determine if the problem is with our ISP or at the Nesting Site and they were all acting up over the last couple days. Yesterday afternoon things seem to clear up. So hopefully it has been repaired by the ISP provider.
I sure hope the predicted severe bad weather for this weekend doesn’t disturb this happy family
One last peek before going to bed just to make sure everything is okay. Mom (I think it is mom) on nest taking care of the wee ones.❤️
Both parents on nest and feeding the babies. So cute.
Babies R full & got all cuddly together. Pretty cute.
Mom & Dad both on nest. Saw another bird fly in toward nest & was forced to move on. Great job Mom & Dad
I don’t remember seeing other prey trying to get on nest last year.
Camera is feaking out again. Very jittering.
There seems to be some camera problems today.
Never mind…………it is back up now. Phew, had me worried there for a minute.
I believe they are having some camera problems today Sharon. 😉
OHhhhh NOoooo!!! Went to check in on the family and the camera seems to be having technical difficulties. There is a black screen and it says “Camera is not available”. Help!!!
Dad is hanging out with mom and babies on the nest while mom does a few nestorations before settling back down with the babies!!
Is it a bird, is it a skunk! Just love those little stripes.
Good shot of Mom & 4 babies 8:05 am. Maybe they R waiting for Dad to bring fish!
From what I’ve seen, not all Mama O’s can count…..but, ours here sure can…..One, two, three, four…..
I saw Dad feed mom a few bites of fish. I was amazed and shocked. I did know they did that. I think it is awesome. Dad is so awesome!
Isn’t it sweet when they do that?? I see my Daddy Blue do that with Mama also…..