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
I discovered both cameras on at 7:30 pm. Thanks!
Sorry I didn’t get this out sooner……..Yes the camera went down yesterday sometime……….I have a suspicion it’s the same problem but why I’m not sure. We will look into it asap, although it may be early next ween now.
I wasn’t able to access either camera today. Have others had this problem?
I agree. I miss having them all on the nest! Guess we will have to catch as we can!
I’ve got the empty nest syndrome.
1 Bird on perch.
Looks like Mom, maybe, hanging out on the perch.
Do the people in charge of the nest release the location?
The nest cam is located near the Ruark Bluff Campground on the east side of the road. You can view it from the RV campground there.
Okay, ALL DID GO WELL…………….All Cameras are now available.
Thank you!!
Monday 10 P.M. no body is home.
empty nest.
If all goes as planned both cameras should be back up tomorrow morning at some point.
I didn’t realize that there was another cam….Now I see that option, but what is on the WOW cam?
It faces west following the path of the electric lines as they cross a cove on the lake. There is a tree limb on the left that the ospreys perch on at times and I have seen a deer and wild turkey pass thru. The camera does not have night vision, but there have been some beautiful sunsets nonetheless.
Thank you, Becky!
At 4:00 one baby on perch & one adult on nest. Adult flew off. I’m thinking the little one is the smallest baby.
Not sure though!
Thank you for restoring the camera. It’s been very enjoyable and entertaining watching the Ospreys from their beginning to now. Thank you both, Empire and Mid Central, for sharing.
Two young’uns on nest at 1:05. Don’t have a clue which two!
Just discovered camera on at 12:15 pm. Great & thank you! Nest empty. Will anxiously await to find out
Who & how many arrive back on nest.
Me,too!
ALL – We were able to restore video today, The WOW Camera for those that look at it will remain offline for a while until we can get a replacement part. Thank you all for your patience.
Big thanks to all involved with getting the cam going again. Love you guys. Been worrying about the babies.
My husband and I have gotten so much enjoyment out of watching the Osprey family over these past weeks! Checking on them is one of the first things we do in the morning and the last thing we do at night. Thank you so much for providing this for everyone!!
I check the WOW cam frequently. Never know what’s lurking down there.
SAD NEWS TO REPORT – Today a Thunderstorm came through the area around 11am, at that time we lost communications with both cameras at the nesting platform. It is unclear as to where the problem is or what caused it and we will be working towards a solution as soon as possible. Please check back for updates as I get more information I will post it here. Because of the remoteness of the system and the logistics of getting equipment in and out it may take a few days to resolve this issue, but be assured we are working on it.
Thank You for your patience!
Mike, thank you for the update. I kept checking! Based on early morning I was hoping the last little one would
Fly today as it was the first time I saw it on the perch.
Thank you!
I so hope that our last baby made it through the storms ok…….
Thanks Mike for the info. Still checking.
I also felt sorry for the little one last night. Mom brought a fish at 8:00 am. At 9:00 baby was on the perch.
Maybe today it is time to fly!!
At night time there seems to be one little one always on the nest as well as an adult. Has anyone seen all three little ones away from the nest at the same time? This may be the one I always thought was smaller. Hope it is ok!
the little one has not fledged yet. i am sure all is well
Yes, one of the ‘babies’ has always been smaller than the other two. I was afraid it wouldn’t even make it when we first started watching them. It keeps getting a little more active in trying out it’s wings all the time. This morning it flew high enough to get up out of the camera view, but just straight up and right back down on the nest.
….and he is there all alone tonight….poor baby….. 🙁
A parent and one baby on the nest now…..did not see when the other two took off….
Does anyone know if there is flooding in the area where the O’s fish?
It is usually hard for them to fish if the waters are high.
The parent (mom?) is eating a fish now….
One of the babies that was off just returned….
….and the second one returns to the perch…..
Stockton Lake is not a at flood level. We have fared better than our southern Ozark Lakes. But it is higher than normal.
That is good news…..Thank you, Marlaine!
Two have been off ….one just came back to the perch…..
I don’t think the second one was on the perch before, but now I’m not 100% positive about that…. 🙂
I checked at 10:25 & camera was on. Two young’uns on nest at that time
As Feared the Cloudy weather over the past several days has caught up with us. The cameras shut off around 2am this morning. I expect them to come up around 9-10am. They should get back to full charge over the weekend based on the short range forecast. So they ran for about 50 some hours with minimal daylight not too bad. Anyway they should come back once adequate daylight arrives.
thank you! a most enjoyable experience watching this family
At 12:51 I saw one young’un fly from nest & back again. I believe all three were back on nest.
Hurray!!!
Both parents and all three “babies” on the nest at the same time just now…2:20 PM
Exciting times!!
The first to leave nest today hasn’t come back to nest. I wonder if Dad & Mom know where
It is. I thought the 2nd one was going to fly away this evening, but it is still on nest.
The 2nd adult flew in on nest at 5:41 pm. But still haven’t seen the 3rd young one come back!
I discovered that & have been watching for it to come back. I haven’t seen both mom & dad on nest at same time
Yesterday or today.
One left the nest around 11:50 AM and has not returned as of 12:37 PM. We’ll see what happens from here.
One of the babies is gone from the nest this morning, does anyone know if it flew away or what happened.
This evening one of the young’uns kept flying over nest. I haven’t seen them leave nest yet. The three of them sure like to cuddle together at night. I have noticed Mom is sitting on the perch above nest more & leaving nest for longer periods of time. I did not see Dad on nest today when I checked in. I’m always nervous on stormy nights for them. How long might it be before we can determine if babies are male or female? I think it great that this was set up for us to view & follow progress. I know I will miss them when they leave!
Our Babies are flying, just short stints but I have video evidence.
I have seen them flying in the nest going from one side to the other. Are they actually flying outside the nest? I know soon the nest will be empty but they have given us so much of an education as well as entertainment. Thanks again guys.
Once they fledge they will continue to return to the nest until time to migrate…..At least that is what they do at the other nests I watch.
Gail, thank you for your info. I have been wondering if the family will stick around until
They migrate.
Just watching and wondering what keeps the chicks from trying to fly off?? Hmmm!
I thought I’d repost this at the top of the thread. As of about a month ago, we have surveyed 11 nests on the south arms of Stockton Reservoir! Our chapter advocates for the birds, so we are so excited and pleased with Empire Electric’s commitment to increasing the population of this “once endangered” species! Also, we are so happy that so many of you have shown an interest in this remarkable project.
It’s time to get out in the field and count fledglings now!
I think Dad better begin bringing in more fish. He brought in one & I believe it was the bigger chick which took it
& didn’t want to share! It also looks like at least the two larger want to fly out of nest. Still can’t believe the wing
Span size on young’uns
The 2 larger babies are sure trying to fly. Amazing watching them flap their wings around in the nest.
Funny how there’s no cowbirds in this nest!
Our young’uns aren’t so little anymore. They were all testing their wings this
Afternoon. Amazing how big they are!
Yep, won’t be long now.
You can tell the center of the nest is filling up. Chicks can access edge of nest much easier. Especially the big one.
Yesterday my 7 yr. old granddaughter came in from school and said, “Grammy I want to see the chicks.”
How cool is that!
Going back and studying the gallery of installation pictures does help to give a better perspective regarding the size of this nest. WOW what a wonderful accomplishment .
Are there any more osprey nests in the Stockton Lake area? Will more platforms be built for nests? It is so amazing how the parents know where to stand to be able to provide shade for the babies. Different times of the day they move to different spots. Thanks again to Empire and Mid Central and you Mike.
To Address your Questions – YES, There are several pairs of Osprey around the Stockton Lake Area. An earlier post by another individual on this site details some of those potential pairs. There is already one additional platform but it does not have a camera. I think it’s safe to say that everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with at Empire is committed to finding a solution that both keeps the lights on and keeps the birds safe. And while this has been a little bit of experiment I think it’s been a very successful one. It shows that it is possible to make the power structures less appealing to the Osprey and yet allows them to have a safe place to nest. So yes I’m quite sure there will be more platforms, obviously the monitoring comes at some expense and challenges due to the remoteness of many of these locations. So much of this is yet to be determined. Speaking for myself I’m pleased to see such a positive outcome on this project and appreciate everyone’s continued interest.
Mike please keep up with the great work. Are the Maise Creek birds in a dangerous place?
I really don’t know, regarding the Maise Creek Birds, All I really know is there seem to be several pairs of Osprey in the Stockton Area and we currently only have only 2-Nesting Boxes. I have a hunch there will be several more next year.
As of about a month ago, we have surveyed 11 nests on the south arms of Stockton Reservoir! Our chapter advocates for the birds, so we are so excited and pleased with Empire Electric’s commitment to increasing the population of this “once endangered” species! Also, we are so happy that so many of you have shown an interest in this remarkable project.
Mike, thank you for info. Can we assume that Mom & Dad will likely come back to this nest next year?
But the babies — will they also likely come back to this area? So interesting to watch everything that
Goes on with this nest & family. Thank you and Empire for setting this up for everyone!
My understanding is the mating pair will most likely return to this nest next season and throughout their life cycle. I’m not sure about the young, but based on my understanding they will find a mate and return to the general area but they do not reach mating maturity for 2 to 3 years. Since we have no history on this pair it’s hard to say for sure, if this pair does not return likely another pair will take over the nest during the next mating season.
Ok, so I need to correct something apparently the photo I was talking about didn’t make it into the gallery. Unfortunately I cannot add it from here but will see if I can get it added.
Enjoy!
Good News! Hopefully the picture I was referring to earlier should be added sometime soon.
All Three (3) are being fed, the fact that each is of a little different size is a result of nature. The eggs are laid a few days apart and hatch a few days apart, making one chick dominant and larger. In areas where food may be scarce often times the smaller of the young may go hungry, however fortunately for our little group of Osprey food seems to be plentiful and I think it appears all are getting enough to survive but time will tell.
Another Note:
As it gets closer to the time for them to start testing their flight wings the parents will likely start building up the inside of the nest making it more flat on top. The is to allow the chicks to more easily access the edge of the nest. It’s difficult to tell from the angle of the camera but the depression in the nest is likely 6-8 inches deep making it hard for the chicks to accidentally fall from it. Refer to the pictures in our gallery and you’ll see that when the nest was transplanted it was nearly flat on top. Thus it was the way they left it when they migrated south last fall.
Enjoy!
There are 3 babies. Two of them have always seemed a little bigger to me. But I do see all of them
Being fed. I love watching them.
Thanks Mary. I was worried. This is so cool.
There are 3 babies. Two of them have always seemed a little bigger to me. But I do see all of them
Being fed.
My screen is difficult to watch but I only see 2 babies. Can someone let me know whats the status with this family?
So as I am watching the babies eat, one looks a little distant from the process. Just wondering if they are all ok?
She also keeps busy keeping them back from edge. They seem very active. I sometimes wonder how
They will stay in nest until mid July! But guess Momma, Dad & Babies have it all figured out!
Momma seems to be shading them from the sun during the day
That is awesome! Something fun & educational for the kids/grandkids. Esther, thanks for sharing this with me. Wish there were more nature cams like this. Very interesting.