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
Empty nest this morning! Success!!!
#3 just flew off the nest, leaving mom on it. #3 went out and circled the power poll, then came back. Wooo-Hooo!!
#3 just make the first flight. Upon return Mom is chirping her Congratulations!!! YAY little one!!!
Mom & 3 kiddos side by side on edge of nest. Must have terrific balance to keep from taking a tumble.
Two on perch & 2 on nest.
Poor Mom. All the chicks are in the nest right now trying to get under her wings for shade. They are just too big to all fit.
Mom & 2 kiddos on nest looking toward utility pole. I believe one was sitting on pole
One lonely little one still on nest. I believe there are 3 on utility pole. Hope last one can fly soon.
#3 still has not taken the plunge. Mom is there right now feeding it breakfast. Maybe today will be the day. We will wait and see. Hope everyone has a great day!!!
Mom and all three chicks on nest probably waiting for breakfast. Mom flies away. Too crowded?
Awwww…..only one baby on the nest tonight….he looks so lonely ….
I think mom might be on the perch, but can’t tell for sure because of
our cam decor……
Yes, Mom was on the perch all night and is there now just before sunrise.
Mom on perch. Poor little one on nest. Looked as if it was hanging its head.
Whatever is flying on camera is there.
Wind must have changed….cam thingie is back again…..
One baby still flapping on the edge of the nest….
I think there are two still hanging out on the electric pole….
And this one is flapping like crazy!!!
#3 is in the nest all alone. Even Mom left. Lonely little thing is flapping up a storm and not getting anywhere. It looks like the other 2 siblings are sitting on the electric poles to the right. Whatever was stuck to the camera and flapping in the wind seems to be gone.
I see them flying about and their shadows….
#3 is saying, “Hey, what about me?”
TWO babies have flown!!!
We have a new cobweb or some grasses hanging over the cam lens….
Whatever it is, cobweb or grass, it is really annoying. I am glad that it has not been there all along. LOL
One on perch. Mom on nest really talking up a storm. Other two came close to Mom. I couldn’t see anything
Flying around
Lots of wing flapping and flying from on side of the nest to the other. One going back and forth to
perch and now took off>>>>>>
My daughter just told me that about 5:30 pm yesterday she saw one fly off. Then when I tuned in this morning a little before 6:00 am I saw one fly off and then come back. Our babies are all grown up. We are such proud bird parents!! LOL
Lots of wing flapping this morning. Dad flew in with a fish about 7:10. No takers. They must have eaten earlier. Dad flew off with the fish and the wing flapping continued.
One chick went up the perch and then flew up to the cam perch.
That one flew around and came back to the nest. He landed on Mom’s back. Oops!
They need to practice on their aim when landing!!
One chick on the perch now. The time lapse shows several landings on the perch today. Don’t know if it is the same one or if they are taking turns getting brave.
Mom not on nest. One chick on perch. One chick testing wings & got high enough to land on perch If
There was more space. 3rd chick, smallest, was watching closely. Should happen soon I think.☺️
One of the chicks is sitting on the perch!!! Good job little one.
Yay!
The whole family is still on the nest this beautiful Monday morning at Stockton Lake! Mom just finished swallowing the tail of a fish and so far all looks peaceful in the area except for a few alarm/alert calls from Mom and Dad. Have a great day everybody and to our Osprey family as well!
Mom & chicks on nest. Mom & biggest chick on alert & doing a lot of talking. Other two hunkered down,
But were alert. I didn’t see anything in air or around nest.
Mom and Dad are both in the nest yelling at something. I could not see any shadows or birds, but they were definitely alarmed about something. The chicks all huddled down in the center of the nest. Something has been bugging them lately, don’t know what, though.
I keep thinking that any minute now one of the babies is going to take flight. There is one that has been flapping it’s wings so hard and lifting a couple of inches off the nest and going from one side to the other. Just now it was standing on the very edge and flapping so hard, I thought…………..”This is it!!” But it did not go through with it. I guess they are just not quite sure enough yet.
Both mom & dad on nest with 3 young’uns. Mom &a dad both were talking up a storm. Young’uns
Crouched down low. I could not see anything flying around.
Chicks on edge of nest lined up side by side. Mom further on edge facing them. I do not know how she can balance.
Mom is in alert mode as a shadow of a large bird is seen flying over the nest! It is easy to see that she is making her alert calls. All babies close to mom in a row! Have a safe day osprey family!
Mom & 3 chicks on nest. Each chick had a fish. Dad was not there. So guess Dad has been busy unless
Chicks are flying. Or maybe Mom helped.
Hope everyone had a good 4th. Watching nest just now. Mom & chicks on nest. I think biggest one
Is ready to fly. Kept testing wings & trying to run with no space & really working those wings.
Happy 4th of July to all you! Mom is on the nest now feeding all three of her babies! It looks like a beautiful day at Stockton Lake! Hoping our osprey family has a great day! Soon the babies will be fledging – where did the time go? Too fast, as usual! Let us appreciate that so far things have gone well this season for this osprey family here in Missouri!
Ditto, Denise…and Sharon from yesterday. We have such a great family here. I can’t believe how fast the kids have grown!
Have a great 4th everyone……
It will not be long now until the babies are all grown up. The first one fledged last year on July 13th. I have been watching as they stand and flap their wings so hard (and beat their sibling with those wings). I have to chuckle. This has been my second year of watching and it seems to have gone so quickly. It also seems that not as many people have participated in the comments as last year. Well, I for one will be here again next year. This is just way to interesting to miss. I also enjoy sharing these times with all of you.
I only see 1 chick.
I believe that there are two behind mom
Poor mom is doing her best to shade 3 babies that are as big as she is.
One chick arranging greenery, another doing calisthenics, while the third pecks at a bit of left over fish. Mom on perch.
Chicks on nest by themselves. Up & looking around. Them Mom landed on nest. Then Dad came in with Fish.
Mom took fish, chicks begins gathering close to mom, Dad flies off. Probably need another fish. ?
Chicks on nest by themselves. Raining. Mom or Dad not there.
One chick getting too close to edge of nest. Mom pecks him a couple of time on the head. Chick moves back.
Still checking in every day. I was watching the time lapse and realized the babies sure are wiggle-worms at night….just like toddlers in a bed. It’s a wonder any of them get sleep. 🙂
Both parents in the nest this morning. Looks as if everyone is well fed and enjoying the cooler morning temps.
I am really amazed at how fast the time has gone this year. The babies should start to fledge in about 2-2 1/2 weeks according to last year’s family. It is always an interesting ride that we take watching the family start and grow. There seemed to be a lot less stress this year.
Yes, the time has flown by already this season and soon the babies will be fledging! I cannot believe it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all 3 will successfully fledge this year!
Mom on nest with young’uns. She wasn’t covering them. Lots of lightening & rain had begun.
Stay safe Osprey family.
Light rain and lightening all around as chicks and Mom sleep in the nest.
They grow up so fast.
Mom on perch. Two young’uns trying to sleep. One up walking around then flapping wings,
Maybe the oldest one. Large wing span. Ready to escape nest part time maybe.
Supper time! Babies lined up being fed once again. Dad is a great provider. No wonder the chicks are getting so big.
The young’uns are lined up side by side & Mom is on nest with them.
Baby osprey arranging sticks!
No parent on the nest when I checked in this morning at 8:23. Oldest chick testing its wings; topples over. I do so worry about them falling out of the nest.