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
Doesn’t seem like we have babies anymore. Hope we can catch them when they first take flight!
Thank you so thoughtful of you guys
I raised 2 mallards female got from hatchery watching them grow and learn it is so amazing . Animals are so able to get along
Amazing. Thanks again
Can you, Mike Gordon, please zoom the cam back in on the nest? We are missing so much with wide view. TYVM
The two older ones are up late extending wings and bothering two smaller ones which appeared were
Trying to sleep. Hopefully the nest is big enough for all those wing spreads.
Not much room left ! Four very healthy chicks.
The way I have it figured it will be around June 23rd, will be 6 weeks from first egg to hatch. First Flights should occur 6 to 7 weeks from hatching date. These are of course on rough timelines as nature has it’s own timeline. We will see!
I’ve seen the oldest chick testing its wings — jumping up and down and flapping. Shouldn’t be too long now.
I think we are getting very close to kiddos taking flight. Won’t be much longer.
Mom is way outside on nest now. Shading & maybe shielding babies from getting further out. Dad has been bringing in materials to raise interior of nest for several days now.
9:54 pm Oldest chick staying up late with Mom keeping watch while the other three sleep.
I watch nest on my IPad and can stretch my screen to zoom in. Don’t know if that can be done on a computer.
We have certainly enjoyed watching these babies. Hate to see them leave the nest.
Great idea. Thanks!!
I think the Babies are getting big enough so I’m thinking I’ll back the zoom off on the camera next chance I get. That way we will be able to see them start testing their wings a little better. If there are no major objections?
No objections from me. Thanks!
I agree and thanks for all you do Mike.
The chicks are a little young yet to be flapping around too much. Personally, I’d like to see just a little bit more zoom. Thanks. I know you can’t please everyone, but maybe a little compromise? They don’t fledge til between 8 and 9 weeks old. The oldest here is just approaching 4 weeks old tomorrow.
I like it. It gives you a good view of the nest. We should also be able to see more wildlife. The only problem is seeing all those boats while I’m working:)
So cute with thier new fluffy feathers! What an awesome couple. We have very nice weather coming for days in a row. Lots of growth and exercising should be seen. =) <3 this beautiful osprey family! The need names. Mr and Mrs Stockton is what I call them. We could call them Emperor and Empress?
Little ones all in middle of next huddled together. Mom on edge of nest keeping watch. They have certainly changed a lot in such a short time.
this is just a wonderful nest-the parents work as a team feeding the chicks. dad brings fish after fish
giz says the lake will have to be restocked when they leave ~~ grin
Like the camera position. It gives the birds privacy and I can see the tree leaves.
I always make sure to check the path area under the nest. I have seen white tailed deer and wild turkeys walking along it. =)
My granddaughter loves to watch this. We not only get the enjoyment of the Ospreys but we have seen wild turkeys strutting and several deer.
7:27 pm: Babies fed and resting contentedly. Mom enjoying remainder of big fish.
Just found this nest 4 babies that’s awesome! Love me some ospreys. From Washington state and see the around.
Well I’ll be darned! Dadbrella!!! He is a great daddy!
Be safe during these storms & heavy rains Osprey family
We had 3 tenths at my house. Storm started around 2 a.m. Central Missouri , Lots of thunder and lightening
Will the chicks be named, numbered, or ….?
banded? they were not last year,as far as names one egg laid on my birthday i call BD or big dude , and of course baby. the two middle ones are like twins
Poor Mama trying to keep her babies dry….flash flood warnings in her area…. 🙁
OH NO that was a bad storm! Lost cam! Anyone still have it?
Dad came in with a nice sized fish but all the babies were zonked out and under the mombrella. No one was hungry so he took off with it. lol Healthy looking babies! Starting to look like the little dinosaur stage already. =)
A great shot of babies up around sticks this morning checking out the scenery.
Mom watching.
Raining on nest. Mom has little ones & bigger ones covered. Dad is on nest w/a fish. Don’t know if they ate.
have a safe and meaningful memorial day every one. this is one wonderful nest
The baby has changed so much in the last couple of days!!
1st born getting quite a big set of wings now
may 29,6 am dad feeding one of the chicks
feed the baby to over flowing ,hehehehe!!
Love it!….What a dad!!
A little bit ago, Dad was feeding 2. After he finished, Mom went over & got the rest of fish & fed the other 2.
Great team work. Growing little ones are so lucky.
Thank you for the posts about the little one getting fed!
Mom and 3 babies are sleeping. Dad is having breakfast and feeding one of the older ones…He is such a great dad….I have never seen a dad feed babies as much as he does!
Now the other older one has joined them for breakfast….
Both parents on nest. Littlest one getting fed.
Babies are all relaxed around the nest enjoying the break from all of that rain!!
Mom just feeding two little ones. Dad standing watch over biggest as he/she seems to want to explore
I’m concerned about the one I call “Itty Bitty”…..I hope he is being fed…..
He gets fed everytime I am watching a feeding and appears to be developing just fine.
Thank you! I am so glad to hear that….I keep missing his turn!
You’re welcome. It doesn’t take as much to fill him up since he’s still so small, so his time eating doesn’t last as long. I am pleased with how things are going and all the chicks are doing really well.
Mom & Dad both were feeding. My screen kept freezing also
Babies are moving around a lot now. Mom sitting on right edge of nest with babies under her.
Thanks! Babies are sure changing fast!
Mom and dad each have a fish and both are feeding babies….
They have done this several times when I have been watching and it is so satisfying to watch.
Baby 2 beginning to look a lot like baby 1. & baby 4 appears to be growing
Mom has been feeding the babies and there is still fish leftover and Dad comes in with another live one!
baby one is laying over baby four again. I saw that yesterday also. Is that action protection or being a bully
Lol
What a beautiful family! Dad is a wonderful provider! Makes me proud that this is a Missouri nest! =)
Awwwwwww cuddle puddle!
Such a good mother bird protecting her babies from the chilly rain.
Mike is it possible to zoom in with nest centered.
Unfortunately No…..Camera is fixed position cannot pan…….NOTE for next year I guess……I’ll zoom it out a little.
The first one born is certainly changing rapidly. Less than two wks old
Do you know the hatch dates, Mary? I didn’t see them posted anywhere.
I think these are correct dates. May 12, 13, 15, 18. Tiny one is not 1 wk old yet. Amazing how the two larger ones have grown and changing. I love watching them. Hope this helps Carol.
Thank you, Mary. I read some of the older comments and was able to come up with those same dates. I love watching this family. The parents seem very experienced. It’s not easy to raise 4, but they are managing very well. There doesn’t seem to be much aggression among the babies and that is a big plus. A steady supply of fish can make all the difference and Dad is doing great providing enough. I guess the camera can’t be moved. It would be nice to see more of the left side of the nest. I saw a good feeding this morning where all of the babies got fed. Thanks again for the hatch dates, Mary.
Yesterday they were being fed a lot. The biggest kept moving closer to edge of lower nest area. Guess he wants to explore more
feeding all four beautiful chicks. big size difference in the oldest to youngest,but great parents feeding all
This nest has been such fun to watch. These parents seem to be experienced in working together. They’re doing a great job of filling 4 mouths. So glad #4 is so strong!
Buffering is real bad today. Almost impossible to watch. The only site I have trouble with.
I am having the same problem, Janet. Shoot! I really wanted to watch this cam, but it is frustrating with the constant freezing and buffering. Maybe they need more bandwidth. I have the fastest speed available from Comcast, too. I do watch other cams and have no problems like the ones with this cam.
I also have the fastest internet available from Charter. It shouldn’t be freezing so much. I am getting concerned for the little pee wee. Have you seen him be fed recently?
Yes, I have seen him getting fed many times. I think he’s doing fine so far.
The female is good about making sure everyone gets fed. I saw little one get fed this morning, but haven’t watched much after that.
sometimes i have to refresh a couple of times, but worth it 🙂
I agree. I have ATT DSL. WOW cam works just fine, but the Osprey Cam just buffers.
almost no buffering today!! thank you 🙂
Does anyone know what is to the left (our left) of Mom and the babies…..a fish….. small animal…..bird???
Maybe I can see better in the daylight……Have been out of town and missed a few days…..
I believe it was a fish.
Thank you….It is missing now….
Wondering about the ribbons on some of the sticks in Audrey’s nest? The Crazy Osprey Family puts a few sticks with ribbons tied on them in their yard each season. It’s fun to track where they wind up!