OSMP Osprey Cam

We will keep the camera operating as much as possible through the winter months.

2024 Nesting attempt:

• March 27: Female Returned to nest
• March 30: Male Returned to nest
• June 1: No nesting attempt made.

2023 Nesting attempt:

• March 26: Female Returned to nest
• March 29: Male Returned to nest
• June 1: No nesting attempt made.

2022 Nesting attempt:

• March 25: Male and female visiting the nest and copulating
• May 13: Egg 1 laid.
• July 13: Incubation stopped. Nest Failed

2021 Nesting attempt:

• March 27: Non-resident female visiting the nest.
• March 28: Resident female returned.
• March 31: Resident male returned.
• May 15: First Egg Laid.
• May 19: Second Egg Laid.
• May 22: Third Egg Laid.
• June 24: First Egg Hatched.
• August 20: Nestling Fledged.

2020 Nesting attempt:

• March 27: Male osprey arrived at nest.
• March 28: Female osprey arrived at nest. Non-resident male osprey seen at the nest.
• May 6th: First egg laid.
• May 8th: ​Second egg laid.
• May 14th: Third egg laid.
• June 16th: Egg 1 and 2 hatched.
• June 17th-23rd: Egg 3 Hatched.
• August 17th: All 3 nestlings fledged.

2019 Nesting attempt:

• March 27: Female osprey arrived at nest.
• March 28: Male osprey arrived at nest.
• April 19: First egg laid.
• May 26: Nest failed. Egg appeared to be non viable.

2018 Nesting attempt:

• March 23: Nonresident female osprey seen at nest.
• March 25: Male osprey arrived at nest.
• March 28: Female osprey arrived at nest.
• April 19: Egg No. 1 laid.
• May 31: Chick hatched.
• July 25: Chick fledged.

OSMP wildlife staff have been monitoring the Osprey nest since 2011. Since then, the nest has been successful every year, except 2019, fledging a total of 18 young!

When viewing the osprey, the male and female can be identified by their different markings. The female osprey has a “bib” of dark feathers on her chest, whereas the male has an almost completely white chest.

This video system was initially set up by Parks and Recreation staff at the Boulder reservoir for monitoring osprey. However, Canada Geese successfully defended that nest from osprey for several years. In spring 2016, OSMP partnered with Parks and Recreation to upgrade some of the camera components and move the system to a more dependable Osprey nest near Valmont Reservoir. In late 2020 Xcel energy started a large solar project near the osprey nest. As part of an agreement between the City of Boulder and Xcel the nesting platform and camera were moved 100 meters North of the original location and away from any possible disturbance caused by maintenance on the solar array. Thanks to the help of other city departments, including Information Technology and Utilities, we can continue providing a live stream for all to enjoy.

Please Note: the camera is solar powered and completely “off the grid”. Prolonged periods of inclement weather may cause temporary outages. If an outage occurs, please be patient and we will restore the live stream as quickly as possible.

Timeline:

Monitoring of this osprey nest in past years has indicated:

• March 20 - April 10: Adult osprey return to the nest
• April 21 - May 9: Eggs laid and incubation begins
• June 9 - June 24: Eggs hatch
  • Osprey eggs hatch in 36-42 days after being laid
• Aug. 5 - Aug. 23: Young fledge
  • Fledging occurs 50-55 days after hatching