The GRCA expects the Belwood Lake osprey webcam to be up and running soon for the second year.
Between April and September this live webcam, above a nest near the entrance to Belwood Lake Park, captivated viewers in 2015 when it operated for the first time.
The adult birds tended to their young under the watchful eye of viewers. Within 24 hours of the GRCA Facebook posting about the webcam, 19,000 people had been reached.
Collectively, 3.7 million minutes were spent tuned in to the osprey cam with up to 150 people watching at a time. A YouTube chat provided the opportunity for viewers to share their thoughts and a private Facebook page sprung up, as often happens with wildlife cams.
The adult birds are expected back at this nest again in early April. The camera will be turned on once the adults come back.
Watching is a way to connect with nature and learn about birds, officials say. However, be forewarned – this unfiltered look into nature is not always easy for viewers to watch. Ospreys and their young face many dangers, including harsh weather, predators, food shortage, disease, and the challenges of learning to fly.
The GRCA has developed an intervention policy, which is posted on the osprey webpage. The young birds will not be named by the GRCA this year, although we recognize that some viewers who tune in may come up with their own names.
Osprey timeline
Early April: Adults arrive at the nest. Late April: Eggs start to appear. Late May: Eggs begin to hatch. June: Young become more independent. Mid to late July: First flight of hatchlings. August: Less time in the nest. September: Camera will be turned off when the osprey migrate.
