Loveland Open Lands & Trails supports habitat for birds of prey (raptors) by conserving open space and natural areas and by providing specialized structures for nesting. Working together with local organizations and volunteers, nest structures for osprey, barn owls and kestrels have been installed. Live webcams at these nests provide real-time information and data about the birds during the nesting season. The cameras stream live video available 24/7, providing an up-close view of the birds on their nests. 

Please stay at least 300 feet from active raptor nests in person. Human disturbance can cause harm or even death to eggs and young birds, and adult birds can become dangerous when defending their nest.  These webcams provide a much better view!  

Litter such as fishing line and baling twine can be fatal to birds and other wildlife.  Properly dispose of all trash to reduce this danger to birds and wildlife. 

Help us keep these nest cams going by making a donation. Thank you for your support.

Osprey Nest Cam

Osprey are fish-eating birds of prey that nest near water sources such as rivers and lakes. The osprey is a large raptor, reaching more than two feet in length, with a nearly six-foot wingspan. It is brown on the upper parts and predominantly light greyish to white on the underparts. Its head is mostly white with a broad brown stripe through the eye. The presence of Osprey suggest a healthy ecosystem.

Osprey nest in the Loveland area from March through July each year, and migrate south for the fall and winter. Osprey require a tall structure and plenty of space to build a nest and successfully raise young. Many osprey use nesting platforms provided by the city and local power companies, which offer a safer alternative to nesting on power poles. During the non-nesting season, the camera view below is moved to capture video of other wildlife using the area, including elk, deer, and coyote. 

In 2024, the osprey using this nest platform successfully raised two osprey chicks. All of the adult and juvenile osprey have migrated south for the season. 

Live Osprey Nest Cam

2020 Osprey Highlights Video

Other Nest Cams

Volunteers from the local nonprofit Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute (CARRI) assist the city by installing nest boxes for barn owls and American kestrels on open land properties. These raptors typically nest in the Loveland area from March through July each year. The live cameras below capture video of nesting barn owls and kestrels during the nesting season and occasionally other birds using the boxes during the non-nesting season. These cams are occasionally down due to connectivity issues in their remote location but they are kept streaming as much as possible. 

For more information about these beneficial species that help keep rodent populations in check, please visit the CARRI website.

American Kestrel Nest Cam

Kestrels have been nesting in this box since it was installed in 2018, producing a total of 12 fledglings over that time. The young were fitted with identifying leg bands each year before they left the nest. In 2024, a pair of kestrels has moved in and the female laid her first egg on March 24, with a total of 6 eggs laid by mid-April. Both adult kestrels can be seen in the box at times, taking turns incubating and caring for the eggs and young. These small falcons typically lay 4-5 eggs and incubate for about 30 days before the eggs hatch. Nestlings will then spend about 30 days in the nest box before fledging. Check back often to watch the fascinating progress of these nesting kestrels!  

Barn Owl Nest Cam

Barn owls have nested in this nest box from 2018-2022, fledging a total of 13 owlets over that time. The adult female and the young birds are fitted with identifying leg bands before the young leave the nest (watch the American Kestrel & Barn Owl Banding video to see the action). Barn owls have not moved into the box yet this year but the cam will stay on to capture any activity in the box. 

We would like to thank CARRI, Rise Broadband and The Nest Company for their contributions to enable these cameras to be viewed online. 

American Kestrel & Barn Owl Banding

Each season, we "band" the birds before they fledge the nests, by placing small numbered bands on their leg. This research also includes taking wing and tail span measurements and logging each band number into a federal database. If the birds return or we find them elsewhere, we'll know where they came from and can learn more based on their migratory and flight patterns. The videos below show the process and provide more information about banding. 

Nest Cams in the News