A new pair of osprey claimed the Badin Lake nest this year. For the past several years, it had been home to a pair of osprey named Oscar and Oliveea by Alcoa employees who grew fond of the birds. Last year, Oscar and Oliveea produced three osprey chicks that hatched in late April and took flight in June.
The Osprey Cam is now following a new pair of birds who have been busy sprucing up their nest in recent weeks and laid two eggs in the past week. Viewers will be able to watch as the chicks hatch, get accustomed to their new surroundings and learn to fly.
“It’s quite a sight. We’re blessed to have such an intimate look at these birds and how they prepare for the arrival of their new chicks. It's like a reality show based in our own backyard,” said Mark Gross, technical manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc., which operates four dams along the Yadkin River.
Since launching the webcam in 2012, it has attracted viewers from 87 countries.
Visitors can follow updates on the bird in a blog on the Alcoa site and can join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #AlcoaOspreyCam.
Ospreys are large birds — with a wingspan of 5-6 feet — that resemble bald eagles. The birds live along rivers, lakes and other large bodies of water where they can feed on fish. The open water and large tracts of undeveloped shoreline at the Yadkin Project provide the perfect setting for wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons and great egrets.
“We’re surrounded by nature and are committed to preserving the habitat around the Yadkin Project. We spotted a record number of bald eagle nests on our property this year and are proud that wildlife is thriving here,” Gross said.
Alcoa also operates an EagleCam that provides a live look at two bald eagle chicks in Davenport, Iowa. The site, www.alcoa.com/eaglecam, has received nearly 20 million visitors.
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