Thanks for visiting the Lake Capote osprey webcam page! The Southern Ute Wildlife Division is excited to give the Tribe and the public an opportunity to learn more about these fascinating birds by viewing them up close. Click on the video preview below to start the webcam.
Key Osprey Data
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021* | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Detection at Nest | March 27 | April 1 | March 31 | April 1 | March 28 | March 29 |
| First Egg Lay | April 28 | April 28 | April 26 | April 26 | April 28 | May 6 |
| First Egg Hatch | June 3 | June 4 | June 6 | June 3 | June 5 | June 12 |
| Approx. Incubation Time | 36 days | 37 days | 39 days | 38 days | 38 days | 37 days |
| Leg-Banding | NA | NA | July 14 | July 15 | – | |
| Blue Band Numbers | NA | NA | 17C, 18C | 16C | – | |
| First Fledgling from Nest | July 27 | August 1 | August 4 | August 1 | August 5 | |
| Number of Eggs/Chicks Lost | 1 (egg) | 1 (egg) | 1 (egg) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Number of Chicks Fledged | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
The Lake Capote Osprey Nest
For the past 20 years, a pair of ospreys has made its seasonal home at the Southern Ute Tribe’s Lake Capote, and given visitors spectacular displays of nesting, fishing, and fledgling young. Beginning in 2017, viewers have had a much more close-up view of the birds’ activities, via a webcam installed at their nest. The birds have arrived in late March or early April of each year, after migrating from their winter homes in Central America or South America. Over the course of spring and summer, the ospreys work on nest construction, lay eggs, raise young, and of course catch a lot of fish. Learn more about ospreys at All About Birds Osprey Page.
Identifying the Male vs. Female
The Webcam
Division staff installed a new AXIS Q6135-LE camera in February 2025, using an aerial lift to safely reach the top of the nest pole. The high-definition camera has pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities – allowing it to capture not just what’s happening on the nest, but also video of the lake or Chimney Rock for example. The camera also features infrared illumination, so the nest can be viewed at night. A mounting system was attached to the pole, which includes a lightning rod to divert any strikes away from the camera and the nest. A microphone was also installed, to capture the birds’ vocalizations.
Acknowledgements
The Southern Ute Wildlife Division would like to thank the following for their assistance and support of this project:
