Sandpoint osprey cam back online

The osprey pair at Sandpoint’s Memorial Field dubbed “Sandy and Pete” has returned from winter migration – and the avian stars are already putting on a show as they build their nest and prepare for first eggs, likely to arrive any day.

It’s action everyone can witness, thanks to the webcam on community website Sandpoint Online that streams a real-time picture and sound from the nest. Watch live at: ospreys.sandpointonline.com.

The camera was installed in 2012. It was briefly offline earlier this year but was repaired in late April.

Raptor biologist Janie Veltkamp, director of Birds of Prey Northwest, provides oversight to ensure the ospreys’ health and safety. Another volunteer, Robin Werner, is the official “nest watcher,” monitoring the ospreys and moderating comments provided in the live chat, nest blog and osprey FAQ.

The cam typically serves up a quarter million page views to 100,000 or more unique visitors who view it from around the world, said Chris Bessler of Keokee Co., which produces Sandpoint Online. Sandpoint Online provides all equipment and operation costs for the cam.

“Sandy and Pete don’t know it, but they are right up there as our most famous local residents,” Bessler said. “Mother Nature gets the last word, but all of us osprey fans have fingers crossed for them to have another successful year hatching and raising their chicks.”