Hellgate Osprey Nest Webcam – Live Osprey Cam in Missoula, Montana

Hellgate Osprey Nest Webcam – Missoula, Montana

Watch the live Hellgate Osprey Nest Webcam in Missoula, Montana, and follow one of the world’s most famous osprey families. Hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams project, this live webcam follows the remarkable osprey known as Iris, one of the oldest known breeding ospreys in the world, as she raises her chicks high above Hellgate Canyon along the Clark Fork River.

Live Hellgate Osprey Nest Webcam

The Hellgate Osprey Nest Webcam offers a front-row seat to the daily lives of a nesting pair of wild ospreys in Missoula, Montana. Throughout the breeding season, viewers can watch every stage of the nesting cycle—from courtship and nest building to egg laying, incubation, hatching, feeding, and the chicks’ first flights.

The nest overlooks the Clark Fork River, where the adult birds catch trout and other fish to feed their growing family. Watching the adults return with fresh fish, defend the nest, and care for their young has made this one of North America’s most popular live wildlife webcams.

The star of the camera is Iris, a legendary female osprey who has returned to this nest year after year for more than two decades. Her remarkable longevity and successful nesting history have attracted bird lovers from around the world. In recent seasons, Iris has been joined by her mate Clark, and together they continue the incredible story of one of Montana’s most celebrated wildlife families.

Because this is an unedited live stream, viewers experience nature exactly as it unfolds. Along with joyful moments like hatchings and first flights, the camera also captures the real challenges of life in the wild.

About Ospreys

Ospreys are highly specialized birds of prey that feed almost entirely on fish. Their reversible outer toes, sharp curved talons, and waterproof feathers allow them to plunge feet-first into rivers and lakes to capture prey before carrying it back to the nest.

Every spring, ospreys return to Montana from wintering grounds in Central and South America. Many pairs faithfully return to the same nest year after year, continually adding sticks until their nests become enormous structures weighing hundreds of pounds. Both parents help raise the young, although the male typically provides most of the fish while the female protects and feeds the chicks.

The Clark Fork River and surrounding wetlands provide exceptional habitat for ospreys, making western Montana one of the best places in the country to observe these magnificent birds.

About Hellgate Canyon & Missoula

Hellgate Canyon marks the eastern gateway to the Missoula Valley and follows the Clark Fork River through one of western Montana’s most scenic landscapes. The river corridor supports abundant fish populations and attracts ospreys, bald eagles, herons, kingfishers, and countless other wildlife species throughout the year.

The webcam is part of the Montana Osprey Project, a long-term research effort studying osprey nesting success, migration, and behavior. Hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the camera has helped millions of viewers learn about osprey conservation while contributing to ongoing scientific research.

Visitors to Missoula can enjoy fly fishing, floating the Clark Fork River, hiking nearby trails, exploring downtown Missoula, or visiting many of western Montana’s outstanding wildlife viewing areas.

See  Wildlife Webcams in Montana

Why Watch the Hellgate Osprey Nest Webcam?

• Watch Iris and Clark raise their family live.
• Follow eggs, hatchlings, and fledglings throughout the nesting season.
• Observe fish deliveries and natural osprey behavior.
• Learn about one of the world’s best-known osprey nests.
• Enjoy live wildlife from the Clark Fork River.
• Experience nature as it happens, 24 hours a day.

FAQ

Where is the Hellgate Osprey Nest?

The nest is located above Hellgate Canyon near Missoula, Montana, overlooking the Clark Fork River.

Who are Iris and Clark?

Iris is one of the oldest known breeding ospreys in the world. Clark is her current mate, and together they have become one of the most closely followed osprey pairs on the internet.

What can I see on the webcam?

Depending on the season, you may watch courtship, nest building, egg incubation, chick feeding, fledging, and the adults returning with freshly caught fish.

Is the webcam live year-round?

Yes. The camera operates year-round, although the ospreys are typically present from spring through late summer before migrating south for the winter.