An island off the coast of Bremen is providing the entire world with a window into what it takes for two nesting osprey to start a family.

A web cam has begun live round-the-clock coverage as Rachel and Steve – the names given to the osprey couple – mate on Hog Island, the home of the Audubon Camp. The 330-acre island is located about a quarter mile from shore and is only accessible by boat or kayak. Bremen is a town in Lincoln County.

The birds were named after Rachel Carson, a well-known conservationist whose book “Silent Spring” is credited with advancing the global environmental movement. The other bird is named in honor of Steve Kress, director of the Hog Island Audubon Camp and the founder of Project Puffin.

Janine Parziale, who installs webcams across the country on behalf of Explore.org, said the Hog Island camera is operated by volunteers from their home computers. An infared device allows viewers to watch the birds after sunset.

Rachel and Steve successfully fledged two chicks last year and three chicks in 2012. The expectation is that the osprey will fledge three chicks this year. Parziale said the birds will begin laying eggs in about 10 days.

As of Wednesday night, the webcam had recorded more than 3.6 million page views.

The webcam is accessible on Explore.org at http://explore.org/live-cams/player/live-osprey-cam
 


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