Osprey chicks hatch on Daintree crane nest live stream

Osprey chicks have hatched on a nest atop a construction crane in the Daintree Rainforest, offering a rare glimpse into the birds' lives via a live stream. The crane, part of a James Cook University (JCU) research observatory, has hosted the nesting ospreys for over a decade.

“

They struggle to hold their necks upright but, pretty quickly, once they've had a few meals of fish, they start getting pretty strong.

Researchers are confident the same pair of ospreys returns annually to the exposed location. Johan Larson, manager of the Daintree Rainforest Observatory, noted the chicks "began life pretty helpless" but are quickly gaining strength after feeding on fish. The parents diligently take turns fishing in the ocean and feeding the young.

“

Then slowly, slowly they start practising [flapping] their wings and, after about two months, they start their first flight, [they] usually just hover a little bit above the nest.

The future of the observatory and the crane, which has been on site since 1998, appears more secure. JCU had considered decommissioning it but a recent consultation process identified ways to increase its use and public engagement. The crane is in good working order, with its next certification review due in 2028, and there's no indication it will reach the end of its useful life then. Significant servicing or replacement might be needed around 2028, but operations are expected to continue.

“

For example, last year, there was an increase in the number of undergraduate students who used the facilities as part of their degree program, along with a rise in the number of domestic high school students who visited.