Live nest cam launches in Austin as owl Athena makes her return to nesting site

Erica Pauda
·1 min read
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s great horned owl, Athena, returns to her nesting site for the 14th year in a row, the center has launched a live owl nest cam where everyone can watch live.

The live cam is a way for volunteers and staff to watch Athena as she waits for her eggs to hatch, the center said in a news release Wednesday.

  • Athena, the great horned owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd)
    Athena, the great horned owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd)
  • Athena, the great horned owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd)
    Athena, the great horned owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd)

Athena is well-known in Austin because she nests right above the entrance to the center’s courtyard.

Athena live cam can be viewed here

When the conditions are right for the owlets to hatch, the center says the nest location “provides a rare opportunity” to view Athena “up close and personal.”

Furthermore, the center said Athena has successfully raised owlets for every season except for one. She left the nest “mysteriously” for two weeks, and the center said there is no guarantee the owl will remain in the nest. However, the center said it remains hopeful.

Athena always makes her appearance at the start of wildflower season, where she incubates her eggs for around four weeks. Then, with the help of her mate, they care for the owlets “for up to six weeks following hatching.”

The livestream can be accessed any time on the Cornell Lab or Ornithology’s YouTube channel, the center said.

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