The osprey project

The University of Turku and Turku University of Applied Sciences’ nest camera offers live video footage of ospreys and various bird species frequenting an artificial nest, perched approximately 35 meters high on a well-lit leading mark. Positioned on Seili Island in the heart of the Archipelago Sea, Southwest Finland, this camera provides year-round, 24-hour streaming access to viewers.

The current camera, a Milesight Pro Ptz Dome 5 mp, has been operational since December 2018. The 1080p live stream is transmitted from the nest to Youtube and Saaristomeri.utu.fi using two nanobeam antennas. Due to the camera’s location, storms and other factors may lead to occasional power outages, resulting in temporary feed interruptions. Any issues with the feed will be promptly addressed.

The camera is jointly maintained by the University of Turku and the Turku University of Applied Sciences. The data on the https://saaristomeri.utu.fi website is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0). When citing, please use the following format: ‘Seili Environmental monitoring programme, Osprey web camera. YEAR. Turku University/ Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku. https://saaristomeri.utu.fi/seili-osprey-web-camera/‘.

We encourage the sharing of videos and images from the nest on social media using the hashtags #seiliospreys, #uniturku, and #turunamk.

History of the Nest:

The nest camera was initially installed in the osprey nest in 2006 by the Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS), with assistance from the Archipelago Research Institute at the University of Turku. Initially, the camera was maintained as part of the NatureIT project, coordinated by TUAS. Later, it continued as part of TUAS projects Saaristomeri.info and BalticSeaNow, focusing on science communication and environmental education. Since 2015, the Archipelago Research Institute has been fully involved in maintaining and funding the web camera and its connections.

YearNesting osprey coupleFirst sightingFirst egg laid1. chick hatched2. chick hatched3. chick hatchedIncubation period (days) of the 1. chickMore information
2021Hilma & Onni7.41. 14.5.
2. 18.5. (re egg-laying)
1. Egg robbed by crow 15.5.21
2.Egg robbed again by crow 2.6.
On April 7, 2021, a female first arrived at the nest (yellow ring, PKJ / Timo Pylvänäinen, Joutsa 2018 ringed as a nestling pup). The male arrived
12.4.2021 (ringed, right foot). During April, an unringed male and another ringed male (left foot) also visited the nest. Nesting birds are an inexperienced young couple which explains the failure of nesting. The camera mount was fixed on June 15. A new microphone was installed at the same time, but the replacement did not fix the sound world.
2020Olof & Malin5.4.22.43 eggs at the nest. Male not sighted after 11.5.
14.5. female left the nest empty most likely because the male had not provided the incubating female with food. Crow ate the eggs ca. 16:08 o'clock. Since then, several ospreys sighted at and nearby the nest.
2019Olof (M) & Malin (F)4.4.24.4.1.6--38The camera's position was changed 26.3 and a sitting perch was also installed.The microphone is at the moment turned off due to technical issues.
3 eggs were laid, but only one hatched. The chick was named Kari.
2018* Several individuals sited9.4.Several ospreys sited at the nest but no nesting.
New nest camera installed on December 11 2018.
2017Vasuri (M) & Tilda (F)3.4.16.4.25.5.27.5.27.5.39Tilda disappeared 27.6 and one of the chicks died 13.7 seemingly due to sibling rivalry.
2016Vasuri & Tilda2.4.21.4.28.5.31.5.37Live audio is included
2015Vasuri & Tilda10.4.21.4.31.5.31.5.40The University of Turku starts to maintain the camera 
2014Vasuri & Tilda10.4.23.4.1.6.2.6.3.6.39
2013Vasuri & Tilda11.4.28.4.6.6.6.6.8.8.39
2012Vasuri & Tilda10.4.3.5.4.6.4.6.6.6.32BalticSeaNow-project starts to maintain the camera. New camera and a nesting platform is added.
2011Vasuri & Tilda13.4.3.5.12.6.12.6.14.6.40Several ospreys are observed to visit the nest. Vasuri prevails and mates with a female named Tilda. 
2010Eeli (M) & Ristipää (F) * 8.4.*First egg is laid 28.4 but nesting fails.  Several ospreys are observed at the nest, Soma (F) and Vasuri (M) were named in addition to Eeli and Ristipää, 
2009-5.4.30.4.----Some information lost due to a thunderstorm
2008-------Saaristomeri.info project maintains the camera.
2007-------
2006Tapani (M) & Liisa (F)-3.5.----TUAS installs the camera as part of  Natureit.IT project. The osprey couple lays three eggs, additional information not available.
– information not available

The information presented in this table has been compiled from project reports, discussions on Saaristomeri.utu.fi and luotio.fi forums, and staff observations. Starting from 2018, the table is regularly updated based on staff observations. We also welcome contributions and updates from our viewers. Please feel free to contact us with any information you may have.