Fort Calhoun Osprey Nest

A Riverside Raptor Platform

This nesting platform rises above the Missouri River at the site of the former Fort Calhoun Station, a decommissioned power facility in eastern Nebraska. Osprey pairs return to the same structure to build and reinforce a bulky stick nest, favoring the open sightlines and abundant fish stocks the river provides.

Partnership in Conservation

The camera is a joint effort between the Omaha Public Power District and Nebraska Game and Parks, reflecting a broader commitment to raptor conservation along the Missouri River corridor. Ospreys, once scarce in the region, have steadily reestablished breeding territories on structures like this one.

Built to Endure

Osprey nests are engineering feats in their own right — layered mounds of sturdy branches, softened with grass, bark, and found materials, growing heavier and wider with each returning season. The elevated vantage lets the pair watch over their territory and spot fish moving through the water below.

A Window Into Raptor Life

Viewers can observe courtship display, incubation, and the demanding work of provisioning chicks, offering a close-up look at one of North America's most successful fish-eating raptors going about its routine.