Osprey Cam’s Last Season

SF Bay Ospreys Camera Decommissioning Announcement
April 13, 2026

In 2017 Golden Gate Bird Alliance installed two SF Bay Ospreys cameras to bring the Port of Richmond’s Whirley Crane Osprey pair, Rosie and Richmond, into the homes of admirers around the world. For over nine years the cameras have followed the lives of Rosie and Richmond as they built and maintained their nest, raised chicks, and returned year after year. The SF Bay Osprey Cam achieved its goal to bring birds and bird conservation to a new audience, connecting people to nature through the lives of our local Osprey.

With a heavy heart we announce this will be the final year of the SF Bay Ospreys cam live stream. We want to express our sincere gratitude for all the volunteers who dedicated heroic amounts of time setting up the program, educating viewers, banding the nestlings, and serving as camera operators, video editors, and fish matrix masters. They made the program possible. Most importantly, we would like to thank you, everyone at home who watched Rosie, Richmond, and this year’s new female, Wendy. Thank you to everyone who participated in building this incredible community through social media and the live chat. Just like the birds will continue to go about their lives without the cams, we know this community will live on.

This year Rosie did not return but Richmond found a new mate, a young female named Wendy. When Rosie did not return from migration this year, and their light pole nest was removed, Richmond returned to the Whirley Crane, where he single-talonedly built an impressive new nest. Only time will tell if Richmond and Wendy are successful in laying eggs and raising chicks. The cameras will continue to stream and capture their lives for the remainder of this final season.

When will the stream end?

Our biggest priority is not disturbing the Ospreys. If Richmond and Wendy successfully hatch chicks, we will wait until October when all the chicks have fully fledged and dispersed. If they are unsuccessful and leave the area sooner, we will end the stream in July. 

Why are we decommissioning the SF Bay Ospreys cameras?

• Ospreys are a conservation success story, and GGBA’s strategic plan is to turn our bandwidth and primary focus to species that need our help most. In addition to staff and volunteer time, the monthly cost of streaming,website hosting and maintenance, and live chat will be used to protect and enhance habitat for species in decline.