Kings Mountain Baby Osprey

Every year, we eagerly anticipate the return of Osprey to North Carolina. These magnificent birds embark on an long journey, migrating from as far away as Central America. For the City of Kings Mountain, this annual return is a cherished tradition, especially as Osprey make their way back to Moss Lake to raise their chicks.

Since 2015, Osprey have made Kings Mountain their regular nesting ground. This inspired the city to create a welcoming environment by constructing three dedicated nesting platforms, with plans for more in the future. This year, the osprey pair featured on the city’s live camera feed faced a unique set of challenges. Early in the season, their nest was raided by raccoons, resulting in fewer chicks than expected.

On June 13th, one of the young osprey from this nest had a bit of an adventure. After leaving his nest in the middle of the night, the vigilant Kings Mountain City Water staff found him and, concerned for his well-being, brought him to the Carolina Raptor Center’s Raptor Hospital. Our dedicated staff thoroughly examined the young bird, designated as Patient #26322, and were pleased to give him a clean bill of health. Although young birds often escape injury after such falls, it’s always best to ensure they are unharmed.

Patient #26322 spent just one night at our Raptor Hospital before being reunited with his parents, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Kings Mountain employees. You can watch this young osprey in the nest, growing stronger each day, via the city’s live Osprey Nest Webcam.