Webcam lets you watch Lewes osprey

A new webcam installed at the Lewes Ferry Terminal lets folks monitor the progress of a nesting pair of osprey on the terminal grounds.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority launched the new camera Friday to mark Earth Day.

“Earth Day is special to us,” said Francis Faunt, environmental manager for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. “Like our customers, we’re fascinated by the wonders of the Delaware Bay and we’re excited to welcome home our ‘neighbor.’  We can’t wait to see how many youngsters the pair have this year.”

This is the third year an osprey pair have nested at the Lewes location along Delaware Bay.

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Besides the webcam, authority staff have developed a "Wildilife Spotter's card" that passengers can use during the bay crossing between Lewes and Cape May, N.J. and a webpage at cmlf.com/wildlife that features ra eal time view of the nest and other information about wildlife viewing on the trip.

James Salmon, a spokesman for the authority, said the birds already laid one egg. In the two previous years, the nesting pair produced a total of five fledglings. Ospreys arrive in Delaware in late March and early April and typically depart in early September when they fly south for the winter.

Reach Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.