First Iris of spring: Beloved osprey returns to Missoula

[MontanaMama]

As an inspiration to hardworking senior citizens everywhere, Iris the osprey is back in town and looking for love.

The photogenic fish hawk triggered her nest camera above Missoula College River Campus at 8:06:48 a.m. Wednesday. She migrated north from her wintering grounds — most likely 2,000 miles away along the Gulf of Mexico.

“She’s now the oldest known living osprey in the world,” said University of Montana biologist Erick Greene, who’s been studying osprey for decades.

“We put that platform up 14 years ago, and she was nesting on some power lines by the Missoula College for many years before that," Greene added. "Osprey don’t start breeding until they’re 4 or 5 years old. We estimate she’s probably about 24 years old.”

On a side note...Iris the osprey nests at the mouth of Hellgate Canyon on the east side of Missoula. Hellgate is known for the howling winds that come out the canyon. Iris is indeed a badass.

Hellgate Osprey live cam: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/hellgate-ospreys/

more at: https://missoulian.com/news/local/first-iris-of-spring-beloved-osprey-returns-to-missoula/article_53541eb1-372d-5d15-ba46-c60182c172e2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

[elleng]

1. THANKS for posting about Iris, Mama!!!

Here's my NOT Iris this morning:

[MontanaMama]

2. Isn't she beautiful?

That nest, though...

[elleng]

3. Yes she's beautiful, and as to the nest,

it may be (almost) as old as Iris, been here years before I arrived 7 years ago!