Aussie birdcam coming soon: Watch bird drama unfold as spring chicks hatch in test sites

Forget streaming services, bingeworthy drama will soon be unfolding via birdcam from a nest near you. And it is all thanks to a surprising initiative from a national tech giant. See the video.

From Red Rock on the Coffs Coast to the bustling birdlife in Brisbane, a number of new nesting platforms being rolled out by National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) may soon be fitted with their very own permanent ‘birdcams’ – and the visuals will be well worth the tweet.

In recent birdcam tests the full drama of the nest unfolded at a pilot testing site at Red Rock, NSW, where a pair of ospreys had an egg that tragically, did not survive.

At Beachmere Brisbane, a pair of ospreys took turns to incubate their eggs during cam testing.

NBN Co General Manager Chris Cusack assures bird enthusiasts, twitchers and ornithologists a permanent broadcast link is on the cards.

“We are still trying to find the best and most practical equipment that can literally withstand gale force winds, rain, and scorching sun,” Mr Cusack said.

The initiative began after many significant Aussie birds took up residence in NBN fixed wireless transmission towers blocking NBN Co workers’ access.

There are approximately 500 towers countrywide with native Australian birds in residence, including eastern ospreys, peregrine falcons and torresian crows.

The camera and nesting platform being installed at Red Rock by NBN.

Extended nesting platforms have been installed above the NBN equipment to avoid triggering penalties under environmental laws protecting nests.

Mr Cusack said the installation of the birdcams at three testing sites, Beachmere, Red Rock and Forster, captured the first successful nesting season since the platforms were installed.

The bird's eye view of the osprey nest at Red Rock on an elevated fixed nesting platform.

The cameras also help technicians with their workflow.

“The cameras significantly reduce the number of visits required, to check on birds and equipment, after an elevated nesting turret,” Mr Cusack said.

Osprey chicks on their elevated nesting turret at Meldale, Queensland.

“They also provide real time information regarding the presence of eggs and or chicks in the nest so that any tower maintenance works can be scheduled outside of this sensitive period.”

NBN Co expects to launch the live streams to the public in the coming months.

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