The Severna Park Osprey Nest Cam is the result of the love that a former Severna Park neighborhood resident couple has for these beautiful raptors and the environment, seeing an unmet need and deciding to take action.
Heather and Mark Jeweler have long enjoyed the presence of the nesting pair of Ospreys that formerly nested atop a light pole on the athletic field at Severna Park High School before the new school was built.
When construction began on the new school building, after the Ospreys migrated in fall, 2014, the light pole was removed. At this time, Heather became concerned about the Ospreys and where they might nest when they returned. She began contacting school representatives, but no-one had any answers at that time.
When the Ospreys returned to their SPHS home in 2015, they found their nest gone, and began trying to build a new one… Atop one of the construction cranes. A daily battle ensued for up to two weeks between the Ospreys trying to build in the cranes, and the construction crew removing the nesting material to keep the cranes operating. Finally, the Ospreys built a nest atop a live utility pole on the construction site.
After witnessing the Osprey’s plight with growing concern for the safety of the Ospreys, as well as for the children who walk under that pole daily for school, Heather again attempted to get help or advice from various sources. Mark also got involved and, together, they managed to get the attention of the right people at BGE.
Soon, they were talking to the Principal Environmental Scientist at BGE, who arranged to have the utility pole rendered safe for the season, to eliminate the risks associated with the Ospreys and allow them to remain and complete their nesting season.
Around August 2015, after the Ospreys had again migrated south, BGE returned, and erected this dedicated Osprey stand to allow the Ospreys a long-term safe nesting location, despite the construction and other obstacles.
Mark and Heather then secured the sponsorships and partnerships listed, and installed a live streaming nest camera on the platform, providing a 24×7 view (with sound) of the Ospreys and their young as they continue to visit us each year.
It is our hope, as well as that of the partners and sponsors, that Severna Park High School, the local community, and indeed all Osprey, raptor, or nature lovers, will enjoy and benefit from the time, effort, energy, and generous support provided by all involved in bringing this vision to fruition. Additionally, they hope their actions will be an example of the power of the individual to effect change.
They encourage anyone that recognizes a need to become a peaceful, encouraging activist and make a difference.
In 2016, Mark and Heather decided on a new path, driven in part by the success with the Ospreys, and how their enjoyment grew from watching them on the nest… They have formed Loudoun Valley Raptor Center, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured, or orphaned birds of prey, and educating the public about them. The Severna Park Osprey Nest Cam (SevernaParkOspreys.com) are now part of that effort, as a community outreach.
The Severna Park Osprey Nest Cam could not exist without the incredible support, partnerships, and sponsorships offered by the following companies and individuals:
HDOnTap – HDOnTap provides experience, expertise, equipment, installation services, and streaming services for a wide variety of webcam installations.
They have generously donated all of the camera, solar, and battery equipment, as well as design services and installation assistance for this project, and have guided us every step of the way. They are enthusiastic, gracious, highly knowledgeable, and wonderful to work with. We cannot thank them enough. We encourage you to check out their other live streams and patronize them if you have the opportunity
BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider.
BGE was amazingly responsive and helpful in this project, first rendering a live utility pole safe for the Ospreys in 2015 when they chose to nest there, and then donating and erecting the Osprey stand after the Ospreys had migrated away that year. They have continued to provide support, equipment, crews, and installation assistance, as well as guidance from their Principal Environmental Scientist. We are so grateful for all of their help, support, and encouragement in getting this project completed.
Comcast Business is proud to support the Severna Park Osprey Cam. Comcast Business provides advanced communication solutions to help organizations of all sizes meet their business objectives. Through a next-generation network that is backed by 24/7 technical support, Comcast delivers Business Internet, Ethernet, TV and a full portfolio of Voice services for cost-effective, simplified communications management. For more information, visit https://business.comcast.com/.
Comcast has generously provided a dedicated internet connection in support of this camera. We thank them for their support and sponsorship.
The Department of Natural Resources leads Maryland in securing a sustainable future for our environment, society, and economy by preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the State’s natural resources. We sincerely thank them for their support on this project. Please visit them at https://dnr2.maryland.gov
Severna Park High School has provided support, and generously allowed us to proceed with this Osprey Nest Cam on the school grounds, providing a continued and dedicated long-term home for these lovely Ospreys.
In addition to our partners and sponsors, we would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their involvement in this project:
Greg Kappler – Greg Kappler, the Principal Environmental Scientist at BGE, provided individual guidance, support, advice, contacts, and some “greasing of the wheels” where needed to help make this project happen. In addition to his role with BGE, his personal passion and excitement about this project was evident and wonderful.
Tim Sears – Tim Sears, the president of HDOnTap, was an immediate and enthusiastic supporter and advocate of the project. His love of nature and excitement about these live nature streams was evident, and his generosity was unmatched. He is an amazing individual, and an inspirational leader of a wonderful company.