What birds can I see on the Bird Island webcam?

You can often spot American white pelicans, cormorants, herons, gulls, and a variety of ducks resting, nesting, or fishing around the island.

When is the best time to watch the Bird Island live cam?

Spring through early fall offers the most bird activity, especially mornings and evenings when birds feed or gather to roost.

Do pelicans nest on Bird Island?

Yes, American white pelicans frequently nest and rest on Bird Island during the warmer months before migrating south for winter.

Why is Bird Island important to local wildlife?

It serves as a safe roosting and nesting site for colonial waterbirds, sheltered from shoreline predators and human disturbance.

Where is Bird Island located?

Bird Island sits in Standley Lake, a large reservoir in Westminster, Colorado, surrounded by open water and foothill views.

What kind of herons visit the lake?

Great blue herons are the most common, though snowy and black-crowned night herons may also be seen during migration seasons.

Are there migratory birds at Standley Lake?

Yes, many species migrate through the area, using the lake as a stopover for rest and feeding during spring and fall.

Can I see any rare or unexpected visitors on camera?

Occasionally, birders spot ospreys, egrets, or even bald eagles hunting around the lake.

What behaviors might I notice on the webcam?

Watch for fishing dives, group takeoffs, preening, and social displays among pelicans and cormorants.

Why do pelicans and cormorants often gather together?

These birds often feed cooperatively—pelicans herd fish while cormorants dive to catch them, benefiting both species.

What other wildlife might appear besides birds?

You may see muskrats, turtles, or the occasional deer near the shoreline during quiet hours.

How does the weather affect bird activity on Bird Island?

Windy days may scatter flocks, while calm, sunny mornings tend to bring more visible feeding and preening.

What is Standley Lake known for besides Bird Island?

It’s a regional park and reservoir popular for birding, kayaking, fishing, and scenic mountain views.

Can visitors see Bird Island in person?

The island itself is off-limits to protect nesting birds, but it’s visible from park trails and designated viewpoints.

Are the birds on the lake there year-round?

Some species, like cormorants and gulls, remain for much of the year, while pelicans and herons migrate south for winter.

What do pelicans eat at Standley Lake?

They primarily eat fish, often working in small groups to corral their prey in the shallows.

Do the birds on Bird Island have any predators?

Aerial predators such as eagles or hawks may occasionally threaten chicks, though the island’s isolation helps keep nests safe.

Is the Standley Lake area protected for wildlife?

Yes, parts of the lake are managed for habitat conservation and water quality, with restricted access during nesting seasons.

Are there any ongoing conservation efforts at Standley Lake?

Local agencies monitor bird populations and manage water levels to balance recreation with wildlife needs.

What’s special about watching birds at Standley Lake compared to other webcams?

The island’s open-water setting offers a rare look at large colonies of pelicans and cormorants interacting naturally.

How do seasons change the view on the webcam?

Spring brings nesting activity, summer shows busy feeding colonies, and winter may reveal icy stillness and migrating flocks.

Why are so many birds attracted to this lake?

Abundant fish, shallow roosting spots, and a quiet central island make it ideal for large waterbirds.

Can this camera help with bird identification practice?

Yes! Regular viewing helps you learn plumage differences, behaviors, and seasonal appearances of common lake birds.

How should viewers support or respect these wild birds?

Enjoy watching from afar, avoid disturbing nesting areas in person, and help by keeping local shorelines clean.

Where can I learn more about birdwatching at Standley Lake?

Visit the City of Westminster Parks & Recreation or local Audubon chapters for field guides and events.

Bird Island Standley Lake Live Webcam

Birds Scenic Colorado Lake Raptors Waterfront

LIVE

About the Bird Island Standley Lake Live Webcam

In partnership with the City of Westminster and powered by HDOnTap, this live webcam offers a rare look into the natural beauty and wildlife surrounding Bird Island at Standley Lake. Inspired by the idea that in all things of nature there is something marvelous, the stream captures the essence of the wild in its purest form. Our cameras observe without interference, allowing viewers to witness nature’s rhythms unfold naturally.

The original Standley Lake Eagle Cam was installed in 2017 through the efforts of the City of Westminster Open Space staff and partners including View Into The Blue, United Power, Sturgeon Electric, and Source Communications. Following the eagle nest collapse in 2021, the camera was relocated in 2022 to Bird Island, home to one of Westminster’s largest rookeries. This effort continues to connect viewers to the region’s wildlife while minimizing disturbance to the animals.

Weather

Standley Lake experiences a mix of sunny days, mild summers, and snowy winters typical of Colorado’s Front Range. Spring and fall often bring clear skies and crisp air, making these seasons ideal for viewing waterbirds and other wildlife activity around the lake.

History

Standley Lake has been a key part of Westminster’s landscape since the late 1800s, originally serving as a water reservoir for nearby communities. Over time, it has evolved into a beloved nature and recreation area, supporting a diverse ecosystem of birds and aquatic life. Since 1993, several bald eagle pairs have made their home here, captivating visitors and inspiring the installation of live nature cameras to share their story with the world.

Activities

Visitors to Standley Lake Regional Park can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching along its scenic trails. The Nature Center offers educational programs and guided tours focused on local wildlife and conservation efforts. Bird Island itself is a protected habitat, viewable only through the live stream or from designated observation points along the shore.

Interesting Facts

Bird Island hosts over sixty active great blue heron nests each year.
White pelicans, cormorants, and gulls are frequent seasonal visitors.
The resident bald eagles and great horned owls often hunt from the island’s tall cottonwoods.
The PTZ camera is manually operated by park staff to ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife.

When to Watch

Spring and early summer offer the best chance to see nesting herons and pelicans. During winter months, eagles and owls are active hunters around Bird Island, providing dramatic and memorable wildlife moments on camera.

Learn more about this partnership and conservation efforts by visiting the City of Westminster website.

Notes from City of Westminster Open Space Staff

Experience the wonders of nature unfiltered with HDOnTap. As Aristotle wisely said, 'In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.' Our live streams embrace the untamed essence of the wild, showcasing nature's beauty and unpredictability. We observe without interference, allowing natural processes to unfold, from the beginning of life to its sustenance in the most natural ways possible. The Standley Lake Eagle cam, installed in winter 2017, and the Bird Island cam, relocated in March 2022, were made possible by the dedicated efforts of City of Westminster Open Space staff, partnering with companies like View Into The Blue, United Power, Sturgeon Electric, and Source Communications. Rest assured, our camera positioning is meticulously managed by park staff to minimize wildlife disturbance, ensuring you witness nature at its purest.

Of the estimated 14,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states, several have called Standley Lake home since 1993. The bald eagles caught the public’s eye the moment they arrived at the park. Due to intense interest in the eagles, park staff decided to install a live animal camera so that the public could observe the eagles more closely. After several years of planning and coordinating with U.S. Fish & Wildlife (due to the eagles' protected status), the project became a reality. In the Fall of 2016, the City of Westminster Open Space staff, the company View Into the Blue, and United Power, who donated all their time and manpower, installed the system. The camera gave staff and the public the opportunity to witness and celebrate the eagles' in their daily lives. On May 13, 2021, we all were devastated by the collapse of the nest.

Fortunately, the eagles have relocated to a new location and have built a new nest. The new location is located within the protected wildlife area of the park, but not in a location that is close enough to allow the camera signal to transmit to the Nature Center. In an effort to utilize the equipment and continue to give patrons an opportunity to connect to the wildlife here at the park, staff has relocated the camera to a location that will provide a live view of Westminster's largest rookery, Bird Island. Bird Island has over sixty active great blue heron nests and is a seasonal attraction for white pelicans, cormorants, gulls and a variety of waterfowl. The Standley Lake eagles and resident great horned owls often utilize the trees on Bird Island to hunt during the winter and spring months.

The relocation of the camera was made possible by many dedicated City of Westminster Open Space staff, Sturgeon Electric, Source Communications and HDonTap.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025

Partners

City of Westminster

The City of Westminster is partnered with HDOnTap to provide wildlife cams at Standley Lake. A habitat that many varieties of species call home.

Bald Eagle History:

Since January of 1993, a mated pair of Bald Eagles has been nesting on the northwest side of Standley Lake. When the eagles were first observed building a nest, Standley Lake officials closed off access to the area so the eagles would be undisturbed in their attempt to nest. Bald eagles usually mate for life and reuse nest sites. Because they are sensitive to human disturbance, it is imperative that the area remains closed to protect the nesting habitat.

In 1996, the eagles successfully produced their first pair of offspring. They have continued in that success for the last 21 consecutive years, producing two eaglets each of those years, except in 2015 and 2017 when they were successful in raising three eaglets! The eagles have been using that same nest for 24 years, until this past year when they decided to build a new nest just to the east of their old nest site.

They usually lay their eggs in the first weeks of February. Incubation lasts for a period of approximately 35 days, at which time one to two nestlings will hatch. These nestlings will first leave the nest in late May to early June, approximately 72 days after hatching. Both parents take care of the young eagles even after they leave the nest. The young will leave the area sometime before October or November, either on their own or when the parents force them out.

2021 Season

Season Summary:

September 8, 2020 - Early snowfall on the nest, one eagle seen roosting in the nest
September 22, 2020 - Both Dad and F420 are seen in the nest
October 22, 2020 - Both Dad and F420 are seen moving sticks around in the nest, leaving and returning with sticks several times
December 23, 2020 - High winds snapped the branch holding the adult eagles active nest, the eagles were seen relocateing to the older nest on the other side of the tree.
December 26, 2021 - Both Dad and F420 spend the past few nights in the old nest, during the day the eagles rebuild the old nest bringing in sticks and other nesting materials.
January 5, 2021 - A raccoon visits the nest several times and was shiftly chased out by F420.
January 9, 2021 - Both adult eagles are busy rebuilding the nest.
February 27, 2021 - First Egg laid
March 2, 2021 - Second Egg laid
April 7, 2021 - First Hatch, referred to as SL1
April 10, 2021 - After close observation, it is determined that there is no sign of a second eaglet in the nest.
April 15, 2021 - The eagles experience their first winter storm with the eaglet
April 20, 2021 - F420 shields her nestling SL1 under here as a snow storm piles a few inches of snow in the area
April 28, 2021 - SL1 gets bigger and bigger with every feeding
May 6, 2021 - The adult eagles spend more time out of the nest but close by, the eaglet starts to gain independence in the nest, learning to pick up sticks and moving around while its parents watch at a distance on an adjacent branch or tree
May 12, 2021 - SL1 develops more flight feathers and is seen testing out the new wings by flapping and mimicking the act of flight
May 13, 2021 11:45am - Tragedy strikes again at this nest site. At 11:45am the cottonwood tree supporting the nest splits down the middle, causing the nest to fall and collapse to the ground. There were no high winds at the time, but the tree was old and mostly dead which may have led to the split. The 5 week old eaglet, SL1 did not survive. SL1 was brought to National Eagle Repository and will be cremated and buried with a sacred ceremony in a blessed burial site located in Rocky Mountain Arsenal and National Wildlife Refuge. The site was created specifically for eagle burial by Tribal representatives from Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma, Oglala Lakota and Southern Ute.

2020 Season

Season Summary: This was an eventful season, 3 eggs were laid. Late in the incubation period the female eagle was attacked by another female eagle. After this incident the egg laying female did not return to the nest and "Dad" took over the incubation responsibilities. One egg hatched and "Dad" tried his best to care for this egglet, trying to get the eaglet food on his own while trying to survive himself. Unfortunately, the eaglet did not make it. The unknown female eagle was seen frequenting near the nest area at that time and even joined "Dad" in the nest a few times moving around the eggs, but not consuming them. The remaining eggs did not hatch. However, the female eagle and "Dad" began to bond and tolerate one another. At the end of the season a few mating attempts were made.

March 1, 2020 - First Egg Laid
March 4, 2020 - Second Egg Laid
March 7, 2020 - Third Egg Laid
April 6, 2020 - Intruding Eagle attacks nest, Mom leaves the nest
April 7, 2020 - Male eagle returns to nest with an unfamilar female eagle
April 10-11, 2020 - Mom has not returned to the nest, Male eagle incubates the eggs
April 12, 2020 - One Eaglett hatches in the nest
April 14, 2020 - It is believed the Eaglett passed away
April 17th, 2020 - The unknown female eagle has been seen around the nest, the male has begun to tolerate her presence near the nest
April 20th, 2020 The female eagle is known as F420, F for female, 4/20 for the date she enters the nest, she has begun to move sticks around in the nest
April 21, 2020 Dad and F420 are seen together in the nest and breifly for a mating attempt
April 22, 2020 Dad and F420 are seen copulating and the female brings a new stick to the nest
April 24, 2020 Dad and F420 are joined at the nest, Dad brings F420 food to the nest to eat, the two eagles work intently on building the nest leaving and returning with new sticks
May 8, 2020 Dad and F420 are seen regularly working on the nest and copulating, they make a few visits to the nest but for the remainder of the summer with no young eggletts to tend to, the pair are seen perched on many spots in the park near the nest

Photo Credit: City of Westminster

Last Updated: October 27, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What birds can I see on the Bird Island webcam?: You can often spot American white pelicans, cormorants, herons, gulls, and a variety of ducks resting, nesting, or fishing around the island.
When is the best time to watch the Bird Island live cam?: Spring through early fall offers the most bird activity, especially mornings and evenings when birds feed or gather to roost.
Do pelicans nest on Bird Island?: Yes, American white pelicans frequently nest and rest on Bird Island during the warmer months before migrating south for winter.
Why is Bird Island important to local wildlife?: It serves as a safe roosting and nesting site for colonial waterbirds, sheltered from shoreline predators and human disturbance.
Where is Bird Island located?: Bird Island sits in Standley Lake, a large reservoir in Westminster, Colorado, surrounded by open water and foothill views.
What kind of herons visit the lake?: Great blue herons are the most common, though snowy and black-crowned night herons may also be seen during migration seasons.
Are there migratory birds at Standley Lake?: Yes, many species migrate through the area, using the lake as a stopover for rest and feeding during spring and fall.
Can I see any rare or unexpected visitors on camera?: Occasionally, birders spot ospreys, egrets, or even bald eagles hunting around the lake.
What behaviors might I notice on the webcam?: Watch for fishing dives, group takeoffs, preening, and social displays among pelicans and cormorants.
Why do pelicans and cormorants often gather together?: These birds often feed cooperatively—pelicans herd fish while cormorants dive to catch them, benefiting both species.
What other wildlife might appear besides birds?: You may see muskrats, turtles, or the occasional deer near the shoreline during quiet hours.
How does the weather affect bird activity on Bird Island?: Windy days may scatter flocks, while calm, sunny mornings tend to bring more visible feeding and preening.
What is Standley Lake known for besides Bird Island?: It’s a regional park and reservoir popular for birding, kayaking, fishing, and scenic mountain views.
Can visitors see Bird Island in person?: The island itself is off-limits to protect nesting birds, but it’s visible from park trails and designated viewpoints.
Are the birds on the lake there year-round?: Some species, like cormorants and gulls, remain for much of the year, while pelicans and herons migrate south for winter.
What do pelicans eat at Standley Lake?: They primarily eat fish, often working in small groups to corral their prey in the shallows.
Do the birds on Bird Island have any predators?: Aerial predators such as eagles or hawks may occasionally threaten chicks, though the island’s isolation helps keep nests safe.
Is the Standley Lake area protected for wildlife?: Yes, parts of the lake are managed for habitat conservation and water quality, with restricted access during nesting seasons.
Are there any ongoing conservation efforts at Standley Lake?: Local agencies monitor bird populations and manage water levels to balance recreation with wildlife needs.
What’s special about watching birds at Standley Lake compared to other webcams?: The island’s open-water setting offers a rare look at large colonies of pelicans and cormorants interacting naturally.
How do seasons change the view on the webcam?: Spring brings nesting activity, summer shows busy feeding colonies, and winter may reveal icy stillness and migrating flocks.
Why are so many birds attracted to this lake?: Abundant fish, shallow roosting spots, and a quiet central island make it ideal for large waterbirds.
Can this camera help with bird identification practice?: Yes! Regular viewing helps you learn plumage differences, behaviors, and seasonal appearances of common lake birds.
How should viewers support or respect these wild birds?: Enjoy watching from afar, avoid disturbing nesting areas in person, and help by keeping local shorelines clean.
Where can I learn more about birdwatching at Standley Lake?: Visit the City of Westminster Parks & Recreation or local Audubon chapters for field guides and events.

Bird Island Standley Lake Live Webcam Time-Lapse View

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