NC Wildlife Opens First‑Ever Barn Owl Nest Cam to the Public

Rare Chance to Watch Barn Owls Hatch Live in North Carolina

A nesting pair of barn owls in the North Carolina mountains is drawing statewide attention as wildlife officials launch “Barn Owlet Watch 2026,” a 24‑hour livestream offering the public a rare look inside an active nest box. Six eggs are currently under incubation, with the first hatch expected between April 9 and 15.

The livestream—complete with audio—comes from a nest box monitored by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Officials believe the same owl pair has returned to this site multiple times over the past decade.

“This live cam is our newest conservation adventure,” said Sydney Brown, NCWRC’s Education Development and Evaluation Supervisor. “It began as a dream and quickly grew into a 24/7 window into the secret life of barn owls for people who may never see them in their own backyards.”

The female owl laid her first egg on March 11, and biologists estimate the first hatch will occur around April 12, based on the species’ typical 32‑day incubation period. NCWRC Conservation Biologist Joe Tomcho says the unusually large clutch—six eggs instead of the typical four or five—suggests the pair is experienced.

“Once the first egg hatches, the others usually follow every other day,” Tomcho explained. “It’s exciting to watch the chicks emerge, but it’s just as fascinating to see them grow, hop around the nest and prepare for life outside.”

The nest box was installed in 2011 and has been used six times in the past 16 years. Barn owl populations in North Carolina have declined in several regions due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices. Human‑made nest boxes help biologists track breeding behavior, chick development and seasonal patterns—key data highlighted in the state’s most recent Wildlife Action Plan.

The solar‑powered cameras were installed in August 2025 and have streamed reliably since December. Brown noted that weather could occasionally interrupt the feed, but so far the system has performed well.

For NCWRC, the livestream is more than entertainment—it’s a teaching tool.

“This is an amazing opportunity to help people understand why barn owls matter,” Brown said. “We’re excited to expand the project with educational content, conservation updates and plenty of owl magic. And we want viewers to know the owls are completely wild. We never intervene in their natural behaviors.”

Viewers can watch the Barn Owl Live Cam ONLINE HERE, and contact NCWRC’s Wild Observer program with questions about barn owls or nest boxes. Additional information about the species is available on the agency’s website. For general wildlife questions, the NCWRC Wildlife Helpline can be reached at 866‑318‑2401.