Missoula Welcomes Back Legendary Osprey Iris

Spring in Montana always delivers those little “it’s finally here” moments, and this is a big one. 

Spring's Arrival: A Beloved Return

As of April 6, Iris the osprey has officially returned to her nest in Missoula, marking another season of one of the most beloved wildlife stories in the state. If you’ve lived in Western Montana for a while, you know Iris isn’t just any bird. She’s become a local legend. 

Meet Iris: A Local Wildlife Legend

The nest sits near Hellgate Canyon and is monitored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology through their popular Hellgate Osprey Cam. Every year, thousands of people tune in to watch her migration journey come full circle. 

READ MORE: One of Montana’s Most Incredible Wildlife Events Happens This Month

And honestly, it’s the perfect kind of spring content. One minute you’re outside hearing woodpeckers hammering away, the next you’re inside checking in on an osprey who just flew thousands of miles back to Montana. 

Iris usually returns first, with her mate Finnegan arriving shortly after. So if you’re already refreshing the cam, you’re not alone. That moment when he shows up is always a big deal. 

Join the Journey: Live Streaming the Osprey Cam

If you want to follow along, you can check out the live stream through All About Birds. It’s a surprisingly relaxing way to spend a few minutes, whether you’re killing time at work or just enjoying a slower spring morning. 

It’s also hard not to feel a little nostalgic. Between Iris returning and memories of the old Missoula Osprey, it’s clear the osprey still have a strong connection to Missoula. 

These ospreys are part of the Montana Osprey Project, which is an important part of a much larger project focusing on the health of aquatic systems and Osprey populations in western Montana. 

READ MORE: Spring in Montana: 5 Things That Are Guaranteed to Happen

Bottom line: spring has officially landed in Montana. And Iris is back to prove it.