Kestrel and Barn Owl Nest in Schwerin — Live Webcam Online
Schwerin — a city where nature meets history
Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is a city with a population of around 95,000 people, situated amid a picturesque lake system. The largest of them — Schweriner See — is adorned by the famous Schwerin Castle, built between 1847 and 1857 on an island in the middle of the lake. Today, the castle houses the Landtag — the state parliament — but for tourists and ornithologists, Schwerin is interesting not only for its architecture. The city's surroundings — forests, fields, and marshy meadows — create an ideal habitat for numerous bird species, including the raptors that are the stars of this webcam.
Barn Owl — the owl with a heart on its face
The barn owl, or common barn owl (Tyto alba), is one of the most recognizable owl species in Europe. Its main distinguishing feature is the heart-shaped facial disc, which works like a satellite dish, capturing the faintest sounds of prey in the dark. The barn owl's plumage is light, golden-brown with grey and white speckles, and its breast is snow-white. In Germany, the barn owl is classified as an endangered species: agricultural intensification has reduced the area of meadows with rough vegetation where these owls hunt voles. This is why the installation of nest boxes has become an important measure for population conservation. Barn owls readily settle in human structures — bell towers, attics of old farms, and special nest boxes.
Common Kestrel — the small falcon on the hunt
The common kestrel, or Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), is the smallest falcon in Europe. Its body length is 27–35 cm, and its wingspan reaches 57–79 cm. Females are traditionally larger than males — their weight ranges from 154 to 314 grams, while males weigh 136–252 grams. The common kestrel is a sedentary species that prefers open landscapes: fields, meadows, and wastelands. In urban environments, kestrels often nest on buildings, occupying old crow nests or special nest boxes. In Berlin, for example, about 200–250 pairs of kestrels breed, predominantly in artificial nest sites. The bird got its German name "Turmfalke" — tower falcon — from its habit of settling on tall structures.
The nest box — a home for two species
The nest box shown by the webcam is a wooden box installed to attract breeding birds. Inside, the walls are lined with twigs, feathers, and plant material — this is how birds arrange the nest to their liking. Interestingly, two species can coexist in one nest box: the barn owl and the kestrel. This is a rare but documented phenomenon. Barn owls are nocturnal, kestrels are diurnal, so competition for food between them is minimal. Both species hunt small rodents, but at different times of day, which allows them to peacefully share the territory.
Conservation projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is a region with rich avifauna. The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) actively works here to preserve rare bird species. As part of its projects, nest boxes are installed for owls, kestrels, swifts, and other birds whose natural nesting sites are disappearing due to building reconstruction and landscape changes. Webcams in nest boxes are not only an observation tool but also a way to draw public attention to biodiversity conservation issues. Schwerin, as the state capital, becomes a platform for such initiatives, combining the urban environment and wildlife.
What you can see on the camera
The webcam in real time shows the nest box in Schwerin, inhabited by two kestrels and barn owls. The wooden box is installed in a quiet place where the birds feel safe. On the broadcast, you can watch the birds sitting on the nest lined with twigs and feathers, preening their plumage, interacting with each other, and incubating eggs. The barn owl's light breast with its characteristic heart-shaped facial disc contrasts with the grey-brown plumage of the kestrel. The camera operates in live broadcast mode, allowing you to see the life of these amazing birds in their natural habitat at any time of day or night — without interference or human intervention.
