Beloved Texas Owl Returns to Nest

Watch Athena, a nesting Great Horned Owl, live on CW39.com as she raises her young at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Houston.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The beloved Texas owl, Athena, a Great Horned Owl, has returned to her nest at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. Viewers can now watch the live cam as Athena raises her young at the site she has returned to for more than 16 years.

Why it matters

Athena's return to the same nesting site year after year offers a rare opportunity for the public to observe the life cycle of a wild Great Horned Owl, one of North America's most powerful bird predators. The live cam allows viewers to witness the owlets' development from hatching to fledging.

The details

Athena built her nest above the entrance to the courtyard at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. When conditions are right and her eggs hatch into owlets, the nest offers a unique chance to watch this wild Great Horned Owl raise her young. Athena and her mate successfully fledged two young owls from the site in both 2024 and 2025.

  • Athena has returned to the same nesting site for more than 16 years.
  • Athena and her mate successfully fledged two young owls from the site in both 2024 and 2025.

The players

Athena

A wild Great Horned Owl nesting at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The State Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas, located in Austin, that focuses on conservation of native plants through science, education, and research.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Athena's return to the same nesting site year after year offers a rare opportunity for the public to observe the life cycle of a wild Great Horned Owl, one of North America's most powerful bird predators. The live cam allows viewers to witness the owlets' development from hatching to fledging.