If you’ve spent any time following Austin nature news over the last decade, you probably already know the name Athena.
The famous great horned owl has officially returned to her nest at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for the 2026 nesting season, and bird lovers across Central Texas are already watching closely.
Athena first started nesting at the Wildflower Center back in 2012 and has become something of a local celebrity ever since. Each spring, fans tune in to watch the nest through a live owl cam set up near the site, giving everyone a front-row seat to the entire nesting process.
This year’s return didn’t take long to get interesting. Athena arrived back at the nest on March 4 and laid her first egg of the season the very next day.
Most years Athena lays one or two eggs, though she has had as many as three in a season before. If all goes according to plan, Central Texans could see a couple of baby owlets hatch later this spring.
Great horned owls are known for being incredibly dedicated parents, with the female typically handling most of the incubation while the male helps provide food and protect the nest.
In the meantime, the Wildflower Center’s owl cam is once again live, meaning you can watch Athena’s nest anytime and see how the season unfolds in real time.
For a lot of Austin nature fans, it’s become a bit of an annual tradition … spring doesn’t officially start until Athena comes home.
Watch the Live Cam below:
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