Osprey at Middle Farms Nest ~ June 2025 Update
Feeding time for the three osprey chicks June 13, 2025.
Mom and dad osprey continued their efforts to provide a secure nest for the chicks in June – they were often captured on the cam gathering nest material and tending to the nest. While dad worked hard to provide fish multiple times a day, mom fed the chicks and kept them warm when needed and cool when the days got hot. The 1st chick to hatch had been very aggressive to establish the pecking order early on, and frequently asserted dominance over the other smaller siblings – eating first and getting most of the food. Sadly, the 3rd chick to hatch did not survive. It passed away sometime during the early morning of June 14th or the late evening before. Both smaller chicks were defiant at times and though the 2nd chick made multiple efforts to stand up to the 1st chick – it also was no match for the much larger and stronger chick who had hatched 2 days earlier. The 2nd chick learned to wait before trying to eat. When they were not eating or resting though, the curious chicks were often seen looking beyond the nest and sometimes helping to tend the nest – mimicking what their parents did.
JUNE 9: Breakfast for mom.
JUNE 9: Dad returns for leftovers.
JUNE 9: The three osprey chicks get to know each other while mom is away.
JUNE 9: Dad delivers fish and mom feeds the three chicks.
JUNE 11: Foggy morning feeding.
JUNE 11: While mom takes a break, the first chick establishes who’s in charge.
JUNE 11: After an initial pecking, all three chicks climb the nest to explore.
JUNE 12: Mom gathers a stick for the nest and carefully tends around the chicks.
JUNE 12: Mom resting with her chicks.
JUNE 13: The 1st chick gets impatient with mom and the 3rd chick getting too many bites – and starts pecking. The 2nd chick decides to wait.
JUNE 13: The chicks climb nest while mom is away and greet her upon return, but the little one takes a tumble.
JUNE 13: Mom feeds all 3 chicks until the 1st chick pecks the others down.
JUNE 13: Mom delivers seaweed and tends the nest – then moves to rim to call for fish and the bigger chicks seek shade while the little one lies in the sun on the seaweed.
JUNE 14: The 2nd chick plays with the little one.
JUNE 16: As mom delivers a stick for the nest we could see there were only 2 chicks remaining to greet her. Sadly, the little one passed during the previous night or early that morning.
JUNE 16: After the 2nd chick was pecked down, it came back to eat – with hesitation.
JUNE 17: Mom delivers stick and tends nest, then nestles the chicks.
JUNE 18: The 2nd chick tries to stand up to the 1st chick but ends up getting more pecks as a result.
JUNE 19: After the 1st chick attacks the 2nd and mom struggles to feed the chicks, dad returns and takes the fish.
JUNE 19: Dad returns with fish.
JUNE 21: While the 1st chick is resting, mom quickly feeds 2nd chick.
JUNE 21: The osprey chicks hang out peacefully while mom is away.
JUNE 22: Night feeding for mom and the chicks.
JUNE 23: Mom tries to get some rest before dawn.
JUNE 23: While mom preens, the 1st chick tries to flap its wings.
JUNE 23: The 1st chick watches over the 2nd chick as it rests and preens.
JUNE 23: Mom tends the nest while chicks look out beyond.
JUNE 23: A little bird scavenges the nest while mom is away and the chicks are resting.
JUNE 23: Another large branch for the nest.
JUNE 24: After the 1st chick eats, mom seems to try to encourage the 2nd chick to be more aggressive by pulling the fish after offering it.
JUNE 24: After the 1st chick stretches and inadvertently shoves the 2nd, the 2nd chick attacks, but gets a beating as a result.
JUNE 24: While mom is away, the chicks hang out and look beyond the nest. A few minutes later mom returns with seaweed.
JUNE 24: The chicks huddle while mom gathers more seaweed.
JUNE 24: The chicks hanging out close to mom.
JUNE 24: Mom feeds the osprey chicks.
JUNE 24: Mom tends nest while the chicks rest.
JUNE 25: In the early morning, dad delivers fresh fish for mom and the chicks.
JUNE 25: As mom finishes the first fish of the day, dad delivers another!
JUNE 25: Dad delivers a large branch while mom provides shade for the chicks.
JUNE 25: Mom watches over chicks in the afternoon and chirps for more fish.
JUNE 25: The 2nd chick tends a piece of bark.
JUNE 25: Dad delivers seaweed for the nest.
JUNE 25: Mom and dad provide more branches for the nest.
JUNE 27: After a couple peaceful days the 1st chick attacks the 2nd one again during a feeding. Note: a mink runs along the roadside during this clip.
JUNE 27: Mom watches the 2nd chick tend nest – then the 1st chick moves over and lays on the bark.
JUNE 27: Mom tends to some branches while the 1st chick watches and tries to help.
JUNE 28: Both chicks pick up sticks.
JUNE 28: After gathering more nest material, mom tends the nest to make sure chicks are comfortable for the night.
JUNE 30: During a feeding mom gives a distress chirp and the chicks hit the deck.
JUNE 30: While mom rests, dad delivers seaweed.
JUNE 30: Mom watches over each of her chicks and gives us a cool wing fan!
JUNE 30: Dad delivers leftovers and the 2nd chick gets first bites, but then moves away to wait after the 1st chick starts eating too.
JUNE 30: Mom rests on the right perch while the chicks snuggle in the nest.
