Osprey at Middle Farms Nest ~ July 2025 Update
Dad delivers fish for mom and the chicks on July 19, 2025
In July the osprey chicks gradually became more independent of mom, but she continued to stay close by them – and along with dad, she continued to provide nest materials and defended the nest. She spent most nights on the camera watching over the chicks and both parents were often heard nearby. They usually provided at least 3 fish daily and the chicks learned to self-feed by the end of the month but the competition for fish between them remained ongoing.
The chicks curiosity continued to grow and we often captured them looking beyond the nest and testing their wings – flapping and hopping around, occasionally bumping into one another – and sometimes bumping into mom.
The video segments below capture some of the nest activity during July.
JULY 1: After mom disturbs the chicks during nest tending, the 1st chick gets up and gives her a light peck.
JULY 1: Mom and chicks preening.
JULY 1: The two chicks tend the osprey nest.
JULY 1: Mom disturbs the sleeping chicks while tending the nest, and gets a hard peck.
JULY 1: Mom carefully tends the nest while the chicks sleep.
JULY 2: Dad delivers fresh fish for mom and the chicks.
JULY 2: Mom calls for more fish, then dad delivers his left-overs.
JULY 2: The 1st chick begins to test its wings.
JULY 2: Dad provides seaweed for the nest.
JULY 3: Mom delivers a large branch for the nest and the 1st chick helps tend it.
JULY 3: Mom protects the osprey chicks during a storm.
JULY 4: While mom feeds the 1st chick, the 2nd chick quickly grabs a bite of fish, and eventually gets more.
JULY 4: Mom starts feeding the 2nd chick, but the first starts to return for more and almost gets pecked. After the smaller chick backs down, the bigger chick lets it eat.
JULY 6: The 1st chick plays with a feather – could it be the feather mom delivered to nest on May 13th?
JULY 6: The 2nd chick tries to defend its turn to feed and gets a severe pecking.
JULY 7: Dad visits nest during the rain, but then mom returns and chases him away.
JULY 8: After the 1st chick gets full, mom works hard to provide some fish for the 2nd chick.
JULY 8: The osprey chicks hang out together in the nest while mom is away.
JULY 8: The chicks look beyond the nest while mom keeps watch from her perch.
JULY 8: Dad visits the nest while mom is away.
JULY 8: Mom returns with fish but the bigger chick prevents the smaller one from eating first.
JULY 9: The 1st chick exercises its wings.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to technical issues with the streaming server we were unable to obtain video back-ups from July 10-16.
JULY 17: The 2nd chick waits to eat, then competes for bites of fish.
JULY 17: The 1st chick flaps its wings.
JULY 17: The 2nd chick takes a turn at flapping its wings.
JULY 17: The 2nd chick grabs bites when it can, but the 1st chick gets more of this fish.
JULY 21: Dad delivers fish while mom is away and also defends the nest. Eventually the 1st chick gets the fish and self-feeds.
JULY 22: Another feeding where the resilient 2nd chick endures pecking by the 1st chick, then comes back and gets more fish.
JULY 23: The 1st chick works to strengthen its wings, and eventually causes mom to leave.
JULY 23: The 1st chick grabs the tail of the fish from between mom’s legs – then the 2nd chick grabs it back while mom calls for more fish.
JULY 23: After the chicks exercise their wings, they defend the nest.
JULY 23: The 1st chick wins the initial battle for the fish but the 2nd chick grabs it and self-feeds. Later, the 1st chick grabs the tail back, and mom and dad return with more fish.
JULY 25: Both osprey chicks work to strengthen their wings.
JULY 25: The 2nd chick gets more aggressive after mom feeds the 1st chick for a while.
JULY 25: Mom returns with fish and the 1st chick lets the 2nd eat first before joining in.
JULY 25: The osprey chicks flapping their wings in the rain.
JULY 25: The osprey chicks hang out on the nest together, and lay down when mom gives distress chirp from camera.
JULY 26: The resting chicks begin to stir and squawk for fish, then mom lowers from the camera to defend the nest.
JULY 26: Dad delivers the first of five fish this day.
JULY 26: Mom returns with seaweed for nest.
JULY 27: Mom prepares to receive fish, but then ends up defending the nest and preventing another osprey from landing.
JULY 27: The osprey chicks hop and flap their wings – and the 1st chick eventually catches air!
JULY 27: The osprey chicks preening during the night.
JULY 28: While the 2nd chick preens, the 1st chick takes a nap standing up, on and one leg.
JULY 28: Dad delivers fish and the 1st chick wins a tug-of-war with mom for it.
JULY 28: Mom returns with 2nd fish of day.
JULY 28: Dad delivers 3rd fish of day and the 2nd chick gets first bites.
JULY 28: Mom watches over chicks from her perch before leaving for the night.
JULY 29: The first osprey chick catches air!
JULY 29: The 2nd osprey chick works to strengthen its wings.
JULY 29: The 1st osprey chick hovers high above the nest – out of the webcam viewing area!
JULY 29: The 1st chick takes a break from the nest – and perches on the back rim for some preening.
JULY 30: The 1st chick hangs out on the right perch while the 2nd chick remains in the nest.
JULY 30: In this edited clip, dad delivers a fresh fish while mom is away and the 1st chick eats. Almost 2 hours later the 2nd chick retrieves the discarded remains and begins to eat – then mom brings more fish. Since there are no takers mom initially waits, then leaves until the 2nd chick is ready for more.
JULY 31: The osprey chicks exercise their wings early in the morning.
JULY 31: Mom returns to nest to receive the first fish of day from dad, but the 2nd chick grabs it.
JULY 31: Mom gives distress chirp and leaves. The 1st chick watches while the 2nd ducks and guards the fish – eventually resumes eating.
JULY 31: The 1st chick grows tried of waiting for a turn, and takes the fish.
JULY 31: While the 1st chick tries to rest, the 2nd tends the nest.
JULY 31: Mom delivers the 2nd fish of the morning and does not let this one go.
JULY 31: The 1st chick is getting much stronger.
JULY 31: The 2nd chick is getting stronger too.
JULY 31: Mom arrives without fish and does not receive a warm welcome.
JULY 31: When dad delivers the 3rd fish of the day, the 2nd chick wins the initial grab, but the 1st chick is not willing to wait and attacks. Mom tries to help, but the 1st chick wants to self-feed.
JULY 31: While mom waits patiently for the 1st chick to eat, the 2nd chick grows tired of waiting and grabs the fish.
