Eagle takes the remaining Osprey chick from the Middle Farms nest.
As the eagle approaches, the osprey chick attempts to defend the Middle Farms nest July 17, 2026.
It is with great sadness that we must report that an Eagle took the remaining osprey chick from the Middle Farms nest on July 17, 2026.
During the first two weeks of July, the chick had grown much stronger and started to become less dependent on the osprey mom. After the morning feeding on the 15th, she left the nest and was not see on it again, though she may have remained close by. On the early evening of the 15th, dad began leaving “started” fish for the chick so it could learn to self-feed. The chick struggled, but persevered on those first two days. On the 17th though, dad delivered a fresh capture and the chick had a new obstacle to overcome. It continued to struggle, but made some progress starting the fresh fish, then took a break and called for help – but instead of mom coming to feed, an eagle approached the nest. The chick tried to defend the nest, but was no match for this adult adversary – and the eagle took the chick away!
It happened so fast and it is unclear how close the parents were when the chick was captured, or if they were even aware of the danger, because there did not appear to be any distress calls in advance or other warnings for the chick – though squawking and screeching could be heard immediately following the capture, and about 15 minutes after it was over, dad returned for the fish.
Dad also returned again just before 9 AM with fish remains, but looked around the empty nest and left again – taking the remains with him.
JULY 17: In this extended clip, osprey dad delivers a fresh fish around 5:25:07 AM and the chick defends the nest and then tries to self-feed after dad leaves. Around 5:44:34 AM an eagle approaches and the chick tries again to defend the nest, but is captured. Around 6:00:07 AM dad returns for the fish.
July 17: Just before 9 AM, dad returns to the nest one more time with fish – but the nest is empty.
For more information on the fraught relationship between the Eagle and the Osprey, please read the 2024 Nature Notes “Ospreys and Eagles” by Ornithologist Rob Bierregaard, who first became involved with the HLFM in 2013 when he was invited to the Island to tag a male Osprey with a transmitter. He returned in 2014 to tag another. Since then he has written articles and given virtual and live talks for the Museum on natural history subjects.
Screen Grabs
Prior to the tragic event on July 17th, the osprey cam captured the progress of the chick – and the efforts by the parents to care and provide for the chick. The video clips below show some of the nest activities for the first two weeks of July.
July 1: Osprey mom and chick snuggling during the early morning.
July 1: The osprey chick is alone briefly during a light rain.
July 1: Mom returns to defend chick and provide some warmth and cover from the rain.
July 1: Mom returns, with dad – who has fish!
July 1: Mom tends the nest – while the chick tries to get out of her way.
July 1: Mom provides shade and the chick clears wood to lay down below her.
July 1: The osprey chick gets a little nervous while mom tends, but things calm down and they hang out.
July 1: The osprey chick flaps its wings and preens while mom gathers more nest material.
July 2: Dad delivers a stick and tends the nest while the chick watches and mom squawks.
July 2: Mom provides nest materials for the chick.
July 3: The osprey chick gets full during one of the three feedings today.
July 3: Mom nibbles on insects off the chick – who’s trying to rest!
July 3: Mom continues picking for insects, so the chick gets up and preens.
July 4: Dad delivers a stick and all three osprey make awkward attempts to tend it.
July 4: The osprey couple provide for the chick during the rain.
July 4: A tired and drenched mom takes a short break while her chick rests.
July 7: While mom preens, the chick stretches then gets up and joins her.
July 7: Mom defends the osprey chick.
July 7: Dad delivers fresh fish while mom is away – but she returns a minute and a half later to feed the chick.
July 8: Mom keeps the chick warm and protected during the early morning.
July 8: After the sun comes up, mom moves to her perch.
July 8: Mom gathers some greenery for the nest.
July 8: Mom remains close by on the perch while the chick sleeps alone in nest.
July 9: Mom and chick sleep upright during part of the early morning.
July 9: Mom and chick catching a breeze mid-day.
July 9: Mom gathers some strap material for the osprey nest.
July 10: Mom defends the osprey chick.
July 10: The osprey chick defends the nest from insects.
July 10: The osprey chick plays with a piece of seagrass.
July 11: After going without fish since the morning before, the hungry osprey chick throws a temper tantrum when the adults land without fish.
July 11: Mom lands with fish but the frustrated chick throws another tantrum and she leaves – but returns a couple minutes later to finally feed the chick.
July 12: Mom and the chick have a tug-of-war with the fish.
July 12: The osprey chick practices tearing bark and tending nest.
July 13: The chick rests while mom is away, then gets up and flaps its wings and hangs out. A few minutes later mom returns to defend the chick.
July 13: The osprey chick defends the nest while mom is away.
July 14: The osprey chick works on strengthening its wings.
July 15: The osprey chick is awake in the early morning after spending another night alone on nest.
July 15: Mom returns to the nest and defends the chick.
July 15: Dad delivers fish but mom suddenly leaves in distress and the chick lays down. She returns about a minute later – but remains on alert during feeding.
July 15: This is the last time the osprey mom and her chick were spotted on the nest together.
July 15: Dad lands on the nest without fish and chick is not happy!
July 15: Dad leaves the first “started” fish for the chick – who begins to self-feed.
