The family of five that was once thriving under the Arboretum’s live Osprey Cam is now a family of … three. Two chicks were lost over the weekend of June 15-16. To make matters more complicated, evidence as to why the chicks passed is non-existent due to a power outage to the camera during that time.
Watchers of the camera have floated theories such as hypothermia due to the wet weather and an inexperienced mother, which may have led to less-than-perfect conditions for the chicks.
We reached out to Lori Arent, the Assistant Director of The Raptor Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, and it was equally difficult for her to say what happened.
“Because their nests are out in the open, if early osprey nestlings are unprotected during high wind and strong rain, it is possible that it was too much for them to handle and/or they got blown out of the nest,” she said. “Based on how well they seemed to be doing, I don't think failure to thrive (most often associated with a lack of proper nutrition) was the issue. Another cause of mortality in young osprey nestlings can be predation.”
Regardless of the outcome, we are hoping for the best for the remaining chick as these birds strive to thrive in the natural world.
Note: Because this is a live video of wild animals in nature, natural struggles will occur, including inclement weather and other wild bird behaviors that may be difficult to watch. Please use discretion when watching this cam.
A mother osprey moves sticks around the nest with the chick near the left center of the nest on June 21, 2024.