Owl kills 3 osprey chicks at Moraine State Park nest
Moraine Preservation Fund officials have confirmed that a great horned owl has killed all three chicks in an osprey nest watched by hundreds.
A camera has been installed at the nest since 2018 and allows a round-the-clock view of the large birds’ nest.
At 1:35 a.m. on Friday, June 30, a great horned owl descended on the nest and killed the chicks, which were healthy and nearly 4 weeks old.
The mother, who was perched nearby, attempted to fight off the owl, but could not due to her lack of night vision, said Michelle Huff, a fund board member and overseer of the osprey nest cam since its inception.
The owl remained on the nest to feed on its victims until 4:57 a.m., having left for 45 minutes at one point, Huff said.
She said the osprey pair will not generate additional eggs this season, but she does expect them to remain in the nest until they migrate in late summer, and return next spring.
The nest cam will remain in operation, Huff said.
