Ritchie Ronning putting two osprey chicks back in their nest on Tuesday 7/21/20, after finding them on Monday 7/20/20 on the ground beneath their nest—and bringing them to a raptor clinic for a checkup. Three chicks were blown out of the nest during the tornado that hit on Saturday 7/18/20 at 1:15 am. One chick couldn’t be found.
Vanessa Greene from Twin Cities Metro Osprey Watch, and Terri Headley from The Raptor Center checked that the chicks were in good health, then returned to Rush Lake on 7/21 with the chicks and gave Ritchie guidance in returning the chicks to their nest.
The rescue was completed only after the adults returned to defend and care for their chicks. Feel free to read more about the rescue and see additional photos at Twin Cities Metro Osprey Watch.
Please thank Steven Rossi for the sharing his images and videos as well as give a big thank you to Ritchie for helping to save our wildlife!