FEEL FREE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS BELOW OR IN GREATER DETAIL AT THE RAPTORX FORUM FOR BLACK VULTURES 2016. YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN REAL-TIME VULTURE NEST CHAT
If you lose live video (which may occur during camera changes), click on the “play” arrow or refresh your screen by clicking on the circular arrow to the right of the URL line.
The Tri-State VultureCam is up and running for 2017. From the 2010 to the 2013 breeding seasons, 6 chicks hatched and another 3 orphans from other locations fledged for a total of 9 fledglings from this nest site. The nest site was not used by vultures during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons, and the adult male, tagged #17 in 2013, has not returned. However, an untagged pair took up residence in late February 2016 resulting in two successful fledgings. An untagged pair took up residence again in early February 2017.
One of our long-term research objectives is to determine whether the same pair tends to occupy the shed year after year or if occupancy changes, possibly resulting from some form of competition or due to disturbing the nest site by tagging adults and/or chicks. Another objective of this multi-generational study is to observe ongoing working relationships between family members from year to year.
As in previous years, we are recording selected video and audio from several cameras, 24/7 for research purposes. However, our computer only streams video to this website from one camera at a time. We try to display the most interesting vulture behavior at any given moment. Sometimes the screen goes black after switching cameras. If this happens, you may be able restore the video by refreshing the webpage (by clicking on the circular arrow near the top center of the webpage for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers). Known technical difficulties preventing viewing will be reported at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bkvu-test-3. Real-time chat regarding nesting activities is also available at this site. Day-to-day narrative and photos of nesting activity is available at RaptorX Forum for vultures, owls, and eagles
Viewing nesting behavior over the Internet, rather than observing the birds directly, avoids activity near the nest that could lead the adults to abandon it. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO LOCATE THE NEST SITE OR APPROACH IT AS DOING SO COULD RESULT IN DEATH OF THE CHICKS AND THE END OF THIS RESEARCH.
Comments from viewers relating to observations of vulture behavior or suggestions for research are most welcome.
We do think alike, Lynn. Frightening, isn’t it? Am realy excited about what has been happening. Either way, pip watch or hatch watch. Wondering if the very tip of a very, very tiny bill has pressed its way through what by now should be a somewhat thinned shell. Still takes lots of effort and energy for little one (our BV1) or “Stevie” or “Colby.” Think the latter two are unisexual (Bleeped, Censored).
Carol,
Thanks for the screen captures, knew between us we would have similar. Waited until you added yours then I adjusted mine. We did have a couple almost identical. The P on the pallet was gorgeous to see.
Missed the photo op of the beak nuzzling, due to freeze up. But at about 7:15-7:16a.m. they made contact to each other.
Thank you for the IR and fixing the screen sticking. Now if this pending storm will be kind and leave things to be well and good.
Pip Watch!!! 4/12
Did the best I could with screen captures of second parent and posted to Forum.
Perhaps something momentous is happening or about to happen with second parent arriving and now with first parent in current area of eggs. Parent was very deliberate but careful in approach.
Can we try IR cam, is it possible, better view, its gray and rainy today. Not much good light.
I was just going to ask, you are awesome, the screens are changing!
Screen is sticking a lot today, but in the misdt, it appears the 2nd Parent/adult was laying in the center of the tank area. Yes!
Now is standing on pallet.
4/12 at 7:12 a.m. as I was clicking Send, the second adult/parent arrives.
In the area its hard heavy rain, may be staying close to nest area?
Screen was sticking, but I saw beak nuzzling and got screen captures of second one, walking around, Did not ever really go directly to the mate or eggs that I saw.
7:24am both parents are in the shed.
Hello Mike,
It is more an operator issue than anything, a small screen with a dark object in the corner. I could not tell if the parent was rolling eggs or moving at all. At home, having the Mac on full screen and plugging into good sized flat screen to watch the cam. I was being whiney.
It is awesome to even have the ability to watch on the phone.
Just a small screen. It’s time to get an Apple iPAd.
Now, if you would get back to the compelling order, that would be great! I join in and compel the adult to move the eggs in front of the cam!
Thank you for asking.
This website is designed for mobile phones… I have no issue with my iPhone.. Anything particular that you have a problem with on the phone ? Maybe we can fix it if its an issue..
The behavior of the parent on the eggs at 2:45 P.M. seems to have become more frequent and considtent in the past couple of days. That is facing in, head raised and moving from side to side. I have also seen it in the evening when a parent is facing out, with movement of the head and movement of thevisible eye. I do believe we are very close to the beginning of the hatch. Wish we could see some evidence of a pip.
On iPhonen cannot see. Please post comment on possible pip! Thanks
orig cam back, thank you for trying,
Eggs visible briefly at 11:46 on non-zoom camera. Switched to this camera.
early a.m. 4/11
Observing the parent, nest and area, first thing, the tail feathers on the parent/adult were tight in a point this morning.
Currently, close up cam view,just got a photo of parents legs and tip of an egg. 11:05 a.m.
There is a lot of egg rolling activity. We switched to a zoom camera that has a view down the “alley.” From that view we occasionally get view of an adult head and, when he/she rolls, we see part of the eggs. There MAY be a pip. We will be watching closely today and will switch cameras if doing so gives us a better shot.
4/11 9:36 a.m. Pip Watch 2013
Viewers 9. Total viewed 6,082.
Back On Air!
At 8:55 a.m. Parent on eggs, tail tightly pointed and slightly elevated.
At 9:17 a.m. Parent stands and shuffles feet, turns around, facing out of the corner now.
4/11 8:51 a.m. Pip Hatch Watch Day
Cam is Live again, thank you so much!
61 degrees, heading for about 72 today.
Two feathers gathered, sun shining into shed,
waiting for a look… into the corner…
We had storms go through last night and hopefully it is not damage but
only needs a “reboot.”
Note to cam ops, software and computer folk, I googled computer terms to try to sound as if I know.
Help us!
Good morning,
Egg rolling, great. Off Air not great.
May “compel” do the job, come on and please didn’t work.
Egg rolling at 10:41 PM. Any time now.
Thank you, Mike. I believe that should work.
“I compel you to move the eggs in view of the cam”