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.
4/13 6:53 Shift CHange
Male enters shed at 6:53 pm. Nuzzles female, so beautiful.
He walks over to chick and pip and proceeds to feed the chick.
Photos to come.
This morning I had posted a sequence of photos in the RRP forum. The male entering the shed and regurgitating for the female, she went to the corner and was purportedly feeding a chick that was not visible at the time. This was from 9:30-9:35 a.m. today.
There is an awesome photo of the mouth to mouth transfer between the adults!!! A photo of female pushing the discarded shell and a good view of the second pip.
RRP Forum Other Raptor Cams and Information. Carol’s thread.
Thank you Mike! Congratulations!
Thanks, Mike. Missed it.
Just saw a blob with 2 little wings moving.. im sure its a chick..
At 4:00 parent settled down facing the rear post, periodically looking from side to side and down. May very well be at Nestling One and/or Pip Two.
Parent stood at 3:11 P.M. and focused on something against the back wall. It was too shadowy, however, for me to say with confidence that I saw a chick. Believe there may have been something there, but whether a fuzz ball or not, I don’t know. Hoping so and for second hatchling.
Chick is visible and second pip. at 1:57 pm
Great news to come home to. Hoping we will get a glimpse of little one and that Tri-State will confirm first hatch.
Seen a spider last night climbing across cam, looks like some web is corrupting our view.
Female is more still, facing out, content looking. Playing with the eggshell.
I haven’t seen the chick, but Male regurgitates to the female, she returns to corner. All we need is a sighting.
Unofficially, Stevie is here. Being the fun loving Aunt that I am he/she will be Stevie. Second chick will be Colby.
9:34 a.m. may be the first feeding time. I am going to say female is on the nest, she is very very active.
Seems the egg/shell was just that an empty shell. WE HAVE A CHICK!!!
Stevie is here.
9:31 am (Male) enters and regurges for female, we do have a chick. cant see it but its there!
If the parent is rolling or pushing both eggs, there may not be a pip. Didn’t see that. It is unlikely that an egg in the process of pipping would be rolled. The hatchling is having a hard enough time breaking through, using the “egg tooth” and neck muscles to make an opening large enough for it to exit.
Pushed backwards with feet rather than rolled forward.
7:48 am 4/13
It looks as if parent just pushed a shell away from the nest area.
In blowing up a screen capture from 7:16 P.M. when parent is inspecting the eggs (second parent is leaving), there does seem to be in the middle of the egg closer to the tank a raised white area. The bill will be pearlescent in color. Don’t know, but maybe. The screen capture is posted on Forum. Would love a second opinion.
During what appeared to be a shift change around 7:11 P.M., when both parents were present, eggs were revealed. The parent above the eggs was paying particular attention to the egg closer to the tank. Have lost track by now of position of eggs 1 and 2 in relation to one another. Would like to think there is a pip but would not dare to say without close-up.
We are thinking there are two pip. Got IR photos, Fayeee and myself saw them. Approx 7:30 I can get the times from photos.
4/12
6:15 pm second parent/adult enters.
Walks perimeter then walks up to mate/eggs.
Approx 6:21pm second P walk to doorway, not sure it left, saw its head pop up in the numbers on the bottom of the screen.
Photos will be added in Forum. Bob, I promise the first photo of a chick I get, it will be emailed to you!
The parent is looking and listening. They are all imprinting and bonding as I type, fantastic things are happening.
Before we know it this pip phase will be a memory and we will be documenting feedings and then laughing at them charging up and down the alley…
Again, thank the homeowners who did not deter them or discourage them from staying. Thanks to you all who contributed so we can be here watching! Have a great weekend,
AS I was typing second parent enters shed. Fantastic.
4/12
4:40 p.m. P stood and looked at the eggs.I saw one egg. Got Capture.
Posted it in FOrum.
Minutes ago, P stood and looked at the eggs and I could see two eggs alongside of the white tank.
4/12 3:46 p.m.
Haven’t been able to do much observing nearly all day, with the recurring screen freezing.
36 Followers 13 viewing 6,467 views
Stormy day in the area.
4/12
Parent has been up and down a couple times, not a lot of visible activity!
Been about 6 hours since second P came and went, want to add that adult/P Is sitting upright facing the tank corner.
Good luck little ones!