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.
4/20
8:49-8:55 a.m. chick home alone again, funny it has been in 5 minute increments.
Well, tomorrow is aibrean21, my birthday, In Gaelic. Nothing else has worked for the parents/chick… compelling, begging, I m going to try wishing… I make a wish for a close up view tomorrow! If the little one is ready.
I saw the cute little chick today at 4:08pm. He or she appeared to flap it’s little wings a couple of times before the Parent blocked the view. So glad it appears to be doing well.
Little “One and Only” nestling appears to be doing just fine from what I have seen. Right on schedule for having attained thermal independence on the fifth day. Has now been left alone on at least two occasions, again aroundd mid-morning on the 18th, the sixth day. Because of camera difficulties and being distracted by events taking place in and around my hometown, I don’t know about this morning. Does anyone?
How comforting this and all of the beauties and miracles of nature are.
Thank you for joining us, Abril, and adding your observations. The tragedy is only in the loss of the chick. Everything else, as you note, is absolutely natural and expected.
Greg fixed problem. We’re back on the air.
4/19 9:31 still Off Air. Good luck.
If I win the powerball you will have all the quad proc’s you need and then some.
4/19 Cam still Off Air.
4/18 11:00 pm Off Air.
Been away and missed the days events today. Fayeee noticed a change in parent in nest area. Wednesday feeding saw chick every time, today, chick was not out all day until about 5 p.m.
rainy humid odd weather day in N.Delaware.
Fayeee said chick is a butterball. A good sign, I think.
4/18 9:40 a.m. (time correction!)
Viewers 7, 8,102 views.
Cloudy misty morning.
4/18 (:40 a.m.
Did not get a photo of the chick, but it was upright steady and pretty sure it could see the parent. It was watching from its spot in the corner.
Colby is growing fast. Practically, before our eyes.
Both parents left shed for a few minutes again this morning. Was away from keyboard and did not catch it all.
About 9:40 a.m. both reentered the shed together. One walked slowly towrds nest, chick was upright and attentive to incoming parent.
By time I got up here to the loft computer, one adult was in nest, I missed what happened. But, day two of “home alone” minutes for the chick.
NY Mike, We are having a visitor coming from Manhattan, will show them some Delaware Wildlife and introductory BV web cam.
Good day!
Family visiting soon and I am preparing , keeping watch when I can. I saw parents leave yesterday for maybe 5 minutes. Then one returned. Got Home Alone photo to add later.
Both parents were reported as being away from the nesting area at mid-morning. Usually by the fifth day, nestlings have acquired thermal independence and are left for short periods of time as both parents look for food. This probably will happen more frequently and, I’m hoping, allow us to see the little chick which parents have done such a fine job of concealing.
As unpleasant as that was for you, Fran, we ultimately have to accept the fact that this is how nature and Black Vultures behave. Tri-State will have to determine why the little nestling died. It is only natural that a parent would remove it to prevent infection within the nesting area. Since it would be very difficult for a Black Vulture to carry off the carcass, it is only natural that it would consume it–as awful as that may seem. Thank you for your observations. Every little bit helps, even the unpleasant parts.
Hi! I am from Mexico, sorry if my english is not that good!
Just as Fran Adkins, yesterday I noticed one adult feeding on something that for me looked like a chick at 12:21 am, it finished eating at 12:32am. This morning I was able to see for moments the other chick. Just learned the sad news right now 🙁
This is nature showing us once again how it works and your project will bring very valuable knownledge about the life of these wonderful birds!
Is good to know that the survivor is healthy! it is so cute.
Thanks Fran for sharing.
I was watching last night the video. I noticed both parents there. One was in the back with the one chick and the other one was toward the middle. It was just sitting there and then it began to nudge the ground. It keep moving something. I thought to myself that it looked like a baby chick but hoping I was wrong. Then I saw the parent start to tear at it and eat. I remember checking the time it was 12:23 am this morning…..a little bit of time had elasped before I notice that time though. I have been checking today to see if I could see the other chick and had this awlful feeling that what I witnessed was not just dead prey that was brought in. So sorry!
My heartfelt condolences to Bob and Mike and all at Tri-State. Just learned the sad news when I returned home a while ago. This is the heartbreak of the natural world as we lovers of that world know so well, unfortunately. It is always a shock, but, Bob, as you say, perhaps something can be learned from the death of the little hatchling. I hope so.
When I looked in at 5:00 A.M. this morning there appeared to be something amiss. May not be related, but some interesting behavior on the part of the two parents who were present. Will post my screen captures and thoughts about that a bit later.
4/16
At 3:27 Bob announced the death of one of our chicks.
Sad day for BV fans.
Survivor is flapping wings eating about every two hours.
Sitting up, rocky but able to hold itself upright.
Little survivor Colbert, nicknamed Colby.
Deceased little chick Stephen, all of 4 days old.
Parents have been showing different behaviors today. Male and female are both feeding the chick. More to write later.
Regrettably, one of the vulture chicks did not survive the difficult early days. Fortunately, the other chick appears to be healthy. We are reviewing the tapes to see what we can learn.
Mike,
Screen is sticking today, it only started about 8:46 a.m.
Screen was froze for 6 minutes. Then the seconds started to stick, two-three seconds at a time.
Good Morning, 4/16 9:11
Been a busy day at the shed. A lot of activity early.
Good visual of one chick, while parents pecked at the floor.
Both adults spent the night in the shed.
One in front of tank.
Bob, Please check your email.
Your welcome!
Thanks NY Mike.