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.
I have a question: When the Vultures are preening, are they also eating the bird lice off of them as well?
Hi Lynn,
If I squint and go small screen what is not there? Are you referring to Stevie? It’s 6:23pm and both Parent and Stevie are there. We have gotten over an inch of rain here in Western Sussex….started to come down harder earlier this evening.
HI Fran,
Waiting for Tri-State. But, if you squint and go small screen its not there. sigh.
Oh i like downstate. Bombay Hook, Prime Hook. I’m tap dancing around it for now.
The zooms were great.
Nice close up of Stevie at 3:28pm. 3:45pm Parent makes an exit as if it heard something and comes back at 3:46pm. 3:53pm Stevie is really flapping those wings. The comment I made before this one is awaiting moderation….. I put another smiley face at the end of it. Does Stevie’s little beak have a slight crook to it at the end? It looked like it may have during the close up.
Thanks, Lynn and Fran. Off to give the first of four final exams this week. Then, all that grading. Ugh. Will look forward to your updates as always.
Camera seems to be skipping. Parent with chick resting in front of tank. Lynn, I couldn’t help but laugh about the naughty pop up…. 🙂
Hi Lynn,
I live in Sussex County.
Hi Carol,
I have had one comment that was awaiting moderation too. The
only thing I could think of that I did was add a smiley face
to the comment at the end.
Carol,
I tried to type that the parent jerked its head towards the door and I got a pop up that said I was trying to send a naughty word.
If I may, Bob said and I’m paraphrasing that it’s just the flow. It happens from time to time. So, I don’t think on it anymore, it eventually gets here.
Let’s see if this makes it with the J word. My intent isn’t bad. But I apologize for taking up space nonetheless. BV’s are asleep and my notebook is up to date… maybe I will do chores for a bit.
*crate not grate….
4/29
Rainy morning in the nest area. Both adults were in the shed early, rain soaked. Pretty feathers all glossy and even now as the adult sleeps over the chick, the feathers look refreshed.
Great zoom in on adult and chick. Stevie was having fun picking up, feeling and tasting everything and anything. Exploring stage, fun to watch.
Wing flaps are more frequent and chick is backing up, wings high to release droppings. See the adults stretch wings overhead, now the chick has picked it up. Chick flaps wings at feeding and for the first time I saw chick flap wings and lower its head at feeding.
Consider this highlight worthy and will check my photos.
In and out activity early today. Horaltic pose in the shed, wing stretched as far as they can go, the chick looked on with wide eyes, head turned.
Saw a few feedings today, my notebook is not with me right now. Chick has full crop and appears to be getting more solid foods.
Be back later,
Good Afternoon, Bob. I’ve had the same experience that Lynn mentioned once, i.e. a comment tagged “awaiting moderation.” I even rewrote the comment deleting some of the words that I thought by an enormous stretch of the imagination (Ustream’s on other sites) might be inappropriate. I am at a loss. Would appreciate any guidance you can provide, either here or through my Forum thread. Thanks so much.
HI Fran,
You are from DE? Which county? I am New Castle.
It wouldn’t surprise me if small birds nest in the shed.
I missed the bird you mention, but once weeks ago I saw a bird in the shed.
Bees flying around, two kinds. BV don’t seem to be bothered by much, but having a chick changes everything. Saw Parent dart out this morning, but came right back.
No one mentions the pool, hmm.. kidding.
The quick succession of teaching and learning (imprinting) behaviors seen so clearly from 10:37 on, thanks to the great closeups, were truly amazing. I tried to capture as many screen shots as I could, but at times I just had to watch. Parent (female) would exhibit a behavior and lovely little nestling would follow. Parent pecked so vigorously at the floor debris that dirt was flying. This required all the movements necessary to tear and tug at a carcass. Chick, of course, pecked much more gently but it is learning very quickly. There was some wing exercising. Parent would stretch wings out and chick would flap its little downy appendages. Lots of preening and grooming. Essential for chick to learn how to maintain feathers. Teaching always seems to be accompanied by grooming of the chick.
Appreciate the camera work so much. Made for such rewarding viewing.
Hi Lynn,
The pool might get a little bit of water in it today if it is still there and is lying upright. Nice steady, light rain here down state. Sounds like you have gotten some nice pictures! At times I have noticed the Parent’s attention go to the area over by the grate on the ground…..(would be our left side of shed when viewing the screen). This is where I saw the little bird flying in. The Parent will watch and sometimes cock it’s head looking towards that area. I wonder if the little bird also has a nest in the shed as well.
The quick succession of teaching and learning (imprinting) behaviors seen so clearly from 10:37 on, thanks to the great closeups, took my breath away. I tried to capture as many screen shots as I could, but at times I just had to watch in amazement. Parent (female) would perform and lovely little nestling would follow with the same behavior. Parent pecked so vigorously at the floor debris that dirt was flying. This required all the movements necessary to tear and tug at a carcass. Chick, of course, pecked much more gently but it is learning very quickly. There was some wing exercising. Parent would stretch wings out and chick would flap its little downy appendages. Lots of preening and grooming. Essential for chick to learn how to maintain feathers. Teaching always seems to be accompanied by grooming of the chick – something very pleasurable to be associated with learning process.
Appreciate the camera work so much. Made this such an exciting viewing experience.
We went to the C&D canal for a drive, eagle and vulture watch.
I saw a BV and TV competing for a road kill squirrel. The TV actually picked it up, carried it about ten car lengths at a height of about 12 feet before it dropped it.
Slightly off track topic. But vulture related, oh I got photos!
We did not do a grub drop since it is not permitted in the canal area.
I may have a feeding here soon. Need to find out if it it welcome at Tri-State. 🙂 (back to chores)
Hi Fran,
Funny about the baby pools. But one is/was laying in the doorway. SInce the panning happened, I thought they were checking to see if the pool was in place OR they didn’t know the wind put it there.
We noticed the adults were acting nervous, maybe the wind shifting the pools around has something to do with it.
Stevie is so sweet. The family unit are amazing. Back to chores I had to sneak a peak. Later,
Lynn,
Years ago we had a red pool in the shape of Mickey Mouse with the ears along with the face for our dogs….lol. I have noticed what looked like blue baby pools too in the shed. Saw Stevie in the left corner and Parent.
Thanks to Cam Op, we were able to get a good view and it is hard since chick is very mobile.
All is well. Parent feeding sweet nestling at 11:00 A.M. in full view. Happy to see.
Alley Cam, there’s Stevie! Great. thanks….
4/28 a.m. Sunday
Empty nest, since 6:00 a.m. but a sighting in the top right corner of an adult (Carol). They may be in the corner, time will tell.
Have posted to Forum screen captures from 9:10 P.M. last night when all were present, positioned parallel to the tank. Parent closest to camera was very much on the alert.
Surprised this morning, looking in at 7:16, 8:10, 8:47 A.M. to see no BVs.
Then suddenly, parent rushes in from the right, going directly into the corner, staying for two minutes and rushing out again.
Second parent peeks out of corner at 9:00 A.M., then disappears to the right.
4/27
We went to the beach today, didn’t see a lot of the cam today or tonight.
Logged in and minutes later 2nd adult arrives, its been over an hour all three have been sleeping in the top left corner area.
Shift change, feedings and sleep.
Fran,
I don’t know if it was the wind or it was put there deliberately, but since there was panning outside, I wonder that it’s not an accident, I saw a baby pool, blue, with Mickey Mouse on it, in the doorway. lol.
It’s true.
Cute about the bird, I missed it. thanks.