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.
The apparent incompatibility between the camera operating software and Ustream has been reported to the software developer. We’re hopeful it can be fixed.
Bob, Good Morning. Again, thank you for the great improvements. I am still having a problem with fl*as*hing of image, if that is the right word. Is it just my system or are others experiencing this? It doesn’t happen with any other Ustream site. It just seems to be here.
When you have a chance, would you be so kind as to advise me of what I can do here to restore to normal. Thanks so much for your help and all you do for us.
5/7 Highlights. Phenomenal Two Days.
Nearly an all day event on Monday, tagging BV parent. Stevie’s beak has what appears to be only a minor scissor bill issue and has returned from her retreat. Then add a camera upgrade to boot.
Today, Tuesday
7:08 a.m. P comes out from behind the sink.
7:12 a.m. P returns
8:23 a.m. P leaves for 15 seconds and returns
8:39 a.m. Male leaves
8:57 a.m. Stevie comes out and back behind sink.*
10:11 a.m. Stevie back n leaves
10:18 a.m. Stevie Back in view
10:21a.m. Stevie is gone behind sink.
11:43 a.m. Stevie is out, frolicking about.
* Day after tagging and chicks retreat behind the sink, chick begins to resume the behavioral patterns, in that, 15-20 min. after parents departure is when chick would usually come out.
Chick had growth spurt and is sporting pin feathers. Hopping and running on her merry way, I genuinely laughed every time. Hopping and wings high, gaining strength.
12:55 p.m. Male with chick. Full crop. Male lays in front of sink chick sits alongside.
1:05 p.m. Male leaves.
1:30 p.m. Female aka #17 arrives.
7:03 a.m. 3 viewers and 13,001 views.
Noonish today 10 viewers and 13,200 views.
10:47 p.m. 5 viewers and. 13,317 views
4:32 p.m. P went behind sink
5:44 p.m. Feeding behind sink
Bob spent a good deal of time panning and watching, reporting too.
Nice to see him reap some rewards from all the hard work.
My highlights are hit and miss today, a lot of chat and some info passed me by. Was able to get some help from photos. But, it is all done for today.
Ustream is still off kilter.But it is so nice to see them and know they are well and good. High hopes female is back to herself and getting good rest. Speaking of rest, I’m calling it a day. If any honorable mentions were skipped I apologize. Good night.
Hi all, 11:21 a.m.
Stevie seems to be alone still. Fayeee mentioned it and it makes sense.
Chick has come out a few times, playing, hopping and what energy.
Runs and hides at what may be sounds outside.
So, two days without much food, crops must be on empty. Last adult seen over 2.5 hours ago, hope they find food soon.
I am heading out to cut grass before it rains. Will look forward to updates and possible sighting of the tagee (female), her mate and stories of Stevie.
This cam view has no close up. but it is amazingly sharp. TY all.
Fran, you having rain yet? I am stalling and need to go now. Hope you saw Stevie hopping, too cute.
Good Morning, Fran. What a joy to see the little one. I’ve posted a sequence of screen shots from 8:57 A.M. to 9:02 A.M. when he returned to corner. From profile view, his little bill looks normal, but that front view (from April 24) tell a different story. Hope Tri-State is correct.
Have you tried Forum again using the web address I suggested?
8:56am….. I see Stevie between the poles…moves to front of sink…pokes and picks up stick….camera still sticking….have to go…glad I was able to see Stevie.
Parent appears again at 8:39 A.M. Managed to capture a shot from rear. Could not identify as male or female from what I saw. Possibly the parent seen shortly before which from all indications was the male. Screen capture posted to Forum.
8:38am Parent comes from dark corner. Camera freezes. Parent leaves shed…camera freezes….could only see one leg so do not know if this was #17. Might be a Ustream problem and not camera…do not know which….8:47am still freezing
As I think about it, I’m wondering if the quick action and sudden raising of the right wing observed at 8:23 a.m. might not suggest that tag is on that wing — perhaps a reaction. Parent was very hesitant. I know that male is usually a bit more anxious than female, so this may have been the male. Certainly don’t know for sure.
Parent began to enter shed at 8:23 A.M., very hesitantly, suddenly turned very quickly with right wing raised. Beautiful display of primaries. All too fast to capture screen shot and was too you know what–the “e” word. Must calm down.
5/7 8 viewers 13,019 views 8:13 a.m. Good morning after…
7:08 a.m. Parent came out from behind sink.
Appears to be the male. No tag. Seen last evening and this morning, came out and looked directly at the camera.
7:12 a.m. Parent returns behind sink.
Photos are in the forum. We wait for tagged parent and chick.
Thank you all for sharing this experience with us.
Bob, I did see an adult enter the shed at 5:21 pm. Walked in slow,
Walked around the sink on right. Did not see a tag.
Normally, the male is slow n cautious even. Looking forward to tomorrow’s viewing of the shed.
Hi, Fran. I think the RRP link on this page works only for members. Try http://www.raptorresource.org/forum. That should bring up a page where you can register. If not, let me know.
Lots of *exc*tement* today. Love the new angle and sharp image. Wish we could see our little one to test it out.
Thanks, Bob. Just hoping we’ll get to see more of him/her so that we can follow his progress and that eventually he will leave us (and his true parents, of course) as a strong and healthy fledgling.
So grateful for the new view and clarity of image. Thank you.
Hi Carol-
Responding to your earlier post regarding the chick appearing to walk at an angle, it may be part of his transitioning from standing and walking on his hocks to standing and walking on his feet.
Hi Lynn, Carol and Bob,
Carol,….. I tried to login…tried to register….on the raptorresource.org but it told me that I was Spam… lol…. will try again later…. how ironic that #17 is my lucky number.
Great news that #17 returned to the nest area. That title is not going to stick, but it’s just fantastic.
Too funny Carol. *** I went ahead and added Bobs comments here, because we are all waiting and very excited.
Bob, pardon me, but I have added your other comments here. Surely, you will take care of things when you finally slow down. Congratulations again. Thanks techie team too.
From Bob earlier:
We will be sending out a small feather for testing that should tell us s*x.
Don’t know which adult we tagged. Will post close up pictures as soon as I get time.
Birds are OK. Cameras are OK. Software is OK. Appears to be a problem at Ustream. Working on it.
Thanks so much, Bob, for the update on the project, i.e. the successful tagging of a parent. Fran’s and Lynn’s binoculars will be working overtime in future months. Was DNA sample taken to determine *s**e**x*?.
Glad the deformity isn’t too severe in nestling. As long as it can forage, that is the main concern. Did Dr. Barber address the issue of being able to groom with its bill. Read an article recently that said birds with bill deformities learn to adapt by using their feet.
I’m amazed at the sharpness of the image now. Thanks to all. What an incredible improvement. We have no excuses for missing anything as long as our parents and especially our nestling cooperate.
Grateful for all that we have been given by Tri-State and their volunteers.
Congratulations! The tagging sounds fantastic and a Minor scissorbill, is great.
Big day today. An international team from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary led by David Barber came to the nest site in northern Delaware and helped the Tri-State team tag one of the adult vultures with a bright yellow tag, #17. Upon release, it immediately returned to the shed, perching on top. We hope to tag the other adult in mid-June at the same time we tag the chick. This is the beginning of our multi-generational tracking effort. In the near future, we will add a “Tagging & Tracking” page to enable anyone spotting a tagged vulture to report it on this website.
Also, Greg repositioned one of the cameras to get a better view of the alley to the right of the white sink. This camera does not have a zoom, but it will enable us to view the vulture family when they go behind the shed’s support posts. We will continue to use the other camera, a zoom, when we get good views from it.
Our medical staff confirmed the chick has a mild case of “crossbill” aka “sissorbill.” We will be watching and hoping this will not interfere with its ability to forage as it matures. So far, so good.
You did pass, Lynn. Hmm. Maybe the censor robot thinks you’re more mature. Undoubtedly so. Will have to have some fun exploring further. Maybe not. I may be booted all together.
5/6 5 viewers 12,790 views. Temps today near 70,cloudy. Tues-Sat chances of rain. This was early and did not get posted at the time.
Lovely weather day yesterday for a fantastic event.
Fran, it was such a pleasurable time yesterday. WIll write more and be in touch soon, trying to get caught up while cam is off air, but chatting about Tri-State and a TV in the yard today.
Carol, too funny about saying excited… did I pass the test?
It’s all good in the end.
One P left the nest area earlier and time will tell the rest, since cam is off air.
Later good folk,
i.e. too fast to capture.