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.
Hi Barbara,
I have seen all 3 chicks starting at 6:00pm today and after…. will post pics. to Forum later. At 6:23 pm Thiol(#30) lifts up into the air briefly …… wings just a flapping…..going into the yard…… started as a fast trot then hop then lifted into the air.
I enjoyed watching “little Stevie” along with other vulture chick.
They were outside of the shed getting some sun and preening. Good
wingspreads showing the shafts . Has anyone seen the third chick today?
I was cut off after 9 mins as the live-feed went off.
Stevie’s bill was inspected during tagging. It was confirmed that the upper and lower mandibles for this chick are not exactly aligned. However, this has not appeared to affect its ability to feed itself.
Thanks, John! Great pictures. They certainly confirm black vultures were in CT as early as 2010. Thanks to you, too, Lisa for the report of black vultures outside Philadelphia.
Bob,
How was Stevie’s bill looking during the tagging?
Thank you for sharing your photographs, John. Quite striking. One day, perhaps, I will be able to do the same. Will continue to scan the skies here in Southwestern PA.
I frequently see Black Vultures in Middletown, Connecticut. I have photographed them in 2010 and 2013. See a group of my photos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brushbin/sets/72157634105392109/
I have been watching the bl.v site for about an hour today.
There is no live feed yet.
Please keel in mind as you watch any live feed that mother nature
will be doing her thing. All things must have food.
Where I live the coyotes are taking out the foxes.
Bob: I live in the outskirts of Philadelphia: moved back after many years in the south. I was surprised to see what I thought were black vultures at a birding site since I thought the only vultures this far north were turkey vultures. I asked the experienced birders and they said that there are now many black vultures in this area.
Bob, thank you so much. I didn’t know about the reintroduction program in Arizona. Also fascinating information concerning the California Condor’s early history.
I’ve had my eye to the skies of southwestern PA for a year now searching for Black Vultures. Large, thriving populations of Turkey Vultures, but I’ve yet to see a Black Vulture. It’s my understanding that they have been observed in the eastern part of the state. Have also read that they have expanded into southern Ohio. Interesting to follow their movements north and west.
Black vultures have in the past regarded as “Southern” vultures. They have been expanding their area northward. They are now common in Delaware and have been spotted as far north as Connecticut, even though the field guides do not reflect this yet. Please comment on any sightings you make of black vultures in NY, PA, CT and northward. They appear to be on the move.
I saw some California condors in AZ where they are being reintroduced. I follow the success of this reintroduction program with great enthusiasm. This may be a case where human intervention is promoting species survival beyond the period that nature/natural selection would do. As I understand the hypothesis, these condors thrived in the age when very large North American mammals such as mammoths and camels thrived, providing large scavengers such as California condors a reliable source of sustenance. As the large, land-dwelling population of mammals declined, the condors surviving the lack of readily available food were on the California coast, where dead whales washing ashore were sufficient to support their populations. Now, with proactive human effort, California condors are regaining ground, being reintroduced to areas from which they were extirpated. Lets hope.
Bob, if you want to see some of the most beautiful vultures in the world, i.e. Old World Vultures, look to Africa and India. Unfortunately, many of them are endangered unlike our New World Vultures. It’s a shame. Breaks my heart.
We are so fortunate to have healthy populations of Black and Turkey Vultures, but the California Condor, our largest vulture, is another very sad story. There were some still in the wild, when I first went to California in the 60’s and now none – only in breeding programs. Very disheartening to know their numbers will never be recovered. One of the most spectacular birds in the world.
On Fox watch….anyone see anything please say something…..thank you!!!!
Thanks, Martin. I hadn’t realized vultures were scarce in your area. Your message sent me browsing European websites for more info. Thanks again!
No beautiful Black Vulture family this morning, but I’m pl*ea*sed to announce a second Chimney Swift egg. Right on schedule – every two days. When I checked at 7:27 A.M. only the one and at 8:55 A.M. two. Will post pictures in Forum.
Bob: Thanks, Carol!
Hi,
in Czech Republic living vultures only in ZOO park’s.
Only in south Europe (Spain, South France) living “Gyps fulvus”.
Welcome to our viewer from the Czech Republic. I’ve noticed your flag popping up here regularly. What kind of vultures are in your area?
You’re welcome Carol. Again, I do not know why some of your comments are held for approval. I saw you tried three times to get your message through. It’s a WordPress mystery.
It was wonderful to see all three chicks this morning in front of sink doing what they normally do. Have posted pictures to Forum for all to share in the joy and relief,
I give up. Can’t see anything suggestive or salacious in any of the words used in last three posts.
Bob, thank you for your more than speedy response and reassurances. An unusual way to get a message to you, but it worked. I didn’t know what else to do. Thanks to Fran for making us aware via Forum.
Bob, thank you for your more than speedy response last night and reassurances. A very archaic way to communicate, but it worked. I didn’t know what else to do. Thanks to Fran for making us aware via Forum.
Bob, thank you for your more than speedy response last night and reassurances. A very archaic way to communicate, but it worked. I didn’t know what else to do. Thanks to Fran for making us aware via Forum. She and I were both beside ourselves.
At 5:22 and 5:24 A.M. observed two chicks at end of the upper hallway. The one toward camera was a Foster. Hope to see all three together again soon.