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.
Stevie graced us with his beautiful presence today for a long time, although given the imminence of his fledge, just not long enough.
Posted to Forum a number of screen captures with the poses and behaviors that most remind me of him. Thank you, Bob, for the great camera work this afternoon and always. Made it very special.
Thank you Tri-State for allowing us the privilege of making screen captures. It is understood that you would always be given credit should we use them for educational purposes. It is understood as well that the captures will never be used for personal gain or reasons other than educational. Thank you above all for giving us this incomparable opportunity to “live” with such magnificent creatures for the past few months. Looking forward to the next season.
Hi Carol,
Your explanation was very informative. Thank you. There was another fox visit last night also.
Fran, I’m thinking Woodchuck. Posted wordy, lengthy, boring explanation to Forum. Be advised.
The screen captures are now posted on the Forum of the “Ghost Rat”. The documentation is on page 67 and the pictures are on page 68.
Lol, Carol. Isn’t that the truth. I like your way of thinking.
Just think, Fran, if it is a Woodrat, all the “toys” that Stevie and the Fosters gathered will be safely stored away under the car topper for next season’s chicks.
Thanks for zooming, Bob. I have caught some pretty good screen captures of the “Ghost Rat” this afternoon. Will be posting them to the Forum later. I believe there is a tunnel under the topper. I saw it come out from underneath it earlier.
…and in an imperfect world, it’s neither here nor “there” LOL, this little nesting bird is intriguing and distracting. Stay away from camera little bird.
From start to finish of my thank you note, there were and are still seven people continuing to watch a(nearly)abandoned shed.
With heartfelt Thank You’s…
As the BV Chicks Cam nears the seasons end I want to give thanks.
From the beginning, these lovely creatures were permitted a safe haven to raise there chicks.
Thank you Bob. for enabling us to participate and watch with amazement every day.
Thank you Tri-State for your steadfast loyalty to such beautiful creatures, from the BV cam and beyond. To all those animals who are touched with the best of your abilities everyday of the year.
Thanks to Lisa and everyone who allow me the chance to observe and continue to visit to take photos. Thank you, Dr. Erica Miller, who handed Stevie to me on tagging day. Thanks to Greg and NY Mike for taking care of the computers and all. Thank you Rat Patrol.
Thank you Hawk Mountain. Dave along with the interns. Having the BV tagged promises us an interesting view into their future lives.
Thank you V-cubed. Vigilant Vulture Viewers. Fayeee and canadianhoot and all who comment activities in the Social Stream for documentation. I still do occasionally “talk to myself” as in the beginning, but thank you all for joining in. We gathered a lot of information that I will be proud to deliver. Many fun moments we shared. Thank you Carol for the BV thread in the Raptor Resource Forum. It gives a place to add photos and comments. Fran, its great that you joined in. You picked it up fast. Thank you. Many hours of fun. Vigilant Viewers we are that.
I want to thank my husband, the “unvoluntary” volunteer who has endured my story tellings of their days and nights, the who did this and who saw that, the late dinners and take out at least once a week, maybe twice. Thanks for the times we spend together in the area, scouting for the BV’s. In spite of it all, he bought me a mini iPad so I can take the cam with me.
It has been a fantastic season with the occasional bumps. The parents lost one chick, but gained two more. Female decided she will not participate in any tagging event. But, four are tagged.
Congratulations for a highly successful 2013 BV season. When, the Turkey Vultures, Eagles, Peregrine Falcon and Whooping Cranes nestings ended abruptly with tragedies. Also sad, the loss of Ishta Tanka, who lived a long good life.
It truly is the circle of life and how fortunate to be apart of it here and now. Looking forward to 2014. As I finish up here, I’m seeing the fluttering of wings entering and leaving the shed. A beautiful beginning. As a small wren type of bird carries in nesting material. I will not sit here and attempt a screen capture, not going to do it, nope. Well… what type of bird is it?
Untagged female, 17 male, Stephen/Stevie26, Ethyl267, Thiol30 and Stevie26. Beneath a summer moons roost or a summer day sky, I will think of you often. Ace the kettle and I will keep an eye to the sky for you. Be healthy and live long and well.
Enjoy your day, good folks. As we await word that Stevie has officially left the building.
7/1/2013
64 followers, 26,247 views, 7 viewers currently staring at an empty shed. 49 FB likes. 31 Tweets.
Another rainy day in the nest area. Today is Stevie’s estimated fledge date. He was not seen exiting the shed today. Has been showing strength in wing flaps when he occasionally perches on the wall.
RP (rat patrol) drop offs bring them into the shed area. However, it is taking them longer to show up after the food drops. Suggesting they are not in the immediate area. But, close by.
What a season it’s been. Reminiscing and building documentation is a reward to me all it’s own.
Hello everyone!
I have seen your photos John Brush, very nice! Thanks for sharing.
At least two of the three chicks have fledged.
The past several days have seen no birds when coming on. Have they fledged?
Hi Larry-
It sounds late for black vulture hatching in Mississippi. There is a chance that this is a second attempt at nesting following some kind of problem with first attempt. In any event, the adults will ultimately abandon eggs that do not hatch. Given that the eggs were laid no later than May 17, I expect they will hatch this coming week if they are going to.
Hello, Larry. The incubation period for BVs is 39-41 days, and so there is still time. I’m hoping that someone from Tri-State will respond to your question and give you more informed or expert guidance than I can offer in this situation.
Today is a busy day there, since one of the young ones from this nest fledged this morning. I can’t imagine what happened to your original comment from yesterday, however. Good luck.
Hello, Larry. The incubation period for Black Vultures is 39-41 days, and so there is still time. I’m hoping that someone from Tri-State will respond to your question and give you more informed or expert guidance than I can offer in this situation.
Today is a busy day there, since one of the chicks from this nest fledged this morning. I can’t imagine what happened to your original comment from yesterday, however. Good luck.
I tried to ask this yesterday, but my comment disappeared. I have a nest on a property in central Mississippi USA with 2 eggs in the cab of an abandoned truck. First saw the nest/eggs on May 17. Eggs were still unhatched June 20…mother still on nest (she flies away to a nearby tree.) Do I have eggs that are never going to hatch or do they just need a few more days?
Thank you, Carol.
Loved the one of Stevie, Fran. All of the captures from today were really great. Thanks so much for your contribution to Forum. You help make it what it is.
Have a regal pose of Stevie today taken at 1:36pm. Posted to Forum.
All three today with their new yellow jewels on!
Thank you for answering my question about Stevie, Bob.
Your welcome, Barbara.
Your welcome, Barbara. 🙂
Thanks Fred for the update! I just looked again but the yard is empty.