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 everyone,
It has been two weeks since I have seen the BV family.
We looked for them yesterday, driving around. Spent two hours sitting in a nearby park since we saw vultures flying high. I did see four BV and none of which came down close enough to get a good look.
So, I am sure last visit I saw the family, I cannot say the same for yesterday. Will look through yesterdays photos for a hint of a tag, but at this point I cannot say they were spotted or photographed.
We did see Greg, got to say a quick hello at a red light!!! He said its been about two weeks since he’s seen them and it was the last time I had seen them. Will keep looking…
The 2 BV youngsters in the truck are camera shy. I took another photo, but it is basically both of them huddled under the dash facing away from the camera. Black feathers are emerging from the brown fuzz and one was on top of what is left of the truck seat when I walked up. I’m far from an expert at BV watching, but it looked like he/she was stretching its wings. Assuming they are healthy and will be getting ready to fly in the next few weeks?
*Lastly, for now, the tagged male is #17. For the record, for any new viewers or anyone keeping track, I was looking at bv screen photos and was sidetracked and did not include his tag number, male aka 17.
May 7th Adult Male tagged. June 13th, three chicks tagged.
Female has decided to remain untagged.
Ethyl267 and Thiol30 fledged on July 20, Stevie26 fledged on July 5th.
Memories!
Stevie26 turned 4 months old on August 13th. In my own experience with the vultures, Stevie26, Ethyl267 and Thiol30 are totally free to experience many things such as soaring the thermals . They may have hierarchy when it comes to feedings. TV adults here in our yard tend to mantle grub and use wings and beak to keep juveniles at a distance. I have not experienced seeing this with BV’s. But, at four months of age, the juveniles will be holding down carcasses, tearing and even still, returning to the adult who will continue to regurgitate for them. I have documented adult regurgitation in previous season well into December. BV and TV do winter over here and time will tell if the BV family stay. I will continue to try to track them and comment any new news.
Hello everyone,
BV sightings and Stevie’s 4 month birthday,this week!!!
Well, we did take a trip to the nest area this past weekend. It was about 1.5 miles from the nest area I saw them. Circling high over, hard to ID in a moving car, by time we pulled over to take a better look, they were gone from view. So began the pursuit. I photographed three together and two more. I saw them with binocs and got a couple photos and although I am fairly certain I saw at least 3 tagged and one I simply couldn’t tell because of the sun, moving car,height and wing angles. The two “keeper” photos show large dots on the wings and the images are very similar to the previous photos I had taken of bv17. I believe this was the TS BV family and cannot show a clear photo or say with absolute certainty. They were circling very high. I may try again this weekend. I know now, full well that there’s a really good chance to see them again soon and hopefully photos to confirm my sightings. I want to get those numbers clear!!! We saw approx 20 TV, conservatively, in the area and the 5 bv. Although I find them all lovely, I was searching for BV that day and will continue to search for the tagged BV’s.
Hi all.
High hopes to spend time this weekend trying to locate the BV family.
I have had unusual activity this week. A solo BV visits. In the past, single TV more than one occasion. But twice this week, a BV arrives and feeds, all alone. Beautiful creature. Adventurous and confident bird. Entertaining my human visitors. Swooping low and whooshing take offs were quite beautiful.
Two weeks of human visitors have now gone and I can resume my search for tagged BVs.
I hope to have BV news to share. Part of me still feels Ethyl267 and Thiol30 will go back to Maryland. It is on my to-do list to find DE/MD birder groups and inquire into any sightings of the tagged BVs. I will post any new information if and when I find it.
I have comments awaiting moderation, so I will check back, as usual.
Hi Larry and all,
I just saw the photos and Thanks for sharing! How cute and how kind of you to allow them to be. Amazing!
Comments shall remain open and with high hopes you can continue to share there progress here with us!
BV behavior is always welcome news.
Larry, thank you so much for the link to your pictures. The chicks are just beautiful and appear to be developing normally. Black Vultures are quite intelligent and adaptable, but I’m still amazed. So happy you discovered the eggs in time.
Sometimes BVs nest in rock crevices or on ledges where they don’t really have much room either. They somehow find a way. With their natural habitat – forest floors and hollowed out logs – rapidly disappearing, they now nest more frequently in abandoned buildings as with the Tri-State Black Vultures. The two foster chicks were rescued from an old barn, another favorite place.
I like the name your dad adopted for your place. Are there still some Oaks and Pines left for roosting, and do you often see Black Vultures in your area? If so you are most fortunate. They haven’t reached southwestern PA yet. I’m not so lucky except, of course, for having this great site. Already looking forward to the next nesting season. Good luck with your little BV family.
Please keep us posted. Yours is such an interesting story.
Carol, and all.
I never left. Bob has left this comment page open for all of us and it will continue to remain a place for us to have contact with Tri-State/Bob, NY Mike and Greg. A place to add new BV news and so far the page stays on topic. Bob has expressed to me that it will stay open and I mentioned that to you previously.
No, I did not read your suggestions. I have shared and commented based on my own experiences with the vultures here in DE, both black and turkey vultures. I felt a need to share my knowledge with Stew and here is the perfect place. I hope he and Larry will continue to comment on any activities. Anyone and all who have news or BV comments.
Observing the birds and keeping watch for distress is a key clue. Young fledglings cannot always gain height in flight but can take leaps and bounds and we all saw the BV chicks were capable of swift getaways! Most times they may not need our assistance. Anyone who observed the TV bits chicks remember John’s photo of the TV juvenile on the ground, its’s normal for them to wander on the ground.
I have BV here now! heard them land on the rooftop and threw out 6 hard boiled eggs…nearly gone in minutes.they flew to roof. No deviled eggs for dinner tonight, I say with a smile, it’s always a gift.
It is always about the birds. We can and do agree that the BV family are thought of well and missed!!!
Lynn, welcome back to the Comments page. We haven’t heard from you in some time.
Thank you for adding additional comments. I really appreciate it. You must have read my suggestions on the RP Black Vulture Thread. It is very important that we continue to raise awareness of the importance and beauty of BVs, one of the most underappreciated and least understood of all bird species.
It is also important to point out that should anyone suspect that a Black Vulture or any bird has been injured or is in distress, the best thing to do is contact a local licensed bird or wildlife rescue organization. The mortality rate for fledglings and sub adult birds, for example, is very high, often due to storm activity. If we can just save one bird we have made a significant contribution to the natural world.
Hi Fran,
That is a beautiful area. The BV family have a great location, although I feel Ethyl n Thiol may go home to Maryland, hope we get sightings!
Stew,
I retread your comments, on mini it’s hard I apologize.
Would like to add a bit more.
The black vultures do hop along the ground and if its a juvenile, People can and do mistake new fledged birds as injured. BV are too funny, nonchalantly hopping n checking things out, makes me smile. How fortunate for you, every time they visit, I call it a gift. Please continue to share information here. Thanks.
Larry,
I recall you commenting about a nest a couple months ago. I am using a mini n will look at your photos on the computer soon. Thanks for sharing and please continue to do so! Thanks, for sharing there story n thanks for permitting them to stay.
There are people who continue to read comments here. Comments are staying on topic and this comment page allows us to continue to document news and events! Thanks again.
Hi Stew,
Thanks for sharing, here in NCC the vultures do visit very early mornings, this time of year. No worries! I have regular visitors in my yard n it’s early. By 9am they are gone. I live only a few minutes from the nest area. Feed vultures on property.
If we think back the last couple weeks the BV were active at the nest, Stevie headed out about 7 am daily. Having juvies n hot days they start early. Please continue to leave comments n sightings here.
Great to see you here again, Fran, and on Forum. I’ve posted a reply on the Black Vulture thread there.
Hi Stew, Hi Carol,
There is a 400-acre Delcastle Park located in Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County. If this is the one you are referring to , Stew, Tri-State (located in New Castle County) would be very close. Do you remember if you saw a yellow tag on either one of the wings of the Black Vulture spotted in your yard? Hoping all is well with the Black Vulture you spotted.
Would someone kindly moderate my comment of July 29 or let us know if we should discontinue use of this page completely. Thank you.
Stew, it does seem unusual that a single Black Vulture would be wandering through your yard that early in the morning. Black Vultures roost together at night and if, for example, a few of them had located a carcass the day before, those particular vultures would emerge early to begin working on it. I’m not sure how early, however.
I am an avid birdwatcher and a follower of this site — not an expert, but I would think the situation you describe as unusual. I hope that someone from Tri-State will read your post and address this issue. If the vulture does return and behaves the same way, perhaps it is injured. I don’t know Delaware or if Tri-State would be the closest bird and wildlife rescue organization for you, but you might give them a call.
If all was well with your visitor, you are fortunate to have seen one so close.
Good Luck.
Sighting @ backyard near Delcastle park. At 6:45am we were surprised to see a black vulture wandering through our yard, didn’t stop long, nonchalantly strolled away to the neighbors yard. Awful storm last night hope it didn’t have an injury.
Carol, I have uploaded the only 2 photos I have taken so far. First was July 5, and the next was July 20. I’m not sure how much room they normally need to exercise and build up their wings. Maybe they can get on the seat if they need more room than floorboard? The first photo is very blurry…I was trying not to disturb them any more than needed and didn’t want to take another one. Second one is clear.
My late father’s official nickname for our place was “Buzzard’s Roost”. Before they bought the land, the locals called it that because there were huge oak and pine trees that always had buzzards roosting in them.
I am glad I looked in there when I was on the tractor a few months ago and saw the eggs. This truck is going to the local scrap yard, but of course not until these little ones leave.
I am sharing a link from my Google account; the album is not shared, but my link should work for you.
https://plus.google.com/photos/117852914746804417978/albums/5904941143295063761?authkey=CMuf3ZH23f_FqwE
Good to get an update, Larry. I’m still amazed by all of this. Yes, Black Vultures are extremely intelligent. We certainly saw it with the family we were privileged to watch here. Do you see the adults flying above your property or do you know where they roost?
Is there enough room in the cab for the chicks to move around and strengthen and exercise their wings and legs? Do you have any way of posting the pictures, for example, on Photobucket.
Not sure if anyone will see this, since the stream is shut down, but I was able to make it back to my mom’s place Saturday 7/20/13 and took another photo of the chicks. Wow, did they grow fast! So, yes, the mom is still feeding. I will leave them alone for awhile now. Will check in on them in a few weeks and see how they look. I was thinking, they are smart…the cab of this truck is a perfect spot for a nest, just off the ground and protected on every side…only way in/out is through the busted back windshield.
Lol Carol,
It was on long enough for me to see a Woodchuck one last time going into the shed.