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.
Tagged vultures were at a roadkill. Warning! Smile alert…Take a close look…
All three young males of 2013 nesting season. Stevie, Ethyl and Thiol.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stevie#26. Belated as it now is, was thinking of them all from many miles away. Missed nearly 8 days.
Nothing has moved or changed much inside the shed while I was gone.
Still wonder if the juveniles/sub adults will visit the shed. For documentation purposes, so far it hasn’t happened yet.
Safe to say, at this point, that the (juvies) do not return to their nest spot. Unless we eventually get a tagged visitor!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stevie#26. Belated as it now is, was thinking of them all from many miles away. Missed nearly 8 days.
Nothing has moved or changed much inside the shed while I was gone.
Still wonder if the juveniles/sub adults will visit the shed. For documentation purposes, so far it hasn’t happened yet.
Safe to say, at this point, that the juvies do not return to their nest spot. Unless we eventually get a tagged visitor!
Carol, with 4 cameras going and nothing triggering them at that time, I must have seen a ghost again. Lol. There are plenty of mice for a Barn Owl though.
Fran, am I waiting for that Barn Owl for nothing. I so wanted it to be a Barn Owl, i.e. if we can’t have BVs. Saw Bob’s comment.
Was anyone watching around 10:08pm last night? I posted to the Forum what I may have seen. Is it possible to review tape a little before 10pm and after?
Hi Lynn,
I know the Woodchuck is huge. I think it is Mama Woodchuck. The day we saw it, it came from the outside stone wall and went back down the alley by the sink.
Fran,
Was it running from the rear hallway and alley, exited out the wall entrance area? It is huge.
I posted a picture of the Woodchuck to the Forum ,that visited today, for anyone that may want to view it.
A cat at 1:05am this morning entered the shed. It went down the alley by the sink. Returned at 1:06am and exited the area. It appeared to know exactly where it was going. No stopping or standing by the sink. At 2:04pm today, the famous “Woodchuck” made it’s appearance into the shed. Traveled down the alley by the sink, after brushing up against the wooden pole, out of view.
Luck O the Irish, cams are back as of March 17th. THANKS to all who worked so hard to get cams Live again.
A lot of effort was made to get cams on air again, late nights and weekends spent getting cams Live. Seems plan B worked great. The wireless just wouldn’t cooperate.
Four cameras are installed and working now. The NEW cam has
a view of the inside of the sink, where Stevie presumably went on holiday from view last year. This is the Center Hall cam.
Three feathers and corn cob are still visible in nest area. No new ornamentals have been added since back on air. Nothing is moved.
Keeping watch.
Looking forward to the vulture nest cam this year. Discovered it last year after nesting season was over, so I’m happy to be here again. Vultures are awesome creations of Mother Nature.
Hi again everyone,
BV cams are in the works! Adult male #17 and an untagged (possibly the untagged female) were seen visiting the shed recently.
Thanks so much Tri-State, Bob, Greg, NY Mike for making it possible for us to continue to follow this BV family. High hopes for another fantastic season in 2014. Which hopefully begins soon.
Hi everyone,
Black vultures and turkey vultures in DE’s northern area have begun pairing off. Twice in this last week, I have seen the regular vultures in my area and they were without the juvies. The males appear to have begun courting and giving suggestions by fluffing and almost strutting near the females. In flight, its so beautiful to watch them fly together, bonding and preparing for whats ahead!
I have been fortunate to have 6 fairly regular visitors who enjoy sunning on our shed roof. The BV and TV each had one juvenile. Fascinating to see the four adults now and thinking, its about that time.
Last I’ve heard, the tagees seem to have stayed very close to home.
Seems they have there own areas they frequent, hopefully that means food is plentiful so why leave the area.
Weather isn’t great, may attempt a ride to try to see if the BV family are in the nest area. Always searching for those yellow tags.
A heartfelt thanks to all of those who make it possible. Wishes n high hopes for a repeat fledging this season too, with eyes glued to the cam, waiting for Live action.
Hi everyone,
Ten vultures, all BV, in our yard, not one tagged. awww.
Enjoying turkey carcass, beef and raw eggs. The juvies are speckles with droppings head to toe. But they are feasting and drinking water.
Aggressive in groups I’ve noticed.
The three regular BV who visit have had food aggression, the female mantles and dominates all the food. They seem to be very hungry.
Still keeping watch for our taggees.
Hi everyone,
Very exciting news, Stevie n untagged adult were spotted on a rooftop yesterday. It’s very cold n windy here, so maybe they will be closer to the ground. I do see 5 crows outside my window and flying is very difficult.
Stevie, is seven months old now. If untagged is female/parent, then she too stays near the nest area. A good sign. Adults will still feed juvies so I feel he was likely with his female parent.
It is great to have them tagged, now we know he/they are still in North Delaware. About three months until nest season begins.
Hi all, Larry,
Thanks again! Seems that they are well n good, the juvies don’t gain a lot of height in flight for some time, but we’ve seen how fast they can run and they can fly some distances just about the top of the tree lines, enough to get away.
The fact that you let them be and allowed them to run their paths is awesome.
Larry, thank you so much for sharing your amazing story with us and caring so much about the BV family you had the privilege to observe.
What a fantastic experience for you.
The 11-12 week period from hatching to fledging is right within the normal range. Stevie fledged at approximately 82 days. Since we don’t know the hatch dates of his “foster siblings,” we can’t know with absolute certainty the number of days to fledging. It is believed that they were about two weeks older than Stevie and so their slightly earlier fledge dates would be right in line.
Now you can have that remarkable “nest” hauled away. Please let us know if you do get to see the two juveniles. Generally, they will stay with their parents for several months, until the next mating season. Even when they are fully capable of locating their own food, it’s much easier to have Mom and Dad provide some of it.
Again, I really appreciate your keeping us informed of those important stages in the development of the chicks. I know that your parents want to get rid of the truck, but it would be interesting to know if the BV parents would return to it next year.
Keep in touch by letting us know of any sightings. Take care.
Meant to add, if my rough calculations are correct, then last weekend would have put them at 11-12 weeks since hatching, which based on past comments here, seems reasonable that they would have fledged and are now gone for good from the nest.
Thanks for everyone’s comments, input and suggestions here. It was a neat thing to see the process from the parent(s) on the nest/eggs to the youngsters to now young adults.
As of this past Saturday, there were no BV youngsters in the truck. Two weeks prior, there was one outside the truck on a low limb. This weekend, I did not do a thorough inspection of surrounding trees to see if they were hiding somewhere, or if they had flown off; I always hoped not to disturb them much if they were still around. There is a shed close by, and they were not on the ground in there. I did not see any signs of feathers or other bad things that said they had been attacked in any way. They seemed large enough that no fox or other small predator would have tried their luck. So, I’m hopeful they are part of the local BV community now and will be helping themselves to the never ending supply of road kill.
* As I reread my comments, from time to time, I mistake here and “their” and don’t always catch it. My texting is worse. I read my comment before clicking send and didn’t see anything misspelled or out of the ordinary, but in an imperfect world. Anyways…
At least 5 more months for the much anticipated return of the BV adults. Time is flying.
Sept 7th, 2013 was International Vulture Awareness Day.
I had only got the “memo” last evening from hoot.
Having a house filled with family, the significance of the day passed me by. Usually, I begin reminding folk a week ahead of time!
Hoot asked me if I kissed a vulture.
Well, after family left, we drove downstate to enjoy the lovely uncloudy day. Fantastic for photographing the wildlife.
As we drove down a marshy road, we came upon two TV feeding on a roadkill snake. It was quite large. Normally, I would keep such a gift for the locals who frequent our area. Since two tv were feeding I did remove the snake from the road and drop it safely along the water, away from the road. The TV;s circled low and planned their return. My response to hoot was, yes hoot, I kissed two vultures.
We did not have the opportunity to visit the nest area and search for the BV. My family were very interested, but they enjoyed the stories and photos from our BV experience here.
Larry,
Thank you for the update. Stevie used to run to the dark corner to hide the few short times he was alone.
I imagine the chicks will hop around outside the truck in time and if you happen to see them in a horaltic pose on the truck, I’m just saying, they can use the vehicle to warm themselves. I would love to see that photo. Good luck.
How wonderful to read they appear to be growing up well.
After seeing the BV juvies flying around the area (Your BVs) may not get good height for some time and they will stay in the trees and/or low lying hiding spots.
I wonder if the adults lost earlier eggs and laid a second time? It is late in the season, but what a wonderful unfolding of events, keep us posted! Good luck and thank you for caring and sharing. I like to say it is always a gift to see them and be near them. Looking forward to your new news.
Larry, good to hear from you again and to have an update on your BV youngsters.
It sounds as if there is no cause for alarm, but the few of us who leave comments on this page, unless otherwise identified, are not qualified in the rescue or rehabilitation of Vultures. We can only offer the most basic advice about your special situation or about BV behavior in general. I had hoped that a Tri-State professional might offer some insights here, but this is probably not the place for them to do so for various reasons.
If at any time you feel that your BV youngsters are in stress or if you feel there is something just not quite right, it would be best if you contacted a local federally licensed wildlife rescue organization for an expert opinion.
I am posting below a link provided by the Turkey Vulture Society (main link at right above) to a list of such organizations throughout the country, should you feel you might need it. This should help you find one in your area.
Wishing you the best of luck and hoping that you will continue to keep us updated. It’s always wonderful to learn of people like you who care about the creatures we are lucky enough to share our world with.
http://vulturesociety.homestead.com/Injured.html