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.
2nd of three, in this group.
Handsome close up. Thanks to Bob for panning and zooming. Great lighting for some nice images.
A wonderful sight. Morning stretch and then check on the eggs.
Beautiful lighting and tender care of those eggs. From 3/10/2016. Again, just too beautiful to not share it.
Beautiful lighting on adult, from 3/11. Excellent viewing.
Shift change this morning about 7:07am.
Creatures of habit, the adults have shift changes and/or at the minimum a morning greeting around this time, overthe last several days.
Best of all, they remained in the nest area together as he relieved her of duties. Most times more than not, he follows her out briefly and returns. Leaving the eggs for a short time.
Fayeee’s observation that the males legs appear bright white helps so much to ID them (when standing/upright.). Also individually, it’s a good indicator, while adult is standing.
This difference between the two was observed after egg was laid. Female has darker colored legs. Also, When they are together, she is visibly larger.
Another fantastic day for the BLVU. Temps about 25° cooler today high’s mid 60’s. Wed/Thurs was record temps into the 80’s.
While commenting, I missed the live action. Both were in the shed at 6:38a.m. As I refreshed there is one adult in view. A good start to their day.
Currently, 56° in the nest area. Heading up to 66°. The last two days had record highs in the 80’s.
We are so fortunate that Bob and DE Mike have the 4th cam running since the eggs are so far left still.
Photos don’t show much changes. These days on the eggs, not a lot happens that we can see. An occasional shift change and egg rolls are the excitement and that is the best news there is.
Another fantastic day for the BVs. Resting well and occasionally doing a stretch n check the eggs.
Blinking a lot, looking around this morning.
A quiet evening, taking a good stretch and a peak.
Beautiful, sharp view. DE Mike has cam #4 working as of this morning. It’s low and sharp without zoom.
Two eggs! Adult returned just after this captured image.
Then, she stands after her second egg arrives!
Female in sitting position.
As the color cam is activated, here is the male with egg, after a shift change. Although, looking at this image in particular the adult on the right appears larger, the female did move left.
Suspect a food drop and shift change. Twice now I’ve seen them heads down together and I thought perhaps they were eating. From the many times I’ve observed vultures they will peck at every scrap no matter how tiny. I haven’t seen these two have a beak to beak food drop yet. Repeating, that the male seems he has a lot to learn. He gently nudged her and settled himself on the egg. In this photo, female is still on the egg, to the left.
Bob asked an interesting question regarding the amount of time each spends on the egg. She seems to be sharing duties more than in the beginning.
She’s preening and gets me to wondering if she will have another egg. I like the IR light reflection from her eye.
Last comment for this evening is Big.
A kind woman in Middletown, DE reported seeing a tagged vulture with a #26. Yes, it’s Stevie, Stephen Colbert. Tagged in 2013 is alive and well.
I am somewhat familiar with this area and will try to locate him on Sunday and hope to get photos.
Dear Miss/madam, we are grateful for your news and many thanks.
A very active day for both adults. The egg had some solo time but surely they weren’t far away. A quiet calm evening.
Sharing duties. The male takes every opportunity to set on the egg. Good practice.
Pretty speckled egg.
Nice stretch and egg roll this morning.
A very well protected nest on a snowy morning.