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.
Not a lot of visible activity is wonderful. Rest as the eggs develop is good.
Early evening settling in.
Three of three in this sequence.
Two of three.
One of three photos I’m adding that shows daytime color. Excellent!
I believe Bob said April 12th but if that needs adjusted or confirmed, it will be noted here.
Beautiful, quiet rest.
Hello,
April 12th is predicted hatch date!
When are the black vulture eggs due to hatch?
He stood to take a look.
Nice close look at the male.
Male shift changed early AM.
On 3/18 early A.M. Fayeee says that 7:23AM Male enters nest for morning visit but only stayed less than one minute. Then at 7:24A.M. she follows him out.
At 7:25A.M. Male returns and at 7:27AM Male sits on the eggs at 7:27A.M.
Female spends the night.
From the early evening of 3/17
Fayeee saw the male leave twice and return from 3:51PM to about 5PM. The female returned for the night.
From 3/17 at 12:40am Beautiful wing stretch.
She stood as seen in earlier photo, but after that I didn’t catch her upright or stretching.
Early evening on 3/15, images were dark but based on the sequence, she spent the night.
At 4:24pm on 3/15
Incoming female, beautiful.
Noontime on 3/15
The male really seems to enjoy his stretches. As some folk, myself included, suspected from the beginning, he is possibly a younger inexperienced male and has learned quickly. However, nesting on the ground takes some getting used to. Nice!
Evening of the 14th. (Female) night shift.
Nice lighting. Many ornementals near the nest. Toys for chicks. High hopes.
Tweaked color to get a nice view of the eggs.
He is amusing to watch. He stretches and moves the eggs so carefully. A quiet uneventful day for the BV’s. These days they are generating a good amount of energy now. That means warmth for the eggs and plenty of thermoregulation happening.
Egg roll and stretching. What a wing span. Look close for the whites of his glowing eye. Eggs are visible.
3rd of three. From the right front facial close ups from today.