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.
Beautiful to see … Fayeee saw chick half out then seeing chick at 9:26pm, April 11th.
Fran added chick was completely out at 9:22pm.
Introducing new chick! First hatch of 2016 season, upright and looking strong.
Put on a happy face, egg shell facing cam.
Put on a happy face… Empty shell pointing towards cam…
At 9:26pm Fayeee saw the chick! I’m adding the photo indicating an empty shell.
In my absence over the last two weeks, Collected some photos, behaviors and info gathered while I was away. It will run out of sequence from today’s hatch, but should be recorded.
Congrats on a chick!!!
Saw chick moving, very exciting.
Note: within minutes images may be out of sequence.
First sighting at 1:44am. I noted the time but Internet n cam stuck leaving some images without date and time stamp.
Encouraging her chick…
Exciting news!
She’s fluffing and preening every few minutes. Saw both eggs partially and no visible pip.
There’s a large hole in shell!!! At 1:44am
Fantastic and I now have Internet.
Pip in first egg laid (the darker, smaller, less elongated egg) was first seen by featherlady about 7:15 PM 4/10/16, 39 days after it was laid. Pip seen again around 9:15 PM. Hatching has begun! Based upon experience in 2012 and 2013, hatching may take from 30 to 44 hours.
Had a good look at the eggs at 8:47 AM EDT USA 4/10/16 and saw no sign of hatching.
Preparing for hatching sequence. In 2012, it took 44 hours for the two chicks to hatch. In 2013, it took 30+ hours, and only one chick survived the strenuous process. April 10th is the 39th day from the appearance of the first egg, the elapsed time between laying the first egg and the beginning of hatching in both 2012 and 2013. Based upon this, hatching could begin tonight or tomorrow. Staying tuned.
Not gone long at all. First egg, appears as more elongated and lighter in color. Second egg is the darker of the two.
Two wonder filled eggs. Approaching hatch watch. Looking simply fantastic.
That being said, curiosity gets the best of him…
Handsome male vulture. He usually has a look of curiosity. But, he remains with the eggs steadfast as ever.
Excellent close up view, thanks Bob.
Handsome vulture.
Good times.
At 8:47-am Sunday cam off air.
One photo from Apr1. Shows adults tail atop the sink. Both adults have been walking around the shed, back to the rear hallway area a couple times recently.
At 7:52:48am both adults were at the nest. Beak nuzzling, walking around and one flew atop the sink. Photos aren’t up to par. (Stuck screen for me.) No kidding.
As banner ran along screen, it covered the date and time, which was 3/31/2016 at 10:00A.M.