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.
Remy and Sara have light spots on their beaks, like the male.
He is on his haunches, not the nervous parent he used to be.
Note: color adjust exposure.
test
Plenty of food to go around, feedings still continue nearly hourly.
Once I noticed neither were interested in food, excellent.
(note: Check photo for size adjustment)
Nice view of shell remnants – the original packaging.
Mom distracted for a moment before feeding.
Lovely dual portrait.
Another nice feeding. Beautiful. Although this photo is following the feeding, they are filled and looking very curious already.
Beautiful. Feedings. 6:01AM, 7:30AM and 9:35AM
Feeding first noted by Fayeee at 6:01AM. This feeding noted at 7:30AM.
Early morning, frost advisory and chilly temps, gave way to an uncloudy morning with brilliant sunshine.
Noting the egg shells along with a beautiful view of the female.
Panning for evidence of egg shells.
Noticed the egg shells were gone from view, Bob panned to locate them so we can note if they were moved and/or gone.
The shell pieces were located just outside of the nest area, so they were moved not consumed. Vultures do not eat bones or egg shells which would be a great source of calcium, which nature obviously takes care of their needs in other ways.
Interesting that.
Cute photo of Stevie.
I noticed the two seem to try to get food from each other. Awkward learning stage. Hold on and don’t let go doesn’t always work!
They do huddle and cuddle nicely.
Lastly, at 4:48 pm yesterday, here they are cuddling.
Here is a picture taken right after the beak wrestling from yesterday.
I want to share this picture from yesterday. The time stamped on the video feed runs 2 mins. behind my computer time, so just to keep that in mind. Time stamp was 4:32 pm, April 13. I had just tuned in and viewed where adult had been feeding. When the adult stepped back I saw what I call, beak wrestling, among the 2 chicks. Sara, chick #2, is less than 24 hours old. At first I thought their beaks were some how inter-locked. Both little heads were thrashing back and forth but getting no where so to speak. This went on for several seconds but felt longer because I was holding my breath watching it. After looking at the screen shot several times, I believe little Sara’s, chick #2, beak was clamped down on Remy’s beak and maybe Sara did not realize how to let go right away thinking that it was food because it occurred during a feeding. They finally broke a part much to my relief.
Happy Belated Birthday,Stevie. I always look for a tag when the Black Vultures come for a visit in the yard.
Happy belated birthday Stephen Colbert!!!
As I added photos from yesterday’s date it occurred to me, Stevie is 3 years old as of yesterday.
HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY STEVIE…
He was spotted in Middletown DE on 3/3/2016 and I tried to find him, many are glad to learn he is doing well.
Since starting to post these photos, there was another feeding this morning, a brief one.
Female returns after a few minutes. A fantastic morning for the BLVU family.
Remy (right) and Sara (left) 3 of 3.
Strong and upright, they bond and comfort each other and then there’s keeping each other warm.
Remy and Sara, photo 2 of 3.
A sequence of photos of Remy and Sara. 1 of 3.
A cool morning, but bright sunshine and uncloudy day makes for a warmer afternoon today. As the family are all being fed.
Cam went off air first time I noticed was 4/14/2016 at 1AM
No updates until about 10:30am.
When cam came back on Live, within minutes the male arrived and delivered a wonderful food drop to the female.