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 was feisty. Sara was cautious.
Adult arrives for feeding and Remy thumped Sara and adult.
Sara ran to the corner and Remy actually cornered the adult.
Both chicks got fed, but Sara waited.
Highly excited Remy hopped twice and was clear across the cam view.
Today! Current up to today’s Live action! At 12:16pm both chicks walk into cam view, first time today.
From 5/23pm.
As roost time approached, female entered and stayed.
For an unknown reason or condition, she stayed elsewhere for two nights.
Remy and Sara’s sleep is more restless now. Feathers coming in, growing pains.
They flap and kick the legs when female is there and not.
They stand, stretch and settle again and again.
From 5/23 wee hours of the morning, no adult. Female arrived but didn’t stay with the chicks, for second night!
From 5/22/2016.
As roosting time approaches, the female returns.
From 5/22/2016.
Bellies down, legs stretched out, life is good.
Fayeee got a brief glimpse of an adult about 12:30pm.
Sara on left, Remy on right.
Just kidding. Have no idea, but they are too cute, for sure.
Adding from 5/22/2016, early morning, no adult.
Remy and Sara spent their first night sleeping without a parent.
Adding from 5/21/2016.
Got a glimpse of tan down in Stevie’s nest bowl area at 10:39am, then was away all day without phone service!
After arriving home and logged in, saw both chicks huddled in the upper left without the female.
Remy and Sara spent the night without an adult.
Adding from 5/20/2016.
What a day they had. Female arrived
at roosting time and fed her chicks.
They rest well at times, but more frequently they jump and twitch, growing pains.
Adding from 5/20/2016 same time frame, although this photo is actually prior to the cute close up, it shows the adult teaching them about the patio wall.
Curious chicks, seems all three were interested in something in the distance.
Adding from 5/20.2016.
Here is where the hours of work setting up cams pays off in a big way.
The chicks discovered the pallet.
Also, adult/s have begun to fly to the wall and seemingly showed them
that hopping up to the wall is good.
Another fantastic day they had, from 5/20/2016. 3 of 3 from this time frame.
Sara in sunbeam, Remy and suspect male adult at feeding. 2 of 3.
Early morning photos from 5/20/2016.. 1 of 3.
Adding from 5/20/2016
Sunbeams coming in, all four were together this morning.
Have a gap in my photos, need to grab the iPad and iPhone and take it from there…
There are so many more photos to add, with comments on behaviors, patterns and just simply beautiful moments. I will also get to work on the Raptor X Forum, hopefully soon.
Enjoy!!!
Remy and Sara have begun putting a little space between them occasionally.
Closer look, this is Remy. Preening with wing down, relaxed.
One of those moments in time that can stop a person in their track and
get a sense of wonder about them.
Curiosity, teaches this is good.
Looking for mimicking but it didn’t happen.
But, the life lesson is tucked away for another day.
Brief dirt bath as it was, his movements got the attention of the curious chicks who came to greet him.
Adult male had a glorious dirt bath, rubbing and flapping wings.
Adult male searching for his chicks. They have been visiting the nooks and crannies of the shed.
Adding from 5/19/2016.
Fayeee commented at 10:00am that both adults were in the shed and each were feeding a chick.
Only caught them minutes later, but got a fantastic close up look at Remy in sunlight.
Adding from 5/18/2016, early morning, same time frame.
Female, with Sara. Remy on the green carpet.
Noting their size comparisons here.
Chicks are catching up size wise.
Beautiful day this turned out to be, this will possibly finish 5/18/2016 photos and comments. Unless something is uncovered from iPad or iPhone.
Watching them from season’s beginning, find my self using words like “beautiful, amazing, stunning, too cute” then there are also “suspect, maybe and oops…”