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.
Continued,… From 6/4/2016.
Running perhaps from a visiting groundhog.
Canadianhoot aka hoot saw the groundhog walk by.
Adding from 6/4/2016.
Curious adventurers. I remember smiling thinking
“Are you gonna try it?”
Today, June 20th, 2016.
A spectacular tagging event occurred today!
Remy is ten weeks old, 70 days old today. Sara is 69 days old today and both were tagged at Tri-State.
A careful and precise planning by Erica, folks had entrances and exits blocked and within minutes both chicks were in hand and enroute to Tri-State.
Aimeee did a belly crawl in a tight confined area to gently get them out.
Brie walked out of the shed triumphantly with chick in hand.
It was not planned to even attempt to capture either adult.
Chicks were tagged and examined.
So much to update and I will add info and photos in close to date order as can be.
Adding from 6/4/2016.
I missed a great photo for sure.
6:42am Fayeee saw adult and one chick on the wall.
No feeding at that time.
6:50am Parent leaves chicks in patio. (pallet near wall area)
6:55am One chick on pallet, one on wall.
7:33am Remy on wall, Sara on floor.
Continued,…
Takes one more look out before heading in.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Adult (male) perches on the wall before heading in for the evening.
Fayeee notes that the adult male most often uses the wall entrance and the adult female
Most often flies in from the rear hallway area, she enters the nest area from the left sink.
Another behavioral note to add:
Both chicks peck and root in the dirt, using the beaks.
Using a side to side motion pushing around the dirt.
Remy started and a couple days later Sara began to copy.
I expected they would lay down in the fresh dirt, but they didn’t.
Unsure what to think, is it youthful play vs. creating a cool area for a dirt bath. But after noting they didn’t do a roll around, going to assume it may just be playful behavior.
These two chicks get along well, social creatures, they play, mimic and I imagine they even learn from watching each other. But, Remy, the older chick has always had the lead.
The adults don’t appear to show any favoritism this season, unlike the adult male tagged #17 and his Stevie, tagged #26. These two sought out each others company and often spent nights side by side, even after the fosters arrived.
In 2016, Remy takes charge and has always had the front and center spot of the adult’s chest. It isn’t a bonding situation as we’ve seen in the past.
Both adults are steadfast and have always gone above and beyond for their chicks, beautiful to see it. In all observances though, no one chick is given more attention by adults, it’s more that chick Remy takes the spot.
Adding from 6/03 continued,…
Usually, what happens is Remy gets pushy, the adults move away as does Sara.
Often Sara stays far enough away and approaches with caution.
Sara gets fed wonderfully, sometimes the chicks still feed together, but it’s mainly when Remy allows it.
Remy, older. Sara, younger.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Fascinating discovery.
Adult (female) returned several times to give her chicks water.
She would get a drink, return to the shed and give it to the chicks.
Amazing to watch, then the energy changed when (Remy) wanted food.
The two chicks had a bit of a clash.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Sara feels confident hopping into the yard, at this point this is as far
as it goes.
Remy disappears into the upper left corner, where the tires are located.
Also hops to the wall. They get happy energy, then hop and jump all around, at this moment Remy is more than likely behind the tires or jumping around.
They get bursts where they run, hop and flap inside to outside and back.
This was a rainy morning. Neither Remy or Sara were interested in getting wet feathers! They stayed inside a lot more.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Sara facing cam, they had a spectacular morning.
Sara had a dirt bath and Remy was using the beak to push around dirt.
Not usual behaviors. Cute to watch them.
Also, look at the slats of the pallet and the size of Sara’s feet.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Remy and Sara are quite comical at times. They mimic and learn from the adults and each other. One flaps and most times the other flaps also.
They hop, jump and get around really well at this point.
Remy hopes atop the wall and Sara goes into the yard. They both began
inching their way out to the tires and even disappear behind them, so they have started exploring more every day.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Sara standing in a fav spot of theirs, Remy flapping on the pallet.
Today, Remy is 9 weeks old and Sara is 62 days old.
Filling in here while cam is still off air, knocked out by a storm.
Speaking of the storms, its been very windy and this causes nests to
be blown away, leaving baby birds grounded and alone. whether you live in our area or around the country, around the world, this time of year the bird rescues may be in need of donations, such as toilet paper and empty plastic containers to use for substitute nests.
After reading Erik’s spotting of Stevie, it reminds me that there are many folk out there willing and happy to help.
Huge thanks to those who get involved, to the volunteers and medical staff whose work doesn’t stop for weekends and holidays.
Adding Wonderful news. Thank You Erik!
Adding fantastic news I only discovered this week. Stevie was seen on a RK deer and photographed.
A photo with GPS and info about him was added by Erik in the tagged vultures area.
We took a drive recently and found the spot of the RK deer, no blvu, no high fliers at all in the area. The carcass is long gone by now.
I am thrilled as we all will be to know Stevie is alive and well.
Adding from 2013. Left to right, Thiol, left wing tag #30, Stevie, left wing tag #26 and Ethyl, right wing tag #267.
Stephen Colbert aka Stevie aka #26, hatched 4/11/2013, which happens to be the same date that Remy hatched in 2016, they share a birthday!
Cam has been off air and high hopes it will be fixed soon. I have had computer hiccups and couldn’t even access the swifts or forum pages. I have lots to add and will continue to do so.
Meanwhile, will add old and most recent events as close in order as possible, but there will be the occasional must not miss that will be out of order.
Adding from 2015, a story with a happy ending, from Tri-State.
Adding from 6/03/2016.
Chicks waking. Sara on left, Remy on right.
From 6/03/2016.
Chicks sleep upright for longer lengths of time, they had heads tucked underwing, growing up fast.
From 6/03/2016 photo included.
From 6/03/2016.
Chicks sleeping on the carpet. Adult left early.