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.
Yesterday, 4/1 was One Year birth date of first chick last season.
Today, 4/2 is the One Year birth date of second chick last season.
Watched the videos and stared at the photos. I have gotten a couple images of brooding parent from last season and comparing images with this year. Once I get a good comparison, will share them. Seems at least one of the two parents from last seasin I may have matched as currently incubating. The second, hmmm, not yet.
Glad the BV find shelter in this shed. Which reminds me how fortunate these birds are to be able to provide such a safe haven for their young.
Big THANKS to the landowners who allow this to be and not encourage them to leave. They stay because they feel secure and the BV aren’t afraid of humans as the TV are far more shy of humans.
It is my dream to someday be a provider, to have enough land that I can do the same. I would hand the vultures our fine shed, in a minute, but occasional feedings is all I can do here, at best.
Good morning, 4/2 Tuesday 7:17 a.m.
Temps are 15 degrees colder than yesterday this time. Gusty winds and the wind chill temp is lower twenties right now at nest area.
At about 7:18 am adult peaks out from under wing. With this new view we have maybe today will be the day both parents will share a visit at the nest. This time next week we will be getting ready for egg watch?
By then hopefully the temps will be more seasonal. Haven’t noticed weather effecting them at all. But it will be another gusty day.
The last week, the amount of bv/tv I’ve seen soaring the thermals has dropped off tremendously. On a Sunday drive we would see upwards of 200 vulture on a two hour drive up the NJ Turnpike or downstate DE to the parks. Last week, I counted 17. No kettles of vultures at all. I had seen a few flying in moderate rain. Odd that as windy and rainy as it was, they were hunting.
Appears Quiet at nest, 7:50 pm 4/1 Eggs were moved again today, far right.Parent stayed tucked in tight and not sure which one is on the nest, BV seemed to have a glossy back, but not sure, if it is the male or the new camera, will keep watch and see.
4:26 p.m. Weather has changed quite a bit. Gusty winds and mostly cloudy. Will be quite cooler tonight. Warmer weather seems the BVs fluff and puff out feathers more and more. Tonight in the 30’s, and blustery adult may hunker down. WIll take note.
Sound is Off. Got quiet in here, lol. Just after 2 p.m. Monday 4/1
Nest area today, mostly sunny, warm and very breezy. 63 degrees currently. 4/1
Hi Carol,
Yes, hissing and adult left nest area, but there were people talking, a large truck and possibly maintenance on cam all being done. Cam view gets a little shaky and loud sounds probably from mic.
So nice to have clear view and sound, I know it will get better…
Maybe the eggs being moved is going to be a normal event.
Going to stay busy and listen for vulture sounds! later…
Eggs were rolled and moved by adult, back to the far right. Missed the move but it was around 12:30 p.m. Monday 4/1
Thanks for updates on earlier activity, all. Having Ustream issues. Wonder what the hissing was all about. Hissing is a hostile response. Were there people sounds outside at some point?
*Although posting still creates loud pop and boots me out and cuts sound, hope this helps.
11:30 a.m. the loud pop and crackles have stopped.
Cam is rocking. So you are working on it. Thanks!
Thank you Greg! Heard hissing BV leaving.
10:37am,adult back on the eggs.
10:36 a.m. Parent is back on eggs. Missed the arrival, voices outside and all seems well in the nest.
10:30 a.m. cam is wiggling, must be that help has arrived.
9:56 a.m. heard adult Hiss! Came to see adult/P left the nest area. Truck sounds outside, is it my computer or are there loud pops n crackles? I can’t keep sound up too loud. But awaiting return.
About 10:00am adult sitting on eggs took flight. Usually when this happens the other adult took over incubating but it’s not around at the moment. ?? It is a warm day, temp outsideis 52 degrees.
Hi Carol,
You were correct, what a view and sound to boot.
Bob,
Thanks many times over, it is amazing to be apart of all this. Will be interesting to hear if BV grunt and hiss like the turkey vultures.
Also, realize that I can be more descriptive about the birds. Since mentioning the lovely bird sounds, it is the songbirds I spoke of. The guttural, hissing sounds of the vultures, the songbirds and the cawing crows for examples, I will be more descriptive going forward.
good morning, lovely bird sounds, P rolled eggs at 6:52 a.m. 4/1.
Looking in at 6:30 A.M., it appears from position of incubating parent that eggs have been moved from behind post. According to Bob, this happened last year as well. Such a sharp image. Just wonderful.
Thanks to all of you again, Bob, for making this possible for us. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for avid birders, especially those who have become fascinated by Black Vultures.
Thanks to help from many people, we now have three cameras in the Vulture Shed, two at the front and one at the rear, all recording black vulture activity 24/7. Two cameras have pan/tilt capability and provide audio as well as excellent illumination during the night. A third, older camera lacks audio but has zoom capability that enables us to take a close look at the vultures.
Our computer is capable of streaming live video from only one of these three cameras at a time. We try to provide good viewing to all who help us with their observations in our effort to better understand these wonderful birds by switching to the camera displaying the most interesting behavior at any given time. Sometimes, when we are getting close-ups, we will not be providing audio because of the limitations of our cameras. As it happens, black vultures do not vocalize often anyway. If they “say” something interesting, we will post a clip of the video.
Thanks to all of you for your help and support.
Thanks to Lynn and Carol for all these perceptive observations. They will be very helpful when we pull all this together.