Live Video of BLVU Nest

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.

Live stream by Ustream

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.

 


Comments

Live Video of BLVU Nest — 1,796 Comments

  1. Fantastic to see them sleep on the green turf in the old nest area, but noticed Tori was moving around and Ren was still for hours. Upon standing there’s a noticeable limp.

  2. At 4:05pm a tiny glimpse of Ren294’s head seen in patio area. There you are, peaking out.

  3. Adult laying on stack with Tori347. Teaching and life lessons in all things these days.

  4. Adult laying on the wall. They don’t fail to amuse and surprise us each and every day.

  5. Beautiful seeing Tori347 in sunshine with adult watching from wall. Concern for Ren294 who is missing from view today.

  6. On 6/17 Faye says 5:26pm 294 on wall and both are doing fly arounds, from stack to wall and then off cam and then back. A very active day.

  7. The chicks have been sleeping in this week, getting active and arriving at the wall 9:30-10:00AM.

  8. Nearly every nook and cranny of the shed are covered with multiple cam views.

    Cam 1 (high) allows pan and tilt to follow them under cam area.
    Noting this cam has no sound, but we are able to listen in on the other cams
    and hear many wonderful feedings, woofs and grunts. Also, the many beautiful birds singing
    nearby.

    Ren is intrigued by someone or something outside.

  9. From the wee hours of 6/15, Tori347 has good lengths of time sleeping upright.
    Ren294 is just out of view, under cam, another favorite spot.

  10. Inching their way out a bit farther every day. Together.

    They still spend a greater part of the day together, although Tori347 has been spending time on the shed roof away from Ren294.

  11. Tori/347 in a beautiful horaltic pose, exposing underside of tag.

    Tori hopped around fast and had startled Ren294, feisty chick lunged at sibling.
    Ren occasionally has had moments of aggression over food. but being startled by sibling triggered a bit of a defensive reaction. Over in an instant, it’s back to perching and hops.

  12. At 73/72 days old, the week ahead fledge time is approaching.

    Fledging from the nest in past seasons were from 76-80 days.

  13. The major part of their days has been the successful bonding with each other.

    The adults preen each other, preen themselves and preen the chicks.
    They beak nuzzle and the bonding is passed on to their chicks.

    The chicks feed off each others energy and continue to mimic and play.

  14. The adults are flying in fast to the wall, hop to stack, then rooftop, wanting them to follow.

    Seeing the life lessons occur is fantastic. The adults will repeat and then wait for them.

  15. When 294 was attempting to make it to rooftop, 347 was already up there with an adult.
    Motivation to keep trying, Ren 294 continues to try.

    Faye had seen both chicks together on stack and flight to rooftop by 347. I missed them and a chance for a photo.

  16. Always feisty, Ren 294 takes a chance to fly up to the roof, first attempt didn’t go so well.

  17. The chicks are getting around a lot and curiosity grows as much as they do now.

    Ren, left 294. Tori, right 347.

  18. Adding from 6/13.

    Beautiful adult wings, teaching life lessons and the chicks continue to learn fast.

  19. Adding from 6/8.

    Beautiful horaltic pose from Ren.
    The adults arrive and spread their wings and the chicks are picking up many details,
    How to appear larger than life, how to cool off and how to have a shower in the rain and someday how to attract a mate.

  20. Adding from 6/8.

    Perching on Remy’s rock is hard work, leg kick and wing stretch reveals underside of tag.

    If you didn’t see it, notice the right foot extended.

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