LIVESTREAM: Great Blue Heron Nest at Cornell

Cornell U. Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York

Camera #2: To see the nest from a different angle as well as other heron activities around the pond, Click here.

HINTS: Keep BOTH cameras displayed on your screen at the same time. A human will sometimes pan the second camera over the pond to see what the other heron is doing, such as fishing, nest repair or hanging out nearby.
Also, turn up the Sound Volume on your computer. There's a party going on in the background! 

Status updates: The male heron returned to Cornell's Sapsucker Woods on April 4, 2013. Cornell ornithologists identify him by his missing his right halux (the rear facing toe on his right foot). Stay tuned. When the female arrives, you will see courtship displays, nest-building activities and egg laying. 
- April  8, evening: The female arrives and the courtship begins [Video].
- April 14, 13:48 EDT - First egg of 2013! 
- April 16, 16:43 EDT - Second egg laid.
- April 18, 22:38 EDT - Egg #3 arrived.
- April 20, 20:20 EDT -  Egg #4 laid.  

- April 23, 01:23 EDT -  Fifth Egg arrived. 
- May 15, 14:05 EDT  -  First egg Hatched! Watch for more.
- May 17,  morning    -  Second egg hatched! 3 to go.
- May 19,  late night   -  Third egg hatched! 2 eggs remain.
- July 10, 12:22 EDT   -  First young heron left the nest - 56 days old

Herons usually lay 2-6 eggs and share incubation duties for 25-30 days. Incubation begins with the first egg, and the young hatch asynchronously (not at the same time) over 2-5 days. After hatching, it'll take 7-8 weeks before they fly from the nest for the first time.

Live streaming video is from cornellherons at livestream.com

Originally posted here on April 8, 2013 and will be updated later with other activities.