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.

LIVESTREAM: Red-tailed Hawk Nest at Cornell

Watch live streaming video from cornellhawks at livestream.com

Red-tailed Hawk information from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Clutch Size: 1-5 eggs
- Incubation Period: 28-35 days
- Nestling Period: 42-46 days
- Egg Description: White or buffy, blotched or speckled with buff, brown, or purple.
- Condition at Hatching: Tiny and helpless, unable to raise head, and weighing about 2 ounces.

VIDEO CLIP:

'Big Red' laid her first egg of the 2013 breeding season at 5:40 P.M. EDT on March 14, 2013. The video clip below shows some of the first moments where the egg was visible followed by a visit 20 minutes later by both Big Red and her mate, Ezra.

FOOD

Most Red-tailed Hawk meals include mammals, such as voles, mice, wood rats, rabbits, snowshoe hares, jackrabbits, and ground squirrels. The hawks also eat birds, including pheasants, bobwhite, starlings, and blackbirds; as well as snakes and carrion. Individual prey items can weigh anywhere from less than an ounce to more than 5 pounds. 

Live Camera on a Great Blue Heron Nest

Live Heron Cam:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York

Another Camera: To see the nest from a different angle, Right-click here and select "Open in a New Window".

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! 

Status updates: The herons have returned! 

You will see courtship displays and nest-building activities. The female laid her first egg on March 28. Watch for the next egg, usually laid two to three days after the first one.
Morning of March 31: a second egg appeared.
By April 2: there were three eggs.
On April 3: the female laid her fourth egg.
On April 6: egg number five.
End of April: The eggs have hatched!

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 March 29, 2012 and updated several times.