I meant to say the “nest” camera…🙂

The Boulder County Live Osprey camera showed the female laid her first egg at 6:32 this morning. So birds are busy starting their families.

We have had some exciting action on the nest camera today. At least two pairs of cranes are hanging out in the area. The first pair, Rocky and Adrian (we think) engaged in nest- buiding behaviors between 13:22 and 13:57 today. They chose a location very close to where they nested last year. The cattails in that area are quite high this year, so it was difficult to see them except when they stuck up their heads above the cattails. The second pair, Eric and Aerial (we think) have been roosting at night just beyond the culvert near where they nested last year and have been feeding during the day in adjacent fields. From 14:32 to 14:47 today, both pairs were seen on camera “fighting” over the territory. We were able to see some exciting territorial displays between the two pairs- the “ruffle threat” in which one crane shakes her tail feathers at the other pair; and the “crouch threat” in which the crane lowers briefly to a sitting position, sleeks the neck feathers, and partially spreads drooping wings as they touch the ground.This is a rare high intensity aggressive display, usually by a female. We also saw and heard multiple unison calling between the two pairs.

Around 10:35 this morning (Sat. 4/19), a pair of cranes (Rocky & Adrian? Eric and Aeriel?) showed up in one of our Crops For Cranes fields, near the wetland where the nest camera cranes have placed their nest for the last 4 years. The pair foraged for a good 10 minutes in the field, which had recently been planted in wheat. Through their Crops for Cranes program, CCCC works with willing landowners to grow crops for the benefit of cranes. In the fall, cranes rely on waste grain crops to fuel their migration south. In the spring, the cranes take advantage of the grain seeds to prepare for nesting and egg laying.

Starting at 11:53 a.m. today (4/19) and for the next hour, two pairs of cranes engaged in a territorial dispute in the field north of the wetlands. Cranes are VERY territorial when they are getting ready to nest. On camera, we saw many threat displays between the two pairs, lots of unison calling, and much stalking back and forth. After an hour, the two pairs finally went their separate ways. One or both pairs should start nesting nearby shortly.

The cranes continue to move around their territory. Yesterday (4/19), the weather was blustery, and the cranes remained fairly elusive. This morning, they put on a lovely dance display around 8 a.m. Will today be the day they start nesting?

I have not been able to see a crane respectively the cranes this morning but I truly enjoy the sounds of nature waking up!

Yesterday (4/22), the pair of cranes that started to nest were visible on camera primarily when changing places on the nest. They have selected an area with very tall cattails— good for their protection, but not so good for our viewing. This morning (4/23), we caught a glimpse of the nesting crane around 7:19-7:20. Last night, another pair of cranes was seen roosting at the culvert. We will keep searching periodically to see if that second pair will nest within range of the camera. Meanwhile, the camera will focus mainly on the first pair that has begun the nesting process.

The crane pair on camera seems to be settling down into a routine. Although the crane that is incubating on the nest is hard to view, we have been able to get good footage of the cranes exchanging places on the nest. We have decided to call this pair Lucy and Ricky. We think (but don’t know for sure) that this is a new pair that has not nested here previously. They have chosen a different, more remote spot than previous nest camera pairs. They also do not unison call when changing places on the nest. All previous pairs that we have watched on camera have actively engaged in unison calling when exchanging places on the nest. We suspect that Lucy may be inexperienced at nesting. At times, she has been reluctant to make the nest exchange with Ricky, and when off the nest, she often just stands around in a nearby field, not actively foraging. The good news is that this pair has chosen a spot for their nest in a fenced wetland so it will be difficult for any predators to attack the nest.

You need an overhead drone…..those kids don’t know that the CCCC expects more Nesting Exhibitionism from their (named) pairs….

I know the beavers can be a nuisance……… but they’re awfully cute to watch!

Today (4.27) we found a pair of cranes at the same place by the river. This location is pretty far for the camera but other than that it’s more readily seen than Lucy and Ricky’s wetland home. Watching them today, we are fairly sure this is a nesting pair. One is sitting on what looks to be a nest, the other is usually not far away (10:53). They both are engaging in nest tending and building behavior, dirt tossing at 10:37, interesting attempt to cut taller vegetation (willow shoots?) geese drifting by at 10:38, and what at one point (12:12) appeared to be egg turning.

Meanwhile, we’ve seen several Wilson’s Snipe flying in the area and twice winnowing, sitting atop a Lucy’s Wetlande pole. (6:59 & 7:32 am). There’s also the obligatory chorus of Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, Northern Flicker, Mourning Doves, and other Greater Sandhill Cranes at varying distances.

Just beginning to tune in more routinely! Have read the comments to catch up! Looking forward to another informative, successful and intriguing season of nesting!

We are currently following two crane pairs that are nesting in range of the camera. Lucy and Ricky have built their nest in a fenced wetland area with very tall cattails. We are able to view them periodically when they switch places on the nest or stand to turn the eggs. We frequently have spotted them flying into and out of the wetland and foraging in the surrounding fields. Shrek and Fiona are the second pair that are nesting Far Far Away near the Yampa River (but still within range of the camera). We have spotted two eggs in their nest. Cattle have been seen roaming this area, but have not disturbed the nest. A coyote has been wandering through the territory, and both crane pairs seem very aware of its presence.

05/03/25 around 11:53 the crane is on the nest and at 11:54 the other parent flies in and the nesting crane stands up and both are up until around 12:14 when she (or he) lays back down on the nest. So fun to see the nesting pair. (In the background in the weeds, a deer was visible, and in the meadow was a rock chuck.)

Never a dull moment in Crane land… Some of the challenges the Cranes and we are faced with:

Both nests within range of the camera are difficult to observe — much more so than in previous years.

Lucy and Ricky are nesting in Lucy’s Preserve (nicknamed Desilu Studios) in very thick reeds. Well hidden from predators, but also from the camera. We are best able to see them when they do their incubating and foraging switches.
It’s a safer area for them as it’s in a fenced enclosure, but we are concerned about how the chicks will access good foraging.
This remains to be seen.

Fiona and Shrek are nesting in Far Far Away, so named because it is at the limits of the camera’s range. (Have you guessed why these Cranes are so named?) Our IT folks at Photon have boosted our zoom capabilities but resolution is less clear, especially during wind or heat shimmer conditions.
But that’s not the big concern. This nest is right at the edge of the river, or more likely the edge of an island in the Yampa River. With Spring melt the water level is coming up and the cranes have been laboring to add material to the nest to build it up and stay above it. They’ll be able to roll the eggs to whatever height they build the nest and we hope they aré able to keep ahead of the rising water.

3:47 Oh no. Rain. We know we need it, but for this nest, it would be better to have it come in later, slower.

5.04.05 7:02 pm
May the Fourth be with You — or with Fiona and Shrek at least.
Good news! We have anxiously been watching the Far Far Away nest this afternoon and it appears the nest will last without being inundated overnight. May we have a cool evening and see Fiona there in the morning. We’ll be watching overnight and report then, I assure you. (In case you were wondering, the Camera Production Team experiences a lot of sleep deprivation for a couple months.)

18:27-18:31pm There was a beautiful nest exchange at Far Far Away. Fiona flew in; Shrek stood; they unison called, switched, and Fiona did some egg rolling. There was also a loudly sniping Snipe. Other critters heard this evening have been cool frog croaks and Northern Flicker calls. Also at 18:05 there was a fun goose flyoff as it took off from the river in front of the ever watchful Shrek. Speaking of watchful Shrek, this afternoon he observed a species he doesn’t see as often out there — humans, as they motored down river.

Earlier today we observed, but it wasn’t caught on camera, one painted and two unpainted (as in grayish) Cranes in the vicinity of Desilu Studios which if you recall, is Lucy and Ricky’s domain. The painted one gave the unpainted ones a very strong suggestion to leave, which they promptly did. The fact that they are grayish suggests they are younger, less experienced Cranes.

Enough for today? We’re still hoping to observe Lucy and Ricky switch out yet this evening. They seem to be late exchangers.
Watch this space — or better yet, the camera live stream — for further updates.

Thanks!!

As the light came up this morning we were saddened to see that rather than the nest surviving the night, it was flooded by the rising water. Water had risen so quickly it was apparent from one hour to the next.

At 5:46 Shrek was up and moving but with mist and low light that was all we could see.
6 am we could see, although not clearly, what looked like he was painting himself and tending the nest — even what might have been egg turning.
At 6:07, he resumed incubating.
6:22 Fiona returns and both begin almost frenetically cutting reeds , painting, with Shrek continuing to work on the nest.
At 6:36 it becomes obvious this nest is doomed. The river is higher and the Cranes are now visibly walking in water while tending the nest. We had not seen anything like this until now.
At 6:42, Shrek, trying to build up the nest, is splashing in the water! A few minutes later, Fiona splashes as well.
At 7:01, Shrek picks up sticks to add to the nest.

As of this writing, both cranes are still at the nest site, seemingly trying to rebuild. Shrek is more focused on the former nest, Fiona has wandered a bit more still cutting nesting material. It’s like they haven’t accepted the reality that the nest and their two eggs are gone.

What next?
First, we will continue to follow with them. We don’t know if they will try rebuilding, how long they will stay at this site or even in this territory. They may copulate and try again. Although nesting season is short in the mountain west, there is still enough time.

This is hard. Even though we maintain some detachment, we become involved with these birds. But the natural world is tough. It is difficult for many of us to comprehend how difficult it is to survive.

IF Lucy and Ricky successfully hatch and fledge colts, the rate of survival for NestCam Cranes — till they leave the Yampa Valley — will then be only 50%. And we don’t know what happens to them in their next big challenge, their migration south. That too takes its toll.
This is just our small world, the area the NestCam can observe yet it illustrates the difficulties Cranes and other wildlife must endure to survive.

This is why we need to maintain Crane’s threatened status as a Tier 1 Species of Concern. This is why we must protect Cranes and their habitat. This is why CCCC exists.

We are sad but life will go on and we will continue watching these Cranes. Thank you for joining us and them on their journey.

You wrote beautifully Barry. It is indeed so difficult.