The 2026 Crane Nest Camera Season has concluded. The camera lost power late on May 28, and we discovered that the camera, mount and all, had been blown down in an extreme wind storm. Rest assured, the crane family was sighted foraging in their favorite field, safe and sound. With that, we must call it a wrap and begin construction on a new mounting system to be prepared for next spring. Thank you all for tuning in and we hope you have enjoyed the season!
Help to rebuild the camera system and sustain nest camera operations so we can keep this window to the wetlands streaming next year. Click here to donate to the Nest Camera Campaign.
Please read below for a season summary.
When CCCC’s Production Team observed behavior from a crane pair in the vicinity of the camera that indicated they would soon nest, the live-stream was launched on April 10. On April 11, the pair built a nest and laid the first egg. Unfortunately, the egg was predated by a coyote the next morning. The pair constructed a new nest and laid an egg on April 14. This nest was more secluded than the last. The crane pair, named Eleanor and Franklin, were more vigilant after the depredation and diligently tended to their nest and took turns incubating. During the next few weeks, they built up the nest as water levels surrounding the nest became higher, and they defended their nest against other wildlife. Typically, cranes incubate for 29-32 days. On the morning of May 16, activity at the nest indicated that a hatch might be occurring. That morning, Frank, the male crane, was observed disposing of an eggshell fragment. With stormy weather, the cranes remained secluded at the nest. It was suspected a chick was present, but this was not confirmed until the morning of May 17.
On May 18, Eleanor was observed leaving the nest at 10:34 am. Around 11:12 am on the livestream, “2026-CraneCam 05/18A”, both parents were visible, foraging and rain-soaked. They had been vigorously unison calling since leaving the nest. The first clear glimpse of a crane chick emerging from the vegetation occurred at 11:14 am, sticking close to its mother. Footage at 11:33 am confirmed two beautiful chicks following their parents! The camera continued to follow the family as they learned to forage and navigate the wetland, roosted at night, and encountered other wildlife over the next two weeks.
About the Nest Camera
CCCC’s nest camera is used to observe crane behavior while they are nesting. The camera is located in a wetland habitat in the Yampa Valley. The nest camera is monitored during nesting season, which provides a unique and comprehensive look into how cranes establish nesting territory, build their nest, incubate eggs, forage, defend their nest, and raise their chicks after they hatch.
The 2025/2026 winter was not only the warmest winter on record for the Yampa Valley, but it also had the lowest snowpack on record. These unusual conditions raise important questions about how crane nesting, foraging, and chick rearing may be affected.
View CCCC’s YouTube channel @coloradocranes8218 for recorded livestream footage and highlights.
Please visit the nest camera blog at the bottom of this page to stay informed on the action throughout the season and ask questions!
If you would like to tell us about something you have observed on the nest camera, please use this form.
Thank you to our sponsors
The live video feed was initially launched through grants provided by the Yampa Valley Community Foundation and the WHILD fund. Internet access for live streaming is provided by ElektraFi. Camera installation and setup were completed by Photon Syndicate. Updated equipment was possible because of generous individual donors. The nest camera program is made possible by the CCCC staff and incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to tech support and camera monitoring throughout the season. Thank you to all our wonderful viewers without which this camera would not exist.
Welcome to the 2026 Crane Nest Camera Season! We are currently watching a crane pair that seem likely to nest soon. On Thursday, April 9, the pair was observed in faux nest building activity all over the wetland area, foraging, copulating, dancing, and even getting chased by playful newborn calves. They seemed to know that these weren’t predators, but were definitely unsure about this activity! On Wednesday, the pair was seen confidently chasing a fox out of the foraging area in a display unlike any I’ve seen before. In the evening, after making one last loop through the woods and the wetland, they flew across to the other side of the river, where they waded a bit in the shallow water before joining a flock of cranes flying by. Together, the group of a dozen or so cranes flew off to an evening roost on the river. Please join us by commenting in this blog, asking questions, and making observations. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring!
So far today, the cranes have been observed foraging and flying about the area. Since there is no nest yet, there will be periods of inactivity on the camera. When no cranes are onscreen, the camera will be focused on a location where they are likely to be spotted, or searching for cranes and other interesting wildlife activity when possible. Thanks for tuning in.
I love watching the camera focusing on the beaver at about 11:55am!
Hi Susan, I’m so glad you tuned in to the first day of the 2026 crane nest camera season! We think that may have been a muskrat, rather than a beaver. They both inhabit that wetland area. I would love for anyone else to weigh in who saw the critter! And please keep sending us your observations!
This morning (April 11), our crane pair engaged in some faux nesting behavior around 6:56 am. They spent about 5 + minutes picking at and pulling up cattails and throwing them around as though starting to build a nest. But then they left the area. Geese were calling loudly, and I don’t know if that disturbed them. If they choose that spot, it would be ideal for observing the whole nesting process. Fingers crossed!
At 10:12 am today, (4/11), our lady crane laid her first egg. She and her mate chose the perfect nest location for our camera!!
The camera image seems much clearer this year! Thanks to the cranes for nesting in such a good location for us to see them.
At 12:42 I’m watching and it appears that there’s quite a bit of water around the nest. Is this a problem?
A beautiful bird! What a great picture of the nest
Cranes like to build their nest near water. It allows them to hear predators approaching, especially at night. However, if the water rises too much, it can inundate the nest. This happened to a pair last year that was featured on our nest camera. They put their nest too close to the edge of the Yampa River and got flooded out with the spring melt.. However, this year we are in a major drought, so it’s unlikely water will rise to the point of flooding the nest.
Alas, it’s been a horrible morning for the Cranes. 6:21 a unison call and exchange, with the male taking over incubation but at 6:48 a coyote approached the nest. The Crane tried to defend the nest but the coyote walked right in and took the egg, carrying it away. The Crane wandered, distressed and calling. At 7:05 the coyoiute came back to the and there was a standoff. The coyote moved off through the field and a little later the male Crane returned to the nest. We don’t know if the Cranes will try again or abandon this nest. As always, we’ll continue to follow.
It’s amazing that in such a short time how attached one becomes to the “birth” of an egg.
Nature can be so sad.
After this morning’s predation the Cranes wandered around their territory, at times singly, at times together. They returned to the nest site, seemingly scouted another nearby, and although they did one dance, they mainly foraged till noon.
At 6:28 am this morning, our crane pair flew in from their roosting site, landed near the blue tank, and immediately copulated. We caught it on our livestream video! That’s a good sign that they may re-nest!
Monday was a fairly quiet day in the wetland. The crane pair was observed traveling throughout their territory and foraging. In the early evening, we caught site of a very entertaining beaver! Soon after, we heard cranes calling and observed the crane pair come together at the former nest site. The scene began with a great deal of incredible dancing between the pair. Then they found the remains of their eggshell from the earlier predation. The male tossed it in the air a bit, dancing, and then stood guard as the female consumed the eggshell pieces. Birds benefit from the calcium in eggshells, which helps them to produce strong eggshells and prevents binding while passing the egg. Then they found a roosting spot in the wetland for the night.
The birds appeared vigilant and left the roost around 2am, and have been observed foraging in the area this morning. We will keep tracking them to see what today brings.
Our crane pair has been busy all morning creating a new nest! The new location is a bit north and east of the first nest that was predated by the coyote. They seem to have placed the nest in a depression, so that when on the nest, only the crane’s head and neck are visible. Hopefully, the depression will protect this nest a bit more from predators. Around 11:30 a.m., the female spent a good deal of time in the hole/nest, and we think she laid an egg. However, the egg is not visible. The male returned around 11:35 am and took over sitting duties. Here’s hoping for a successful incubating period and a successful hatch in about 30 days!
Such good news Nancy! Fingers crossed!
This new nest location is more hidden in the cattails. This morning (4/15) the cranes unison called and exchanged places on the nest around 6:04 am. All very routine! Three deer were spotted resting nearby around 6:15 am. There is abundant wildlife in the vicinity of the nest. We will try to capture that on camera, when possible.
It was a peaceful evening for mom and dad. They are very quiet. No unison call when they switched incubation duties between 6:50pm and 6:58pm. It is a bit confusing to watch the male get up and leave for no obvious reason. Until you see mom strolling in. They seem to be spending more time actually incubating, which is nice to see.
Coyote is still present! A little before 6am , the female, sitting on the nest, rises and scans the area. At 6, a coyote passed the nest area and the Crane sat down unobserved. Not having detected the nest, the coyote continues on through the field and went out of sight. Whew!
The cranes have been patiently incubating the egg(s) in the new (more hidden) nest. This morning, around 6:01 am, the camera caught a coyote cruising through the field north of the crane nest. Fortunately, the crane was sitting on the nest and was not visible to the coyote. Cranes face so many challenges to successfully hatch chicks, coyotes, and other predators among them.
Hi – I think the camera was moved, don’t see a nest at all?
Hello Jill, the nest is a little difficult to see, since they nested in a bit of a depression in the ground. When they are good and settled in, it is hard to tell if they are even there, until they put their head up or stand up. We do periodically take the camera for a spin around the area if we are looking for something specific, trying to track a crane, looking for calling cranes, or something of that sort. I hope that helps!
It’s moved back to the nest, thanks! :)
It’s a snowy morning on the nest camera! We have seen activity from both cranes near the nest.
I thought these cranes go farther north to nest. How many stay around CO? Is the Yampa the only place they nest in CO? I went to Kearney this year, to Rowe Sanctuary. It was wonderful! I have been following Rowe’s crane cam.
Hello Hannah, Excellent questions. Northwest Colorado has typically been the southern-most portion of the breeding range for the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes (Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties). However, in recent years, small numbers of cranes have been found nesting in Mesa County, western Montrose County, Delta County, and possibly Gunnison County as their population expands. This population’s breeding range extends along the Rockies through eastern Idaho, Utah, and western Montana and Wyoming. According to the USFWS’s annual population survey of the RMP (which happens in the fall, during staging season, not nesting season), 3.7% of the population was counted in Colorado.
We are glad you are connecting with with the cranes at Rowe!
Hello dear Craniacs, this evening (4.17) there will be some property maintenance nearby the Crane NestCam site which necessitates shutting down the camera at approximately 5;30pm.
We wish Ellie and Frank a good night’s sleep and recommend you do so as well. ;-)
Camera Production Team, you have the night off.
See you all tomorrow morning!
Who the heck proofread my previous announcement? :-)
Looked good to me Barry!
But I would like to know where the names Ellie and Frank came from? And the meaning behind them?
WELL!
After all that, it seems the camera is not going to be shut down tonight after all. May you have that many more hours of Crane watching!! Sorry, you’ll all have to catch up on your sleep another time.
The names for our crane pair: Eleanor (Ellie, for short) and Franklin ( Frank, for short). The Crane Camera Team thought this pair behaved somewhat differently from pairs on the nest camera in previous years. While not 100% sure, we think this is a new pair nesting in the territory. We chose Eleanor and Franklin as names because this pair, while clearly connected and working as a team, are not very “intimate/affectionate,” as evidenced by the lack of dancing and unison calling.
Hah! Very clever!
This morning (4/18)at 6:06 am, Franklin flew in to take his turn, but Eleanor wasn’t quite ready to make the exchange, so he left briefly. At 6:19 am he returned, they did a unison call, and Franklin took over incubating duties.
At 10:28 am, (4/18) Ellie was foraging peacefully in the field north of the nest area and was startled by a coyote trotting through the field. Ellie ran, but the coyote seemed to be in a big hurry and ignored her. The geese were also startled by the appearance of the coyote and squawked and flew. The camera was able to follow the coyote until it disappeared into the woods.
Sunday, April 19th 3:20pm
A busy but somewhat typical day at the nest… at 6:28, Ellie and Frank unison called and exchanged places. As the female sits overnight, it was Franklin coming in, and she taking off. Not literally in this case but she did go off to forage in a nearby field. A little after 8, we heard distant unison calling. Not being Ellie and Frank, it means we do indeed have another pair nearby. Meanwhile, the usual variety of other critters is about: Redwinged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, and Mule Deer. We were able to briefly follow the deer as they waded and crossed part of a river channel. Beautiful! At 9:38, there was an interruption to the bucolic setting — with Ellie on the nest, Franklin heard and chased off the other Cranes.Tasked as Defender of the Nest, he was doing a good job. Other than that, it was a pretty quiet day typical of a day at the nest. Ha!
Let’s see what the rest of the day brings.
Hello folks! The cranes began the day quiet as mice and remained very concealed on the nest in the early morning. Eleanor was very, very quiet all morning, and when the pair exchanged places on the nest at 7:20am, they were completely silent and quick about it. They made up for this at their next nest exchange at 12:03p, when they unison called together repeatedly.
What were the animals that entered from the right at 8:20pm on April 20? & the Sandhill scared them away?
Hello Cindy, it appeared to be a pair of Mallard ducks. She sure did not appreciate having visitors, did she? (For anyone who missed it, you can see them enter at 20:16:20 on the stream labeled 0420A). Thanks for spotting that!
Thank you for your reply & explanation. I would love to watch that segment again but don’t know how to access that portion of the live stream – please let me know to do that, Love this so much! Cindy Turner
Hello Cindy, Here is a link to the highlight video, “Sandhill Crane Nest Defense: Mallard Ducks”, made from that segment: https://youtu.be/tQSz7UlV-Do?si=lJTCgTxGHZmZzJG2
And here is a link to the livestream footage from that day that streamed from about 9am – 9pm, “2026-CraneCam 0420A”: https://www.youtube.com/live/Sh6Xs71UrBo?si=JWCh9S5aNwVyLAlu
Let us know if that works for you. Feel free to reach out to us at info@coloradocranes.org if you have additional questions or would like help viewing any footage in particular. We are so glad that you are enjoying the camera and are happy to help navigate the footage.
Thank for sending link to footage with Mallards – I can watch it & very grateful to be able to see & listen to the ‘natural world’ of the Sandhills & their wildlife neighbors. Many thanks.
This morning (4/21) we were treated to a fabulous show of ducks in the wetland that also hosts the crane nest. A beautiful male Wood Duck was the star, but we also saw Mallards and Cinnamon Teal. Previously, we saw a beaver patrolling this stream. Ellie and Frank continue to quietly tend their egg(s) and take turns on the nest.
At 9:48 a.m. this morning (4/23) both cranes were off the nest and foraging. Did something happen earlier?
Hello Barb, we observed this pair leaving the nest occasionally in the beginning, but they have been pretty solidly attentive now that they are in the swing of things. In reviewing this footage in this case, I see them doing some nest tending/building together at the nest site during this time before one sits down to incubate at 9:50am. Here is the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIq3o9xamZk
Let us know if you have any other questions!
The cranes are still faithfully tending their nest. Often it’s hard to see the crane that has incubating duties. Yesterday morning (4/23) we got good views of a pair of Gadwall ducks, and in the evening, a pair of beavers frolicking in the wetland.
Since the catastrophe with the coyote and their first nest, (see the highlight video), Ellie and Frank have been sticking fairly close to their nesting territory. Yesterday we counted 8 switches of duty at the nest by Ellie and Frank.
Franklin and Eleanore (“Frank” and “Ellie” for short) continue their egg-tending routine through the much needed rain. We continue to get great views of the waterfowl in the wetland, along with occasional views of marmots roaming the area. We are hearing other cranes calling occasionally, but there have been far fewer territorial disputes among crane pairs than in previous years.
It was an exciting morning (4/27) on the nest camera for wildlife. We enjoyed beautiful views of a Great Blue Heron feeding in the wetland. After the early morning nest exchange between Ellie and Frank, Ellie encountered first one, and then a small herd of deer, as she foraged for her morning meal. At one point, Ellie and a deer engaged in a stand-off! They seemed more curious about each other than hostile. Birds seen on camera this morning, in addition to the cranes and the Great Blue Heron, included magpies, a Red-tail Hawk, mallards, geese, and the ever-present Red-winged Blackbirds.
I was there too! I was worried about the deer but all was well and I was happy it was just a “mini standoff”!
Beautiful!
If one does not think about that coyote miscreant, the scene this morning has much of “the Peaceable Kingdom” about it even with the “standoff”.
Enlarging the image to fill the screen (clicking the little circle with tiny arrows pointing 5&10 o’clock in the lower right) demonstrates the improvement in color and resolution courtesy the new camera.
And am I correct that panning right (a few hundred yards? west?) to 7:17:40-48 AM shows the site of last year’s nest near the little streamlet?
Richard, I’m glad you are enjoying “The Peaceable Kingdom” of the cranes and the better quality of this year’s nest camera. The area you mentioned near the little streamlet did host a crane nest two years ago. Also, the very first year of the nest camera (2021), Rocky and Athena nested in that area. Thank you for following the nest camera year after year. Your comments are always appreciated.
Hello everyone. This morning (4/28/26) , the nest camera is down due to weather. We are currently working on getting it back online. Thank you for your patience as we navigate technical difficulties.
Last night and early this morning, the nest camera and surrounding areas were hit with rain, snow, sleet, thunder, and lightning. The camera was temporarily knocked out of commission, but our amazing tech crew got it up and running again in no time.
For the last two days, we have noticed Ellie and Frank increasing their nest-building activities – cutting down cattail leaves and stems and adding them to the nest. With all the rain and snow, we are speculating that the water level around the nest is rising, and the cranes are working to keep their egg(s) safe and dry. Last year, one of the crane pairs that we were following on camera lost their nest to rising water levels. We hope Ellie and Frank can stay ahead of the rising water. This is one of the challenges that nesting cranes have to navigate. Building their nest near water serves to alert cranes to approaching predators. But it also makes them vulnerable to flooding that could destroy their nest and eggs.
This morning, we witnessed a territorial dispute between Ellie and Frank and another pair of cranes. All 4 showed up in the horse pasture where Ellie has been foraging fairly regularly and where she interacted with a herd of deer on 4/27. The stand-off took place between 9:38 and 10 am and involved much unison calling and ruffle threats. Eventually, the rival pair departed, and Ellie and Frank flew back to the nest. Throughout the day, we have continued to hear cranes calling in the distance, resulting in Ellie and Frank being more vocal today than ever before.
It’s been a quiet day on the nest camera!
The weather has turned beautiful today, and our crane pair seems to be enjoying the sunshine. This morning, Ellie was discovered foraging in a distant field where she had not been spotted before. During the first two nest exchanges of the day, Ellie and Frank heartily engaged in unison calling. Previously, many of their exchanges have been silent, and our camera crew has sometimes found it difficult to know when these exchanges were happening and which crane was actually on the nest. Today, we were able to readily follow the action at the nest.
Today is a sunny, spring day in the wetland with a light breeze. A Wilson’s Snipe could be heard calling throughout the morning, among the songs of the Red-winged Blackbirds and honks of Canada Geese. As of noon, we’ve seen 3 nest exchanges between the pair. Frank flew off after another crane in the area at one point, but quickly returned to the nest. The first two exchanges included unison calling, and the third was a bit more stealthy. Since about 10:30 am, it has been warm enough today to cause both cranes to pant lightly while incubating the nest. You can see this when their mouths are slightly open to help cool themselves down (because cranes can’t sweat). Ellie was again observed in the newly discovered foraging area, while Frank was observed flying in the opposite direction to forage during his break later in the morning. The wind is picking up as we head into the afternoon.
We are experiencing technical difficulties this morning, 5/5. We hope to have things up and running again soon.
After a day of inclement weather and technical issues, we ( and the cranes) are back on track. Early this morning (6:41) two raccoons were spotted near the cattails, not far from the nest. Fortunately, they moved on. They were spotted again around 6:54 a.m. heading to the river. A raccoon is no match for a crane, but two raccoons could mean trouble for a crane trying to guard eggs.
Hatch day is getting closer! Typically, cranes incubate for 29-32 days. Day 30 falls on Thursday, May 14.
This morning we were treated to a rare sight on the nest camera- an otter frolicking along the wetland stream. We have had glimpses of otters on the camera in past years, but this otter put on quite a lengthy performance. So far we have seen beavers, a muskrat, an otter, Great Blue Herons, and numerous varieties of waterfowl enjoying this wetland habitat along with the cranes. The peeps and trills of frogs is almost a constant on the camera along with various bird calls (especially that of Red-winged Blackbirds). While we are focusing on our crane pair, we are also enjoying the rich assortment of other wildlife in the vicinity.
As I was observing the camera last night, I was so entertained and awestruck by how much life is present in the wetlands. A male Cinnamon Teal and his mate resting on a log at sunset, the male’s red color illuminated by the setting sun, it was beautiful. Then along came a Muskrat swimming by the Cinnamon Teals; a raccoon getting a drink of water, Canadian geese threatening the raccoon away as they floated by; two beavers enjoying a sunset snack! We even saw an otter earlier in the day! It is an excellent reminder why conserving wetlands is so crucial. Not just for our adored Sandhill Cranes, but for all life! Since becoming a Craniac, I have started noticing more and more where wetlands have been paved or built over. It boggles the mind how many wetlands have been lost at the behest of humans. All the more reason to support organizations like CCCC!
Well said Elizabeth!
Happy Mothers Day to our Mother Cranes and Craniacs!
This morning, crane pair Eleanor and Franklin spent nearly two hours building up their nest and the surrounding area. Water levels have risen in the vicinity. This is common challenge that nesting cranes face, and with the dry winter and very early spring, the water timelines are untypical this year. The afternoon has been quieter, with Franklin incubating on the nest. Eleanor spent a long time preening, loafing, and foraging nearby in the field behind the nest this afternoon.
Franklin & Eleanor are still incubating. After their nest exchange in the morning, Frank held down the fort for most of the day. They exchanged places on the nest just after 4:30pm and spent a good deal of time adding nesting materials. Eleanor is on the nest now and is barely visible behind the grass unless she sticks her head up or stands to preen or tend the nest.
Thank you so very much for the camera set up, all of the volunteers and the comments! Watching and listening to all of the sounds. We are all eagerly waiting the possible arrival of a chick!! Appreciate you all and Franklin & Eleanor and their hard work Collaborating together!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Liz! We’re incredibly grateful for the dedicated team that makes the Nest Camera Project possible, and we’re delighted that you’re enjoying the sights and sounds of the wetland — especially our stars, the cranes!
Sandhill cranes eggs typically hatch between 29 to 32 days after incubation starts from when the first egg was laid. Two eggs are usually laid 1 to 2 days apart. Currently we are at 32 days after the first egg was laid.
If Frank and Eli have had eggs in previous years, then they can tell by the movement and sound coming from inside the egg, meaning the egg is viable. If they are nesting for the first time, then it might take a bit longer for them to abandon the nest, if the eggs are non-viable. We don’t know for sure, but there are very likely two eggs and perhaps the second egg may be viable if the first is not. This might extend the time the pair would stay on the nest.
The winter of 2022-23 was long and the persistent snow delayed crane nesting in Colorado. A pair we were watching on camera laid their first egg on April 23 and the second egg a few days later. On May 25th, both eggs hatched on the same day – 32 days incubation. This was very unusual with both eggs hatching on the same day.
Information on sandhill crane egg viability.
Lack of Movement: Healthy embryos shift, kick, and eventually pip the shell as they develop. If an embryo dies, sudden silence and an absence of internal movement signal to the parents that the egg has failed.
Temperature Drop: Dead eggs stop generating heat. Parents frequently rotate the eggs and can physically feel if one remains cold despite continuous incubation.
Weight and Density Loss: As an embryo grows, the liquid inside the egg decreases. If an egg is infertile, it retains its liquid and remains heavy, or it eventually begins to rot and alter its center of gravity.
Overdue Hatching: Sandhill crane eggs typically take 29 to 32 days to hatch. If this timeframe passes without any “pipping” (when the chick breaks the shell), the parents’ instinctual drive to incubate eventually fades, and they will abandon the nest.
We are fairly sure a chick hatched this morning ( 5/16) sometime between 9 and 10 am this morning. We have not been able to see a chick (the grass and cattails surrounding the nest are too high), but we are making this assumption based on the behavior of Ellie and Frank. They both hung around the nest for a long time and around 9:55, we believe Frank pulled egg shell from the nest. Shortly after that, the pair gave a triumphant unison call. For the first few hours, the chick will stay in or very near the nest. We are watching closely to spot the chick when it finally takes its first walk out of the cattails into the open. And will there be a second chick??
This morning (5/17), around 8:17:30, we got a glimpse of the chick on the nest camera. Congrats to Ellie and Frank! Now we will wait to see if there is a second hatch.
Wonderful!
A second chick hatched today! Both chicks were seen on camera at 13:11:25. For now, the chicks and one parent are sticking close to the nest. Such joy!
Congrats…to ALL concerned. (That includes the cranes and the craniacs!)
Thank you so much to Nancy, staff and volunteers for your commitment to all the magnificent Sandhill Cranes and wetlands wildlife and the incredible gift of observing them through the camera.
Our Crane family wandered and foraged for the afternoon, finally returning to the nest with mom toward dusk. When sighted, the difference between the two chicks is apparent, with yesterday’s chick already significantly larger than today’s. Another thing that’s apparent is the water level rising near the nest. In fact, a cow walking in a pasture nearby the nest area was splashing as it went.
The chicks have been named in the Roosevelt tradition… Del (for Delano) and Junior. Now for a good night’s rest and on to tomorrow!
This morning, after much searching, we located the crane family. Around 8:08 am, we captured great views of the two adults and two chicks foraging near the horse pasture. The chicks appear to be thriving. Frank is ever vigilant and frequently interrupts his foraging to search the area for any dangers.
The crane family spent last night roosting near their nesting site. Today, they foraged throughout their territory, with the chicks running to keep up and begging their parents for food. Every day, the chicks seem to grow a bit bigger. The crane family spent long stretches of hidden behind the shrubs, but were also visible at various times throughout the day. Other species seen on camera today included a marmot, a raccoon, White Pelicans flying through the area, and various waterfowl and geese.
Congratulations to the CCCC Team! (Frank and Ellie couldn’ta done it without the Team….and camera!…..and the rest of us observers!) So far so good after the early predation, though not “outta the woods yet” by any means.
I’m curious: there was an egg laid 4/11 (lost to coyote 4/12) , then what I take to be incidental copulation noted 4/12, and one egg laid 4/14, then another maybe same day. How often are there (at least) three eggs laid in a season? And might have the copulation of 4/12 produced another egg (I assume not in another two days but maybe later: what’s the incubation interval?)
Thick me: I see it’s 29-32 days (from copulation?) so presumably we are past (4/12-5/23) an egg related to 4/12, but how often will be “multiple rounds” of laid eggs? For that matter, are there observed 3, 4, 5+ chicks produced in a season?
I assume once chicks appear, the demands of chick-raising will suppress the capacity to incubate or lay more for that pair.
Richard, Sandhill Crane pairs typically produce only one or two chicks, very rarely three. And because chicks must grow quickly, be able to fly, and be ready to migrate by the end of summer, adult cranes will only nest a second time if they lose their egg(s) early in the nesting season. And even then, they will not always re-nest. We were both surprised and delighted that Eleanor managed to produce three eggs this nesting season!
Today at 12:57 pm. our crane family was startled by the sudden appearance of a coyote. Franklin and Eleanor gave an alarm call, and the chicks ran and hid. Fortunately, the coyote didn’t seem interested in hunting and went on his way. The crane family then reunited and walked away from the area. The whole episode lasted about 4 minutes. These chicks are doing well, but because they cannot fly for the first 65 days or so, they remain vulnerable to predators such as coyotes and foxes, despite their parents’ vigilance.
Human beings float by the cranes at 13:29 today.
Thanks Nancy for all the information!
At 5:58 am today, the crane family was foraging when they suddenly alerted. A coyote appeared and ran through
the area. We were able to follow the running coyote until it disappeared into a grove of cottonwoods trees. Fortunately, the cranes were unharmed, but it was a scary few moments. It’s clear now that a coyote is hanging out in the crane’s territory.
The crane family is slowly increasing its range, but mainly stays within the area behind and on either side of where they nested. Most afternoons, the family ducks under a fence and forages with horses in a pasture to the west of their nesting spot. A pair of Western Kingbirds has decided to build a nest very close to the camera, and we are hearing their calls periodically throughout the day. This morning, a White Pelican appeared briefly on camera as it floated by the area where the cranes were foraging.
I watch with love and wonder as they continue to survive. Thank you for this amazing adventure on camera!! Delighted with all the
sounds and actions of nature around them.
As do we! We are so glad you are enjoying the camera, Barbara! We’ve been incredibly fortunate to observe this little family and all of their adventures over the past two weeks and the diversity of wildlife out there never ceases to amaze. It is incredible how much the chicks have grown. It may be time that we start calling them colts!
Yesterday was full of exciting wildlife encounters with our crane family. Unfortunately, the camera is out this morning after some extreme weather last night. We are working to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
Well folks, the 2026 Nest Camera Season is a wrap. In a dramatic ending, the nest camera, mount and all, were blown over in a severe windstorm last night. As the installation of a new pole and system will take some time, this season has come to an end. It has been absolutely incredible following this crane pair throughout the season during the trials and tribulations of nesting, and watching as they became a family with the successful hatching of two beautiful chicks, following the predation of their first nest. Over the past two weeks, we’ve watched the family foraging, we’ve seen them return to their former nest site to roost at night and in other locations on some nights. We’ve observed interactions with other wildlife, including the omnipresent predators, and we even watched one of the cranes capture a blackbird, resulting in a high-protein meal for most of the family yesterday before the camera went out.These birds are a powerful reminder of the dynamics of the natural world and the cycle of life, the value of healthy wetland ecosystems, and the incredible resilience of our beloved Greater Sandhill Cranes. All the best to Eleanor, Franklin, Del, and Junior as they navigate the season. An enormous craniac THANK YOU to our production and tech team for your dedication throughout the season. We’ll keep the blog open for a bit longer, and we encourage you to ask any lingering questions you have or highlight your favorite moments of the season. Thanks for watching with us!
Sending an ENORMOUS THANY YOU to all who made the Crane Cam available for our viewing enjoyment. It’s been such a joy and wonder to observe the Sandhill family and wildlife neighbors. Looking forward to next year!
Thank you everyone for a wonderful season! The teams dedication is to be commended……… You are all wonderful and so appreciated!
PRODUCTION TEAM NOTE:
Folks, we regret to inform you that the Nest Camera is down for the season — literally. The storm the night of May 28th toppled the tree where it was mounted and destroyed the camera along with a yet to be determined portion of the electronics. Our crane family has had a wonderful
onstage season and is doing well. We wish them continued success and will continue to monitor them.
Meanwhile, we will begin planning (and fundraising) for the return of the Nest Camera in Spring 2027.
On behalf of CCCC, Greater Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes and the many other critters, thanks for caring about them and their habitat. And thanks for watching!
One last note — join us for the Yampa Valley Crane Festival September 3rd where Franklin, Eleanor, Del, and Junior will join hundreds of other Cranes as they gather and stage for their southbound migration.
See you in Spring!