Sandhill Crane Nest Camera
Greater Sandhill Cranes will return to the same general area every year to nest and typically build a nest in the same or similar spot. Nests are simple, mound-like platforms made of marsh plants, grasses and weeds piled on the ground in marshes or wet meadows. Sandhill Cranes in Colorado usually lay two eggs in late April or early May and incubate these eggs for about 30 days. Both crane parents will help in incubating the eggs and caring for the young once they hatch. When the eggs hatch, Sandhill Crane chicks are able to see, are covered in down feathers, and are able to walk within a few hours. After about a day, the chicks will leave the nest with their parents.
Learn more about Sandhill Crane nesting by checking out our Nesting FAQs! Watch our 2021 webinar: Everything You Want to Know About Greater Sandhill Crane Nesting.
Watch the Nest Camera Highlights to see all the excitement in short video clips!
The Crane Nest
In 2021, we watched Sandhill Crane pair, Rocky and Athena, successfully hatch one egg. In 2022, Rocky and Athena returned to their nesting area but nested just beyond the range of the Nest Camera. So in 2022, we watched a different Sandhill Crane pair, Fred and Wilma, successfully hatch one egg and raise that chick for several weeks.
This year, both pairs have returned within sight of the Nest Camera. While the cranes waited for the snow to melt, we observed both pairs close to the camera- foraging and battling over their territories. We watched Rocky and Athena roost near the camera on numerous nights in April.
This year, we are focused on Rocky and Athena. Athena laid the first egg in the nest on April 23rd. We believe a second egg was laid a few days later.
We expect the eggs to start hatching about May 23rd (cranes have a 30 day incubation period).
Warning: This is a wild Sandhill Crane nest and anything can happen. While we hope the nest is successful and both eggs hatch, many things can happen to prevent this, including the eggs being infertile, predation of the eggs, chicks or adults, and natural disasters.
Disclaimer: We are livestreaming a wild bird nest and may experience technical problems. We cannot control problems related to mother nature, disrupted signals, etc. If you can’t play the video, try refreshing the webpage. Visit our Nest Camera Highlights page to see the best moments from this nest.
The live video feed was made possible through grants provided by the Yampa Valley Community Foundation and the WHILD fund. Internet access for live streaming is provided by Zirkel Wireless. Camera installation and setup were completed by Photon Syndicate. Updated equipment was possible because of generous individual donors. Thank you also to CCCC staff and volunteers for their tech support. Thank you to all our wonderful viewers without which this camera would not exist.
Joey Chadwick says
05/21/23: Nesting crane has a restless night – does not sleep – on alert; at 23:45 stands up and can see the eggs. At 23:54 -55 is standing and can see both eggs.
Joey Chadwick says
Sunday, 5/21/23, some interesting times were: 10:00 a.m. to 10:04 – changing of the guard. Then 14:00 to 14:05 – heard a crane calling. The nesting crane stood up and preened a little then sat back down. No changing of the guard at that time. At 14:20 and 14:58 when the nesting crane stood up you could see the eggs.
Barb Hughes says
At 15:57 the incubating crane stood up, rotated the 2 eggs and worked on nest maintenance. Hopefully the water won’t rise any higher this evening. Back to incubating at 16:02.
Susan M. says
I would think that while the water level could prove dangerous to our cranes it could also act as an obstacle to predators??????
Barb Hughes says
That’s true Susan. Cranes could be alerted to a predator by the sound of splashing water.
That is one of the benefits of nesting in a wetland.
Van Graham says
The cranes are “panting” today, may 19th. They do this to keep cool when the outside temperatures increase. You can see the open beak and also the movement of the body as they breathe rapidly. This panting is similar to that of a dog on a warm day. Many other birds pant when it’s hot. The cranes still have their winter feathers and the “painted” brown feathers also absorb more heat. The temperature is in the low 60s today, cool for people but warm for our cranes.
Nancy Merrill says
At 8:57:39 this morning ( 5/19), you can clearly see two eggs in the nest!
Mona Gibson says
Yay!!!
Erin Gelling says
It’s crazy how much the water level has come up around the cranes’ nest in the last few days. The cranes have been building their nest higher to compensate. Good thing there is not much time left before the eggs are expected to hatch!
Tom Litteral says
Check out this morning’s video; Fri. 5/19/23 at 8:10am; in the upper right corner of the view a skunk passed by the nest area. The crane on the nest may have perceived the intruder close by but did not react to it.
Nancy Merrill says
The camera is back up! Thanks to our wonderful tech people for fixing the problems. We are so happy to be back in time for the hatch (hopefully) over the weekend or early next week.
While the camera was down, the warming temperatures in the area caused a big melt, and the water in the wetland where the cranes are nesting has risen significantly. The cranes are responding by building up their nest to keep those eggs dry. At 15:25 today the cranes were working hard to build the nest higher. Let’s hope they can stay ahead of the rising water.
Richard R Palmer says
Blackout of the camera doubtless courtesy of the Ruskies……
I am amused by the remark below about “drama”, that is, the presence of predators this year versus earlier. To the previous list of scary intruders nocturnal and diurnal (raccoons, minks, deer, cows!, geese; and wasn’t there a snake last year?) that used to accelerate my pulse, I think Erin or Nancy added COYOTES in the area this year. So I have no doubt there’ll be plenty of reason to worry about those eggs, let alone the hatchlings, even with the efficient protectiveness that the cranes have shown over the past years.
Good Luck with prompt installation of the new and better camera, and all well when switched back on…
Nancy Merrill says
The cranes are fine but the nest camera is dead! We have ordered a replacement and hope to have it installed on Saturday, May 20. The egg(s) are due to hatch around May 22nd, so we should still be able to bring you all the excitement of the hatching.
The current camera has served us well for almost 3 full seasons through rain, snow, and blazing sunshine. The new camera should provide an even better quality picture and will be able to zoom in even closer. Please check back frequently over the weekend to see if the new camera has been installed.
Susan M says
Thanks so much Nancy for the information!
Nancy Merrill says
We are experiencing technical difficulties with the camera this morning. We hope to have this problem solved shortly. Please bear with us while we work to get the nest camera up and running again.
Karl Mayer says
Currently the camera is showing the feed from several hours ago. At 7:24 AM it is still dark outside on the feed and the time is showing as 3:50 AM
Nancy Merrill says
Tree work is going on all day today on a nearby property. This is nowhere near the crane nest but the sound of the chainsaw carries! So far the crane on the nest seems undisturbed by the noise. You may want to mute your sound if it becomes annoying.
Anita says
This evening, Mother’s Day, May 14, Athena was mostly sitting on the nest. She got up to move about and tend to the eggs on a couple of occasions. Around 6:30 pm, a blackbird landed on a reed a few feet from the nest and stayed for at least 10 minutes. It was very windy at the camera level at 6:45 with the camera moving about; then at 7:30 several blackbirds and a Magpie flew near the nest. no other apparent challenges to nesting occurred this evening.
Amy Lancaster says
5/13 6:45 am-changing of the guard with unison call after the switch out on the nest.
Van Graham says
At about 12:05 today (May 11) there was an interesting exchange of nesting duties. I believe Athena flew in from the east and landed near the nest. They greeted each other with a Unison Call. Other cranes to the north called in response. Without further ado, Rocky gave a pre-flight lean and immediately took off to the west.
Then at 12:34:30, a mink appeared skulking around over and under the cattails on the upper part of the screen. It worked it way through the cattails and Athena immediately recognized its presence. She didn’t hesitate to arise from the nest and advance towards the potential predator as it approached closer. She raised her wings momentarily and the mink scurried off. Look closely at the mink and at one point, when it’s checking out Athena, you can see a small white patch of fur on the mink’s throat. These white throat patches show up often on the mink’s dark fur coat.
Joey Chadwick says
Thursday, 5/11/2023, 9:29 a.m. a blackbird is directly in front of the nesting crane, just watching her.
Karl Mayer says
07:51 Blackbird lands on cattail right in front of camera, bounces for a moment, then flies away
Emily Lancaster says
Changing of the guard 19:21:30
Nancy Merrill says
At 7:09:39 this morning a blackbird flies in and lands near the nest on a cattail. The blackbirds have been hanging around the nesting cranes this year – just like the geese have done in previous years. My guess is that the blackbirds have their own nest nearby. In addition to the blackbirds, this wetland area where the cranes are nesting hosts many other wetland species – mallards, gadwalls, teal, snipe, frogs, herons, etc.
Barry Kaplan says
05.08.23
At 6:29:27, we found Rocky foraging in the Crops for Cranes field (where wheat is coming up) adjacent to the nest. He walked in the direction of the nest, wandered a bit, then flew to the nest. Athena stood, and they silently switched.
Susan M. says
Is it my imagination or is this nesting process without as much drama as last year? (Knock on
Wood!)
It just seems that maybe the location of the nest might be playing a part? Last year it seems like we had so many nightly visitors and moments of fear for the eggs.
Nancy Merrill says
Susan, you are exactly right, both about less drama this year ( so far) and about the placement of the nest perhaps being a key factor. However, this morning (5/3) at 6:37 a raccoon made an appearance near the nest and was quickly chased chased away by Athena. We are working on a highlight video that captures the action!
Richard R Palmer says
I’m coming back just now for this year’s nesting adventures. Congratulations getting the new equipment set up and luckily able to focus on the nest so well the your “Rocky” and “Athena” pair. A little later, but snow gone, and apparently two eggs. GOOD LUCK, BIRDS!
It will be interesting if the other pair, who occupied this “turf” last year, benignly set up nearby or continue to protest “territory” (the adjudication of this may have to go to Federal Court — and we know what that can entail).
Nancy Merrill says
On 4/29 from around 17:22 – 17:26, the mallards come to pay a noisy visit to the crane nest!
Linda Howard says
Their nesting site looks so different from last year – no snow, just a lot of wind!
Nancy Merrill says
We kept hearing another pair (probably Wilma and Fred) calling on the camera this morning (4/28). After searching around, the camera discovered this other pair foraging in a nearby field (around 9:41). It’s interesting that this pair (who we think are Wilma and Fred) are still hanging around the area but are not yet nesting.