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
05/26/2023 – 13:47 is their last time at the nest. Keep going and by around 13:52 they are all four abandoning the nest for “greener pastures.” So cute to see the mom come back and get the one that doesn’t follow. This is priceless!!!!
Barry Kaplan says
May 26, 10:24am
Busy day! Both Cranes have stayed at the nest most of this morning. Both Cinnamon and Sage are standing, getting around more easily and appear to be competing for Rocky and Athena’s attention, including beginning to beg for food. Rocky’s now on the nest. It took a while for everyone to settle in and there was more of the colts fussing while Athena stayed off to the side mostly hidden from our view behind a tree branch to the right. In addition to Crane calls heard off camera (maybe Fred and Wilma,) calls by Western Wood Peewee, Red-winged Blackbird, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Common Yellowthroat, and lots of frogs. A bobolink was also seen in the neighborhood yesterday.
Susan M. says
Thank you so much Barry for your narrating expertise! It is very much appreciated!
Barry Kaplan says
Teresa Audesirk says
Great description – thank you!
Barry Kaplan says
We are overjoyed to see Rocky and Athena, Sage and Cinnamon! This morning at 6:55:11 Rocky flew by and shortly after came to relieve Athena of her colt watching duties. She stood, we had great views of the colts, and after watching and tending to them she sat back down. Rocky finally left, and we were able to see one of the colts climb onto her back, disappearing into her feathers at 7:05:00 . Later today we’ll share a highlight video of it.
A heads up, we will be doing camera stream maintenance this morning before 9am. The camera will be down briefly during the restet but we’ll try to time it so we don’t miss any major events.
Sharon K Jost says
This morning at 8:57 both parents are at the nest and you can see Cinnamon and Sage on the right side and behind the nesting crane. Such a wonderful sight this morning.
Barb Hughes says
At 6:56 this morning proud Dad arrives. Mom stands up at 6:57 a.m. and you can see the whole happy family. Cinnamon and Sage are ready for breakfast.
Nancy Merrill says
More exciting news! The second chick, Sage, just hatched and can be seen at 19:20 tonight. Athena has returned to the nest and is caring for both Cinnamon and Sage for the night. Stay safe, little ones!
Richard R Palmer says
Well now I am seeing a chick at 17:32 on the clock when the nesting crane is up for few minutes….
Joey Chadwick says
05/25/2023 – 16:02 to 1604 – good views of new chick (colt); Also 17:31 to 17:38; And 18:50 mom stands up and it looks like she steps on baby. Kind of a non-gentle mom!!! But Happy Birthday – colt is born on one of my daughter’s birthday! Exciting!!!!
Susan M. says
Congratulations to all!
Richard R Palmer says
Oh, so much for me: day late and dollar short…. Bunch of other postings came up after I put min in the hopper to show already at least on hatch 2-1/2 hours ago….
Though looking few min ago and also now I haven’t seen the chick….or much activity by parent….
Richard R. Palmer, MD says
I wonder if at this stage, when we think hatching is “imminent”, whether activity within the shell — movement, maybe even pricking of the chick against the interior of the shell — is picked up on the skin of the sitting bird with some kind of slight reaction like “What’s that?” or even “Ah, hatchling scratches!” that might be observed by us as “crane seems to notice sensations down there….”
Maybe??
Lyn A Halliday says
This has been fantastic to see, very exciting!
David Moulton says
Congratulations Nancy, you’re a Grandma again!
David Moulton says
At 1604 the crane stood up for less than a minute. It sure looked like a chick in that nest. The crane has been fluffing its wings and shifting its body around a lot. It keeps leaning left and turning its head to look down along its right side as if there is activity under its right side.
Nancy Merrill says
Chick seen at 15:59:40 today! Hooray!!!
David Moulton says
At 1552 the crane stood up and moved the eggs around a little. I think I saw a head poking out of the egg on the left. Crane settled back down at 1554.
Amy Lancaster says
Chick making it’s way out of the egg on the left!
Emily Lancaster says
I think I see a hole in one of the eggs?! Maybe it’s hatching day!!
Joey Chadwick says
05/24/2023, Athena stands and rotates the ages and fusses with the nest again around 6:11 a.m. and 6:46 a.m. and again at 6:57 a.m. She must be getting anxious to see if the eggs are hatching also, just like we all are.
Amy Lancaster says
5/24 at 5:38-Athena stands, preens, rotates the eggs and sits back down.
Joey Chadwick says
05/23/2023, 20:00 – the water is getting so high. Is there no way to divert the water from the crane nest? Do you think they will have to abandon the nest???? This is getting very worrisome!
Nancy Merrill says
The water is high because the snow in the high country is melting with the warm weather and filling the streams and wetlands. We also received a small amount of rain last night. The cranes are continually adding to the nest and when we get views of the eggs, they appear to be high and dry. We don’t know what effect, if any, the high water will have on hatching. Since there is no way to divert the water, we will have to let nature take its course here and hope for the best.
Joey Chadwick says
Thanks Nancy – yup – nature has to take its course – sometimes scary to watch. The nesting crane sure was watching that water level yesterday but it looks lower this morning but maybe that’s just my hopefulness.
Joey Chadwick says
05/23/2023, at 15:09 mom stands up and gets into the water, maybe worrying about the water level, throws grass, twigs and dad shows up and gets on the nest. Interesting exchange.
Barb Hughes says
Rocky stood up at 11:23 a.m and exchanged places with Athena. They performed unison calls and then Athena settled down to continue incubation. Maybe she’ll be the lucky parent to be at the nest when the first chick hatches.
Joey Chadwick says
05/23/2023, at 7:28 mom leaves the nest and dad shows up – squawks and rotates an egg and fusses with the nest and nestles down.
Joey Chadwick says
5/22/23 at 8:18 she stands up and you can see both eggs. She rotates one and sits back down.
Joey Chadwick says
5/22/23: Tonight the nesting crane is on high alert – does not sleep; at 3:56:24 she is up again; finally sleeps a few minutes at 4:07; At 4:58 eyes open; 6:38:22 can hear a crane nearby talking; at 6:39 she stands up and at 6:42 sits back down and sleeps a few minutes; More crane talk nearby at 7:26:44; 7:27 she yawns (LOL); at 7:29 stands up and sits back down at 7:32. Very restless night. Maybe she knows the eggs will hatch soon?????