If you have been following this BLOG site then you may recall two earlier posts that discussed Turkey Vulture (abbreviated acronym is TUVU) nest site criteria research that is currently taking place at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center. As a part of this study, four motion-activated cameras were set-up on known TUVU nest locations. All of these nest sites are in oak trees or oak tree snags. Photos from these cameras are revealing tantalizing tidbits of information about the lives of nesting TUVUs in oak woodlands.
This particular cavity in a live oak tree was used by a raccoon as a daytime sleeping site last spring. Successful nesting by TUVUs seemed an impossibility with such an experienced predator lurking. However, the photos have revealed successful nesting from egg laying all the way to the fledging (when the young leave the nest) of two youngsters.
Photos have also revealed that one of these nestlings liked to crawl to the top of the cavity and hang-out near the top (where these youngsters are in the photo) at all hours of the night! Further analysis of the photos may give clues as to the parental visitation timing and frequency.
