In a copy of a letter sent to Wood Duck Society President, Roger Strand, Al Rice of Neotsu, Oregon, recently shared his observations using the BHSC Night Owl Cam.
Exerpts of Al's letter:
"I have taken the liberty of including some preliminary thoughts and comments from a real novice in this confusing field (of animal behavior).
It is interesting to note that two pair of Wood ducks were often observed inspecting this site apparently together. Question: could it be that this shared nesting was pre-planned? Perhaps by siblings or by mother/daughter? Ant it might be of further interest that on at least one occasion, after a major altercation, that minutes after the second hen left the box, the first hen joined her on the water for an apparent normal and tranquil swim together.
In All the shared nesting I've observed there have been many such visits that, beginning with the egg laying, are very peaceful, becoming more tense at the number of eggs increases. It seems be become downright violent as incubation proceeds. This has led me to surmise that the second hens and their egg contributions are basically tolerated and even welcomed during the egg laying period, but that the host hen totally rejects the second hen (and more eggs) after incubation has begun, knowing that additional eggs after that time cannot hatch and will only add to the burden of the host hen.
After all the above, the attack on the second hens eggs was amazing! On the original tape it was obviously the "intruder's" eggs -- but after the host hen tried, but couldn't, break it she tucked it under her wing and it became one of the family. I wonder what would have happened if she had, indeed, broken it.
After a particularly violent fight at the beginning of one incubation, blood was found on three of the eggs, and also on the roof of the same nest box where the expelled hen rested upon leaving. That was the only instance where I have seen blood resulting from their actions, and again (I can only surmise) it might have been from sharp claws against the brood patch. I have never seen any eggs damaged in any of the altercations.
Except for perhaps the first three or four days, we don't recall ever recognizing the second hen being present as the incubation period progressed. We were really floored when she suddenly showed up about 15 minutes before the jump. And, it appears that she was almost welcomed (by gentle preening) on the part of the host hen. I can't help but think she was there checking on "her" contributions, as perhaps she also did from time to time (unobserved) during the incubation. We also noticed that when the host hen finally jumped, she milled around in the water for perhaps a full minute before calling the ducklings out. Was she looking for the second hen? My be is that she was.
Note: Although I have had relatively little experience at this, I have not as yet observed any prolonged "shared incubation" but rather, have observed "shared nesting" during the egg-laying period with the host hen only doing the actual incubation. I realize this might conflict with reports from some of your other observations, but his type of camera work is quite new and more experience might clarify this activity. And then again, "different strokes for different folks" might prove to be the order for this unique animal.
The final porting of the video shows the same jump from the outside, and seems to highlight the hesitancy of the host hen to leave the area. This jump of 15 ducklings took one minute and 20 seconds, which is somewhat longer than we have averaged for a jump of this size.
Al Rice,
Hummingbird Tall Tail
Last year there was a great article in National Geographic about hummingbirds. One comment from one of the researchers brought a smile. In describing what little rascals hummers are, she said ounce for ounce there probably isn't a more pugnacious critter in the world. She bet that 100% of their vocabulary is curse words. And now, scientists have found that all of those curse words aren't coming out of their dirty little mouths. Take a look at this news article from the BBC. Hummers Speak With Forked Tail?
Researchers: Recording out in the field
We've been getting quite a few queries from researchers wanting to record animal behavior in the field, far from any power source.
There are all kinds of options, here are a few we've tried which will help get you started. By the way, this certainly isn't a definitive answer. There's undoubtedly plenty of room for improvement, so, please share your thoughts and ways to do this even better. Let's get a dialog going.
To record in the field you need:
1) A portable power source such as the Black & Decker Electromate 400, which retails for around $100. Such units available at GI Joes, Walmart, Home Depot, and camping supply stores. Campers use these to power their lights, TVs, radios, etc. The Electomate has two outlets. Black & Decker Home Generators: These are conveniently packaged with carrying handle and are weather proof.
More power can be had by using an "inverter" attached to car batteries. You can link a number of batteries together for a greater power supply. These aren't quite as handy as the Electromate as you'll need to shield them from the weather. Inverter FAQ - DonRowe.com , Power Inverters by Xantrex, Vector , Inverter Store .
2) A monitor, to help aim and focus the camera. Because of the power a monitor consumes, you'll only want to use it temporarily. Be careful. Not many portable DVD players have audio/video-in capabilities. In fact, a lot of them have audio- and video-out ports. The Coby V Zone works well. (Google "Coby V Zone," or go to http://www.cobyelectronics.com/ )
3) A recording device. A simple VCR will do if you only want to record a couple of hours, but you'll need, a security time-lapse recorder (Lorex Time Lapse Recorder ) if you want to record for a day or so.
The Hawk Eye can be plugged into, and recorded from any type of VCR, computer (with audio- and video-in ports and capture /editing software) or PMP (Personal Media Player) that has RCA (video- and audio-in) jacks.
Obviously, a standard VCR is only going to give you a few hours recording time, as it is limited by the VHS tape you use. For serious recording you'll need a surveillance recorder. There are many kinds out there. We've had great success with the Lorex Video Recorder, Lorex 1280 Hour Time Lapse / 40 Hour Real Time Professional Vcr: Such recorders are, however, real power hogs. We've run the Hawk Eye camera and Lorex Time Lapse VCR off the Black & Decker Electromate 400 power pack for 9 hours before losing power.
The Lorex recorder is really fascinating as you can put 40 hours of real time recording on a T-160 (2.5 hr.) VHS tape, or run it in time lapse mode for up to 1280 hours (106 days).
If you want to go high-tech, you can record using a digital recorder. Lorex and other surveillance companies also offer digital recorders, but these run in excess of $400, and require additional Gigabit hard drives. Such recorders are large (18" x 10" x 4") and heavy and not the most convenient things for lugging around in the woods. Haven't tried one, but would assume they consume less power than does the VHS recorder.
A much smaller alternative that solves the problems of weight, power consumption, the need for a monitor and a recording device is a PMP (Personal Media Player) We have tried one by Coby, (V-Zon PMP4320) with mixed results. While the one we tried consumed very little power, it was a bit temperamental, but could probably be made to work. It consumes very little power and we used the little screen for aiming and focusing and then successfully recorded to the 20 GB hard drive. The manual says the 20 GB hard drive will record up to 80 hours of video, but we found it good for only 15 hours. That figures out to 1.5 hrs./ 1 GB of memory. They also sell a larger 30 GB unit which would handle about 22 hours of recording.
There are all kinds of options, here are a few we've tried which will help get you started. By the way, this certainly isn't a definitive answer. There's undoubtedly plenty of room for improvement, so, please share your thoughts and ways to do this even better. Let's get a dialog going.
To record in the field you need:
1) A portable power source such as the Black & Decker Electromate 400, which retails for around $100. Such units available at GI Joes, Walmart, Home Depot, and camping supply stores. Campers use these to power their lights, TVs, radios, etc. The Electomate has two outlets. Black & Decker Home Generators: These are conveniently packaged with carrying handle and are weather proof.
More power can be had by using an "inverter" attached to car batteries. You can link a number of batteries together for a greater power supply. These aren't quite as handy as the Electromate as you'll need to shield them from the weather. Inverter FAQ - DonRowe.com , Power Inverters by Xantrex, Vector , Inverter Store .
2) A monitor, to help aim and focus the camera. Because of the power a monitor consumes, you'll only want to use it temporarily. Be careful. Not many portable DVD players have audio/video-in capabilities. In fact, a lot of them have audio- and video-out ports. The Coby V Zone works well. (Google "Coby V Zone," or go to http://www.cobyelectronics.com/ )
3) A recording device. A simple VCR will do if you only want to record a couple of hours, but you'll need, a security time-lapse recorder (Lorex Time Lapse Recorder ) if you want to record for a day or so.
The Hawk Eye can be plugged into, and recorded from any type of VCR, computer (with audio- and video-in ports and capture /editing software) or PMP (Personal Media Player) that has RCA (video- and audio-in) jacks.
Obviously, a standard VCR is only going to give you a few hours recording time, as it is limited by the VHS tape you use. For serious recording you'll need a surveillance recorder. There are many kinds out there. We've had great success with the Lorex Video Recorder, Lorex 1280 Hour Time Lapse / 40 Hour Real Time Professional Vcr: Such recorders are, however, real power hogs. We've run the Hawk Eye camera and Lorex Time Lapse VCR off the Black & Decker Electromate 400 power pack for 9 hours before losing power.
The Lorex recorder is really fascinating as you can put 40 hours of real time recording on a T-160 (2.5 hr.) VHS tape, or run it in time lapse mode for up to 1280 hours (106 days).
If you want to go high-tech, you can record using a digital recorder. Lorex and other surveillance companies also offer digital recorders, but these run in excess of $400, and require additional Gigabit hard drives. Such recorders are large (18" x 10" x 4") and heavy and not the most convenient things for lugging around in the woods. Haven't tried one, but would assume they consume less power than does the VHS recorder.
A much smaller alternative that solves the problems of weight, power consumption, the need for a monitor and a recording device is a PMP (Personal Media Player) We have tried one by Coby, (V-Zon PMP4320) with mixed results. While the one we tried consumed very little power, it was a bit temperamental, but could probably be made to work. It consumes very little power and we used the little screen for aiming and focusing and then successfully recorded to the 20 GB hard drive. The manual says the 20 GB hard drive will record up to 80 hours of video, but we found it good for only 15 hours. That figures out to 1.5 hrs./ 1 GB of memory. They also sell a larger 30 GB unit which would handle about 22 hours of recording.
Bats
Scott T. writes:
I'm placing a number of bird houses and bat boxes on the grounds of a summer camp I operate. I'm wondering how I might install one of your cameras in a bat box. Is it possible and if so, what would be the best positon for the install. Thanks.
Scott,
You have two options for mounting a camera in a bat house. The easiest is to simply mount it in the entrance, pointing upward. Several people have done this . . . see "Herbs bats" clip toward the bottom of our Home Page. Although some have worried that there is the possibility of bat feces getting on the camera, I have received no reports of this happening.
Option 2 is to cut an opening in the upper chamber and mount the camera up there. Lone Star Woodcarft http://www.lonestarwoodcraft.com/ makes an outstanding bat house with this feature.
By the way, you'll be amazed at the reactions you'll get. People either love 'em or hate 'em, never hesitate to express their opinion.
I'm placing a number of bird houses and bat boxes on the grounds of a summer camp I operate. I'm wondering how I might install one of your cameras in a bat box. Is it possible and if so, what would be the best positon for the install. Thanks.
Scott,
You have two options for mounting a camera in a bat house. The easiest is to simply mount it in the entrance, pointing upward. Several people have done this . . . see "Herbs bats" clip toward the bottom of our Home Page. Although some have worried that there is the possibility of bat feces getting on the camera, I have received no reports of this happening.
Option 2 is to cut an opening in the upper chamber and mount the camera up there. Lone Star Woodcarft http://www.lonestarwoodcraft.com/ makes an outstanding bat house with this feature.
By the way, you'll be amazed at the reactions you'll get. People either love 'em or hate 'em, never hesitate to express their opinion.
Welcome, What it's all about!
Welcome to your place! A place where bird and bat, deer and elk, even horse and chicken -- yes, chicken -- enthusiasts can come and share the discoveries they've made while using our Hawk Eye nature cam.
Seen some unique bird or other animal behavior? Have a unique way of setting up your Hawk Eye cam? Have a question about birding or camera use? Drop us a note. Believe me, there are a lot of enthusiasts out there who will be interested in what you have to say. Just send your observations, comments, and photos and we'll post them.
Best Regards,
Richard Yost
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