As visitors to Arne will know, we have several cameras set up around the reserve looking at lots of different nests. Last year we had the excitement and drama of the barn owl and kestrel boxes and we are hoping for more of the same this year but we have an exciting new addition! This year we have a camera on a nest of my favourite bird of prey, the buzzard! The pair ofbuzzards first turned up a few weeks ago and since then they have been really busy getting the nest ready for laying in the next few weeks. Both birds have been in with fresh pine branches and it really does look like a desirable residence for any discerning buzzard! The pictures come complete with sound and we have heard the pair mating just off of camera (think they must have been a bit shy!).
The most exciting thing is that we have all of this streaming live to our website! So settle down in the comfort of your own home, office, or internet cafe and watch the first buzzards nest to be filmed inDorset right from the start!
The birds are appearing daily but they will be more regular when the female lays her eggs. Buzzards usually lay their eggs in mid April but because of the good weather it could be a bit earlier so you will have to watch to find out! http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/webcam.aspx
If you would like to keep us updated with what you are watching then join in with this discussion. This worked brilliantly with the kestrels and barn owls last year so let’s see if we can get it going for the buzzards this spring! I am really excited about what will be happening in the next few weeks!
So will there be any with night vision cameras on, as before?
No, obviously the barn owls are in a closed box so need to be illuminated but the buzzards will only be visible until it goes dark - the same as the kestrels were. We will only have one webcam but there will be more nests to see in the VC as always!
Excellent news, looking forward to see any activity on this live stream, thanks!
OK thanks.
I am wondering if this thread is going to be put at the top of the Arne forum page so it's easy to find straight away as I see the Barn Owls Life in the Box is still up there at present from last year. If not, this might end up further and further down the pages - just a thought!:-)
Wrong sorry - ignore the above - it still says Kestrels Life in the Box, NOT Barn Owls.
Hi I posted a comment today about the webcam but put it in all creatures. It was to say that I was watching the pair busy on the nest today and of course hearing them as well which is brilliant. It is wonderful to be able to watch their progress so a big thankyou to you all at Arne.
Pam
http://www.flicker.com/photos/moonraker2012/
Thank you Countrygirl, we think the sound adds an extra dimension as well. Keep us posted with what you see! I am glad you are enjoying it so far!
Hi Pudweena - As long as we get plenty of comments this thread should always appear towards the top and if you are going to be avidly watching like last year I don't think that will be a problem :). I will keep an eye on the action as well and try to put up regular posts. Will you be coming to Arne this weekend end? - haven't seen you both in ages!
Hi, not seen them today yet as only been watching for a few minutes. Can hear a woodpecker tapping away nearby. The nest is looking nice and neat now, is it just about finished?
One bird, probably the female came to the nest a couple of times today but only stayed briefly. Of the two birds one has a slightly darker tail and again this probably the female but as time goes on and they spend more time on the nest we will be able to tell for sure!. I think the nest is pretty much finished but they will probably add fresh pine twigs from time to time. It is possible that pine needles may have an antiseptic effect in the nest and help reduce the numbers of mites and lice etc!
Fingers crossed they should be laying soon!