Cornell University Sapsucker Woods Pond Camera (Live)

This live camera was initially established to monitor nest activities of a heron pair.
The nest collapsed during spring 2014. The mating of a female and ‘Dad’ heron in the tree shortly after gave everybody the impression that herons may build a new nest. Unfortunately it looks like the male heron ‘Dad’ who has nested on the pond since 2009 may not have found a suitable mate this year. Volunteer camera operators have been watching the heron activity on the pond and have positively identified ‘Dad’ on several occasions. Several active heronries have been identified in the area of Ithaca, New York, but no active nests have been noted in Sapsucker. Until breeding season 2015 enjoy the new livestream which allows rewinding of an action within each 8 hour recording.

From 2013 breeding season:
Nobody knows if this was the same female from last year’s breeding season but a female great blue heron (Ardea herodias) arrived to join the male heron on the evening of April 8th. Sexes are very similar to each other but here the male could be easily identified because he is missing his right hallux (the rear facing toe on his right foot). The two have been incubating 5 eggs which were expected to hatch around mid May. Nest is located in Sapsucker Woods, Ithaca, NY.

This is arguably one the best nest cams with amazing scenery and natural sounds. On July 5th it was confirmed by Cornell University entomologists that the nest was being used by Eastern bumblebees. This is the first observation that a bird nest is used by a social insect colony.

Here’s an eight minute highlight of 2013 breeding season for the heron family of 3 heronlings: