Date: 6/9/25 2:29 pm From: Kevin Kubach (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Chuck-will's-widow Video
That is incredible footage! What a treat. Thanks for all your effort to
research, document and share this.
About a month ago, I accidentally flushed an adult Whip-poor-will in Fant's
Grove WMA (Anderson Co., SC) and realized I was standing a few feet away
from a nestling that I now have learned was probably 3 or so days old
(feather shafts visible in some places). The next day, I brought my
spotting scope in order to attempt to view the adult on the nest from a
distance. Much to my surprise, as I approached carefully, an adult flushed
from a different spot entirely, revealing two nestlings (the first time,
nestling #2 was either underneath #1 or had been swept many feet away by
the adult's eruption into flight, which according to the literature often
happens and may even serve a purpose in separating the young from "one
basket" should a predator find the nest). I also learned through all of
this and further research that the nestlings are capable of moving on their
own at only a couple days old. Having seen them, I never would have
expected they could move on their own, but in the context of survival for a
ground-nesting species, it makes sense. (And Michael's remarkable video
certainly confirms this.)
Kevin Kubach
Greenville/Clemson, SC
On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 4:14 PM Juanita Roushdy <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> Michael,
>
> This is a stunning video capture and pure joy to watch - the
> determination of the nestlings and the patience of the parents unbelievable
> and a privilege to witness. Thank you so much for sharing it. It certainly
> made my day. A lot of patience on your part to locate and video the family.
>
> Again, thank you.
>
> Juanita
> Bremen, ME formerly from Bald Head Island, NC
>
> On Jun 9, 2025, at 2:26 PM, Michael Fogleman (via carolinabirds Mailing
> List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Hello friends,
>
> I recently discovered a Chuck-will's-widow nest on the Harris Lake Game
> Lands in New Hill, NC with the use of a thermal scope. I first determined
> where the male was singing at dusk to figure out roughly where to look. I
> also did some research on their habitat preferences. Still, it took
> multiple days of methodical searching with the scope to find anything. But
> I ultimately found two separate nesting pairs in different areas. I also
> found one of the males roosting on a few occasions. One nesting pair was a
> couple weeks ahead of the other in terms of development. The first was
> still incubating when I found it while the second had fairly large
> nestlings by the time I found them. I tried the same thing last year with
> an Eastern Whip-poor-will but had no success.
>
> The most exciting part was capturing video of nestlings when they became
> active at dusk. Lots of interesting behavior. So I wanted to share this
> video.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1htsf__yZF8 > <https://nam11%20.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1htsf__yZF8&data=05%7C02%<7Ccarolinabirds...>%7C1d2f6ed6ad824d39f30e08dda783233b%7Ccb72c54e4a314d9eb14a1ea36dfac94c%7C0%7C0%7C638850903862366990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=O6kn1f01FmaLs4bh9rk%2FvrmxCH9zK4e9m1k3RgoDh9k%3D&reserved=0> >
> I believe the nestlings are just a day or two old in this video. I
> captured the video from behind camo cover, using a 135mm f/1.8 lens for a
> good balance between focal length and light-gathering abilities. I have
> lots of photos to share too, perhaps I'll add them to an eBird checklist
> soon.
>
> I'm often asked what my favorite bird is. I think I finally have an answer!
>
> Happy birding!
>
> Michael Fogleman
> Cary, NC< br>
>
>
>
