Bird Cams Around the World

Hello to all the Cobb cam watchers. I am posting this same message on the Cobb Falcon and Owl forums.

I wanted to update you on discussions regarding the Cobb cam this week.

The CCB biologists are in general agreement that the camera will not be functional now. The equipment was likely flooded, and will need to be replaced. Their assessment is that replacement will cost $1,300. They are assessing any equipment from other areas that may be recycled, but there is probably not much used equipment available. They did however plan on fixing the platform for next season.

The Cobb Cam has become a special cam for us on the BCAW forum, and for the biologists. It is one of the few nest locations in Virginia that has access to a wireless signal. We have also been very lucky to have CCB biologists Libby and Shawn participate on the forum and help us understand what we are watching, both at Cobb and James River, as well as Richmond and the Norfolk Eagle cam.

Libby and I have discussed the possibility of raising some funds from our members to help sponsor this cam so that it can continue to exist.

I would like to ask how many members would have an interest in donating to this effort. The few folks I have discussed this with have already offered to start a fund with several hundred dollars in donations. We don't know yet what the condition of the cam and supporting equipment are yet, so the cost is still somewhat uncertain. Shawn and Libby are planning on taking a trip the week after Thanksgiving to check on the cam and tower. I'm not sure if we will hear anything on the Barn Owls prior to that or not.

Please let us know your thoughts, either here or pm me, Beth or skygirlblue. We just want to see if there is enough interest to get a fund started for now, at least until CCB can get more specifics.

Thanks very much, and we are so grateful for all the new and existing members who have posted such wonderful thoughts here at Cobb.

I'm in.

I'd be glad to donate.

I'll be glad to help.

I'm in too. Hope it can be done with Paypal, that's the easiest way for me to make international payments. (And least costly)

Many thanks to everyone who has responded, through pm or on here. Yes Ingrid, I believe we can still use our paypal account.

Libby is busy networking for surplus equipment as well.

Hi everyone,

I want to say thank you for your continued interest in this webcam and support of Virginia's Peregrines (and owls!). Now that we've gotten confirmation of the destruction of the camera equipment from the storm's tidal surge, we can start pulling together a list of items to replace. We have a few extra parts from old cameras we can salvage. We also had one forum/cam watcher who generously has offered to donate some of his extra webcam supplies. Our most costly replacement will be the wireless camera server $800-1500. We don't receive financial support from the state to support the cameras and a full replacement will be outside our budget. We're trying to be as creative and resourceful as possible to ensure the continuation of this webcam but need your help to make it a success. A big thanks to Barb who moderates this forum for offering to organize a fundraiser to help CCB.

We're planning a workday to repair the Cobb nest tower in January. The platform that holds the nest box has broken away from the pilings supporting it (ever notice the lean in the back right corner?). This will involve several boats for lumber, crew to cut and hoist lumber, and of course, Shawn our camera expert. He'll do a full assessment of the situation and check the remaining cameras and solar panels to see if they still work.

While there are many falcon webcams online these days, the Cobb nest is one of the few that allows us to watch and monitor falcons in their native habitat. While not historically abundant as breeders on the barrier islands, peregrines are a unique and vital part of the salt marsh-beach ecosystem. Cobb Island was one of the first places where peregrines were reintroduced to the Eastern US and it has been an active nest site since the mid 1980s. The falcons were initially released from the lighthouse on top of the historic coast guard station on the island. Barn owls used to nest in the oven in the old station. The station was moved to the mainland by barge in 1998 by The Nature Conservancy who own and protect many of the marshes and beaches in Virginia. Now we access the falcon nest tower through the old coast guard harbor that hasn't been dredged in years (always an adventure!). This nest is one of my favorite to visit because it's at a historic site and is on a pristine barrier island. We've got a page on the Cobb tower's history with a few photos http://ccb-wm.org/programs/peregrine/peregrine_coast_cobbis.htm

Also, if you have suggestions about how we can improve the webcam or our VAfalcons website for viewers, this is a great time to provide your input. I'm not a html wiz but I will try my best to accommodate your suggestions.

Again thanks for your support,
Libby

Thanks for the update, Libby! I would like to contribute to the new equipment needed. Do you know if there's a PayPal account already set up where those of us who'd like to make contributions toward the Cobb cam can do so?

Thank you so much for the update Libby!! Do we want to make contributions as a group? or individually? I don't have a Paypal account and prefer to make a donation with a check, if possible. I am going to post this info. on the Maine forum as well ... there may be some there willing to donate as well.