tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825Mon, 16 Sep 2024 02:57:44 +0000VWSendangeredcondorsBig SurVentanacondornest787CaliforniaChickleadnestingpoisoning789SocietyWildlifecamflightsrareredwood171199219231242317463470477567663BiologistsBirdsFuegoGPSMiracleMysteryPoint LobosPuff DaddyWildcrewnewscavengerstime lapseFollow the latest updates from VWS Biologists who lead the on-the-ground efforts to return the endangered California Condor to the wild.http://mycondor.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)Blogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-1869972197489033700Fri, 09 Dec 2016 19:38:00 +00002016-12-09T11:38:52.706-08:00 Condor Chick 842 shortly after fledging The five pre-release Condors that have been waiting release in San Simeon are finally flying free! Read the news headlines HERE. Held up by fires over the summer, the five birds were eager to stretch their wings and start exploring their new home. The cohort is made up of four females  (Condors 678,726,747, and 760) and one male ( Condor 758)http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2016/12/first-flights.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6186178718524421161Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:36:00 +00002016-07-14T09:44:17.124-07:00Big SurCaliforniaChickcondorsendangerednestingredwoodVentanaVWS This spring in Big Sur we have two active condor nests on the coast and two inland. Both coastal chicks hatched at the end of April, and both are in the tops of ancient, burned redwood trees. The first to hatch on the coast was chick number 842. This chick was born to a trio of birds – Female 534, managed by Pinnacles National Park, and males 204 “Amigo”, and 470 “Fuego”. Only time - and a http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2016/07/condor-nestlings-growing-up-fast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0Big Sur, CA, USA36.271957386940166 -121.8136596679687536.169496886940166 -121.97502116796875 36.374417886940165 -121.65229816796875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-7025185108093993424Wed, 04 May 2016 20:07:00 +00002016-05-04T13:08:15.348-07:00787789Big SurCaliforniaChickcondorendangeredleadpoisoningSocietyVentanaVWSWildlife Princess with her green "99" wing ID tag Princess (#799) and the other 2015 wild fledged birds (#773, 787, & 789)  continue to thrive in Big Sur.  They are "regulars" on the condor cam and were spotted more recently exploring the Big Sur coastline. Untagged bird (we presume #787 or #789) Currently, untagged condors 787 and 789 are only discernible by subtle differences inhttp://mycondor.blogspot.com/2016/05/wild-times.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-5618343565951931167Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:29:00 +00002016-02-09T12:31:13.801-08:00199787789Big SurBiologistsBirdsCaliforniacamChickcondorendangerednewSocietyVentanaVWSWildWildlifeLast week, VWS Biologists were excited to be able to confirm the existence of a second untagged juvenile! This chick is believed to be Condor #789, the offspring of Condors #199 and #438. Biologists were at the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary watching Condor #787 (a confirmed tagless juvenile, aka “Sky”) perched next to one of her moms when another untagged bird flew past!  The next day Condor #199http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-new-addition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-1423282088239359681Tue, 22 Dec 2015 22:33:00 +00002015-12-22T20:52:49.233-08:00219Big SurcondorcrewendangerednestPuff DaddyVentana As 2015 comes to an end, our crew has been busy keeping track of the newest members of the flock – seven young captive-raised birds that now call the hills and coastline of San Simeon home. These youngsters have been rapidly gaining flying skills and attention since we began releasing them in September. For more details, check out this article published last week in the Cambrian. All of http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/12/happy-holidays-from-flock.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-4553106278081618633Tue, 08 Dec 2015 00:32:00 +00002015-12-22T14:39:42.392-08:00 Princess perched high in a tree. Photo- Jane Sheffer After spending a few days close to the ground, we are happy to report that Princess made it safely in to the tree canopy near her nest. We spotted her in a tree last week and she looking great.  We even saw her Dad, 167, coming in to visit her briefly. As of today, Princess was still in the same area but has moved to a new tree, so http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/12/princess-elevates-her-game.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-652371134748780913Tue, 24 Nov 2015 23:45:00 +00002015-11-27T19:26:48.256-08:00 Princess after her first flight Condor 799, aka,Princess, finally fledged! Last week VWS Biologists noticed a significant change in her radio signal strength, which was always much weaker when she was inside the confines redwood nest. She was also not in view on the nest cam for a couple days.  On Thursday 11/18 we confirmed she was indeed out of the nest. She was seen close to the groundhttp://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/11/princess-takes-flight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-457428265772480965Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:30:00 +00002015-11-16T16:30:03.647-08:00 Condors 773 and 222 soaring wing tip to wing tip. Photo- www.webnectar.com Condor 222 has been escorting her young fledgling son, #773, above the nest area in recent days.  Condor #773 was the first chick to fledge this year in Big Sur. Three other chicks still have yet to be confirmed fledged so lots more action to be had this season.  Condor #773 is well ahead of the curve http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/11/mother-and-son-bond-is-strong.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-4583925959842979286Tue, 03 Nov 2015 00:35:00 +00002015-11-02T16:39:38.740-08:00470Big SurendangeredFuegoleadpoisoningrareVentanaVWS Fuego displays his vibrant head-neck colors VWS Biologists attach new transmitters The VWS Condor team successfully trapped Fuego (#470) this past week and replaced his non-functioning radio transmitters. As part of a collaborative effort with the Pinnacles Condor Team, Fuego and other condors are being rounded up right now for routine transmitter replacements and blood lead checks.  http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/11/fuego-stealth-no-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6022157662861860238Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:11:00 +00002015-10-15T12:11:46.436-07:00171242317787Big Surcondorsendangerednestnestingraretime lapseVentanaVWS Photo of Chick #787 shortly after hatch We documented yet another fascinating display of condor survival this nest season. Condor females 317 and 171 have been working together to raise a chick in the wild in a nest cave in an extremely remote location in Big Sur. Ca.  VWS Biologists were only able to access the nest twice due to its remoteness.  On the final nest check, they left http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/10/girl-power.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0Big Sur, CA 93920, USA36.2704212 -121.80797636.2448172 -121.8483165 36.2960252 -121.7676355tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-5888786656241497351Tue, 15 Sep 2015 23:30:00 +00002015-09-15T16:31:12.860-07:00 Condor #773 honing in his flight skills (Photo-Tim Huntington) It's official...Condor nestling #773 has left the nest and is learning to fly.  First flights are always the toughest but Condor #773 appears to be progressing well since leaving the nest two days ago. Many first flights usually end in a crash landing, but that's not the case for this youngster, so far so good! Like most http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/09/learning-to-fly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-7487732412054751519Mon, 31 Aug 2015 23:10:00 +00002015-09-15T12:15:24.151-07:00condorsendangeredflightsnestVWSAdult female condor, #192, returned to the Big Sur release site at the end of August for a brief visit. This was her first visit "home" in almost 5 years. Condor #192 was released in Big Sur in 1999 and spent her formative years along the Big Sur Coast. In 2006, she dispersed to southern California where she paired up with male Condor AC-9, an original member of the historic population, and beganhttp://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/07/an-old-friend-visits-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6884733763586128645Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:53:00 +00002015-08-26T15:03:41.047-07:00camcondornestredwood Melissa Clark with 799  We conducted the final health exam on Condor 799.  Her blood tested low for lead, which was excellent news and we attached a new radio transmitter and Identification tag (Green 99) to her wing.  Overall, her health was stellar and she weighed in at a solid 16 pounds! Nest cam taking in the action We put the final touches on our live streaming condor http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/08/condor-799-in-good-health-nest-cam.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-4531127734975133503Thu, 13 Aug 2015 21:19:00 +00002015-08-17T14:22:29.397-07:00231463477567663condorendangeredflightsGPSVWS GPS Data for 567 and 477 A group of condors made their way south last week to visit the southern California flock. This group of birds included 663, 463, 477, 567, 231, and possibly a few others. Although brief, their trip was an encouraging sign. We hope to see a lot more southern exposure in the future.  http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/08/southern-exposure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-8725433798183275074Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:53:00 +00002015-08-17T13:48:36.719-07:00condorsMiraclePoint LobosscavengersCondors #538 "Miracle" and #646 "Kodama" were sighted by Docents on Saturday, Aug 1, 2015 at Sea Lion Point in Pt. Lobos State Natural Reserve feeding on a dead sea lion. According to Docent, Dave Evans, the beach where they saw the condors was closed off recently to protect the sea lions that like to haul out there. Condors released in Big Sur were first documented feeding http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/08/condors-thrive-at-pt-lobos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6314522226282305644Tue, 14 Jul 2015 21:51:00 +00002015-08-17T13:56:46.176-07:00condornestVWS Veterinarian Amy Wells conducts a physical exam on 799      60 day old Condor Nestling 799 (Chick of Condors #167 and #190) passed his first nest check with flying colors! Biologists tested his blood for lead poisoning, did a physical check, and checked the nest for trash and all looked well with 799. Great job Mom and Dad! Stay tuned...799's final nest check is schedule for http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/07/redwood-nestling-doing-well.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-7471664876430966843Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:40:00 +00002015-07-29T14:41:39.509-07:00condorsnestingCondor #773 (Chick of Condors #251 and #222) had his final 120 day nest check this week. During this nest check biologists did a physical checkup, a blood draw to test for lead poising, and checked the nest for trash.  Because this was his last nest check before he fledges, Condor # 773 got his first transmitter!!  In a few months be on the lookout for a bird with a Green 73!!! http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/07/final-check-up-for-wild-nestling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-7700591587548637677Fri, 26 Jun 2015 21:33:00 +00002015-08-17T13:57:02.103-07:00condorsleadpoisoning     After a whole month of chelation treatment for lead poisoning at Oakland Zoo, Condor 538 "Miracle", was finally released towards the end of June. After being trapped and tested with a lead score of 170 ug/dL (birds are treated if they have over 35 ug/dL), she was admitted to the Oakland Zoo for chelation treatment.  Because her lead score was so high, it took a long time http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/06/miracle-released.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-3234444037342226796Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:19:00 +00002015-08-17T13:57:42.745-07:00condorsMysteryVWS       We finally caught Mystery! Condor #769, also known as Mystery, showed up for the first time on our release slope this last winter. She was raised and fledged without any assistance from VWS Biologists. After several months flying around without transmitters, Condor #769 was trapped during our spring trap up!! After a blood test biologists were able to determine that http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2015/06/mystery-unraveled.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-2121739771836881899Thu, 13 Nov 2014 22:46:00 +00002015-09-28T14:47:21.612-07:00 Condor 753 honing his flight skills Recently fledged Condors 729 and 753 fell in line with this seasonal rhythm and took some practice flight this month. Condor photographer extraordinaire, Tim Huntington, caught a fantastic photo of 753 alighting in a redwood top perch. So far he and 729 are looking great as the cold wet weather continues to test their stamina and toughen them up. http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2014/11/flight-school-for-new-recruits.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-1868295060079141239Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:24:00 +00002015-08-17T14:47:48.888-07:00 The Condor Cam Ventana Wildlife Society's Condor Cam is Live and streaming! The Condor Cam was made possible by Ventana Wildlife Society, Oakland Zoo, FedEx and Camzone and is the ultimate tool to see endangered condors in the wild through the eyes of the Biologists who are trying to save them.  Condor Cam in Action! Despite their large size, condors can be incrediblyhttp://mycondor.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-condor-cam-is-online.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-7326586879366736245Thu, 02 May 2013 23:40:00 +00002015-08-17T14:50:54.618-07:00Our 2013 condor nest season is fully underway!  As part of our nest research, we get intimate looks at condors and their wild nests each season- here are few highlight pics from this year that really tell the story. Condor 171's wild egg failed in March after we discovered it was crushed (possible thin eggshells), but luckily we swapped it out in time with an artificial one and she startedhttp://mycondor.blogspot.com/2013/05/condor-moms-are-best.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-2316249836013825993Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:34:00 +00002015-08-17T14:58:27.033-07:00 We have finally released our two captive birds, 597 and 615, into the wilds of Big Sur. They are now the newest members of the flock and we look forward to seeing them soaring above the ridges of Ventana Wilderness. 597 was “soft release" (a release requiring no handling) from the flight pen. 597 chose to give the team the slip as she flew down the canyon from the get-go. It was http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2013/03/two-condors-released.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-7556075544688501803Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:07:00 +00002015-08-17T15:04:40.935-07:00Condor chicks 663, 664, and 665 have flourished this fall, with 664 taking her first tentative flights early in the month. She was first seen hopping from her coastal redwood nest tree in brief spurts of wing beats to nearby trees, and as the month has progressed she has been spotted making not-yet graceful circles around her nesting canyon with her legs down, prepared to land at any moment. http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-shakey-yet-promising-start.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-4146857397033005675Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:00:00 +00002015-08-17T15:05:47.270-07:00This month while doing the nest entry to check on 167/190’s chick, 646, our nest team discovered the 94 day old chick had a broken wrist. We check on the chicks approximately every 30 days to make sure that they do not have any symptoms of lead poisoning, any palpable trash in their crops and to do an overall health check (see image, right).646 was evacuated from the nest and brought to the LA http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2012/07/condor-nestling-rescued.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0