tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:49:50 +0000242WOW478499444wind turbinesnest245460310303501199318167463538WNVeggs405Centennia375fire flowers477poisoning567208. 356204401251Ventana#286lead514317503192310. 303171219PhoenixDiscovery Center313shot194208400470California Condors and the Potential for Wind Power in Monterey Countynestscondors286cliff nest429377336231236Redwood#375Hoi411Hoinewuitban298574gunshot190209222168475278Track the on-the-ground efforts to return the endangered California Condor to the wild.http://mycondor.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)Blogger77125MyCondorhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-730840370532241153Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:42:00 +00002011-12-01T18:56:59.136-08:00 In Memory of Mike Tyner...  Mike Tyner was a wildlife biologist who dedicated the last six working for Ventana Wildlife Society, to save California Condors in Big Sur, CA. He was truly an exceptional individual who served as the field supervisor for Ventana Wildlife Society's condor recovery program. Tragically, during high winds in Big Sur on November 30, a tree toppled causing his http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/hT-7vJV7hDU/tragic-loss-to-condor-program.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)1http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/tragic-loss-to-condor-program.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6857558459141374349Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:36:00 +00002011-12-01T18:36:54.804-08:00 Condor #204 & #222 Condor #204 "Amigo" Condor blood test Juvenile condor The end of October brought with it the end of our fall trap up season. The effort went smoothly as the field crew found its groove. Ultimately, we were able to successfully treat the condors that came through with lead poisoning and observe some hopeful trends within our Central California Condor flock. September and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/Ox6lnCgws8k/speed-dating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/speed-dating.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-9070260274353954251Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:34:00 +00002011-12-01T18:35:14.691-08:00Fall bird migration has started at Andrew Molera State Park, so that means fall trap-up is now in full swing for the central coast condor flock. The condors know the game and without hesitation the bulk of the flock became somewhat aloof once we started trapping. Although we have managed to trap more than half of the birds, it has been difficult to lure them back. Thus far we are fortunate to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/vgvnxGWbZjw/falling-into-trap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/falling-into-trap.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-8335898012305054742Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:32:00 +00002011-12-01T18:32:28.611-08:00"Silent, inaudible, invisible flow. The very mountains flowing to the sea. The great heart of the hills sending its life down in streams. Mountains die that we may live." These words of John Muir depicting earthy cycles could have easily been written to describe Big Sur and its interwoven rhythms of beginnings and endings in the heart of Condor Country. This month brought the end of another nest http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/YMDPZ-lpEAQ/no-room-at-inn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-room-at-inn.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-1788684871211072611Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:30:00 +00002011-12-01T18:30:50.783-08:00Aldo Leopold once stated, "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." If this is nature's axiom, we have done something right because things have been very stable and routine in Big Sur condor country this month. All birds were accounted for this month and we are still waiting to see if they find http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/f-Z4zPe8vfM/whale-ahoy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/whale-ahoy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-8973168818565818354Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:28:00 +00002011-12-01T18:28:13.947-08:00June came in with a bang and went out on the same note this year! This month Condor Country along the coast got an unexpected winter storm watch early on. Coincidently, Mother Nature brewed up a cyclone over the ocean and decided to dump it over Big Sur the same weekend we had planned our annual fundraising event- Wings Over the World. Instead of using the catering tents as a sun block, we used http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/upXa8pFjwB8/condors-and-city.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/condors-and-city.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-1876088208275396463Thu, 26 May 2011 01:25:00 +00002011-12-01T18:25:13.932-08:00The weather for May has been pretty normal, warm and sunny with only a few late showers. The condors are out flying around enjoying the warm weather as the weeks pass by. The wild flowers continue to bloom covering the land with bright and beautiful colors. But as the weather gets warmer you can see the grass slowly turn from a bright, peaceful green to the typical brown of summer. The song birdshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/7u9qA2rXl5k/time-to-trap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-to-trap.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-2816803089406770311Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:22:00 +00002011-12-01T18:23:20.643-08:00Spring has sprung and it is high time to get out and do some condor viewing! Since the March road closure, our regular Condor Viewing Tours have been halted but we are back in action and so are the birds. Highway 1 re-opened from Big Sur to Carmel mid-month, and the spring winds have been providing a giant playground in the sky for the birds to stretch out their huge wings. Despite the excitementhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/xkBoZaXShuo/spring-has-sprung.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/12/spring-has-sprung.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-4042431204910221379Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:57:00 +00002011-03-26T10:15:59.442-07:00 Another rainy day in Big Sur A series of large storms have been passing through Big Sur over the last 10 days, leaving behind a path of debris, fallen trees and landslides. On Wednesday, March 16, a section of highway slid into the ocean between Bixby and Rocky Creek Bridges, cutting off Big Sur from Monterey. The alternate route requires driving 3 ½ hours south over http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/VaTu3DB2Tqo/stranded-in-big-sur.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)2http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/03/stranded-in-big-sur.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-903589233016589804Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:38:00 +00002011-03-16T19:35:10.747-07:00231209204199236251222 First egg! Our first Big Sur wild-laid egg of the year was successfully swapped out with a dummy egg this week. The nest is located in a redwood cavity…oh yes; we love the climb into those redwood trees! We believe the mom is female #222 (Cosmo), who successfully raised chick # 470 with condor male #204 back in 2008 in the same territory – though not at the same site. Due to an injury, #204 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/FCcmFck5xQU/march-2011-our-first-egg-of-season.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-2011-our-first-egg-of-season.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-5523914481489048816Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:35:00 +00002011-03-16T19:34:56.543-07:00In the realm of condor observation, February is a narrowly focused month with all eyes on breeding behavior. We are interested to see new pairs forming and successful breeding pairs persisting. We have some seasoned veterans of backcountry-nesting keeping us busy again. The coming months will surely keep us fit while we search to find the two possible nest locations, and hike out to observe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/5cAo3sLOf-c/feb-2011-hellos-and-farewells.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/03/feb-2011-hellos-and-farewells.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-791748175956324859Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:15:00 +00002011-03-16T19:42:40.359-07:00298242 The condor breeding season is in full swing as Valentine's Day approaches – the condor sanctuary has become a confusing jumble of activity, and so have our behavioral observation notes! When many condors congregate at our supplemental feeding site it can be challenging to record all events as they unfold, with feeding, soaring, socializing, displaying and copulation often happening http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/MQvnkvPsR1c/feb-2011-love-is-in-air.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/02/feb-2011-love-is-in-air.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-8029296779490001269Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:11:00 +00002011-03-16T19:44:04.980-07:00567 Perhaps this month's biggest victory was the capture and radio tagging of Big Sur's youngest condor, #567. Arriving for the first time at the condor sanctuary on January 14th, he finally joined his peers to feed, socialize with, and integrate with the rest of the flock. His arrival prompted field crews to excitedly man the blind in an effort to trap this very important youngster and, after dayshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/XSsiDofIJEQ/jan-2011-another-new-year-for-condors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/01/jan-2011-another-new-year-for-condors.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-8552043893286206342Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:07:00 +00002011-03-16T19:45:04.524-07:00567 The start of another breeding season represents an opportune time to briefly consider the two most basic principles of reintroducing an endangered species – it all boils down to reproduction and survival, and with no fatalities and a whopping eight breeding pairs anticipated to attempt nesting this year in Central California, the future can hardly look better. The beginning of December promptedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/t60e0wtspI4/december-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6036064590092141498Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:04:00 +00002011-03-16T19:35:56.867-07:00567The rains are here! La Nina years are cold and relatively dry in central California, but the past two weeks have been precipitous and mild in Big Sur. Rain presents a logistical obstacle and a hazard for our crews as we travel to and from the remote condor sanctuary, the road to which is vulnerable to degradation particularly early in the wet season, when rain can change its physical quality http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/-ndW6J2TThI/november-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-1771193641848482113Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:00:00 +00002011-03-16T19:36:11.461-07:00 Big Sur is known for its amazing weather in the fall- clear skies, sunny days and that crisp, fall feeling. However this month has brought winter-like conditions- coastal fog, rain, and high winds. Despite the ideal weather in October, the condors continue to spend lots of time out of the Big Sur area, making daily forays over to Pinnacles and beyond. The three youngest birds in our wild flock http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/yr6wUvWzkHc/october-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-3065138761399737002Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:53:00 +00002011-03-16T19:37:13.315-07:00400567192 September at the Ventana Wildlife Society is inevitably characterized by the ups and downs of the fall trapping season and, as expected, our successes were tempered by challenges. Mid-month, at the very onset of trapping, our field biologists captured 15 condors in a single week, almost a third of the Pinnacles and Big Sur flocks combined! This victory imbued our team with high hopes for http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/-Ox33BS1buk/september-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/09/september-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-3427710974110461087Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:48:00 +00002011-03-16T19:36:42.322-07:00567574171 Although temperatures soared into the 90's more than once this month, the birds carried on normally, scouring the coast for carcasses, drinking and bathing at the condor sanctuary and socializing animatedly amongst themselves. These broiling bouts were put into perspective after a trip to Pinnacles National Monument where temperatures often reached the triple digits well before noon. Despite thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/g4lC4fbIcac/august-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-181200154461544048Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:31:00 +00002011-03-16T19:36:58.676-07:00567463470478460 Condors from the Big Sur and Pinnacles National Monument flocks have been traveling to and fro with increased frequency, and notable among them were condors #460, #463 and #478, three young Pinnacles birds who together took their first flight to Big Sur this month. While our staff was delighted to witness these young birds experience the ocean and cool coastal climate for the first time, we http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/YUf5d5BnApg/july-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2011/03/july-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-2652745359548803012Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:32:00 +00002010-06-17T10:38:43.758-07:00310219It’s official! We have two wild condor chicks in central California. A climbing team, which included Veterinarian Amy Wells, entered the nest cave of Big Sur male 219, aka, "Rock" and Pinnacles female 310 and found a 40-45 day old condor chick. The chick weighed almost 6 pounds and was in excellent physical condition. This pair spends quite a bit of time between Pinnacles and Big Sur on the east http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/oBCu5wnadhI/new-mom-condor-310.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-mom-condor-310.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6626991815621213562Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:48:00 +00002010-06-04T09:10:42.054-07:00194171Good news to report today from the intrepid field crew!We conducted a chick exam at the nest of 194 (Whalewatcher) and 171 (Traveler) on June 1st and I’m glad to report that all went well. The chick (37 days old) was a plump 6.5 lbs and had full crop of food. Earlier in the day, on our way to the nest, we spotted Mom (171) feeding on the carcass of a large male sea lion along the coast. As we http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/28lzrxVZUOw/chick-check.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/06/chick-check.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-9108936930675679914Fri, 14 May 2010 15:14:00 +00002010-05-14T08:25:00.779-07:00318317We're sad to report that both male condor #318, "Benito" and his newly hatched offspring have both been evacuated from Pinnacles National Monument as tests revealed both condors had toxic levels of lead exposure. Biologists are now attempting to trap female #317 to check her blood also.It had been hoped that the youngster would not need to be removed from the nest, but unfortunately treatment in http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/bhYgtiPyaQA/emergency-flight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/05/emergency-flight.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6979581480042495658Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:04:00 +00002010-03-11T16:09:26.986-08:00Once again, we’re proud parents at Ventana Wildlife Society. One of our male condors, #318 Benito, and his mate from the Pinnacles female #317 have produced their first egg. In doing so, they became the first condor pair to successfully breed in the Pinnacles National Monument for 100 years!!As first time parents, their egg has been temporarily replaced with a wooden one – which they will not http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/ZGaajm3Y_pc/early-easter-egg.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/03/early-easter-egg.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-2913755130279220240Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:53:00 +00002010-01-07T08:08:57.596-08:002095382362009 was an incredible year for our flock, with five nesting pairs of condors. However, it has taken until 2010 for us to establish that #209 and #236 really did successfully raise a chick! Their nest was in such a remote area, we couldn't even get a helicopter out there to confirm the nest. Instead, we made the determination by observing the behavior of the parents, which was very consistent http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/y0NlM4XVBr4/first-sighting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-sighting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7768286461304395825.post-6732313826535903438Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:52:00 +00002009-10-30T08:32:22.679-07:00514313303Proud first-time dad, condor #313, takes a bow in recognition of the part he has played in successfully raising the first wild condor chick in San Benito County in over 70 years!Condor # 514 has officially fledged! Biologists found the bird, on more than one occasion, at locations that could have only been reached using those impressive wings.“The fledging of this condor is an important step in http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyCondor/~3/UHuV-0nSy00/first-flight-for-514.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ventana Wildlife Society)0http://mycondor.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-flight-for-514.html