Big Sur Fire Update
Posted at 10:08 am August 6, 2008 by adminTwo condors, a 6 year old and a 3 year old, are now presumed dead and haven’t been seen since the fire. We had picked up radio signals for one of these birds after the fire but now believe these were not actually from the radio transmitter on the bird and likely from some interference on the same channel. We are at least fortunate that all biologists and captive condors were safely evacuated before the fire burned the sanctuary. It is also extraordinary that the wild chicks and their parents have done so well. For more details, click here want to thank all of you who have made a donation to the Condor Emergency Fund already. Together, we will rebuild the Condor Sanctuary so that we can restore the California Condor to the wild and enable this wonderful species to be removed from the endangered species list.
Please help us tell the story by sharing this email with others or post to web and blog sites and encourage them to sign up for our email alerts and if they want to help they can make a donation also. Signing up for the email alert is free as you know and can be done by clicking here. It is a great way to get involved and hear directly from our biologists who are in turn directly working in the field. In the months ahead we will continue to tell the story as we rebuild the Condor Sanctuary.
Sincerely,
Kelly Sorenson
Executive Director
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August 29th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Sunday , 24 Aug 08 btwn 12 and 4 pm (?)
We spotted 1 condor flying over the road on Hwy 1. Very clear view of underwing markings and was in among a group of 30 or so turkey vultures. No ID # visible as it was in flight.
I believe it was N of A.M. St park and for sure S. of where the Old Coast Rd joins 1 as show on Google maps.
I was not even sure of what I saw as I did not know Condors were in this area! Could not believe it when I looked it up in the bird guide.
Anyway this was our first day at a site with Wi-Fi to send in the notice.
I know I saw one go over the car perhaps a second but hard to look as driving.
Greg Smith
August 16th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I sighted 2 condors on thursday, Aug. 14th, 2008 flying between Vacaville Ca, and Fairfield Ca. This was my first time ever seeing a California Condor and it was spectacular. Later that same day I spotted a single adult bird just a few miles up the road from the original sighting that day. My original thought on the first sighting is that this was a family with juvenial birds that I did not identify as there were a pair of birds close by but not that I could positively identify. Are there breeding pairs in our area???
I do not know if these could be the same missing birds but I have never seen condors, lots of vultures but never a condor. Yes, I do know the difference, they are unmistakeable when flying right over your head.
If I can be of any further help please contact me. I will continue to look condors in my area and report if I see any.
Steve Schumert
August 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am
We saw condor #44 on Highway 1 in Big Sur on Sunday, 8/10. Around noon, five or six miles south of Ventana. A group of people had gathered at the side of the road. The bird had landed atop one of the retaining walls that keep rocks from dropping onto the highway. Looked to be young and possibly not full grown, but unmistakably a condor. We were curious about the wing numbers and wonder if there is anywhere that sightings are routinely posted, although I realize you’ve got radio transmitters on them, too.
In typical condor fashion, when #44 took off, s/he circled and glided over the crowd, seemingly deliberately going close to humans to be noticed. Turned some circles on a thermal at about 200 feet and then glilded off into the haze. It was all over in less than five minutes, but it sure was spectacular. As good as some of the opportunities when the Condor Watch and Tequila Bust was held every year.