Comments on: Big Sur Fire Update http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:28:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Greg Smith http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/#comment-3415 Greg Smith Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/#comment-3415 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 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

]]> By: steve schumert http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/#comment-3110 steve schumert Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/#comment-3110 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 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

]]> By: allan parachini http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/#comment-3069 allan parachini Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 http://cacondorconservation.org/content/blog/blogs/2008/big-sur-fire-update/#comment-3069 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. 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.

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