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23 Aug Hi Mtn in the Tribune [Marcelle ] 02 Aug Condor territory expanding? [Marcelle ] 20 Jun Condor sighting over Santa Margarita, Ca ["Dee" ] 17 May An opposing view [Marcelle ] 15 May Monday, May 17th Hi Mtn. presentation ["steve schubert" ] 14 May Bad News [Marcelle ] 5 May Big Sur fire/condor evacuation on Weather Channel 'Storm Stories' ["steve schubert" ] 3 May May 15th event ["steve schubert" ] 02 May Interesting [Marcelle ] 2 May Lopez Lake Education Center ["steve schubert" ] 20 Apr good news [Marcelle ] 07 Apr good news [Marcelle ] 5 Apr Hi Mtn. wind gusts ["steve schubert" ] 29 Mar Hi Mtn. ["steve schubert" ] 14 Mar lookout networking ["steve schubert" ] 09 Mar Good "egg" news [Marcelle ] 06 Mar $$ to Yuroks [Marcelle ] 03 Mar Eagle rescue [Debi Schmitt ] 28 Feb good news [Marcelle ] 24 Feb Good news for SBA Zoo [Marcelle ] 22 Feb Sad news [Marcelle ] 21 Feb in memoriam ["steve schubert" ] 21 Feb in memoriam ["steve schubert" ] 16 Feb Nice story [Marcelle ] 5 Feb weather at Hi Mountain ["steve schubert" ] 31 Jan Burned Hawk "Phoenix" Recovers [Debi Schmitt ] 29 Jan Sad loss [Marcelle ] 20 Jan Hi Mtn. online weather station ["steve schubert" ] 20 Jan Stormy weather ["steve schubert" ] 18 Jan photos- 'Condor Country' field trip ["steve schubert" ] 18 Jan Nice blog [Marcelle ] 15 Jan Nice story [Marcelle ] 09 Jan Re: Well-written article ["d_stockton" ] 07 Jan Well-written article [Marcelle ] 13 Dec Hi Mtn. gate installations ["steve schubert" ] 13 Dec donations ["steve schubert" ] 08 Dec Sad news [Marcelle ] 04 Nov interesting [Marcelle ] 30 Oct Good News! [Marcelle ] 25 Oct Hi Mtn. Lookout Project donations [] 11 Oct photos- Hi Mtn. 8th annual open house/workday [] 08 Oct Yeah, Ivett & condors [Marcelle ] 7 Oct Los Padres Forest Watch Film Festival [] 07 Oct Good News [Marcelle ] 01 Oct Condors need your help NOW [Marcelle ] 30 Sep Could be good news for condors [Marcelle ] 29 Sep Interesting point of view [Marcelle ] 26 Sep Open House event Oct. 10th [steve schubert ] 23 Sep Condor Release 09/26 [Carolina Van Stone ] 21 Sep Hi Mountain "field trip story" [Marcelle ] 18 Sep Using a condor feather as a symbol [Marcelle ] 17 Sep microtrash cleanup along Big Sur coast [steve schubert ] 11 Sep BAD news for condors [Marcelle ] 11 Sep Condor viewing [Marcelle ] 07 Sep Labor Day Weekend at the Lookout ["michaelamkoenig" ] 04 Sep A Brit's experience at the Grand Canyon [Marcelle ] 01 Sep Pass along [Marcelle ] 31 Aug Effects of the Gloria Fire [Marcelle ] 28 Aug Last Weekend (08/22- 08/23) at the Lookout ["breeput" ] 18 Aug Last Weekend (08/15 - 08/16) at the Lookout ["breeput" ] 11 Aug Last Weekend (08/08 - 08/09) at the Lookout ["breeput" ] 04 Aug Condor Release [Marcelle ] 04 Aug Condor/Tejon Ranch news [Marcelle ] 02 Aug A "report" from Hi Mtn Vols visiting Pinnacles [Marcelle ] 25 Jul donations [] 20 Jul photos- Condor Benefit Mixer [steve schubert ] 18 Jul Good News! [Marcelle ] 16 Jul Condor Benefit Mixer [steve schubert ] 15 Jul good news! [Marcelle ] 13 Jul condor chick found w/ lead [Marcelle ] 13 Jul Cal Poly Interns at the Lookout ["breeput" ] 08 Jul condors & Tejon Ranch Development [Marcelle ] 02 Jul Nice rescue "story" [Marcelle ] 27 Jun No Subject [steve schubert ] 26 Jun Mixer publicity [Marcelle ] 23 Jun good news [Marcelle ] Subject: Hi Mtn in the Tribune From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:36:57 -0700 Nice "day trip" story.. Interns Jeremy & Trevor in the photos http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/08/23/1260254/soaring-at-hi-mountain.html -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System * (800) 926-1017* FAX* (805) 927-3275* www.bags4you.com service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality reusable cotton and organic cotton bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condor territory expanding? From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:39:55 -0700 from on-line (AP News) site: http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/state/ap/122929/North-Coast-tribe-biologists-launch-condor-study.html *North Coast tribe biologists launch condor study* AP News | 08/02/10 11:35 am Biologists with the Yurok tribe are studying how to reintroduce the California condor to the state's northern coast, where the majestic birds flew a century ago. Wildlife officials for the tribe say the return of the condor would have huge cultural significance for the Yuroks, who have a traditional dance inspired by the animal. Wild condors were last spotted there in the early 20th century. The federal government backed an unsuccessful plan to reintroduce birds bred in captivity in the 1990s, but they couldn't survive on their own. Biologists say the biggest threats are contamination from lead hunting ammunition and pesticides. The tribe is using a $200,000 federal grant to study similar local birds - turkey vultures and ravens - to determine what conditions are needed to help condors survive. Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System * (800) 926-1017* FAX* (805) 927-3275* www.bags4you.com service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condor sighting over Santa Margarita, Ca From: "Dee" <dzacher2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:28:55 -0000 Hi All, I am 100% certain I observed a Condor soaring with a Turkey vulture over Santa Margarita on Friday afternoon between 12:30 - 1:30. Anyone else have a sighting on that day or location? Diane Zacher Santa Margarita, CA Subject: An opposing view From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 18:59:01 -0700 http://www.opposingviews.com/i/california-wildlife-group-misleads-people-on-ammunition California Wildlife Group Misleads People on Ammunition Opinion by National Shooting Sports Foundation (5 Hours Ago) in Society / Guns With legislation working its way through the California Assembly (AB 2223) that would expand California's ill-advised ban on traditional ammunition into all wildlife management areas of the state, anti-hunting groups are continuing to stoke the flame of emotion in hopes that legislators will forget about science. Just last week the Audubon Society of California blogged about a California condor chick from the Pinnacles National Monument needing to be removed from its nest for treatment of lead poisoning. Executives with the Audubon Society linked the chick's condition with traditional ammunition, saying, "One of the biggest sources of lead in the environment is spent lead ammunition. California condors frequently feed on animal carcasses left behind by hunters, and often consume great amounts of lead from ammunition." What the Audubon Society failed to mention was that this 50-day-old condor chick was never alive during hunting season. The firearms and ammunition industry vigorously opposed the effort to ban use of traditional ammunition in condor regions, citing a lack of evidence that some condors had elevated blood lead levels from ingesting ammunition fragments while scavenging entrails from hunter-harvested big game. Nevertheless, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the ban into law , which went into effect July 1, 2008. In 2009, a report issued by the California Fish & Game Commission on blood lead levels in California condors was inconclusive and supported the National Shooting Sports Foundation's contention that there is no scientific basis for the state's ban on traditional ammunition in condor regions. The department and commission noted that the "sources of lead in sampled condors are unknown, relationship of sampled condors to hunting activity are unknown, and . . . the condor feeding habits for this period . . . are unknown." Here's what is known: Condors feed on small pieces of garbage called micro-trash. Micro-trash includes batteries, plastics and painted-fence pieces. Certainly, a much more reasonable explanation for why some condors have elevated blood lead levels is that they are feeding on these lead-based products comprising micro-trash. Of course, this likelihood is also overlooked by the Audubon Society. Today, with attempts to expand the traditional ammunition ban, we continue to push back against arguments based on emotion and politics rather than peer-reviewed science. Expanding the ban on traditional ammunition will only serve to further erode hunting in the Golden State, reduce hunter-generated revenues that support wildlife conservation and damage an industry that has contributed millions of dollars into wildlife programs. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Monday, May 17th Hi Mtn. presentation From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 19:35:23 -0700 Return of the Condor and the Hi Mountain Lookout Project with Steve Schubert, project originator and volunteer coordinator Monday, May 17th, 7 pm El Chorro Regional Park, SLO Botanical Garden Oak Glen Pavilion This change in program topics and speakers is due to the aftermath of the current oil spill affecting the Gulf Coast. Our scheduled speaker, biologist Darwin Long with the BioDiversity Research Institute (BRI) has been summoned by that organization to help with the oiled birds as part of BRI's oil spill recovery efforts. Darwin promises to present his loon program at an MCAS Community Program next fall along with an addendum depicting BRI's involvement in the oil spill recovery through images and preliminary data. MCAS thanks Steve Schubert for stepping in to present the Monday program. "Return of the Condor and the Hi Mountain Lookout Project", a discussion about condor biology and the Condor Recovery Program, including the captive breeding program, reintroduction of condors to the wild, and recent condor nesting in the wild. The restored Hi Mountain Lookout now operates as a visitor center and condor radiotracking field station, staffed by volunteers and college interns. The Hi Mountain Lookout Project is a collaborative effort between Morro Coast Audubon Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Cal Poly Biological Sciences Department, Ventana Wildlife Society, and Pinnacles National Monument. MCAS programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments provided; bring your own mug. All ages welcome! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bad News From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 11:42:03 -0700 From the National Parks Traveler: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/05/bad-news-wild-condor-chick-pinnacles-national-monument5859 Bad News for Wild Condor Chick at Pinnacles National Monument Submitted by Jim Burnett on May 14, 2010 - 1:39am Condor and egg. The hatching of a California condor egg was big news at Pinnacles National Monument earlier this year. Photo by Gavin Emmons, National Park Service The birth of a chick earlier this year to a pair of nesting California condors was cause for celebration at Pinnacles National Monument , but scientists tracking the health of the young bird have bad news. Due to extremely high levels of lead in its blood, it's been necessary to evacuate the bird from its nest to a specialized facility for intensive treatment. Condor biologists at Pinnacles National Monument and Ventana Wildlife Society tracking the health of the young wild condor discovered the problem last week. Park Service biologists then trapped the parent male, condor 318, and discovered he also has toxic levels of lead in his blood. The adult condor was immediately taken to the Los Angeles Zoo for chelation (a treatment to remove lead from the body) while the 50-day old chick was treated by veterinarians and condor biologists in the nest during early morning climbs into the rocky cliff cavern. Chelation is a process used in condors in which calcium EDTA, a chemical that binds with heavy metals, is injected into the animals to prevent retention of lead in the tissues. Although the adult female continued to care for its young and the nestling received several emergency chelation and hydrating fluid injections, the young condor's health continued to decline. As a result, biologists decided yesterday that, for the survival of the nestling, it needed to be evacuated to a facility where it could receive more intensive care. National Park Service and Ventana Wildlife Society biologists are trying to trap the adult female of this pair to determine if she too has been exposed to lead. This condor nest was the first inside Pinnacles National Monument since re-establishment efforts began there in 2003 and the first documented successful hatching of a condor in the park in over one hundred years. Lead poisoning has been an on-going problem for condor populations. Condors are exclusively scavengers, feeding on a wide range of dead mammals. Research has established that the principle source of lead exposure among condors is lead ammunition. Lead Ammunition has been banned for the taking of big game in a wide region of central and southern California , although that move has been a controversial one for some hunters. Park officials note that shooters who have made the switch to non-lead ammunition have made an invaluable contribution to the health of scavenging wildlife. News about the park's nesting pair of condors attracted considerable attention earlier this year. According to the park, hundreds of visitors over the past two months have enjoyed the rare opportunity to witness an active condor nest in the wild. Pinnacles National Monument will keep the temporary closure area around the nest in place until biologists determine whether the nestling can be returned to the wild. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Big Sur fire/condor evacuation on Weather Channel 'Storm Stories' From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 18:51:03 -0700 forwarded message from Joe Burnett.... Hey Everyone- Tune into storm stories this weekend to see a re-enactment of our condor rescue from the fires in 2008. Should be entertaining.although I am seriously questioning my own re-enactment skills.they kept saying "act natural", but that was easier said than done..should provide a good laugh for all. Hollywood, here I come.HA, HA.not. Cheers, Joe From: Specter, Lauren (NBC Universal) [mailto:Lauren.Specter AT nbcuni.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 12:21 PM Cc: David Garte Subject: TUNE IN ALERT - Storm Stories: Big Sur to air this SATURDAY 5/8 & SUNDAY 5/9 on THE WEATHER CHANNEL I hope this email finds you well. I am very excited to tell you that Storm Stories: Big Sur is airing this weekend! The show will premiere on Saturday, May 8th at 8pm and will run again on Sunday, May 9th on the Weather Channel. Check your local listings for channel information and to confirm air time. You will receive a copy of the show some time next week as a token of our thanks. We are so grateful for your participation in this project. We truly could not have done it without you. Please pass this information to anyone else who contributed to this show, or anyone who you think might like to see the amazing story of the fires in Big Sur on tv. I hope you all enjoy the show. All the best, Lauren Specter & David Garte [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: May 15th event From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 08:22:27 -0700 Hi Mountain Lookout Project Volunteer Workday and Picnic Saturday, May 15th, 2010 The Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project is seeking new volunteers to assist with California Condor radiotracking and staffing the lookout's Interpretive Center. Day and overnight shifts are available and scheduling is flexible. Join us for a day of volunteer training, work projects, birdwatching and wildflower viewing, socializing and a picnic lunch at Hi Mountain Lookout. Meet at the Pozo Ranger Station at 9am for car pooling arrangements, or meet at the lookout at 9:30am (driving directions are posted on the website at www.condorlookout.org). Enjoy a view from the coast to the Sierras and a picnic lunch with friends and family. Please contact Steve Schubert at s_schub1 AT msn.com or phone #805 528-6138 if you are interested in attending or for more information. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Interesting From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Sun, 02 May 2010 21:02:36 -0700 From th the Taft Independent. (be sure to read to the last sentence!) http://www.taftindependent.com/News/ViewArticle/1974 Bitter Creek Scoping Meeting Draws Fort Crowd by Kent Miller - April 30, 2010 Yes to cattle grazing; no to prescribed burning. That was the message a crowd of about 50 people sent Wednesday night to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the future management of the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge - prime habitat for the California condor - consists of 16,144 acres adjacent to Los Padres National Forest and about eight miles west of Maricopa. Of the more than 16,000-acre Refuge in Kern, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, 14,096 acres is owned in fee title by Fish and Wildlife. It is primarily open grassland "providing valuable foraging habitat for condors" and for more than a century has been used for cattle grazing. Most of those in attendance at the meeting Wednesday night at The Historic Fort in Taft agreed with Fish and Wildlife's operation of the Refuge for protection of a variety of native plants in addition to condors, golden eagles, prairie falcons, pronghorn antelope, tule elk, and the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. The main point of contention was whether a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for 15-year operation of the land would reopen it to cattle grazing or keep it closed to livestock and manage control of grassland growth through prescribed burning. "I request that the (Fish and Wildlife) Service comply with federal law and procedures and restore the cattle to the main portion of the Refuge," said Susie Snedden, who with her husband, Richard, operate a cattle ranch that shares 13 miles of common fencing with the Refuge. Snedden pointed to a wildfire danger from the ungrazed land. Ranchers Art and Jill Steinbeck, neighbors of the Sneddens, ran cattle on the Bitter Creek land for 20 years, from its purchase by the federal government in 1985 until grazing was banned in 2005. "The 1994 Compatibility Determination Document for Bitter Creek states 'Beneficial impacts will also be realized through this grazing program (and) this addresses the importance of continued cattle grazing operations to provide a forage base for the California condor,'" Jill Steinbeck said. Historically, a byproduct of cattle grazing has been still-born calves and cattle fatalities, a major food source for condors, Susie Snedden said. She urged "elimination of any use of prescribed fire to clear the area." Banning use of prescribed burning was also supported by most of the other speakers at the hearing. That include messages from Supervisor Ray Watson, Kern County Fourth District, Assemblywoman Jean Fuller, R-32nd, and Congressman Kevin McCarthy, R-22nd. The messages were delivered by representatives of each elected official. The expense of prescribed burning as opposed to income from leasing grazing land, air pollution from burns, and the danger of a prescribed burn roaring out of control were reasons given for opposing use of fire. Fish and Wildlife has until 2012 to form the CCP for Bitter Creek and two other parts of what is known as the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The other two sections are Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, near Fillmore in Ventura County, and Blue Ridge NWR, east of Visalia in the Sierra. All three areas are considered condor habitat and were established "to restore the endangered California condor population to its native range," according to Fish and Wildlife literature. "The CCP will help guide the overall management of the three refuges for the next 15 years." Fish and Wildlife is responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. And the National Wildlife System - which includes Bitter Creek, Hopper Mountain, Blue Ridge, and more than 550 other national wildlife refuges - is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife. Still, one speaker at the hearing - who was not a cattle rancher - urged opening Bitter Creek to the public and hunting. And if that lead to the extinction of any species, so be it. And another speaker claimed that today's California condors are really imported "India condors" and that the California condor became extinct decades ago. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lopez Lake Education Center From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 20:13:54 -0700 Hello all, I represented the Hi Mountain Lookout Project at a brainstorming planning meeting for the proposed Lopez Lake Natural History and Education Center. The 15 people attending the planning session included staff and volunteers from SLO County Parks, CA Dept. of Fish and Game, and Friends of Lopez Lake. A 7 million dollar grant is being applied for to build a sustainably designed education center. Over 400,000 people come to Lopez Lake Recreation Area each year, and an education center will hopefully draw a large and diverse group of visitors. Hopefully, the Hi Mtn. Lookout Project will be incorporated into the future center's educational exhibits. Steve Schubert www.condorlookout.org http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: good news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:58:01 -0700 on-line: (see below article, for AP story - gleaned from this one) http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/oregon_zoo_condor_chick_hatche.html The Oregon Zoo hatches an endangered California condor chick By Katy Muldoon, The Oregonian April 20, 2010, 5:53PM The Oregon Zoo announced Tuesday evening that its endangered California condors have delivered their first chick of the season and another is due this week. The egg, being cared for by foster parents Atishwin and Ojai, hatched April 14 at the zoo's offsite breeding operation in Clackamas County. "Our first hatching went beautifully," keeper Kelli Walker said in a zoo news release. "The chick looks healthy. It's growing well and starting to shuffle about the nest room." In 2003, the zoo joined the effort to breed California condors , a species on the brink of extinction two decades ago. Now, 10 condors bred there are among the 180 flying free in California, Arizona and Baja, Mexico; more are due to be released to the wild this year. Around 170 of the enormous birds -- North America's largest land bird -- live in zoos and captive breeding operations such as Oregon's, bringing the total to about 350. About a month from now, a veterinarian and keepers will give the new chick its first medical exam and inoculate it against West Nile virus. -- Katy Muldoon *Story is also available at:* AP - http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_14924871?nclick_check=1 -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: good news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:40:45 -0700 Condor hatches at Pinnacles National Monument for first time in 100 years By San Jose Mercury News sgonzales AT mercurynews.com Posted: 04/06/2010 08:54:09 PM PDT Updated: 04/06/2010 08:54:10 PM PDT For the first time in more than 100 years, a condor chick has hatched at Pinnacles National Monument --- a milestone that reflects efforts to bring the condor back from the brink of extinction. The first-time parent condors are behaving normally --- regularly feeding and incubating the new nestling, according to a news release by the National Park Service. Two 7-year-old condors, a male and a female, released along the Big Sur coast by the Ventana Wildlife Society, were seen in courtship displays during the winter and paired up for their first breeding attempt. Though the areas directly surrounding the nest cliff will be closed to the public during the nesting period, public viewing is still possible, although it will take a hike to get there. The viewing area is about two miles from the closest parking areas. Biologists are closely monitoring the nest through the breeding cycle. Nestlings remain flightless for five to six months. Pinnacles National Monument was chosen as a California condor release site because of its intact habitat and good cliff-nesting opportunities. Six groups of condors have been released at the monument, with 2009 marking the first year that a condor nested. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery hopes to establish a population of at least 150 condors in California with at least 15 breeding pairs. Park visitors interested in off-trail activities during this year's breeding ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hi Mtn. wind gusts From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 12:06:47 -0700 Meteorologist John Lindseys' 4-5-10 weather report: ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION: A fairly vigorous cold front passed our area this morning and produced strong to gale force southerly winds and moderate rainfall. Rocky Butte near San Simeon recorded over two inches of rainfall while Condor Lookout in the Los Padres national Forest reported wind gust reaching nearly 70 mph. Here are some of the 24 rainfall totals from around the Central Coast as of 9 a.m.: Paso Robles Airport.................................. 0.35" Atascadero .......................................... 0.32" Los Osos at my house ............................... 0.27" Camp San Luis ....................................... 0.47" Nipomo East near Dave's house ....................... 0.47" Diablo Canyon Ocean Lab ............................. 0.20" Condor Lookout, Los Padres National Forest .......... 1.06" Sloweather.com ...................................... 0.80" San Luis Obispo Airport ............................. 0.54" Santa Margaita ...................................... 0.60" PG&E Energy Education Center ........................ 0.34" Cottontail Creek .................................... 0.65" Rocky Butte ......................................... 2.13" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hi Mtn. From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:53:27 -0700 Hello all, At the Dunes Center in Guadalupe I browsed a book in the gift shop entitled 'Best Family Adventures in San Luis Obispo County' by Jennifer Best, published in 2006. On pages 82-83 there is a nice photo of the lookout and a description of the Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project. Steve Schubert www.condorlookout.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: lookout networking From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:00:36 -0700 From the Buck Rock Foundation Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2010: Follow our lookout musings and experiences on our Blog at http://lookoutsrus.blogspot.com/ Have a Facebook account? You can interact with us at at Lookouts R Us "These pages are dedicated to fire lookouts, enthusiasts, and the guardians of the forest who staff the towers. This is a place to share experiences, thoughts and photos related to all things "lookout". For more information about volunteer and stewardship opportunities, visit www.buckrock.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good "egg" news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:45:38 -0800 From the Californian.com http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20100309/NEWS0101/3090312/1002/NEWS01/Condor-couple-produces-egg-at-Pinnacles* (photo avail. from above site) Condor couple produces egg at Pinnacles* For the first time in 100 years, a pair of endangered California condors have established a nest and laid an egg at the Pinnacles National Monument. Condor 317, a female released at the monument at 1 and a half years in 2004, has paired with a nearly 7-year-old male, Condor 318, originally released along the Big Sur coast by Ventana Wildlife Society. Condors, an endangered species since 1967, have been the subject of an intensive captive-breeding program after their numbers dwindled to 22 in the mid-1980s. The current world population of California condors is 348, 95 of which fly free in California. The pair that have nested at the Pinnacles are in a cave that's viewable from the Scout Peak bench on the High Peaks Trail, although the area around the nest will remain closed during the breeding season. Condor eggs take an average of 57 days to hatch, and nestlings remain flightless for close to six months. A new condor could take its first flight in early October. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: $$ to Yuroks From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:49:26 -0800 from the Triplicate (Crescent City, CA) http://www.triplicate.com/20100305108374/News/Local-News/Yuroks-get-200000-to-continue-condor-work Yuroks get $200,000 to continue condor work Written by Nick Grube, The Triplicate March 05, 2010 03:21 pm Money prolongs effort by at least 1 more year The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has granted the Yurok Tribe $200,000 to aid efforts to reintroduce California condors to the North Coast, where the birds have been absent for more than 100 years. Yurok Tribe officials have been studying whether they can bring back the giant, endangered scavenger for at least the past year, and the federal dollars will help expand this research. "This means the project is going to keep going for at least another year," said Chris West, a senior biologist with the Yurok Tribe. "We have a few different activities that we'll be able to start up with this." The tribe initially received $200,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2008 to fund the condor reintroduction project. That money was used to perform studies that analyzed how much lead and other contaminants might be in condor food sources, such as marine mammals and other carrion, and looked at what types of habitat would be available to the birds should they be be reintroduced. With the additional $200,000 that was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West said these projects will be expanded, and include different studies, including one that will involve interviewing Yurok elders to find out what they have learned about condors when they used to live along the North Coast. "There wasn't a whole lot of scientific inquiry into these things when these birds were in the Pacific Northwest so this will allow us to do some ethnographic studies," West said. "That's extremely important. There's a lot of elders out there that have a lot of great information." The $200,000 is part of $2 million that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allocated to 12 different tribes in California and Nevada. It is part of the Tribal Wildlife Grant program that provides money exclusively to federally recognized American Indian tribes, and was created through the Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002. "Tribal Wildlife Grants are much more than a fiscal resource for tribes," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould said in a statement. "The projects and partnerships supported by this program have enhanced our commitment to Native Americans and to the United States' shared wildlife resources." There were a total of 137 proposals submitted during the grant cycle before being narrowed down to the 12 recipients. "This is a great opportunity," West said. "The Yurok Tribe is just really excited about being able to help put the wild world back into balance." The Yurok Tribe has targeted 2012 for reintroduction, but West admitted that it could be pushed back or the entire program canceled if it's found condors couldn't survive in this area. "With wildlife work and these kind of assessments there's nothing definite about anything," West said. "A lot of this is a feasibility study, and we are in no way interested in putting birds out into an environment that's not safe or into an environment where they can't thrive." -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Eagle rescue From: Debi Schmitt <otisbird AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:19:29 -0800 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/86121867.html?tab=video .---.__ / /6|__\ \ \/--` / \\ debi / )\ / _.' / //~`\\-' =====//===(=))========= jgs /` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: good news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:18:39 -0800 From the Santa Barbara Independent: Two California Condor Eggs Already Found Researcher Says Endangered Species Could Be in for a "Very Busy Year" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday, February 28, 2010 By Matt Kettmann (Contact ) With two California condor eggs already found in the Sespe Wilderness and another six pairs acting like they're ready to nest, experts say that it could be a "very busy year" for the endangered species' Southern California population. "It's about the time we expect them to start having eggs and get their nests going," explained Fish & Wildlife spokesman Michael Woodbridge on Friday. "And it looks like we could have the potential for as many as seven or eight nests total." There is usually only about four to six nests per season. The expected bump is because a number of pairs that had successfully fledged two years ago are again looking for nests and at least one pair that fledged a chick last year is looking to do it again in 2010. In 2009, there were six total nests in the southern Los Padres National Forest, said Woodbridge, but only two chicks successfully fledged. Of the four lost eggs, one was eaten by a bear, one died en route to the veterinarian after ingesting microtrash, and a third egg simply disappeared overnight. The two current eggs are located near the Hopper Mountain Wildlife Refuge, and both are in caves that sit on the side of sheer cliffs. One was laid on February 10, and while biologists are still attempting to reach the second egg to confirm its fertility, it's estimated to have been laid on February 14. Researcher Estelle Sandhaus with the Santa Barbara Zoo, which recently welcomed the arrival of an adult bird to be part of its condor exhibit, is especially excited about the pair of birds numbered 111 and 125. That pair had trouble nesting in the wild before, so it was captured, learned how to fledge successfully in captivity, and then released. "That season they bred successfully in the wild," said Sandhaus, and they're back at it. "Once pairs succeed once in fledging a chick, they're more likely to succeed again." The increasing success of the Southern California population is attributed to the nest-guarding techniques being pioneered by Sandhaus and Fish & Wildlife biologist Joseph Brandt. "It's really dramatically increased the success of chicks fledging," said Woodbridge, explaining that now an average of 70 percent of chicks fledge per season compared to old rates as low as 15 percent. "That's a pretty big improvement there." The condor program is still seeking more volunteers to take part in the nest-guarding program, and those who are interested should email conservation AT sbzoo.org . -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good news for SBA Zoo From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:43:14 -0800 *New Female Condor at SB Zoo* updated: Feb 24, 2010, 6:42 AM /Source: SB Zoo/ /Photos by Sheri Horiszny/ Santa Barbara, CA (February 23, 2010) - A young adult California condor, sporting a bright pink and orange head has joined four juvenile condors on exhibit in the Santa Barbara Zoo's California Trails complex, which opened last year on Earth Day. The condor, known by the number 327, arrived at the Zoo in early January from the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. After a month-long quarantine, it was released into the exhibit last week. "Number 327 makes a great addition to our condor flock, as we can show our guests the different stages of condor maturation," reports Assistant Zoo Director Alan Varsik. "Our birds turn three in April and still have their juvenile, grey heads. This bird is six years old and has the wonderful color of a young adult. "She also adds to the variety of condor behavior our guests see every day," he adds, "and provides an array of adult behavior for the juveniles to experience." About Condor 327 The bird hatched at the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, (one of four condor captive breeding facilities) on April 11, 2004, and was hand raised. At age eight months, she was transferred to the Vermilion Cliffs condor release site in northern Arizona. After she was released and recaptured twice between January 2005 and June 2009, it was decided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Condor Recovery Program that she be placed in Santa Barbara. This particular bird, reports Estelle Sandhaus, the Zoo's Assistant Director of Conservation and Research, had several close interactions with humans. "This is a very intelligent species with a natural curiosity," says Sandhaus, "Some California condors, particularly young ones, are not as wary of humans as are many other animals. They can be influenced by interactions which could result in undesirable human-oriented behavior later on." That could put the bird at risk of injury, of ingesting something harmful (like microtrash), and could take those dangerous behaviors back to the flock. Number 327 will eventually join the captive breeding program. She has important ancestors and is valuable to the condor gene pool and to the continued success of the species' recovery. Her sire's sire, known as AC2, was one of the last wild-born condors taken into captivity. Her dam is the captive-hatched offspring of two wild condors captured in 1983: Number 27, Cuyama, who is in Boise, and Number 31, Cachuma, now at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Why do some condors have numbers and some have names? Many of the very first condors born or taken into captivity were given both numbers and names that are Chumash in origin. As the Recovery Program has grown (now over 360 living birds), only numbers are used, which relate to the California Condor International Studbook, which tracks the entire population. About California Trails These rare California condors, the symbol of endangered species, are the centerpiece in the $7.5 million exhibit California Trails complex that features creatures that are in danger of disappearing from the wild in the Golden State. Included are small Channel Island fox, found only on the islands off the California Coast; desert tortoises, once commonplace, but now facing habitat destruction; bald eagles, who are making a comeback after pesticides ravaged their numbers; and local raptor, amphibians and reptiles. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sad news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:47:31 -0800 2 notices re condor deaths.. (plus below blog in Fly Rod & Reel) http://www.marinij.com/tablehome/ci_14449650 and at: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/02/22/20100222condors-die-lead-poisoning-arizona.html 3 Calif. condors die of lead poisoning in Arizona 3 comments by *Felicia Fonseca* - Feb. 22, 2010 04:14 PM Associated Press FLAGSTAFF - Tests show three California condors found dead in northern Arizona last month died because they ingested lead pellets while feeding on carrion. Condor recovery program officials said Monday that the deaths are the first from lead poisoning in three years among condors in Arizona and Utah. The Peregrine Fund recovered the bodies of a female condor, her year-old chick and a young male. Condors feed on dead animals, often big game killed by hunters or the entrails left behind when they are field dressed. Arizona has a voluntary lead-free hunting program in condor areas and Utah is starting one. California has banned lead ammo in condor areas. There are about 350 condors alive today, with about half in captive breeding programs AND from Fly Rod & Reel on-line (BLOG) http://www.flyrodreel.com/blogs/tedwilliams/2010/february/mortalities-conservation Recent condor mortalities used to expand conservation efforts Submitted by Ted Williams on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 14:11. BOISE, IDAHO --- After 3 years without a confirmed mortality from lead poisoning, three California condors have recently died from the biggest challenge to the species' recovery. The condors, including a female and her chick from the previous year, were recovered by The Peregrine Fund. Necropsies to determine the cause of death were performed at the San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research. Testing confirmed the presence of lead fragments in the digestive tracts of all three birds. Lead shuts down the condors' digestive system, which leads to starvation, weakness and death. "While the deaths of a breeding female and her wild-hatched chick are a significant loss, condor conservation has been gaining ground since lead poisoning was first identified as a leading cause of mortality and we began to educate hunters about the effects of spent lead on condors," said biologist Chris Parish, head of The Peregrine Fund's condor recovery operation in Arizona. "But, as the condor recovery program progresses, new challenges have been identified." The three dead birds had been outfitted with tracking equipment that allowed field biologists to monitor daily movements. In recent years, that radio tracking data has identified increased use of southern Utah as a major foraging area for the flock. "When we first reintroduced condors to northern Arizona in 1996, the birds primarily foraged closer to home," said Chris Parish. "Now that we have observed the condors expanding their range into Utah and foraging more frequently outside of the local release area, conservation partners are working with Utah and its hunters to reduce the amount of spent lead ammunition available to condors in gut piles and carcasses left in the field." The Peregrine Fund tries to capture all condors twice yearly to test for lead exposure, the leading cause of condor death. Birds with high blood lead concentrations are treated with chelation therapy to reduce the lead in their system. Condors are scavengers and research in the last five years has proven that they consume tiny fragments of lead in the remains of gunshot animals. To aid condor conservation, the Arizona Game and Fish Department started a non-lead ammunition outreach program in 2003 to hunters drawn for hunts in the condor's core range. Surveys show that 85 percent of hunters took voluntary measures in 2009 to reduce the amount of available spent lead ammunition in the condor's core range. Now the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is implementing a similar program for hunters on the Zion unit in southwestern Utah. "We've started educating our hunters about the effect that lead ammunition has on condors," said Jim Parrish, nongame avian coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "The next thing we're going to do is give everyone who hunts on the Zion unit a coupon for a free box of non-lead ammunition." "There's no reason to reinvent the wheel, so we're modeling the Utah program after Arizona's non-lead effort," continued Jim Parrish. "Utah's sportsmen are conservation-minded. We're confident they'll step up to the challenge and that our program, combined with the highly successful program in Arizona, will keep the condor population healthy and allow it to grow." Condor conservation partners include The Peregrine Fund, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Wildlife in Need, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service. For more information on condor conservation and non-lead ammunition, visit www.peregrinefund.org or www.azgfd.gov/condor . *DID YOU KNOW?* · By 1982, just 22 California Condors remained on Earth. Captive breeding programs were established in the 1980s. · California Condors now live in the wild in Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico. · The condor is the largest flying land bird in North America. The birds can weigh up to 26 pounds and have a wingspan up to 9˝ feet. · Condors reach maturity at about six years of age. They usually produce one egg every other year. · Prior to reintroduction, the last wild condor in Arizona was sighted just south of the Grand Canyon in 1924. · There are now 74 condors in Arizona and Utah. · Visitors at the Grand Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs may be able to observe the birds, especially during the spring and summer. * Ted Williams's blog -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: in memoriam From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:52:38 -0800 You will find the MCAS Flyway newsletter at www.morrocoastaudubon.org/pdf/mar10.pdf [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: in memoriam From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:02:31 -0800 Hello all, A memoriam for Don Parham can be read at www.morrocoastaudubon.org/pdf/mar10.pdf Don was involved with the early years of the peregrine falcon monitoring and management efforts at Morro Rock and Huff's Hole in SLO CO. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Audubon Overlook and Sweet Springs Nature Preserve and the protection of the Carrizo Plain, now a National Monument. Don Parham was one of the founders of the peregrine falcon nest watch conducted by Morro Coast Audubon Society volunteers from Hi Mountain Lookout, for several years in the late 1970's. Don was President of MCAS when he recommended me for the Forest Service position of peregrine falcon nest guard at Huff's Hole, below Hi Mountain Lookout, in 1978. Don attended our 10-year Hi Mountain Lookout Project anniversary event, among family and friends, and we enjoyed listening to his recollections of days gone by. He will be greatly missed. Steve Schubert [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nice story From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:54:11 -0800 Cover story in New Times (SLO) http://www.newtimesslo.com/ Feature includes familiar names: Jesse Grantham, Jan Hamber, Estelle Sandhaus, Joseph Brandt (was a version of what already appeared in the SBA Independent. If it's gone from the site above (since a new issue comes out on Thursdays), look up "The Great California Condor Comeback" full story at: http://www.newtimesslo.com/cover/3971/the-great-california-condor-comeback/ -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: weather at Hi Mountain From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:46:32 -0800 Meteorologist John Lindsey's weather report for 2-5-10: ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION: This morning's cold front produced 0.77 inches of rain at Diablo Canyon with sustained winds of 32 mph and gust reaching 48 mph at 6:30 a.m. The strongest winds occurred at Condor Lookout in the Los Padres National Forest on Hi Mountain (3198 feet) which reached 52 mph at 1:34 a.m. http://www.wxelement.com/condorpda.php www.condorlookout.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Burned Hawk "Phoenix" Recovers From: Debi Schmitt <otisbird AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:05:07 -0800 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-100127-burned-hawk-pictures,0,1826133.photogallery .---.__ / /6|__\ \ \/--` / \\ debi / )\ / _.' / //~`\\-' =====//===(=))========= jgs /` Subject: Sad loss From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:40:37 -0800 From the Morgan Hill Times Updated: Local veterinarian, benefactor, dies unexpectedly 12:41 PM By Morgan Hill Staff - Special to the Times John Quick died at his home in east Morgan Hill Friday morning. Photo by: File Photo By Dennis Taylor John Quick, a friend of wildlife, a practitioner of animal health and an admired member of the Morgan Hill community, died early Friday at the age of 61. News of Quick's death spread quickly through the network of community organizations, friends and coworkers. Those that did not know him personally, lamented his passing as a professional colleague and as a supporter of community improvement efforts. Quick's universe stretched wide. He volunteered in numerous community organizations, but was probably best known for his veterinary practice, his love of tennis and his work with wildlife organizations, particularly the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Morgan Hill and the California Condor Project. Sammy Meeks spent much of the day wiping away tears and trying to sort out why an otherwise healthy, active man would die so suddenly. The Assistant Manager at Quick's veterinary clinic, Animal Care Clinic, said Quick was like a father figure to the staff. "He loved to mentor people," Meeks said. Quick was also involved with local media and its role of showcasing community efforts. "I am shocked and saddened by the news of John's passing," said Steve Staloch, Morgan Hill Times Publisher and Senior Vice President & COO Mainstreet Media Group, the Time's parent company. "John was a devoted member of our editorial board who always demonstrated - quite animatedly at times - his passion for the Morgan Hill community. He was well versed on local issues and always stood up for what he believed in with articulation and conviction. We will miss his voice and his friendship. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family." The suddenness of his death shocked those who knew the athletic local vet. Quick was found unconscious by his wife Davlyn Giovanetti-Quick in their Holiday Drive home early Friday morning. He was transported to Kaiser Santa Teresa Hospital in San Jose but doctors were unable to resuscitate him , Meeks said. Quick, a Morgan Hill Rotary Club member since 1983, died of apparent natural causes, according to the club's president Del Foster. His wife tried unsuccessfully to revive him, added Foster. Paramedics arrived at the home in response to a 911 call about 8:15 a.m. Foster, speaking on behalf of Quick's wife, said he had not been feeling well and exhibited flu-like symptoms earlier this week. "We lost an active member of the community," Foster said. Quick's death was particularly hard on Meeks. Her mother was the manager of Animal Care Clinic when at 14 Meeks was hired to provide general animal care. Nine years later she is following in her mother's footsteps as the assistant manager. "John is very loyal, a very loyal employer," Meeks said, not realizing she was still talking in present tense. "He really stands behind his employees." The staff are all in shock, she said. Tears flow at the clinic and many staffers are working through shock and confusion. "Tomorrow will be a very hard day." Among his many philanthropic endeavors, Quick was active in the Morgan Hill Community Law Enforcement Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the local police department. Police Chief Bruce Cumming praised Quick for his role in bringing the department's police dog, Pax, to Morgan Hill by helping to raise funds for his purchase. He also provided free healthcare for the K-9 officer at his clinic, Animal Care Center on Tennant Avenue. "John Quick was a devoted member of (CLEF). He was a good idea-man and very enthusiastic about helping law enforcement, and he was just a great guy," Cumming said. Quick was also a founding member of WERC, a nonprofit organization in west Morgan Hill that treats injured wild animals and releases them back into their natural habitat. "He donated his services to care for wildlife, which resulted in many animals being given a second chance for life," said WERC executive director Sue Howell. Quick served on the Rotary Club board of directors at least two terms over the years. He was a film editor in Chicago, Ill. before becoming a vet in Morgan Hill. At the time of his death, he was the northern California veterinarian for the California Condor Project, a statewide effort to protect the endangered bird. Quick often brought his passion for community causes to local public meetings. Foster, a former trustee of the Morgan Hill Unified School District, said he and Quick didn't always agree on the issues but they still got along. "You can butt heads with John, and still joke around with him or have lunch with him. He never seemed to hold a grudge." Reporter Michael Moore contributed to this report. *Love for Wildlife* - Active in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation since 1983. The total value of his donated services over the years is well in excess of $750,000. - From 1983 to 1991 he was the veterinarian for the Youth Science Institute Wildlife Rescue Program. - Quick and Sean Simonsen founded the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC). He served as board president for five years - He recruited veterinary specialists, including, Dr. James Roush, who saved the only nesting Bald Eagle in Santa Clara County after it was hit by a truck. - Northern California veterinarian for the California Condor Project, providing expertise and services to the restoration of the endangered bird. There are only 350 condors left in the world. In 1988 there were only eight. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hi Mtn. online weather station From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:24:29 -0800 Hi Mountain Lookout online weather station: http://www.wxelement.com/condorpda.php [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Stormy weather From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:00:10 -0800 Hello all, Take a look at the Hi Mountain Lookout online weather station at: http://www.wxelement.com/condorpda.php http://wxelement.com/condor2.php?wxsite=11 Here is an excerpt from Meteorologist John Lindsey's daily weather report for 1-20-10: Sustained wind speeds at the Diablo Canyon Meteorological Tower reached 54 mph with gust hitting 66 mph at 9 a.m. The strongest winds occurred at Condor Lookout in the Los Padres National Forest on Hi mountain (3,198 feet) which reached 85 mph at 10:00 a.m. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: photos- 'Condor Country' field trip From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:21:41 -0800 Annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, 2010 photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/sets/72157623113997269/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nice blog From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:03:23 -0800 (Yeah Jan! Yeah Estelle! Yeah Joseph!) from City2.0 http://sb.city2.org/blogs/birdmandan/blog_entries/1487-long-live-the-condor-majestic-bird-flies-free-again/blog_comments/new Long Live the Condor---Majestic Bird Flies Free Again! Posted by BirdmanDan on: January 16 2010 */And Why Humans are Good People!/* On a recent morning I jogged along Shoreline Park in the predawn dark, surfboard in hand, heading down to the beach to take the plunge. My bro, the famous WaveSki and Hang Glider Hall of Fame Mike, was already down there shredding up the clean peelers rolling around the rocky point at Ledbetter. Suddenly I gazed up at the silhouette of the mountains barely appearing far in the distance, and then I thought of the majestic, graceful bird that had flown there for thousands of years---the condor. I live in Hawaii now, though as a youth in Santa Barbara in the 1970s I often hiked those hills, and many times as I explored the creeks and rocky ridges I saw red-tailed hawks, white-tailed kites, turkey vultures and other birds that always inspired awe with their graceful soaring flights so high above, yet never did I see a condor. The condor population had by then seen a precipitous decline and was disappearing fast---by the early 1980s less than three dozen California condors remained. They soared only very deep in the backcountry as if silently ushering out their species from its existence on this earth. By 1987 just 22 were left, and that same year the last few condors in the wild were taken into captivity in a last ditch effort to prevent extinction. For the first time in thousands of years, not one condor flew in the wild---zero! No one knew if the effort to save the condor would be successful, and there were protests against the scientists involved, yet a concerted effort was being made to save the species....and guess what---it worked! Today there are 350 California Condors, and 188 of them are wild and free! The rest are still being raised in captivity, and someday they too will take to the vast open skies with more to follow. There are now wild condor flocks in southern and central California, Baja, California, and Arizona. The condors are successfully breeding on their own, so if progress continues at the present rate the species will eventually be able to survive without human help. I became more aware of the plight of the condors last week when I attended a talk at the Santa Barbara Public Library's Faulkner Gallery where the group called Friends of California Condors Wild and Free gave a wonderful presentation. Scientists Jan Hamber, Joseph Brandt, and Estelle Sandhaus described past efforts to save the condor as well as the present state of the species. Here are the coolest facts I learned from the talk or gleaned from the available literature. · With a wingspan of nearly 10 feet, California condors are North America's largest flying bird and they can soar as high as 15,000 feet. · The condor was sacred to Native Americans---condor cave paintings have been discovered and condor bones have been found in Native American burial caves along with condor feather headdresses. · The Chumash believed that the condor was once a white bird until it flew too close to a fire and turned black. The condor sometimes ate the moon, according to the Yokut tribe of inland central California, and this caused the lunar cycle as well as eclipses. · Wild condors taken into captivity laid their first eggs in 1988. More than 17 years have now passed since the first captive-bred condor was released into the wild. · When soaring condors see another condor disappear from the sky, they know food may have been found so they go to the location. They will feed on a carcass for a long time and then they are so full they have to rest for several hours before taking to the sky. · Condors in captivity are trained to avoid landing on power poles. Scientists use a mock power pole that is set to emit a small electrical charge whenever a condor attempts to land on it. Young birds quickly learn to avoid perching on the pole and instead find a natural perch in the flight pen. Later this may save their life. · Condors can live more than 50 years, and they begin breeding around 7 years old. They lay one egg every two years. · A breakthrough in efforts to save California condors from extinction came when researchers saw a condor egg get pushed out of a nest as two eager parents tried to care for it. When the female laid a replacement egg it became clear to the scientists that condors will lay a replacement egg if their first egg is lost. This was a hugely important discovery because it meant that researchers could take all first eggs in an effort to increase the population and save the species, and they did! · A main cause of condor deaths in the past and still today is the ingestion of lead in carcasses of animals that have been shot by hunters using lead bullets. Since 1999 at least 12 condors have died from lead poisoning and many more birds have been exposed. A two-year-old ban on lead ammunition hunting in California is having a significant positive effect on reducing lead poisoning in condors. There has been a 60% reduction in lead available to condors (in dead carcasses from hunting) since 2005. · A main cause of condor chick deaths is microtrash---quarter-sized pieces of plastic, glass, metal, and ceramic which are unwittingly fed to the chicks by the parents. From 2001-2006, 16 wild-hatched Southern California condors died either directly or indirectly from microtrash. · One of the highlights of the talk was an amazing video sequence of a condor male mating dance. With wings impressively arched up like a vampire raising his cape, the male lifted his feet high as he walked slowly around in circles---with great interest the female condor followed. Then she presented her feathery back and the male hopped on and then kept prancing...now atop the female! Well I don't need to go into any more detail here, but let's just say there was a still hush among the hundreds of enraptured Santa Barbarans as they all looked on like curious voyeurs. The future is bright for condors! Thanks to the scientists and the support they get from concerned citizens, the ongoing efforts include telemetry tracking, captive incubation, surgical removal of microtrash from dying chicks, medical treatment of lead-poisoned adults, and public outreach talks like the one I attended. As I jogged through the morning darkness and heard the sounds of the breaking waves that were about to provide me with a "dawn patrol" delight, I was still thinking about these successful condor recovery efforts and how, even in this world of rampant bad news and ecological horror stories, this was an example of how humans also do good things like saving the condor! Perhaps someday when I am walking again amidst the beautiful valleys and hills of Santa Barbara's mountains I will see a huge shadow moving across the ground, and then I will look up to see the bird that ate the moon. Photos provided by http://free-stock-photos.com/ Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nice story From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:49:33 -0800 From the Salinas Californian http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20100115/NEWS01/100115013/1002/Pinnacles+condor+efforts+get+boost+from+Argentina+park+alliance *Pinnacles condor efforts gets boost from Arentina park alliance* Today, an event in Washington, D.C., created a formal partnership between the Pinnacles National Monument and Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito in Argentina. The sister parks share similar resources, including populations of endangered condors. U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, was joined by National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, Argentina's National Administration for Parks President Patricia Gandini and Pinnacles National Monument Superintendent Eric Brunneman at the ceremony. "I've always been a supporter of the condor rehabilitation efforts at Pinnacles, and I think this new partnership is another great move for their world class effort," Rep. Farr said. "I think this is another feather in the Pinnacles cap and will hopefully move us even closer to establishing Pinnacles as a National Park, a designation it rightfully deserves." The partnership creating the "sister park" agreement will promote the information sharing and research efforts on their common biological and geological features, especially those pertaining to condor recovery programs. Both parks are heavily involved with reintroducing majestic but endangered condors to the wild. Pinnacles National Monument is home to 22 of just 180 free-flying California condors. Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito is leading the conservation effort for the Andean condor. The parks will also coordinate on projects concerning habitat preservation, threatened species, education programs and community involvement. The National Park Service and Argentina's National Administration for Parks have had an official Memorandum of Understanding since 1997, but this is the first sister park partnership to form under that agreement. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Well-written article From: "d_stockton" <d_stockton AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:35:07 -0000 Did you really read it? The writer of this article has simplified a very complex recovery program and in doing so he has minimized the contributions of so many dedicated people who have worked to recover the California condor. There are many unsung heroes who should be acknowledged not thrown under the bus. Their treatment in this article is appalling but, this program has always been beset by gigantic egos. The California condor program has been an evolving one since its inception, it was never stagnant as has been implied. It is ridiculous to believe the many professional biologists, veterinarians, zoologists and other experts in their fields were not aware of "condor culture", "Learned behavior and the condor, nobody knew how important it was," said Grantham. That is just not true. "Based on that steady, intimate contact, Brandt and Sandhaus have made two critical breakthroughs: One, they disproved the long-held theory that any human contact would "spoil" wild condors, clearing the way for the hands-on interactions that enable more wild chicks to survive; and two, they've shown that condor culture, such as when older birds teach younger ones where to find food or how to act properly in the wild, is critical to the species' survival." First, it is too soon to declare the hands-on interactions are without consequences and second,"condor culture" is not news. The use of mentors, etc. began before 2004. Microtrash, West Nile and lead poisoning are still such a problem that the survival of chicks in the nests is dependent on heavy intervention. While these problems still exist no one should be patting themselves on the back. Denise Stockton --- In Hi_MountainCondor AT yahoogroups.com, Marcelle wrote: > > A thorough _Santa Barbara Independent_ article featuring Jan & Estelle & > others (They're giving a talk in SBA on Sat. 9th - see end of the article) > http://www.independent.com/news/2010/jan/07/great-california-condor-comeback/ > > * >>News >>Cover Story > > > Stately scavenger: The California condor's nine-foot > wingspan once soared in the skies of the entire West Coast, until its > population dwindled to just 22 birds in 1987. Today, more than 30 years > after the recovery program officially was launched to save the > endangered species, experts believe that Gymnogyps californianus is > poised to succeed now more than ever. Explained program coordinator > Jesse Grantham, "Our charge is to restore the species to a > self-sustaining population." > > Paul Wellman > > *Stately scavenger: * The California condor's nine-foot wingspan once > soared in the skies of the entire West Coast, until its population > dwindled to just 22 birds in 1987. Today, more than 30 years after the > recovery program officially was launched to save the endangered species, > experts believe that Gymnogyps californianus is poised to succeed now > more than ever. Explained program coordinator Jesse Grantham, "Our > charge is to restore the species to a self-sustaining population." > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > The Great California Condor Comeback > > After Decades of Costly Ups and Downs, the Endangered Species Finally Is > Poised to Succeed > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Thursday, January 7, 2010 > > By Matt Kettmann > (Contact ) > > > Article Tools > > Print friendly > > E-mail story > Tip Us Off > iPod friendly > > Comments > > > > Bookmark This > del.icio.us. del.icio.us. > > Digg! Digg! > > furl furl > > google google > > newsvine newsvine > > reddit reddit > > technorati technorati > > Facebook Facebook d=document,f='http://www.facebook.com/share',l=d.location,e=encodeURIComponent,p='.php?src=bm&v=4&i=1173645773&u='+e(l.href)+'&t='+e(d.title);try{if(!/^(.*\.)?facebook\.[^.]*$/.test(l.host))throw(0);share_internal_bookmarklet(p)}catch(z){a=function(){if(!window.open(f+'r'+p,'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,resizable=0,width=626,height=436'))l.href=f+p};if(/Firefox/.test(navigator.userAgent))setTimeout(a,0);else{a()}}void(0)> > Yahoo! My Web 2.0 Yahoo! > > > Oh! There's a condor flying!" shouts Michael Woodbridge, of the U.S. > Fish and Wildlife Service. We've been sitting on a poison oak-covered > cliff in the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge for nearly an > hour, focused on the rocky cave that hides a California condor nest > across the canyon. "That's the dad. He's coming to check us out." > > Seconds later, the massive black bird does just that, rotating his > golden-orange face on a fluffy collar of neck feathers to peer our way. > With a stark white underbelly and unmistakable glider-like flying style, > I realize-despite some false alarms in my years of exploring Los Padres > National Forest-this is my first time ever seeing a California condor on > the wing in the wild. When the mother bird suddenly emerges from the > nest to join her partner in flight, soaring together in a graceful waltz > across a dance floor of thermals, I finally start to comprehend the > magnetic attraction of this severely endangered scavenger, how its > nine-foot wingspan inspired so many Chumash legends, and why so many > millions of dollars and countless hours have been spent to save it. > > The breathtaking aerial display, however, only momentarily makes me > forget the tremendous challenges that condors still face more than 30 > years after the campaign to rescue them from near-extinction was > launched. Even though the species-which bottomed out at 22 total birds > in 1987-has rebounded to more than 360 birds today, the popular mindset > remains divided on the revival's true trajectory. Depending on one's > point of view, the California condor recovery program exists as either > one of the brightest imaginable triumphs of an endangered species over > all-but-certain extinction or the most misguided and expensive > boondoggle in American history, requiring more than $5 million-or > roughly $13,000 per bird-in annual costs. Condor optimists contend > progress is steady and certain, but critics say the bird is just one of > many species that's outlived its time on this Earth, unable to adapt to > modern development and unlikely to ever survive without human intervention. > > For years, I found myself somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. The > naturalist in me wanted to believe the program had the potential to > return the iconic condor to the Golden State's skies, but my inner > realist constantly was discouraged by repeated reports of yet another > dead bird. I was reluctant to pursue this article and afraid a deeper > look would confirm my worst suspicions: that the human hand would > forever be part of the condor's future, its existence no longer possible > without technology and constant care. > > But the condor is not yet in the clear: lead poisoning persists, why > parents feed their chicks microtrash remains a mystery, and it is > unknown whether the remaining wildlands can produce sufficient carrion. > > But after spending time with experts in condor country and listening to > all sides about the ups and downs of the program, I'm happy to report > that today, there is more hope for California condor recovery than ever > before. More wild-born chicks are fledging, fewer birds are dying from > lead poisoning, and young birds are learning from old birds where to > forage for dead flesh, making the human-provided food increasingly > supplemental. As the experts begin to better understand the curious ways > of the condor and rethink past assumptions, the goal of three distinct > populations-one captive, one wild in California, and one wild in > Arizona, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs-actually > seems attainable. But the condor is not yet in the clear: lead poisoning > persists, why parents feed their chicks microtrash remains a mystery, > and it is unknown whether the remaining wildlands can produce sufficient > carrion. On top of that, the politics of protection, which continue to > alienate factions of the hunting community, have not led to the best > long-term legislation. But for the first time in decades, almost > everyone seems optimistic. > > "We've certainly come a long way since the last wild bird was taken in," > said Jan Hamber, who's been working with condors since January 1976 and > helped trap that final bird on Easter Sunday of 1987. "All the problems > for the condors are human-related. : So, ultimately, it rests on us. The > birds themselves seem to do just fine." Though it's been an occasionally > rough 34 years, Hamber, who runs the world's most comprehensive condor > database at the S.B. Museum of Natural History, said last month, "I hope > that we will allow them to survive." > > By Paul Wellman > > > The Culture Cure > > As a boy, Jesse Grantham would spend hours watching a nest full of > robins outside his bedroom window. As an adult, he said he began > refurbishing furniture, renovating homes, and restoring almost anything, > because, "I like putting things back in the right order." So it's no > wonder that Grantham finds himself working out of the U.S. Fish and > Wildlife Service's Ventura office as the coordinator of the California > Condor Recovery Program, which he returned to in 2004 after about 20 > years of work for the Audubon Society in other parts of the country. > > Grantham joined the program in 1979, when it was launched as a two-year > study of how many condors existed and why their numbers were dwindling. > Using binoculars and a camera, Grantham and his colleagues concluded > that only 22 birds remained in the wild, making the species-which > doesn't start breeding until the age of six and then only produces about > one egg every two years-as endangered as it gets. That triggered a very > public debate about whether salvation by captivity was possible or if > the species should simply go extinct with dignity. "At the time, it was > pretty contentious," said Grantham, who helped outfit some of the > remaining birds with transmitters, also a debated technique. "There were > a lot of people at each other's throats," he explained, though > eventually the capture-the-condor program won out. > > When hunters take home their killed meats, they often leave behind > lead-contaminated gut piles, an easy feast for condors. > > No one, however, could prove why condors were dying in the wild. "Food > was not a problem, and they were reproducing," recalled Grantham. But in > 1984, Grantham and his mentor, Noel Snyder, found a dead condor in the > Sierras with a lead bullet in its crop (the sack of skin that hangs > below the beak). "There it is," uttered Snyder, who knew that the > wildlands of condor country are also hunting grounds for deer, bear, > pigs, and other game. When hunters take home their killed meats, they > often leave behind lead-contaminated gut piles, an easy feast for > condors. But even small amounts of ingested lead can shut down their > digestive systems, causing severe disability and often death. Once that > Sierra condor was found, said Grantham, "all the evidence was there." A > campaign against lead ammunition culminated nearly a quarter-century > later in October 2007 when the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act was > signed into law, banning hunters from using lead ammo throughout the > bird's California range. > > Shortly after making the lead bullet discovery, Grantham left the condor > project, but the captivity program continued. Formerly wild condors > began laying their first captive eggs in 1988, and a reintroduction > program was developed in the mountains of Los Padres National Forest. > Initially, non-threatened Andean condors were brought in to help > determine proper techniques. But in 1992, when the first California > condors bred in captivity were released, they hit a "bumpy road," > according to Grantham. The young birds-who had been raised by condor > puppets-tended to interact with humans, forage in dumpsters, and engage > in otherwise self-destructive behavior. > > Though the program-which eventually established additional flocks in > Central California (Big Sur and the Pinnacles National Monument), > Arizona, and Baja California-started to take on a "goofy" aura, Grantham > kept watching from afar, believing the condor to be the smartest animal > he'd ever worked with. "It's a person trapped in the body of a bird," he > explained. "It just doesn't have the opposable thumb." Unfortunately, it > was exactly those humanoid traits-a long learning curve, extremely > social behavior, reliance on culture, etc.-that the program was > ignoring. "Learned behavior and the condor, nobody knew how important it > was," said Grantham. > > Bird doctor's office: Twice a year, the Southern > California condor flock gets rounded up on the Bitter Creek National > Wildlife Refuge to be physically inspected, vaccinated, and tested for > lead. Overseeing it all is field supervisor Joseph Brandt (white shirt, > above left), who explained, "If we didn't test these birds, a lot more > would probably be dying from lead." > > Click to enlarge photo > > > Paul Wellman > > *Bird doctor's office:* Twice a year, the Southern California condor > flock gets rounded up on the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge to be > physically inspected, vaccinated, and tested for lead. Overseeing it all > is field supervisor Joseph Brandt (white shirt, above left), who > explained, "If we didn't test these birds, a lot more would probably be > dying from lead." > > That's all changed since Grantham returned to the condor program in > 2004, thanks largely to the efforts of two individuals: the Fish and > Wildlife Service's Joseph Brandt, a former volunteer with the Big Sur > condors who became the Southern California program's field supervisor, > and the Santa Barbara Zoo's Estelle Sandhaus, a Georgia Tech PhD student > who changed her dissertation's focus from great pandas to the condor. In > 2007, the duo started to monitor eggs, chicks, and their parents with a > nest-guarding program that requires the year-round efforts of students, > volunteers, and paid professionals to monitor the Southern California > nests, of which there were four in 2007, five in 2008, and five more in > 2009. Led by Brandt, who has the rock climbing experience required to > scale the remote cliffs where condors roost, small teams of biologists > and veterinarians enter the nests every 30 days to check on the welfare > of eggs and chicks until they fledge. As the condors age, the monitoring > continues via twice-annual checkups and the occasional supplemental > feeding session. > > Based on that steady, intimate contact, Brandt and Sandhaus have made > two critical breakthroughs: One, they disproved the long-held theory > that any human contact would "spoil" wild condors, clearing the way for > the hands-on interactions that enable more wild chicks to survive; and > two, they've shown that condor culture, such as when older birds teach > younger ones where to find food or how to act properly in the wild, is > critical to the species' survival. > > "There are still some birds in captivity that have so much knowledge in > their heads," she said, explaining that such locked-up memories are the > keys to condor success. "We're excited to release that." > > "There was no culture out there when they were first released," Sandhaus > explained one morning on the way to the Hopper Mountain, an outpost > between Fillmore and Piru adjacent to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, where > most of the Southern California nests are located. "There are still some > birds in captivity that have so much knowledge in their heads," she > said, explaining that such locked-up memories are the keys to condor > success. "We're excited to release that." > > Condors essentially are copycat foragers-when one bird finds food and > disappears from the sky, the others follow-and their society revolves > around feeding time, when young birds learn about hierarchy and proper > behavior. Nearly 18 years after the first captive-bred condor was > released into the wild, enough time has passed for them to rediscover > their old foraging grounds-particularly areas of Tejon Ranch and the > Tehachapi Range-and transmit that information to the next generation. > The condor recovery team attracts condors to new territories by sporadic > supplemental feedings, as well. "They're very gregarious in that sense," > explained U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Woodbridge, who spends most of his > time on the condor project. "By affecting what a few birds do, you can > affect what the rest of the birds do." > > And it's working. "They act like the original wild condors-they're doing > the exact same things that they were doing in the 1980s," explained > Grantham, who had witnessed the last condors in the wild before the > captivity program began. "The condor is restoring the culture and > traditions under which it evolved." > > By Paul Wellman > > *Watching them watch you:* U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Michael Woodbridge > (above) looks across a Hopper Mountain canyon toward a California condor > nest with volunteers from the nest-guarding program. Minutes later, the > father condor swooped into the canyon to check out the humans on his way > to attend to his chick. "It's like mountain climbing," said Woodbridge > of the steep hiking and endless patience required to monitor condors. > "It's a long slog and often tedious, but there are nice views at the top." > > > Up on Bitter Creek > > It's a sunny summer day at the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, a > 14,000-acre collection of rolling hills and golden grasslands in > southwestern Kern County that offers views of both the San Joaquin > Valley and Mt. Pinos. About 20 people are speaking in low voices beneath > a blue tarp that's attached to a sprawling flight pen, the temporary > home for a couple dozen trapped condors about to get their semiannual > checkups. The air reeks of death, as the condors' carcass cravings tend > to linger on their bodies, but the day is all about saving lives. > > In order for the paid workers and volunteers-representatives from zoos, > federal and state agencies, and nonprofit institutes-to process each > condor safely, a curious contest begins between birds and humans that > involves oversized butterfly nets, waving yellow brooms, and plenty of > persistence. Once out of the pen, a condor is subject to a 15-minute > barrage of tests conducted by as many as five people > simultaneously-feathers, toes, and other body parts examined; West Nile > Virus vaccine administered if needed; transmitters and tags reattached; > blood samples taken for onsite lead poisoning analysis. > > In charge is the dreadlocked Joseph Brandt, who calls for new towels > like a surgeon requesting a scalpel and barks out handling tips to > newbies. If the condor passes the lead test and appears healthy, it is > weighed and freed, usually flapping just once or twice before rising > like an elevator into the thermals above the Bitter Creek headwall. > "This doesn't happen so often that they're used to it," said Brandt, > "but like nest entry, they accept it." > > > Photo Gallery > > Bitter Creek Condors > > gallery photo > > > Enlarge photos > > | View thumbnails > > > Through these checkups, and the nest-guarding, and the occasional > stillborn calves that are left as supplemental food, Brandt is focusing > in on the most critical threats to the condors' continued existence. The > most obvious question is whether there's enough food to support a wild > population, as modern development and agriculture has displaced the > large herds of roaming ungulates that historically provided a steady > supply of rotting flesh. "It was a hard question to answer even a year > or two ago," Brandt said. But in the last six months, the reintroduced > herds of tule elk and pronghorn antelope on the Carrizo Plain and Wind > Wolves Preserve started thriving, not to mention the condors' steady > supply of meat from both the many cattle ranches-where an expected > number of animals die from illness or calving-and the pig, bear, deer, > and other large mammals that die naturally in the forest. > > Future human development in the region does remain a threat, and condor > supporters are steadfastly watching the proposed creation of two new > large communities south of Bakersfield on Tejon Ranch, which has become > a popular condor foraging spot. But as the bird expands its range, it is > also making researchers reconsider what should be recognized as condor > habitat. "Most of us think of habitat as plants and trees, but here's a > bird that's totally dependent on the air for survival," explained > program coordinator Grantham. "Are there areas we don't even realize are > being lost because the birds were dependent upon them seasonally?" While > he has no idea what sort of protective measures might result, Grantham > currently is consulting with weather specialists to determine if and how > seasonal airflow could be incorporated into the condor recovery program. > > More immediately perplexing to Brandt, however, is the mystery of > microtrash, the nickel- to quarter-sized pieces of glass, metal, > plastic, and ceramic that almost all parent condors try to feed their > young. Until the start of the nest-guarding program, microtrash was > responsible for numerous wild chick deaths; from 2001-2006, for > instance, only one of 17 wild-hatched Southern California condors was > able to fledge, with microtrash either directly responsible or > contributing to the demise of the other 16. Today, if a chick is found > with microtrash in its crop, the nest entry team will try to "milk" it > out of its esophagus. If that's not successful, then the chick is taken > by helicopter to the Los Angeles Zoo on a round-trip mission to have the > trash surgically removed and the chick returned within 23 hours. > > "If we didn't test these birds," said Brandt, "a lot more would probably > be dying from lead." > > But microtrash really only impacts the young condors, so lead still > rules as the number-one problem for condors of all ages. During both the > Hopper Mountain nest entries and the Bitter Creek checkups, the condors > are tested for lead, and those with elevated levels either are treated > onsite with an injection that cleans the bloodstream or, if it surpasses > 65 micrograms per deciliter, they're whisked away to the Los Angeles Zoo > for extended treatment. (That emergency procedure costs about $10,000, > but the tab is mostly picked up by the zoo.) "If we didn't test these > birds," said Brandt, "a lot more would probably be dying from lead." > > Although the ban on lead ammo hunting in California only went into > effect two years ago, it's already delivering. "The preliminary good > news is that, here in Southern California, so far, the lead levels have > been very low," said Woodbridge in December, referring to data Brandt's > teams submitted for the end of 2009 checkup. "We might be on the verge > of a real success that we can tout if this trend continues." > Unfortunately, Woodbridge also confirmed that two birds in the Central > California region recently died from lead poisoning, so the struggle > continues. > > By Paul Wellman > > Once the tests are complete, the birds are set free, usually flapping > just once or twice before rising on the thermals into the blue sky. > > > The Hunter's Lament > > If you're ever walking down Hollister Avenue and hear the persistent > sounds of hammering, that's probably just Bill Jopson and Becky Davis > assembling ammunition. The married, UCSB-educated couple own and operate > Custom Cartridge, Inc., Old Town Goleta's very own ammo factory and gun > shop where the walls are adorned with heads of deer and the racks full > of camouflaged gear. Their views on the condor recovery program resonate > not just with their hunting clients, but with many people who believe > the species' era is over. > > "It's nearly extinct, and the reason for that is not lead- it's the loss > of habitat, which supported herds of wild animals," said Jopson one > afternoon last year. "We don't have the big carrion anymore." Davis, who > calls herself a "dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist," believes that > restricting hunting ammo won't save the condors because there are other > sources of lead in their environment, particularly the small animals > that landowners kill with .22-caliber bullets, which have no non-lead > alternative. "The state is lousy with ground squirrels, gophers, and > other vermin," she claimed, explaining that their ravenous appetites are > the scourge of farmers everywhere. "There are little tiny dead bodies > filled with .22-caliber ammo all over the state." > > Despite their complaints, however, Custom Cartridge experienced a boom > in business with the lead ban, as they've been making alternative ammo > for 20 years and reign as the condor region's largest non-lead ammo > supplier. That doesn't mean their clients are overjoyed, however, > because non-lead ammo is still much more expensive and in short supply. > Said Davis, "They are now buying Mercedes when they were used to buying > Chevy Geos." > > The man first tasked with making sure hunters were abiding by the law > throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura, and northern Los Angeles counties was > Roland Takayama, the regional warden for the California Department of > Fish and Game until he retired last month. Unlike some hunting > naysayers, Takayama is uniquely aware of lead's danger. After killing a > deer one day and forgetting his knife, Takayama returned to find three > condors that "had totally eaten the entire gutpile-so I think it's a > logical source of exposure to lead." > > "There has to be a simple field test for enforcement officers to > determine whether the ammo is legal. That critical element is missing." > > But he believes things are "terribly wrong" with the Ridley-Tree Condor > Preservation Act, which was authored by Santa Barbara Assemblymember > Pedro Nava and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October 2007. > "It lacks a certain understanding of how ammunition is manufactured and > marketed and then used in the field," said Takayama. "There has to be a > simple field test for enforcement officers to determine whether the ammo > is legal. That critical element is missing." As such, it has not been an > enforcement priority, with only one citation crossing Takayama's desk in > two years. Luckily, he says that very few hunters are entirely ignorant > of the new rules and most appear to be complying. "If hunters can do > their part, I think it's a small thing to ask of them and I think they > will," he said. "I just wish it had been promoted better and had a > better regulation." > > > Photo Gallery > > Hopper Mountain Condors > > gallery photo > > > Enlarge photos > > | View thumbnails > > > Takayama's colleague in Sacramento, Craig Stowers, the Department of > Fish and Game's deer hunting coordinator, agrees. While he believes that > "lead's time has come and gone," Stowers said the ban was premature. > There weren't yet suitable substitutes available, he claimed, and the > political process behind the act's passage lacked professional > integrity. "The department had no relevance in the debate once the > Legislature got involved," said Stowers, "but we're vested by the > Legislature with the authority to manage wildlife. So it was a slap in > our face." > > When Stowers first heard about lead ammo harming condors, he believed it > was a logical "working theory" and assumed it would be properly tested. > But he said that the legislation effectively ended the debate, so > studies about other possible sources of lead in condor country-from > wheel weights and industrial paint to ammo used in the killing of > nuisance animals such as coyotes and squirrels-were not properly > examined. "There's been a bunch of time, a bunch of money, and a bunch > of emotion wasted, and the condor will still continue to get lead > poisoning because we haven't figured out where they're getting it," said > Stowers. > > Though condor program spokesperson Woodbridge doesn't defend how the > state law came into being, he wants to assure hunters that the ban is > not an attack on the sport. "By taking out the lead bullets, hunters are > going from being part of the problem to being part of the solution," > said Woodbridge, himself a hunter originally from Colorado. "Hunting is > something we need for condors to survive." > > By Paul Wellman > > *Catching the condor:* Once dozens of birds are trapped successfully at > Bitter Creek for their semiannual checkups, individual birds must be > culled from the pen with oversized butterfly nets, yellow brooms, and > plenty of persistence. "This doesn't happen so often that they're used > to it, but like nest entry, they accept it," said field supervisor > Brandt, whose work has shown that-contrary to long-held beliefs-humans > can interact with condors to help their health without ruining the > bird's wild mentality. > > > Future Flights of the Condor > > When I was in the fourth grade, I concluded my endangered species report > about the California condor by writing, "It is sad to think this giant > bird is probably going to be extinct in a few years." That was 1986, and > even though I was just nine years old, my sentiments echoed countless > others who were concerned about the fate of the stately scavenger, its > precarious place in modern society a symbol of California's natural > beauty, undeveloped and free. > > At that point, few believed the condor would escape extinction, and > almost no one could anticipate the rebound it's already made. Today, in > addition to the wild condor flocks in Central and Southern California, > Arizona, and Baja California, the Yurok Tribe is considering a > reintroduction program in Northern California, and a graduate student is > determining whether a flock would thrive in Oregon's Columbia River > Gorge. In 2009 alone, two chicks successfully fledged in Southern > California, three made it in Central California, and two are flying in > Arizona. "We're well on our way to the goal of two distinct wild > populations in California and Arizona," said Woodbridge. "When people > talk about the condor program, they talk about it as a success." > > But will the bird ever survive without the intervention of humans, or > will it become, in the parlance of wildlife biology, a > "conservation-dependent" species? To people like the recovery program's > Grantham, the answer doesn't entirely matter-it's the quest that counts. > "At which point do you say, 'This species goes and this species stays'?" > he asked. "Culturally, I think we're at a point where people are not > willing to let any of these things go." > > In the meantime, he suggests going out into the forest, staring at the > skies, and spotting one of these wild condors for yourself. Pointing to > the outline of condor country on a map of the West Coast in his Ventura > office, Grantham said with a smile, "It's the size of a postage stamp, > and one of the rarest birds in the world is right there." > > > 4.1.1 > > The Friends of California Condors Wild and Free are presenting Jan > Hamber, Joseph Brandt, and Estelle Sandhaus in an event titled > /California Condors: The End : and the Beginning/ on Saturday, January > 9, from 2-4 p.m. at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Public > Library. For more info, contact soaringcondor AT ... > . To learn more about the program, > donate money, or volunteer, see cacondorconservation.org > . > > *Story Help (Click-ability)* > Double-clicking on *any word or phrase* in this story will open a > reference window with definitions and links to other reference material. > > > > Discussion Guidelines > > > > > -- > > Marcelle > SteppingStones > *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System > *(800) 926-1017* > www.bags4you.com > e-mail: service AT ... > > /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality > bags & the BEST customer service!/ > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Well-written article From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:46:44 -0800 A thorough _Santa Barbara Independent_ article featuring Jan & Estelle & others (They're giving a talk in SBA on Sat. 9th - see end of the article) http://www.independent.com/news/2010/jan/07/great-california-condor-comeback/ * >>News >>Cover Story Stately scavenger: The California condor's nine-foot wingspan once soared in the skies of the entire West Coast, until its population dwindled to just 22 birds in 1987. Today, more than 30 years after the recovery program officially was launched to save the endangered species, experts believe that Gymnogyps californianus is poised to succeed now more than ever. Explained program coordinator Jesse Grantham, "Our charge is to restore the species to a self-sustaining population." Paul Wellman *Stately scavenger: * The California condor's nine-foot wingspan once soared in the skies of the entire West Coast, until its population dwindled to just 22 birds in 1987. Today, more than 30 years after the recovery program officially was launched to save the endangered species, experts believe that Gymnogyps californianus is poised to succeed now more than ever. Explained program coordinator Jesse Grantham, "Our charge is to restore the species to a self-sustaining population." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Great California Condor Comeback After Decades of Costly Ups and Downs, the Endangered Species Finally Is Poised to Succeed ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thursday, January 7, 2010 By Matt Kettmann (Contact ) Article Tools Print friendly E-mail story Tip Us Off iPod friendly Comments Bookmark This del.icio.us. del.icio.us. Digg! Digg! furl furl google google newsvine newsvine reddit reddit technorati technorati Facebook Facebook Yahoo! My Web 2.0 Yahoo! Oh! There's a condor flying!" shouts Michael Woodbridge, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We've been sitting on a poison oak-covered cliff in the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge for nearly an hour, focused on the rocky cave that hides a California condor nest across the canyon. "That's the dad. He's coming to check us out." Seconds later, the massive black bird does just that, rotating his golden-orange face on a fluffy collar of neck feathers to peer our way. With a stark white underbelly and unmistakable glider-like flying style, I realize-despite some false alarms in my years of exploring Los Padres National Forest-this is my first time ever seeing a California condor on the wing in the wild. When the mother bird suddenly emerges from the nest to join her partner in flight, soaring together in a graceful waltz across a dance floor of thermals, I finally start to comprehend the magnetic attraction of this severely endangered scavenger, how its nine-foot wingspan inspired so many Chumash legends, and why so many millions of dollars and countless hours have been spent to save it. The breathtaking aerial display, however, only momentarily makes me forget the tremendous challenges that condors still face more than 30 years after the campaign to rescue them from near-extinction was launched. Even though the species-which bottomed out at 22 total birds in 1987-has rebounded to more than 360 birds today, the popular mindset remains divided on the revival's true trajectory. Depending on one's point of view, the California condor recovery program exists as either one of the brightest imaginable triumphs of an endangered species over all-but-certain extinction or the most misguided and expensive boondoggle in American history, requiring more than $5 million-or roughly $13,000 per bird-in annual costs. Condor optimists contend progress is steady and certain, but critics say the bird is just one of many species that's outlived its time on this Earth, unable to adapt to modern development and unlikely to ever survive without human intervention. For years, I found myself somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. The naturalist in me wanted to believe the program had the potential to return the iconic condor to the Golden State's skies, but my inner realist constantly was discouraged by repeated reports of yet another dead bird. I was reluctant to pursue this article and afraid a deeper look would confirm my worst suspicions: that the human hand would forever be part of the condor's future, its existence no longer possible without technology and constant care. But the condor is not yet in the clear: lead poisoning persists, why parents feed their chicks microtrash remains a mystery, and it is unknown whether the remaining wildlands can produce sufficient carrion. But after spending time with experts in condor country and listening to all sides about the ups and downs of the program, I'm happy to report that today, there is more hope for California condor recovery than ever before. More wild-born chicks are fledging, fewer birds are dying from lead poisoning, and young birds are learning from old birds where to forage for dead flesh, making the human-provided food increasingly supplemental. As the experts begin to better understand the curious ways of the condor and rethink past assumptions, the goal of three distinct populations-one captive, one wild in California, and one wild in Arizona, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs-actually seems attainable. But the condor is not yet in the clear: lead poisoning persists, why parents feed their chicks microtrash remains a mystery, and it is unknown whether the remaining wildlands can produce sufficient carrion. On top of that, the politics of protection, which continue to alienate factions of the hunting community, have not led to the best long-term legislation. But for the first time in decades, almost everyone seems optimistic. "We've certainly come a long way since the last wild bird was taken in," said Jan Hamber, who's been working with condors since January 1976 and helped trap that final bird on Easter Sunday of 1987. "All the problems for the condors are human-related. : So, ultimately, it rests on us. The birds themselves seem to do just fine." Though it's been an occasionally rough 34 years, Hamber, who runs the world's most comprehensive condor database at the S.B. Museum of Natural History, said last month, "I hope that we will allow them to survive." By Paul Wellman The Culture Cure As a boy, Jesse Grantham would spend hours watching a nest full of robins outside his bedroom window. As an adult, he said he began refurbishing furniture, renovating homes, and restoring almost anything, because, "I like putting things back in the right order." So it's no wonder that Grantham finds himself working out of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Ventura office as the coordinator of the California Condor Recovery Program, which he returned to in 2004 after about 20 years of work for the Audubon Society in other parts of the country. Grantham joined the program in 1979, when it was launched as a two-year study of how many condors existed and why their numbers were dwindling. Using binoculars and a camera, Grantham and his colleagues concluded that only 22 birds remained in the wild, making the species-which doesn't start breeding until the age of six and then only produces about one egg every two years-as endangered as it gets. That triggered a very public debate about whether salvation by captivity was possible or if the species should simply go extinct with dignity. "At the time, it was pretty contentious," said Grantham, who helped outfit some of the remaining birds with transmitters, also a debated technique. "There were a lot of people at each other's throats," he explained, though eventually the capture-the-condor program won out. When hunters take home their killed meats, they often leave behind lead-contaminated gut piles, an easy feast for condors. No one, however, could prove why condors were dying in the wild. "Food was not a problem, and they were reproducing," recalled Grantham. But in 1984, Grantham and his mentor, Noel Snyder, found a dead condor in the Sierras with a lead bullet in its crop (the sack of skin that hangs below the beak). "There it is," uttered Snyder, who knew that the wildlands of condor country are also hunting grounds for deer, bear, pigs, and other game. When hunters take home their killed meats, they often leave behind lead-contaminated gut piles, an easy feast for condors. But even small amounts of ingested lead can shut down their digestive systems, causing severe disability and often death. Once that Sierra condor was found, said Grantham, "all the evidence was there." A campaign against lead ammunition culminated nearly a quarter-century later in October 2007 when the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act was signed into law, banning hunters from using lead ammo throughout the bird's California range. Shortly after making the lead bullet discovery, Grantham left the condor project, but the captivity program continued. Formerly wild condors began laying their first captive eggs in 1988, and a reintroduction program was developed in the mountains of Los Padres National Forest. Initially, non-threatened Andean condors were brought in to help determine proper techniques. But in 1992, when the first California condors bred in captivity were released, they hit a "bumpy road," according to Grantham. The young birds-who had been raised by condor puppets-tended to interact with humans, forage in dumpsters, and engage in otherwise self-destructive behavior. Though the program-which eventually established additional flocks in Central California (Big Sur and the Pinnacles National Monument), Arizona, and Baja California-started to take on a "goofy" aura, Grantham kept watching from afar, believing the condor to be the smartest animal he'd ever worked with. "It's a person trapped in the body of a bird," he explained. "It just doesn't have the opposable thumb." Unfortunately, it was exactly those humanoid traits-a long learning curve, extremely social behavior, reliance on culture, etc.-that the program was ignoring. "Learned behavior and the condor, nobody knew how important it was," said Grantham. Bird doctor's office: Twice a year, the Southern California condor flock gets rounded up on the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge to be physically inspected, vaccinated, and tested for lead. Overseeing it all is field supervisor Joseph Brandt (white shirt, above left), who explained, "If we didn't test these birds, a lot more would probably be dying from lead." Click to enlarge photo Paul Wellman *Bird doctor's office:* Twice a year, the Southern California condor flock gets rounded up on the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge to be physically inspected, vaccinated, and tested for lead. Overseeing it all is field supervisor Joseph Brandt (white shirt, above left), who explained, "If we didn't test these birds, a lot more would probably be dying from lead." That's all changed since Grantham returned to the condor program in 2004, thanks largely to the efforts of two individuals: the Fish and Wildlife Service's Joseph Brandt, a former volunteer with the Big Sur condors who became the Southern California program's field supervisor, and the Santa Barbara Zoo's Estelle Sandhaus, a Georgia Tech PhD student who changed her dissertation's focus from great pandas to the condor. In 2007, the duo started to monitor eggs, chicks, and their parents with a nest-guarding program that requires the year-round efforts of students, volunteers, and paid professionals to monitor the Southern California nests, of which there were four in 2007, five in 2008, and five more in 2009. Led by Brandt, who has the rock climbing experience required to scale the remote cliffs where condors roost, small teams of biologists and veterinarians enter the nests every 30 days to check on the welfare of eggs and chicks until they fledge. As the condors age, the monitoring continues via twice-annual checkups and the occasional supplemental feeding session. Based on that steady, intimate contact, Brandt and Sandhaus have made two critical breakthroughs: One, they disproved the long-held theory that any human contact would "spoil" wild condors, clearing the way for the hands-on interactions that enable more wild chicks to survive; and two, they've shown that condor culture, such as when older birds teach younger ones where to find food or how to act properly in the wild, is critical to the species' survival. "There are still some birds in captivity that have so much knowledge in their heads," she said, explaining that such locked-up memories are the keys to condor success. "We're excited to release that." "There was no culture out there when they were first released," Sandhaus explained one morning on the way to the Hopper Mountain, an outpost between Fillmore and Piru adjacent to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, where most of the Southern California nests are located. "There are still some birds in captivity that have so much knowledge in their heads," she said, explaining that such locked-up memories are the keys to condor success. "We're excited to release that." Condors essentially are copycat foragers-when one bird finds food and disappears from the sky, the others follow-and their society revolves around feeding time, when young birds learn about hierarchy and proper behavior. Nearly 18 years after the first captive-bred condor was released into the wild, enough time has passed for them to rediscover their old foraging grounds-particularly areas of Tejon Ranch and the Tehachapi Range-and transmit that information to the next generation. The condor recovery team attracts condors to new territories by sporadic supplemental feedings, as well. "They're very gregarious in that sense," explained U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Woodbridge, who spends most of his time on the condor project. "By affecting what a few birds do, you can affect what the rest of the birds do." And it's working. "They act like the original wild condors-they're doing the exact same things that they were doing in the 1980s," explained Grantham, who had witnessed the last condors in the wild before the captivity program began. "The condor is restoring the culture and traditions under which it evolved." By Paul Wellman *Watching them watch you:* U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Michael Woodbridge (above) looks across a Hopper Mountain canyon toward a California condor nest with volunteers from the nest-guarding program. Minutes later, the father condor swooped into the canyon to check out the humans on his way to attend to his chick. "It's like mountain climbing," said Woodbridge of the steep hiking and endless patience required to monitor condors. "It's a long slog and often tedious, but there are nice views at the top." Up on Bitter Creek It's a sunny summer day at the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, a 14,000-acre collection of rolling hills and golden grasslands in southwestern Kern County that offers views of both the San Joaquin Valley and Mt. Pinos. About 20 people are speaking in low voices beneath a blue tarp that's attached to a sprawling flight pen, the temporary home for a couple dozen trapped condors about to get their semiannual checkups. The air reeks of death, as the condors' carcass cravings tend to linger on their bodies, but the day is all about saving lives. In order for the paid workers and volunteers-representatives from zoos, federal and state agencies, and nonprofit institutes-to process each condor safely, a curious contest begins between birds and humans that involves oversized butterfly nets, waving yellow brooms, and plenty of persistence. Once out of the pen, a condor is subject to a 15-minute barrage of tests conducted by as many as five people simultaneously-feathers, toes, and other body parts examined; West Nile Virus vaccine administered if needed; transmitters and tags reattached; blood samples taken for onsite lead poisoning analysis. In charge is the dreadlocked Joseph Brandt, who calls for new towels like a surgeon requesting a scalpel and barks out handling tips to newbies. If the condor passes the lead test and appears healthy, it is weighed and freed, usually flapping just once or twice before rising like an elevator into the thermals above the Bitter Creek headwall. "This doesn't happen so often that they're used to it," said Brandt, "but like nest entry, they accept it." Photo Gallery Bitter Creek Condors gallery photo Enlarge photos | View thumbnails Through these checkups, and the nest-guarding, and the occasional stillborn calves that are left as supplemental food, Brandt is focusing in on the most critical threats to the condors' continued existence. The most obvious question is whether there's enough food to support a wild population, as modern development and agriculture has displaced the large herds of roaming ungulates that historically provided a steady supply of rotting flesh. "It was a hard question to answer even a year or two ago," Brandt said. But in the last six months, the reintroduced herds of tule elk and pronghorn antelope on the Carrizo Plain and Wind Wolves Preserve started thriving, not to mention the condors' steady supply of meat from both the many cattle ranches-where an expected number of animals die from illness or calving-and the pig, bear, deer, and other large mammals that die naturally in the forest. Future human development in the region does remain a threat, and condor supporters are steadfastly watching the proposed creation of two new large communities south of Bakersfield on Tejon Ranch, which has become a popular condor foraging spot. But as the bird expands its range, it is also making researchers reconsider what should be recognized as condor habitat. "Most of us think of habitat as plants and trees, but here's a bird that's totally dependent on the air for survival," explained program coordinator Grantham. "Are there areas we don't even realize are being lost because the birds were dependent upon them seasonally?" While he has no idea what sort of protective measures might result, Grantham currently is consulting with weather specialists to determine if and how seasonal airflow could be incorporated into the condor recovery program. More immediately perplexing to Brandt, however, is the mystery of microtrash, the nickel- to quarter-sized pieces of glass, metal, plastic, and ceramic that almost all parent condors try to feed their young. Until the start of the nest-guarding program, microtrash was responsible for numerous wild chick deaths; from 2001-2006, for instance, only one of 17 wild-hatched Southern California condors was able to fledge, with microtrash either directly responsible or contributing to the demise of the other 16. Today, if a chick is found with microtrash in its crop, the nest entry team will try to "milk" it out of its esophagus. If that's not successful, then the chick is taken by helicopter to the Los Angeles Zoo on a round-trip mission to have the trash surgically removed and the chick returned within 23 hours. "If we didn't test these birds," said Brandt, "a lot more would probably be dying from lead." But microtrash really only impacts the young condors, so lead still rules as the number-one problem for condors of all ages. During both the Hopper Mountain nest entries and the Bitter Creek checkups, the condors are tested for lead, and those with elevated levels either are treated onsite with an injection that cleans the bloodstream or, if it surpasses 65 micrograms per deciliter, they're whisked away to the Los Angeles Zoo for extended treatment. (That emergency procedure costs about $10,000, but the tab is mostly picked up by the zoo.) "If we didn't test these birds," said Brandt, "a lot more would probably be dying from lead." Although the ban on lead ammo hunting in California only went into effect two years ago, it's already delivering. "The preliminary good news is that, here in Southern California, so far, the lead levels have been very low," said Woodbridge in December, referring to data Brandt's teams submitted for the end of 2009 checkup. "We might be on the verge of a real success that we can tout if this trend continues." Unfortunately, Woodbridge also confirmed that two birds in the Central California region recently died from lead poisoning, so the struggle continues. By Paul Wellman Once the tests are complete, the birds are set free, usually flapping just once or twice before rising on the thermals into the blue sky. The Hunter's Lament If you're ever walking down Hollister Avenue and hear the persistent sounds of hammering, that's probably just Bill Jopson and Becky Davis assembling ammunition. The married, UCSB-educated couple own and operate Custom Cartridge, Inc., Old Town Goleta's very own ammo factory and gun shop where the walls are adorned with heads of deer and the racks full of camouflaged gear. Their views on the condor recovery program resonate not just with their hunting clients, but with many people who believe the species' era is over. "It's nearly extinct, and the reason for that is not lead- it's the loss of habitat, which supported herds of wild animals," said Jopson one afternoon last year. "We don't have the big carrion anymore." Davis, who calls herself a "dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist," believes that restricting hunting ammo won't save the condors because there are other sources of lead in their environment, particularly the small animals that landowners kill with .22-caliber bullets, which have no non-lead alternative. "The state is lousy with ground squirrels, gophers, and other vermin," she claimed, explaining that their ravenous appetites are the scourge of farmers everywhere. "There are little tiny dead bodies filled with .22-caliber ammo all over the state." Despite their complaints, however, Custom Cartridge experienced a boom in business with the lead ban, as they've been making alternative ammo for 20 years and reign as the condor region's largest non-lead ammo supplier. That doesn't mean their clients are overjoyed, however, because non-lead ammo is still much more expensive and in short supply. Said Davis, "They are now buying Mercedes when they were used to buying Chevy Geos." The man first tasked with making sure hunters were abiding by the law throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura, and northern Los Angeles counties was Roland Takayama, the regional warden for the California Department of Fish and Game until he retired last month. Unlike some hunting naysayers, Takayama is uniquely aware of lead's danger. After killing a deer one day and forgetting his knife, Takayama returned to find three condors that "had totally eaten the entire gutpile-so I think it's a logical source of exposure to lead." "There has to be a simple field test for enforcement officers to determine whether the ammo is legal. That critical element is missing." But he believes things are "terribly wrong" with the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act, which was authored by Santa Barbara Assemblymember Pedro Nava and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October 2007. "It lacks a certain understanding of how ammunition is manufactured and marketed and then used in the field," said Takayama. "There has to be a simple field test for enforcement officers to determine whether the ammo is legal. That critical element is missing." As such, it has not been an enforcement priority, with only one citation crossing Takayama's desk in two years. Luckily, he says that very few hunters are entirely ignorant of the new rules and most appear to be complying. "If hunters can do their part, I think it's a small thing to ask of them and I think they will," he said. "I just wish it had been promoted better and had a better regulation." Photo Gallery Hopper Mountain Condors gallery photo Enlarge photos | View thumbnails Takayama's colleague in Sacramento, Craig Stowers, the Department of Fish and Game's deer hunting coordinator, agrees. While he believes that "lead's time has come and gone," Stowers said the ban was premature. There weren't yet suitable substitutes available, he claimed, and the political process behind the act's passage lacked professional integrity. "The department had no relevance in the debate once the Legislature got involved," said Stowers, "but we're vested by the Legislature with the authority to manage wildlife. So it was a slap in our face." When Stowers first heard about lead ammo harming condors, he believed it was a logical "working theory" and assumed it would be properly tested. But he said that the legislation effectively ended the debate, so studies about other possible sources of lead in condor country-from wheel weights and industrial paint to ammo used in the killing of nuisance animals such as coyotes and squirrels-were not properly examined. "There's been a bunch of time, a bunch of money, and a bunch of emotion wasted, and the condor will still continue to get lead poisoning because we haven't figured out where they're getting it," said Stowers. Though condor program spokesperson Woodbridge doesn't defend how the state law came into being, he wants to assure hunters that the ban is not an attack on the sport. "By taking out the lead bullets, hunters are going from being part of the problem to being part of the solution," said Woodbridge, himself a hunter originally from Colorado. "Hunting is something we need for condors to survive." By Paul Wellman *Catching the condor:* Once dozens of birds are trapped successfully at Bitter Creek for their semiannual checkups, individual birds must be culled from the pen with oversized butterfly nets, yellow brooms, and plenty of persistence. "This doesn't happen so often that they're used to it, but like nest entry, they accept it," said field supervisor Brandt, whose work has shown that-contrary to long-held beliefs-humans can interact with condors to help their health without ruining the bird's wild mentality. Future Flights of the Condor When I was in the fourth grade, I concluded my endangered species report about the California condor by writing, "It is sad to think this giant bird is probably going to be extinct in a few years." That was 1986, and even though I was just nine years old, my sentiments echoed countless others who were concerned about the fate of the stately scavenger, its precarious place in modern society a symbol of California's natural beauty, undeveloped and free. At that point, few believed the condor would escape extinction, and almost no one could anticipate the rebound it's already made. Today, in addition to the wild condor flocks in Central and Southern California, Arizona, and Baja California, the Yurok Tribe is considering a reintroduction program in Northern California, and a graduate student is determining whether a flock would thrive in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge. In 2009 alone, two chicks successfully fledged in Southern California, three made it in Central California, and two are flying in Arizona. "We're well on our way to the goal of two distinct wild populations in California and Arizona," said Woodbridge. "When people talk about the condor program, they talk about it as a success." But will the bird ever survive without the intervention of humans, or will it become, in the parlance of wildlife biology, a "conservation-dependent" species? To people like the recovery program's Grantham, the answer doesn't entirely matter-it's the quest that counts. "At which point do you say, 'This species goes and this species stays'?" he asked. "Culturally, I think we're at a point where people are not willing to let any of these things go." In the meantime, he suggests going out into the forest, staring at the skies, and spotting one of these wild condors for yourself. Pointing to the outline of condor country on a map of the West Coast in his Ventura office, Grantham said with a smile, "It's the size of a postage stamp, and one of the rarest birds in the world is right there." 4.1.1 The Friends of California Condors Wild and Free are presenting Jan Hamber, Joseph Brandt, and Estelle Sandhaus in an event titled /California Condors: The End : and the Beginning/ on Saturday, January 9, from 2-4 p.m. at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Public Library. For more info, contact soaringcondor AT hotmail.com . To learn more about the program, donate money, or volunteer, see cacondorconservation.org . *Story Help (Click-ability)* Double-clicking on *any word or phrase* in this story will open a reference window with definitions and links to other reference material. Discussion Guidelines -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hi Mtn. gate installations From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:32:33 -0800 Hello all, This past summer and fall culminated four years of planning, obtaining approval, purchasing and installation of the two new security gates located near the lookout on Hi Mountain Road. Generous donations from several individuals, the Morro Coast Audubon Society Board of Directors, and the recent fundraising 'Condor Benefit' event at Saucelito Canyon Winery made possible the $4,800 in costs for purchases of the two gates, backhoe rental fee for two days, contractor labor, concrete mix and other supplies used in construction and installation. Time and labor on the project were also provided by Dave Berry, Tom Murphey, Kevin Cooper, and Steve Schubert. Following are excerpts from a message by Dave Berry, whose energetic and enthusiastic volunteer efforts made the final stages of the gate installations possible: Steve, Dennis Byrnes and I worked on the lower gate horse step over and side panel. We are both members of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association(T.L.C.A.) Dennis bought a 5 or 6 ft piece of pipe.... the rest of the pipe came from the Forest Service. At his shop he used his wire feed welder and a lot of welding wire. The pipe was cut with his plasma cutter. Dennis also loaned us the cement mixer for the upper gate. I took a total of six trips to Hi Mtn., 1st with Tom Murphey to plan the gate and two days to install the lower gate. I took three trips up to Hi Mtn. with my 1 1/2 ton flatbed truck. Once to take measurements with the pipe panels mocked up, second to haul and install the completed panels for the lower gate, the third time to carry the gate, water, gravel and cement for the upper gate. Dave [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: donations From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:07:32 -0800 The following donations to the Hi Mountain Lookout Project have been received. Thank-you! Financial donations: Melissa Kelly, Santa Ynez-- $100 Phyllis Hischier, San Luis Obispo -- $1,000 Paul and Judith Burkhardt, Creston-- $250 Anonymous-- $136 reimbursement for solar inverter installation Materials, Supplies and Labor: Dave Berry and Dennis Byrnes, Toyota Land Cruiser Association -- design, welding and installation of lower gate horse step over and side panel; loan of cement mixer and installation of upper gate Chris Arndt, San Luis Obispo-- UV and Solar sensors for weather station, $261 John Ewan, Pacific Energy Company, San Luis Obispo-- donation of partial time and labor for installation of new solar inverter Donations can be made by writing a check to 'MCAS Hi Mountain Project" and mailing to: Morro Coast Audubon Society Po Box 1507 Morro Bay, CA 93443-1507 Contributions are tax deductible under IRS Code 501(c)(3). [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sad news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:42:00 -0800 From: The Hollister Freelance http://hollisterfreelance.com/news/261522-breeding-condor-dies-of-lead-poisoning *Breeding condor dies of lead poisoning* 12/8/09 4:58 PM By The Free Lance Staff Photo by: Free Lance file photo The adult female condor that was part of the only breeding pair of California condors in the county recently died of lead poisoning, according to a press release from Pinnacles National Monument. Biologists rushed the endangered bird to the Los Angeles Zoo after it had shown unusual behavior - its legs were not moving properly and it stopped flying as often as it normally had, according to the Pinnacles' statement released Tuesday. After treatment to help the bird pass the lead out of its system and while showing signs of recovery over a two-week period, the condor perished. That particular condor was part of the breeding pair that laid an egg at the RS Bar Guest Ranch in Paicines in the spring. Biologists swapped the condor egg at the ranch with one from the LA Zoo that ultimately hatched, with the young condor taking flight in October, the first time in more than 70 years here. It originally was released in Monterey by the Ventura Wilderness Society but later successfully nested in San Benito County with a condor from the Pinnacles flock. Veterinarians who examined the bird determined it had an "extremely high level of lead" in its blood stream and digestive tract. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz then conducted tests for the source of the lead and concluded the fragment was consistent with that of lead-based ammunition, according to the press release. "The loss of this nesting condor is a blow to the recovery program for the species," said Dale Steele, program manager for the California Department of Fish and Game, in the press release. The worldwide population of California condors reached a historic low in 1985 when there were just 22 remaining. Recovery efforts like the one at Pinnacles, started in 2003, have helped the population increase to about 350, according to the monument. Lead poisoning is known as one of the primary causes of death for the endangered species. Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: interesting From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:44:08 -0800 How can one set of scientists disagree w/ another set... Everyong should know by now the link between lead shot and lead poisoning in raptors, turkey vultures & Calif. Condor but read the 3rd paragaph here! This from "ammoland.com" http://www.ammoland.com/2009/11/04/nra-moves-to-protect-hunters-from-arizona-lawsuit-threatening-lead-ammunition-ban/ *Phoenix, Az. -*-(AmmoLand.com)- As part of NRA's continuing efforts to protect hunters from special interest groups seeking to eliminate the use of ammunition containing lead projectiles, attorneys for NRA filed paperwork in the United States District Court in Arizona on October 14, 2009 asking the Court to allow NRA to intervene and join in the lawsuit Center for Biological Diversity v. United States Bureau of Land Management et al (3:09-cv-08011-PCT-PGR). The court could rule on NRA's intervention request as early as the end of this month. The lawsuit, filed January 27, 2009 by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), alleges that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (BLM, FWS) are illegally mismanaging federal lands in Arizona because those agencies failed to consider the potential impact on local wildlife resulting from authorizing activities like off-road vehicle use and allowing livestock grazing. CBD's lawsuit also claims that California condors in Arizona are becoming ill or dying as a result of eating lead in scavenged game shot by hunters using lead shot or bullets, and that BLM and FWS are violating the Endangered Species Act by allowing hunters to use of lead shot and bullets while hunting. National Rifle Association National Rifle Association NRA has been at the forefront of debunking the so-called "science" behind the theory that lead bullets are responsible for condor illness. NRA most recently worked with experts, researchers, and attorneys in California to defeat proposed state hunting regulations based on the unproven condor/lead bullets link. That success was based in large part on meticulous scientific reports prepared by experts working with NRA that exposed the deficiencies in the science, showing the theoretical link to be rooted in "psuedo-science," as one California Fish and Game Commissioner described it. Because of NRA's previous experience and expertise with this issue in other states, and because there is no guarantee that either BLM or FWS will vigorously challenge the unproven assertions CBD is making about lead-based ammunition, NRA is seeking to intervene in CBD's lawsuit to protect its members' interests. NRA is especially interested in defending against CBD's lawsuit because California condors were introduced to Arizona based in large part on express promises by FWS, among others, that the reintroduction of condors would not be allowed to impact hunting. A copy of the Motion to Intervene, CBD's Opposition, and NRA's Reply Brief is posted at http://www.calgunlaws.com/ . *About:* The California Rifle and Pistol Association "CRPA," founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA's 65,000 members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good News! From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:48:04 -0700 From the Hollister "Freelance" http://hollisterfreelance.com/news/260563-condor-that-hatched-in-wild-takes-first-flight Condor that hatched in wild takes first flight 11:18 AM By The Free Lance Staff This photo submitted by Pinnacles shows the young condor before it had taken it first flight. Photo by: Special to the Free Lance HOLLISTER The first California condor hatched in the Central Coast region in more than 70 years has taken its first flight near Pinnacles National Monument, according to a press release. Someone first observed the bird perched away from its nest on a cliff on Oct. 17. "The two places I've seen him he definitely didn't hop to," said Jason Bumann, manager at the RS Bar Guest Ranch where the nest is located. The ranch is about 12 miles from Pinnacles, one of the recovery sites for the endangered species. The young condor has been reared by a pair that produced a single egg last spring. Biologists then traded the egg for one produced at the Los Angeles Zoo on April 17, a day before it hatched. The press release also notes that the parents were each released at different recovery sites, the male at Pinnacles and the female at Big Sur. The young condor is a "healthy, growing bird," according to the statement, which notes how condors usually take five and a half to six months before they fly. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hi Mtn. Lookout Project donations From: s_schub AT webtv.net Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:05:28 -0700 The following donations have been received. Thank-you! Materials and Supplies- Chris Arndt, SLO-- Weather Element solar powered/cellular weather data setup for online weather station, $2,115 Peter Dullea, Santa Ynez-- thistle seed and feeder sock for bird feeding station Nancy and Bill Greenough, Saucelito Canyon Winery, SLO --4 bottles wine, complimentary wine tasting at open house potluck dinner Donations of items for October annual open house silent auction ($144 fundraising income): Marvin Daniels, SLO Marcelle Bakula, Cambria Ruthand Les Christiansen, Los Osos Mike Tyner, Ventana Wildlife Society Staff, Hopper Mtn. National Wildlife Refuge Granite Stairway Mountaineering, SLO Mountain Air Sports, SLO Donations can be made by writing a check to 'MCAS Hi Mountain Project" and mailing to: Morro Coast Audubon Society Po Box 1507 Morro Bay, CA 93443-1507 Contributions are tax deductible under IRS Code 501(c)(3). Subject: photos- Hi Mtn. 8th annual open house/workday From: s_schub AT webtv.net Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:29:39 -0700 photos by Steve Schubert- Hi Mtn. Lookout Project 8th annual open house/workday, 10-10-09   http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/sets/72157622562671410/ Subject: Yeah, Ivett & condors From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:16:41 -0700 (see bold type) Sounds like this is a really fun event...and an amazing sight to see http://www.kvsun.com/articles/2009/10/07/news/doc4ac2581a25aa8971761606 Published on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 10:19 PM PDT Valerie Cassity Special to the Sun Audubon California's Kern River Preserve held their 15th annual Autumn Nature and Vulture Festival last weekend, Sept. 26-27 at their headquarters in Weldon. The festival celebrates the biodiversity of the Kern Valley, highlighting the annual fall migration of the turkey vultures, which stop off at the preserve by the thousands on their way to winter in Mexico. "It's a good idea exposing animals that aren't endangered to the public," said Andy Ganick, Wildlife Biologist with the Southern Sierra Research Station. "We spend so much time focusing on animals that are endangered, but animals that are doing fine need attention, too!" Turkey vultures take to the air to ride the morning thermals in Weldon. Overhead, "kettles" of vultures soared and rode the thermals, much to the fascination of locals as well as Californians from all parts of the state and visitors from around the world. Festivities on the open lawn included vendors and organizations that informed visitors about the Valley's natural highlights. Buzz Lansford had a large display of local reptiles, including rattlesnakes, lizards, and a desert tortoise which the children enjoyed petting. "I think this is pretty incredible," said Kernville resident Rhonda Stallone." "It helps our local kids get a more intimate view of the nature in our own back yard," she said as her son, Sebastion, worked on an art project. "I've noticed that our local schools don't offer curriculum around the local ecology, and this is a way we can share that science with our children." According to Alison Sheehey, Kern River Preserve Outreach Director and Festival Coordinator, an average of 25,000 have been seen flying over a single point in the South Fork Valley. The vulture count includes only the birds that pass over a single observation point, five miles south of Audubon's Kern River Preserve. This Pacific Flyway vulture migration is one of the five largest known in North America. There were plenty of activities for naturalists at all levels, including nature walks for beginners, bird watching, reptile tours, and a butterfly walk around the Preserve. Desert Mountain RC&D held a small native plant sale while informing the public of fire resistant landscapes that require minimal water. *Ivett Plascencia, of the Fish and Wildlife Service's Bittercreek National Wildlife Refuge, spoke to the crowd about the near extinction and the ongoing efforts to protect and replenish the California Condor population.* Sheehey hosted an amusing wildlife-calling contest. Sounds of birds, barn animals and snakes wafted through the mid-moring air. In the adult category, long-time birder Terri Galleon, of Weldon, won the grand prize with her yellow billed cuckoo and California quail bird calls; Georgie Bergeron was awarded second place for her rattlesnake imitation; and Lynn McDonald took third place with her rooster call. In the children's category, brothers Tyler and Zachary Goss, of Bodfish, tied for first place, and each was presented with a a Kern River Preserve T-shirt. The Kern Valley Turkey Vulture Festival is sponsored by Audubon--California, Friends of Audubon's Kern River Preserve, Kern River Valley Revitalization, Southern Sierra Research Station and TLH. "One of the benefits of the festival is to bring the community and visitors into the Kern Valley to introduce them to one of nature's most unique creatures during its fall migration," said Sheehey. "Audubon California is happy to introduce people to the South Fork Kern River and our efforts to protect the largest riparian cottonwood willow forest in California." For more information, visit http://kern.audubon.org Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Los Padres Forest Watch Film Festival From: s_schub AT webtv.net Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 20:38:38 -0700 ANNOUNCING THE SECOND ANNUAL WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL ON TOUR FRIDAY EVENING, October 9, 2009 THE SPANOS THEATRE, SAN LUIS OBISPO RECEPTION 6:30, FILMS 7:30 A BENEFIT FOR LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH   Join Los Padres ForestWatch as we present the 2nd Annual Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival at Cal Poly's beautiful Spanos Theatre on Friday evening, October 9, 2009. The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival brings together award-winning environmental and outdoor adventure films in a spirit of inspiration and education. This year's films were chosen from among the favorites at the annual film festival held in the Sierra Nevada foothills each January. The festival has grown to receive local, regional, and national acclaim for celebrating the spirit of environmental activism and has become the largest traveling festival of its kind in North America, hitting more than 70 cities across the country.   The festival will also include a pre-film reception, raffle and information booths staffed by local nonprofit conservation organizations. A benefit for ForestWatch, tickets are only $10 adult and $5 for students. See you there!      This event is generously sponsored by the Central Coast Wine Classic and the following local sponsors: Patagonia, Pacific Energy Company, Sage Ecological Landscapes, Clark Valley Organic Farm, and Central Coast Outdoors. Wine provided by Saucelito Canyon and Kenneth Volk Vineyards. Media sponsors include Solstice Green Directory, SLO New Times, Santa Lucia Chapter Sierra Club, ECOSLO, and HopeDance. Please thank them for their support! Subject: Good News From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:26:41 -0700 from Zoo Aquarium at: http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-2315-An_Oregon_Zoo_Condor_is_Released_Into_the_Wild;_Two_More_to_Follow *Portland, OR* - Ewauna, a young, Oregon Zoo-reared California condor, took to the open skies recently at a release site in California's Pinnacles National Monument, joining 22 other wild condor residents in the 26,000-acre park. Zoo officials expect condors Yak'Mo and Kalak-ala also will be released in the coming weeks at sites in Southern California and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona, respectively. Ewauna (No. 481), Yak'Mo (No. 496) and Kalak-ala (No. 487), all female, were hatched and raised at the zoo before being transferred this summer to the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, in preparation for their release. All of the wild releases are "soft releases," meaning that the birds are allowed to exit the flight pens at their discretion. Once a condor enters the outer holding area of its pen, the inner door closes and triggers the outer door to open, allowing the bird to fly free. "With every successful release, we're another step closer to seeing condors fly free through Northwest skies," said Shawn St. Michael, condor curator. "One day, Oregonians may again see what Lewis and Clark saw when they traveled along the Columbia River more than 200 years ago." The California Condor Recovery Program began reintroducing birds to the wild in 1992, and thanks to continued efforts from its recovery partners, there are now more than 160 condors flying free in California, Arizona and Mexico. "These monumental strides give us great hope for the survival of this species," St. Michael added. Condors, the largest land birds in North America, have wingspans of up to 10 feet and weigh 18 to 30 pounds. They are highly intelligent and inquisitive, often engaging in play. Their range extended across much of North America during the Pleistocene Era, which ended about 10,000 years ago. By 1940, that range had been reduced to the coastal mountains of Southern California, and in 1967 condors were added to the first federal list of endangered species. In 1987, the 17 condors remaining in the wild were brought into captivity and a captive-breeding program was developed. The Oregon Zoo's condor recovery efforts take place at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, located in rural Clackamas County on Metro-owned open space. The remoteness of the facility minimizes the exposure of young condors to people, increasing the chances for captive-hatched birds to survive and breed in the wild. The center is currently home to 38 condors and has produced 23 fertile eggs since it was established in 2004. Of the 23 eggs hatched in Oregon, 19 chicks have survived; two eggs were sent to other facilities for hatching. In 2001, the Oregon Zoo became the third zoo in the nation to join the California Condor Recovery Program. California condor captive-breeding programs are also operated at San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, the Los Angeles Zoo and the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey. The Oregon Zoo was the recipient of the Wildlife Society's Conservation Award for creating the nation's fourth California condor breeding facility in April 2005. The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats. The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information. General admission is $10.50 (ages 12-64), $9 for seniors (65 and up), $7.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo's Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561. Caption: Oregon Zoo condor No. 340 made his first wild flight Sept. 17, 2005, at the Pinnacles National Monument in San Benito, Calif. Photo by Martin Jimenez/The Sunday Pinnacle pool photographer. Oregon Zoo " 4001 SW Canyon Rd. " Portland, Oregon 97221 " 503-226-1561 " www.oregonzoo.org To view Oregon Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-382-Oregon_Zoo -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condors need your help NOW From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:39:30 -0700 *If you didn't see this from Center for Biological Diversity Tejon Ranch, Condors Need Your Help Now * Time's running out to help the Center for Biological Diversity save precious condor territory on Tejon Ranch, California's biggest and most biologically diverse swath of privately owned land. Next Monday, county supervisors will vote on a plan for the sprawling development Tejon Mountain Village, to be built on top of federally protected habitat for the severely endangered California condor and scores of other rare species. Now's the time to tell Kern County, California to preserve, not destroy, condor habitat on Tejon Ranch. The Center has been saying all along that the 270,000-acre ranch should be forever protected as a state or national park. Take action for Tejon Ranch now, and find out more about our campaign to save the ranch . -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Could be good news for condors From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:54:57 -0700 from CBS5 (AP news): http://cbs5.com/wireapnewsca/Judge.tosses.federal.2.1219338.html /PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press Writer/ SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out the federal government's plans to open vast tracts of forests in Southern California to new road building. U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel in San Francisco ruled that the U.S. Forest Service failed to adequately consider the effects the new plan would have on the landscape and wildlife in Angeles, Los Padres, Cleveland and San Bernardino national forests. The forests are home to several endangered and threatened species. The Los Padres, for instance, is the principal home of the endangered California condor. The species' population has grown to more than 300 since 1982, when all 22 California condors left were rounded up for a captive breeding program. The Forest Service in 2005 proposed opening about 1 million acres in the four forests to road development and the state of California and environmental groups sued three years later. On Wednesday, the judge said high-ranking Forest Service officials failed to adequately address the effects such road development policies had on national forests. She noted also that the federal government recommended very little of the land at issue be designated for permanent wilderness designation, which would prohibit any future development. "If the larger picture is not addressed at this level, it never will be," the judge wrote. She noted that the four forests at issue are "under increasing pressure from urbanization." "Some of the most wild and pristine areas of Southern California's national forests were given a second chance with this court decision," said Ileene Anderson, a spokeswoman for the Center for Biological Diversity. U.S. Department of Justice lawyer Alison Garner said federal authorities haven't decided on their next step, which could include an appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals or complying with the judge's decision. The judge ordered both sides to submit proposed resolutions over the next 49 days. Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Interesting point of view From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:05:50 -0700 This was published as an opinion in the Santa Maria Times: (in case anyone qualified wishes to write a response) http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/09/29/opinion/092909b.txt The trail of condor's evolution I read the recent article about the California condor exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo. I am disappointed by one statement in the article. The author states, "In 1982, there were only 22 California condors left in the world, due to development of their habitat, poaching and lead in their food supply." This is a terribly misleading statement, vilifying people, particularly hunters and developers, while totally ignoring the science of extinction and the case for the condor. A little Internet research tells a much more complete story of the condor and its problems. The California condor is a remnant of a time when bigger was better. Mega fauna roamed the landscape in vast herds, pursued by huge predators. With such an abundance of huge carcasses, it is not surprising that mega scavengers evolved, such as the California condor. However, being bigger has its disadvantages. It takes a lot more food to feed large animals, and they need to be able to switch to a variety of forage in hard times. They tend to become highly specialized, and require more area of specific habitat components to avoid over-crowding nesting habitat in craggy areas and specific roosting habitat in trees, and topography to optimally achieve flight with that wide wingspan. And large animals usually have lower biotic potentials --- they breed less often, they carry their young longer in gestation, they have smaller numbers of young per birth, maturity is slower and parental care is more demanding. Therefore, the condor needs many large animals dying frequently on hilly areas within a reasonable range from specific roosting trees and specific nesting cliffs, so they are not taken too far away from their young. These large animals stopped dying there because they went extinct. The condor eked out a living on livestock and roadkill, but steadily declined. It would be extinct now --- if people hadn't had a hand in raising them. I am glad the species is still with us, and I think most hunters would agree with me. They fund state wildlife programs through hunting licenses and tags, fees for drawings to hunt antelope, elk and bighorn --- only to be rejected year after year --- duck stamps, upland game bird stamps, etc. They pay quadruple for non-lead ammunition, and live under the threat of game wardens taking away their guns, trucks, campers, etc. They pay ridiculous fines for funding policies and taxes on every bit of hunting gear under the Pittman/Robertson Act of the 1930s. Our bureaucrats never miss a trick to squeeze funding from hunters, and hunters pretty much just pay it. Data suggests that lead poisoning has affected some of the remaining condors. They have also been poisoned by anti-freeze, but I don't see anyone blaming drivers or banning cars. The Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act has imposed great expense and ridiculous regulation on hunters to correct the lead problem, and it has contributed to significant impacts on 2nd Amendment rights, but again, hunters endure and just pay it. No other group has sacrificed more --- or had more forcibly taken away --- for condor preservation that I am aware of. I think we can get off their backs about lead. Development has certainly changed California. Why don't we reclaim the upland habitat around Santa Barbara and Montecito for a condor sanctuary, and get rid of those pesky mansions? Wouldn't it be easier to make a poaching claim, and completely ignore millions of years of evolution? Mankind has affected every organism on the planet, including the condor. However, to list only development, poaching and lead as the causes for the decline of the condor is to blame the least-popular modern Californians for something they had no control over. This is the logic used in blaming minorities for all crime, which our evolved sensibilities now tell us is wrong, but was perfectly acceptable only a few decades ago. Yet, it is the popular thing to do, just like it was to whip slaves 200 years ago, to beat up effeminate boys 20 years ago, and to bash Bush two years ago. Will liberals manage to adapt, given the lessons of our evolution? Ed Apalategui, a Santa Maria native and a graduate of Cal Poly SLO, has been active in environmental work for the past 20 years. September 29, 2009 -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Open House event Oct. 10th From: steve schubert <s_schub AT webtv.net> Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:41:51 -0700 8th Annual Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Campout and Open House Event www.condorlookout.org Saturday, October 10, 2009 (all day event) Hi Mountain Lookout, San Luis Obispo County, Los Padres National Forest Come and discover one of the largest and most endangered flying birds of North America. California Condors re-introduced into the wild are radiotracked from Hi Mountain Lookout, flying between Big Sur in Central California and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary in Southern California. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about condors and the effort to return these magnificent birds back to the wild. The Hi Mountain Lookout Project is a collaboration between Morro Coast Audubon Society, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service, Cal Poly Biological Sciences Department, Ventana Wildlife Society, and Pinnacles National Monument. Hi Mountain Lookout has been restored as a biological field research station and visitor center. The interpretive visitor center has condor and other local wildlife displays and an extensive library of local natural history references. The open house event will include condor radiotracking demonstrations, native plant identification, bird watching, and a local geology walking stroll. Volunteers and staff will be participating in a number of work projects throughout the day. Join us for a potluck dinner, complimentary serving of wine by staff from Saucelito Canyon Winery and cheese tasting,live band music, and enjoy the sunset watch. Overnight camping is optional. There will be Hi Mountain hats and other merchandise for sale and a fundraising auction, with the proceeds supporting our lookout project. For driving directions, schedule of events, and other information go to www.condorlookout.org To RSVP for the event please call Steve Schubert at (805) 528-6138 or e-mail at s_schub1 AT msn.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condor Release 09/26 From: Carolina Van Stone <carolina792 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:46:59 -0700 Hi All, This Saturday is the Condor Release at Pinnacles National Monument. Is anyone planning to go that might enjoy carpooling? Most everyone is very busy right now or has other obligations. Let me know if you are planning to go. I want to go, have a little 2-seater Honda Insight, can take one other person. If there's another car, bigger, with more people, I could go along. Give a shout, Carolina Van Stone Hi Mountain Volunteer 805-528-4271 carolina792 AT earthlink.net Subject: Hi Mountain "field trip story" From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:20:52 -0700 The Treasures in Our Lives We've all heard or been reminded of the importance of being "aware" of the value of each day and of the special times in our lives.... Well, sometimes events become immeasurably /more/ than the moments of time: it's the *people *who /are/ the treasures of whom we need to be aware; the people who create the magical moments; the people who allow us an opportunity we never would have or could have had; those who have paved the way; the /really/ special people who we are simply lucky enough to meet or know....*The interns and volunteers of the Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project were fortunate to have one of those amazing and unforgettable experiences last Wednesday (9/16).* Steve Schubert (Hi Mtn. Volunteer Coordinator), Bree Putnam (Cal Poly summer '09 intern) along with Hi Mountain Volunteers: Sara Silverberg, Carolina Van Stone and myself (Marcelle Bakula) went on what I had casually called a "Hi Mountain field trip." The plan for this trip was born out of our previous "field trip" to Pinnacles (allowing Sara & Carolina their first glimpse of a California Condor), the fact that Bree interned and tracked birds this summer at the Lookout without an opportunity to see a live bird, and that we had been hearing so much about the new Condor Exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Upon arrival at the Zoo, we were delighted to learn that Estelle & Tiffany had arranged for one of their educators, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable young man, Sean, to give us a tour of the whole Zoo! We had a delightful time viewing all of the animals. Some of our favorites were the Snow Leopard, Gomo the Gorilla, an African-spurred Tortoise who had just been flipped by another, struggling to get right-side up, watching the hand-feeding of the penguins and Bree's forté (her Senior Project): the rattlesnakes! The new California Trails exhibit sits at the top of the Zoo property overlooking the lagoon and freeway below with the mountains off in the distance. As you go up the hill, you pass the majestic Bald Eagles, who, as you catch sight of the California Condors perched on their snags up ahead, now look small by comparison... Here, Sean handed us off to Rachel, who graciously answered our questions about the brids and the exhibit. There were four juveniles in the pen (all from Idaho). Three were perched on the tallest post sitting on "branches" and one was on the rocky outcrop above a cave. He delighted us as he flew from the rock to another snag, and then into a treetop before bumping aside his brother on the main snag. They all kept their backs to us and to the sun, looking out at the Santa Ynez Mountains and the cars on the freeway below whizzing by. We enjoyed our visit very much! Since we were scheduled for a meeting at the Natural History Museum for lunch and a tour, we reluctantly departed the Zoo. Any of you involved with condors and the Condor Recovery Program likely know the name *Janet Hamber*, but for us neophytes, this was a rare opportunity and much-appreciated moment in our lives to be able to meet and spend time with Jan as she talked about her lengthy and in-depth experiences with condors. She took us to the collection area where we viewed the expertly mounted (by John Schmitt) AC-3 & one of her offspring. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes hearing her tell the stories of the tragic losses of these rare birds. We viewed the dioramas and the replica of a California Condor in the display halls as well as another of AC-3's offspring "Bos." And then: what a treat! Jan showed us her little office. As you would expect of an "expert" and "lover" of /Gymnogyps californianus../.. it was complete with condor photos on the walls, stuffed toy and hanging condors, t-shirts, posters in addition to many four-drawer filing cabinets, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with amazing field notes, books, photos and valuable data. It was so gracious of her to take the time to talk with us and give us this tour. We were grateful that she allowed us to interrupt a project that she was working on: collating specific data that an interested scientist had requested for presentation at an upcoming conference in Europe. What a treasure-trove of information! What a treasure Jan is as a pioneer! Now she's about 80 years of age and when I realize all of the information and memories that Jan holds, I dream of finding someone to do a video documentary of her experiences in those special remote locations, watching those bird's nesting sites and the behaviors of once-wild and now-wild-again California Condors. I am reminded once again to pay attention, be aware and rejoice in understanding just how much of a difference one person (a woman) can make! Submitted by: Marcelle Bakula, Hi Mountain Lookout Volunteer -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Using a condor feather as a symbol From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:03:05 -0700 This from Cincinnati: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090918/NEWS01/909190329/Zoo+director+to+sign+book The long list of man-made threats to wildlife includes habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, hunting and poaching. "Yes, there are serious challenges facing wildlife," said Thane Maynard, executive director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. "That said, how are we going to get everyday people to save wildlife? I think the answer is to talk about success stories rather than just talk about doom and gloom." That's the approach taken by "*Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink"* (Grand Central Publishing; $27.99), a new book co-authored by Maynard, writer Gail Hudson and one of the most famous scientists on the planet. The latter is Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist best known for her work with chimpanzees. She gets top billing among the authors, with Maynard saying he considers himself lucky "to sing back-up in the Jane Goodall band." Then again, Maynard is no newbie when it comes to writing books. This is his 13th. He'll discuss it and sign copies at 11 a.m. Saturday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood. Maynard and Goodall began collaborating on the book shortly after the zoo brought her to Xavier University's Cintas Center in October 2002.* During her speech, she held up a feather from a California condor, the largest flying bird in North America.* The feather, she said, symbolized that hope for almost-extinct species was still alive. Twenty years earlier, fewer than two dozen of the birds remained, but their comeback was accomplished through captive breeding and reintroduction into the wild. Today the condor's numbers top 300. "I've seen them flying in the Grand Canyon and in southern California," Maynard said. The book also highlights people on the front lines of the fight to save endangered species, including Cincinnati Zoo researchers Terri Roth, who has pioneered captive breeding of Sumatran rhinos, and Bernadette Plair, who has spearheaded reintroductions of blue and gold macaws in Trinidad. Goodall and Maynard collected so many stories, not all fit into the book. Those can be read online at www.janegoodallhopeforanimals.com . Click on "exclusive." -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: microtrash cleanup along Big Sur coast From: steve schubert <s_schub AT webtv.net> Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:50:08 -0700 Saturday, September 19 Ventana Wildlife Society’s 3rd Annual Condor Cleanup Day Meet at VWS Discovery Center in Andrew Molera State Park 8:30 AM Will be cleaning up the pullouts along Highway 1 where the condors hang out. Transportation and supplies provided. More information contact Sayre Flannagan at sflannagan AT ventanaws.org http://www.ventanaws.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To Post a message, send it to:Hi_MountainCondor AT yahoogroups.com To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to:Hi_MountainCondor-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and group home page can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hi_MountainCondorYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hi_MountainCondor/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hi_MountainCondor/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:Hi_MountainCondor-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:Hi_MountainCondor-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Hi_MountainCondor-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: BAD news for condors From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:39:28 -0700 from the Mountain Express *Tejon Mountain Village Wins 3-2 Vote from Planning Commission* http://mountainenterprise.com/atf.php?sid=5628¤t_edition=2009-09-04 -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condor viewing From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:02:24 -0700 (while Hwy 1 is still "open" before the rainy season) Among the 130 threatened or endangered wild-animal species in our state is the California condor. The largest flying bird in North America, it can be found in areas from Big Sur on down to Southern California's Sespe Wilderness, as well as in the Grand Canyon , according to the Ventana Wildlife Society. This nonprofit group, which works to conserve various native animals and their habitats, conducts *viewing tours *of the birds in Big Sur on the* second Sunday of every month,* and the next one is this *Sunday, Sept.. 13*. On these tours, you have a very good chance of seeing one or more condors, organizers say, and are virtually guaranteed to learn at least a little something along the way. Starting at the organization's "bird-banding lab" in Andrew Molera State Park , the two-hour tour is by caravan, in participants' own vehicles. Driving along the coast, tour-goers stop at pullouts in areas frequented by condors, while the guide presents information regarding condor biology, the Big Sur birds individually and as a whole, and the organization's condor restoration program. The guide can determine whether birds are close by, thanks to radio telemetry equipment. Tour participants get the chance to try out the equipment too, and they can even help collect data when condors are spotted. "Our tours are successful in viewing condors 95% of the time, although they are wild animals and we can never guarantee sightings," said Alena Porte, the Ventana Wildlife Society's education coordinator. "There are 40 or so birds in the Central Coast flock, so I would say it is possible to see a party of 10 or more on a good day," she said. Advance registration is required, and the cost is $50 per person. Other, more-involved tours are also available; see the organization's website for details. *Contact:* Ventana Wildlife Society , (831) 455-9514 -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Labor Day Weekend at the Lookout From: "michaelamkoenig" <michaelamkoenig AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:22:35 -0000 Hello All- Bree and I spent the Labor Day weekend at the Lookout. The weather was perfect. A breeze from the southeast, sunny but not too hot. We picked up a fair about of birds from Hopper NWR, Ventana WS and Pinnacles NM. Sunday morning we had signals from the 2006 wild born chick 412 flying over the Carrizo Plains. The Wrentits and the California Thrashers were loving the bird bath at the lookout. At one point I saw four Wrentits in the bird bath at once, with a fifth in the bush to the east and a sixth in a bush to the west! Besides these visitors we really had a very quiet weekend. Have a great day! Michaela Koenig Intern Subject: A Brit's experience at the Grand Canyon From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:29:02 -0700 This woman won a travel-writing competition (fun-read) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-writing-competition/6131894/Just-back-catching-a-condor.html -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pass along From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:51:26 -0700 I know all of you are "educated" about things like this.. but maybe it's good to remind friends & family in our address book... And, if you are ever ANYWHERE in Calif. (especially along the Big Sur Coast these days) and you see small pieces of shiny objects, glass or plastic, PLEASE pick it up - you may be saving an endangered species' life! (VF - it's the chick of the pair you sent me photos of) *Subject: **Two young condors show off along the Big Sur coast, another dies from trash* Last week two condor chicks born in the wild on the Big Sur coast were flying together around Grimes Point. It was such a sight of magnificent success for the Ventana Wildlife Society program. Visitors to Big Sur were watching in awe as the pair soared around. A VWS biologist was tracking them with her radio equipment said, "They're showing off." Then we got the news about the fate of another condor. Our team of biologists and collaborators found the body of a condor chick at the base of its nest tree while ascending to check on its condition. Unfortunately, the chick died from ingesting a large amount of trash and potentially from other complications. For more information please go to http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=286212351&u=3146966 For Immediate Release: *August 4, 2009 Contact: Kelly Sorenson, 831-455-9514 Big Sur, CA.* *Biologists Find Condor Chick Dead in Big Sur, Trash the Likely Cause* **Biologists from Ventana Wildlife Society's Condor Recovery Project in Big Sur made a disappointing discovery on July 21st. They found the lifeless body of a wild California condor chick lying in thick brush beneath its redwood nest tree in Landel-Hills Big Creek Reserve. Joe Burnett, Sr. Wildlife Biologist for the VWS Condor Project and who recovered the chick personally said, "Although the loss of a wild chick is never easy, we still feel very fortunate to have four chicks surviving in the wild this year. In 2007 and 2008 we had a combined total of three chicks produced and they still thrive today and 2009 is on track to be the most productive year yet for condors in central California." Mark Readdie, Manager of UC-Santa Cruz Landel-Hills Big Creek Reserve added, "We are excited that the pair is nesting at Big Creek Reserve but it's tragic how their chick died." VWS Biologists located the deceased chick while preparing to conduct a routine nest check and exam on the chick. Upon closer examination, Biologists and local Veterinarian, Dr. Amy Wells, noticed an unusual protrusion from the chick's ventriculus (stomach). Dr. Wells found a matted ball of trash (glass shards, plastic, a piece of metal, and a penny) and animal hair in the chick's stomach. Condor #503 was then sent to San Diego Zoo's Pathology Lab for a full necropsy. The necropsy results confirmed our suspicions with the discovery of even more trash (additional glass shards and pieces of rubber) lower in the stomach. Pathologists suspect the penny, which is high in zinc and very toxic to birds when ingested, could have also played a role in this chick's death. Pathology noted that the carcass of the deceased chick was in an advanced state of decomposition and toxicity tests were inconclusive. Veterinarian of Monterey's Avian and Exotic Animal Health Clinic, Dr. Amy Wells said, "Based on the results of the necropsy exam, the most probable cause of death for chick #503 was trash ingestion and digestive blockage, which stopped the intake of food and eventually led to starvation." The parents have been diligently providing food for the chick they find along the Big Sur coast, which includes sea lion and whale meat. We suspect the parents are finding small pieces of trash while on the search for food. VWS biologists regularly clean up vehicle pullout areas on scenic Highway One in Big Sur as a preventative measure. However, the task is just too big of a job for just a few people. "We are alarmed at the amount of trash left behind along the scenic Highway One in Big Sur and its effects on wildlife. We need help to clean up and more importantly we people to dispose of their trash appropriately", said VWS executive director, Kelly Sorenson. The wild female chick, known as #503, was approximately 3 1/2 months old and is the offspring of condors #208, aka "Solo" and #168 aka "Beak Boy" . For more information about current status of condor conservation and these individual condors, go to www.mycondor.org Why the condor parents of this chick are collecting these small trash items is largely unknown, but biologists suspect it is a case of mistaken identity and that birds are accidentally picking up trash when they would normally be finding small pieces of animal bones as a calcium source for their chicks. Although, biologists still feel the most disturbing trend is the amount of trash available to the condors along Big Sur's scenic highway. Condors aren't alone with the trash issue; sea birds (albatross) and other animals (dolphins, sea otters) are also impacted by discarded trash. The beauty of Big Sur and its animal inhabitants are breathtaking, but beneath this amazing scenery there lies a trash problem that potentially threatens it all. Condor #503 is one of five condors chicks produced in the wild in central California this year. The four remaining chicks continue to do well. For more information go to www.ventanaws.org or www.mycondor.org juvenile Ventana Wildlife Society is the only non-profit organization releasing and monitoring California condors in California and is a member of the California Condor Recovery Program, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ventana Wildlife Society began condor releases in Big Sur in 1997 and then initiated a second release site in 2003 at Pinnacles National Monument in collaboration with the National Parks Service. Currently, Ventana Wildlife Society and the National Parks Service monitor and manage a flock of 48 wild condors in Central California, roughly half the population for California, which is currently 94 birds. /Posted by Margie Whitnah/ -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Effects of the Gloria Fire From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:55:37 -0700 Talking about the Gloria Fire, near Pinnacles Nat'l Monument (excerpt from an article http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090829/NEWS01/908290308/1002/NEWS01 Pinnacles closes nearly 35 miles of trails The entire west side of Pinnacles National Monument was shut down Friday, and officials said the east side of the park was open only for picnics and camping, with nearly all of its hiking trails closed. Carl Brenner, Pinnacles public information officer, said only the nearly 2-mile Bench Trail is open for hiking. The trail leads from the campgrounds down along Chalone Creek and up to Bear Gulch, one of the park's headquarters. The park has about 35 miles of trails, he said. "Our main concern is visitor safety," Brenner said. It's unclear when the monument will reopen its trails, he said, but officials will assess the situation on a daily basis. The Pinnacles National Monument in the Gabilan Mountains northeast of Soledad is home to an ancient volcano, caves _and a group of 23 endangered California condors._ The Pinnacles has been part of the California Condor Recovery Program since 2003. Brenner said *five California condors that were kept in a flight pen have been taken to Big Sur.* -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Last Weekend (08/22- 08/23) at the Lookout From: "breeput" <breeput AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:39:30 -0000 Hello Condor Lovers, Last weekend at the lookout we were hit by unexpected weather! I rained on Saturday and it was cold and cloudy on Sunday. I suppose it was a nice change from the usually hot days. Also, last weekend a boyscout troop from Arroyo Grande came up. They were very excited about the condors and they had many interesting questions for us. We showed them how to use the telemetry receivers and we picked up a signal from one bird while they were there. The boys also helped up pick up bullet casings and any trash around the area. We had a good time with the troop and we hope to have more troops visit us in the future. Till next time, Bree Subject: Last Weekend (08/15 - 08/16) at the Lookout From: "breeput" <breeput AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:13:10 -0000 Hello Fellow Condor Enthusiasts, Last weekend at the lookout was relaxing and beautiful (as always) even though the view from the top was a little smoky. On Saturday I tracked many condors and over the whole weekend I picked up signals from Hopper, Ventana, and Pinnacle birds. The La Brea fire is still visible, but the smoke columns are thinning out due to the excellent work of the firefighters. Overall it was a good weekend and the condors are out and about. ~Bree Subject: Last Weekend (08/08 - 08/09) at the Lookout From: "breeput" <breeput AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:22:44 -0000 Hello all, Last weekend at the lookout we were suppose to have a boyscout troop come up, which we were really excited about. Unfortunately they had to reschedule, but they will be coming up in about 2 weeks from now. We had a few visitors at the lookout on Saturday and one person made a donation. We could also see the La Brea fire from the lookout which was very beautiful at night to see a glowing mass off in the distance, but sad at the same time to see all that land being burned. All in all it was a good weekend with gorgeous views as usual. Till next time, Bree Putman (intern) Subject: Condor Release From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:40:09 -0700 (from the Hollister Free Lance) *Another condor release scheduled* 4:38 PM By The Free Lance Staff On September 26, up to two California condors will be released into the wild at Pinnacles National Monument, according to a press release from Pinnacles National Monument. According to the release: The public is invited to attend the event to witness the first free flights of these condors from a viewing area located approximately a mile from the release site. This viewing area is normally closed to the public. Arrival at the park between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. is recommended in order to reach the viewing area before the ceremony begins at 10 a.m. The event will take place on the east side of the park off of Highway 25. Shuttle services from designated parking areas will transport guests to within 1.5 miles of the viewing area. Guests unable to walk the trail can request special assistance. Spotting scopes, binoculars, water, layered clothing, and comfortable hiking shoes are highly recommended. Car pooling is encouraged since parking is limited, and is on a first come, first served basis. Because of the significance of this event and the desire to make it accessible to everyone, Superintendent Eric Brunnemann has scheduled the event to coincide with National Public Lands Day, a day when entrance fees are waived at all National Park sites. "We are encouraged by the success of this program and the support of the local communities and park neighbors," said Brunnemann. The return of the California condor to the central coast of California provides excellent opportunities for condor viewing in the park, and we are proud to be a part of the recovery of this magnificent species.  Four juvenile condors - two female and two male - will be set free in Pinnacles National Monument this fall, joining the park's 22 wild resident condors. Up to two birds may be soft released through a double-door trap released on September 26, and once these birds give indications that are acclimating to their new surroundings, the park plans to release the remaining juveniles over the following weeks. There is a chance that no birds will enter the trap on the day of the event. However, there is a good chance to see previously released free flying birds. The 1-2-year-old juvenile condors are a result of successful captive breeding programs at the Oregon Zoo and Peregrine Fund World Center of Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condor/Tejon Ranch news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:58:04 -0700 News release from the Center for Biodiversity: (I hope we can all support the idea of a new National Park - visit: /http://www.savetejonranch.org / For Immediate Release, August 4, 2009 Contact: Adam Keats, (415) 632-5304, (415) 845-2509 (cell) *Tejon Ranch to Release Secret Condor Documents At Long Last /Meanwhile, Massive Development Plans Move Forward and Company's Lawsuit Against Condor Protection Remains Active /* LOS ANGELES--- The Tejon Ranch Company announced yesterday that it would seek to lift the protective order it had filed in its own lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the reintroduction of the California condor. The announcement comes after years of effort by the Center for Biological Diversity to obtain the secret documents and just days before the expected filing by the Center of its own lawsuit demanding the release of the documents. The request also comes nearly a month after the Fish and Wildlife Service stopped accepting comments on the draft habitat conservation plan that is at the heart of Tejon's lawsuit, making the documents all but worthless to the public for use in contributing to the agency's deliberations. The draft plan would allow Tejon to harm the California condor and destroy thousands of acres of designated critical habitat for the endangered bird. "Tejon Ranch's timing is remarkably convenient," said Adam Keats, urban wildlands program director at the Center. "For seven years straight, the corporation has prevented these documents from seeing the light of day. Only now, after the door has been slammed shut on the public process, does it seek to release them to the public. But the lawsuit Tejon filed to prevent the successful reintroduction of the California condor remains active, poised like a gun to the head of the agency that's reviewing the company's application." On June 11, 2009, the Center informed the Fish and Wildlife Service that its continued withholding of the documents was a violation of the Endangered Species Act, and that the Center would file suit in 60 days to halt the review process for the draft plan. The Endangered Species Act requires that "information received by the [Fish and Wildlife Service] as a part of any application [for a "take permit," which allows the harming, harassing, or killing of protected species] shall be available to the public as a matter of public record at every stage of the proceeding." "As Tejon admits today, its lawsuit against the Fish and Wildlife Service led directly to the proposed habitat conservation plan," said Adam Keats. "But getting a take permit from the federal government can't happen with some back-room deal made to settle a lawsuit --- it's a serious undertaking that the law requires the public be invited to at every stage." The Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing an application by Tejon Ranch for a habitat conservation plan and "incidental take permit" for 26 endangered, threatened, or rare species on Tejon Ranch. The permits are essential to Tejon's plans to develop Tejon Mountain Village, the controversial luxury-home subdivision planned for the heart of designated critical habitat for the California condor. In 1997, just as officials with the Condor Recovery Team were starting to release captive-reared California condors to the wild, Tejon Ranch sued the Fish and Wildlife Service to curtail the condor recovery program and relegate the condors to a special status without protection under the Endangered Species Act. Tejon's legal arguments, although arguably specious and at best very weak, were not seriously opposed by the government, which instead settled the case for what is believed to be a sweetheart deal that has resulted in the current plan and take-permit application. In 1999, at Tejon's request, the entire record for the lawsuit was sealed by court order and the case indefinitely stayed, leaving the case (and the order) active for the past 10 years. The terms of the order are not limited to just court-filed documents, though, as it includes all documents "related" to the settlement in any way, apparently including documents related to subject of the settlement: the proposed plan, condors, and Tejon's development plans. The Service has since demonstrated its willingness to give this language as expansive a definition as possible. /Preserving Tejon Ranch as a new national or state park would protect a bounty of native plant and animal communities, cultural and historic features, and scenic vistas. See http://www.savetejonranch.org //. / -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: A "report" from Hi Mtn Vols visiting Pinnacles From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:52:06 -0700 *Hi Mountain Volunteers Visit Pinnacles National Park's Condor Program* *Tuesday, July 28th *- We arrived at Pinnacles National Monument's East entrance about 10:45 AM. The day was beginning to warm up and it was expected to reach over 100 degrees. We met several of the personnel involved with Pinnacles National Park's Condor Recovery, Research and Resource Management Team: *Daniel George*, Condor Program Manager; *Scott Scherbinsky*, Crew Manager; *Dan,* crew member/biotech and a visitor, *Michael Moore,* Associate Biologist from Camp Roberts. Scott helped us set up at a campsite for our overnight stay. After we set up our camp by the pines, oak, and sycamore, we explored the Visitor's Center's displays, books, and condor merchandise . At around 3:00 PM, we regrouped and had a question & answer session about condors and the Pinnacles program with Dan, Scott, and Michael (who by now had finished his training with the LoTech receiver as Pinnacle's and Ventana birds have begun to fly over in Camp Robert's territory). We sat on the porch and the shade and breeze were welcomed. We were then able to go into the Visitor Center office & watch live feeds of the condors in their flight pen (aka the Facility). This is done via the strategically placed web-cams within the pen as well as at the feeding site for the free-flying birds. At present, the flight contains four juveniles being observed and readied for release as well as a mentor bird recovering from surgery (her wing transmitter had loosened and presented potential further damage to her patagial membrane so her transmitter was removed and the area surgically repaired. As she recuperates, she is acting as a mentor for the others. The web-cam allows personnel to view the birds from several angles and can pivot 360 degrees as well as zoom in (22X) for amazing close-ups. We saw the four panting juveniles (temperature reached 106 degrees that day) perched together on the flight's prime perch. The view was tight enough to watch the nictitating membrane close over the eye of one bird. We learned that even though it's very hot, the birds chose to stay on the perch in the sun because they enjoy the wide, three-directional, panoramic view of the area. They prefer this wide-angle perspective which seems to prevent them from moving into the cooler shade. This capability to view the condors via web-cam is very exciting for the Pinnacles personnel as well as time-saving. It was difficult to pull ourselves away as we three sat watching the screen and were mesmerized. Those birds really showed their personalities! That night was a scheduled night to put out fresh carcasses for the wild birds. Carcasses are placed after dark to prevent condors from associating food with humans. We arranged to meet after dinner for the trip to the feeding site, known as the Hilltop. At 8:45 PM, Scott and Laura, one of their interns, arrived and we set out. The terrain is steep and bumpy. Two gates protect access to the area of the Park which is closed (even to Pinnacles personnel unless they are directly connected to the Condor Program). One of the gates keeps the wild hogs out of the public area of the park. On the way, we passed by the huge generator that pumps water to the Facility. Although condors can go many days without food, they must have water. At the Hilltop, old carcasses were removed, fresh ones placed and chained down so they are not dragged off, and fresh water was added into the watering hole. An electric fence surrounds the feeding area from unwanted scavengers. The temperature had dropped considerably and the air was fresh. The bright half-moon and stars were beautiful. Laura scanned frequencies and took compass coordinates for that night's roosting sites. We arrived back at camp at 11:00 PM and finished the Crazy Eights game started after dinner and soon retired for the night. (/We missed you, Michaela and Joel.)/ *Wednesday, July 29 *- Breakfast, coffee, and camp tear-down.. At 9:00 AM we met *Alacia* *Welch*, Crew Manager, and she took us back up the same road as the night before. This time we stopped below the Facility and watched the condors in the flight pen through a spotting scope. Oh what joy! Carolina & Sara's first views of live condors in the wild! Alacia explained many aspects of their Program and since the staff knows the birds so well with their histories, personalities and behaviors, we were fascinated. The antics of the dozens of turkey vultures overhead, and a visit from a wild condor which seemed to create much movement of the birds to and from the perches captivated us. We did tear ourselves away as we had to return to the Visitor's Center to meet with other staff from Habitat Restoration Crew who would be filling-in while Scott is out of the state and Alacia is out of country on well-deserved vacations. On the way out, Carolina asked about a particular plant that was new to her and learned it was Wooly Yerba Santa, a California endemic (existing in no other place in the world). We were also introduced to Adam, a second-generation Hollister native and the Park's Concessionaire; Erica, an intern, and Tessa, the Restoration Crew Volunteer Coordinator. Invasive species that the crew are working to eradicate include: yellow star thistle, Italian thistle, poison hemlock, horehound, bull thistle, and milk thistle. Alacia gave us all an in-service on the Yagi antenna and receivers used for tracking. We practiced and picked up a few frequencies. We were delighted to learn that a common roosting tree sat upon the hill right above the campground! Daniel George planted two transmitters elsewhere in the Park and two students played what Carolina calls "The Mystery Transmitter Game." Carolina was fortunate to be one of the participants in the game and successfully located the hidden transmitter. She stated, "It was a transformative experience." At about 1:30 PM, we said our thank you's and goodbyes before driving back to S.L.O. County. We are indebted to the generous hospitality of all those we met and thankful that the Monument personnel were able to spend this valuable amount of time with three of our Hi Mountain Volunteers. Submitted by: *Marcelle Bakula, Sara Silverberg, and Carolina Van Stone.* -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: donations From: s_schub AT webtv.net Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:15:40 -0700 The Hi Mountain Lookout Project has received the following donations. Thank-you! Materials and supplies: Doug Stinson, Wild Birds Unlimited, San Luis Obispo -- Vortex Skyline 80 spotting scope- 20-60x magnification- with tripod Marcelle Bakula, Cambria and Sara Silverberg, Arroyo Grande-- food and supplies for Condor Benefit Mixer at Saucelito Canyon Vineyard Tasting Room, 7-19-09 - name tags, crackers, cheese, oil/vinegar, mixed nuts, muffins, fruits, jam, dipping olive oil, etc., (value more than $100.00) Trader Joe's, Arroyo Grande-- crackers for Condor Benefit Mixer (value $25.71) Scolari's Market, Pismo Beach-- 2 flats strawberries for Condor Benefit Mixer (value $31.84) Dr. Francis Villablanca, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo-- gifts of 2007 Hi Mountain Red Wine for band members playing music at the Condor Benefit Mixer Staff, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, San Luis Obispo-- gifts of 2007 Hi Mountain Red Wine for volunteers working at the Condor Benefit Mixer Financial donations: Jean Kuntze, Paso Robles-- $300.00 (purchases of food and supplies for Condor Benefit Mixer) Nancy and Bill Greenough, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, San Luis Obispo-- $500.00 Mary Freeman, San Luis Obispo-- $100.00 Donations can be made by writing a check to 'MCAS Hi Mountain Project" and mailing to: Morro Coast Audubon Society Po Box 1507 Morro Bay, CA 93443-1507 Contributions are tax deductible under IRS Code 501(c)(3). Subject: photos- Condor Benefit Mixer From: steve schubert <s_schub AT webtv.net> Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:03:33 -0700 Hello all, The 'Condor Benefit Mixer' was held on July 19th from 3-6 pm at Saucelito Canyon Vineyard Tasting Room in the Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo. Attendees commented on the good wine, food, live music, and enjoyed socializing with friends and interacting with the staff and volunteers. Working at the wine tasting fundraising event were twenty-nine staff and volunteers from Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, Hi Mountain Lookout Project, The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, and Morro Coast Audubon Society. Eight members of the Foggy Bay String Band played music and eighty-six ticket-buying participants attended the event, a good turnout on a warm summer's day. Thank-you to all the volunteers and staff who worked long hours planning, putting out publicity, purchasing food and supplies, setting up and staffing the event. Generous gifts of 2007 Hi Mountain Red Wine to volunteers and donations of funds for the Hi Mountain Lookout Project were gratefully received, and ticket sales generated income for our project. It was quite a collaboration and we are already talking about conducting another Benefit Mixer in the future! Steve Schubert Volunteer Coordinator, Hi Mountain Lookout Project Photos of the Condor Benefit Mixer are posted at http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/sets/72157621625185833/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good News! From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:06:34 -0700 from: ktvz (central Oregon) http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=10748919&ClientType=Printable /Associated Press - July 18, 2009 1:55 PM ET / PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Zoo keepers say they have moved four California condors in their breeding program to the next stage of their release into the wild. *Three females and one male* that hatched at the zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation in Clackamas County *will move to Boise, Idaho, where they will prepare to be released to wild flocks *in Arizona, California and northern Mexico. The Oregonian reports the California condor is North America's largest land bird with a wingspan up to 10 feet. The species was nearly extinct in the 1980s when about two dozen birds were known to exist. Breeding programs boosted the population to about 360 with half of those flying free. Zoo keepers also say they've brought in five birds to join the breeding stock. -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Condor Benefit Mixer From: steve schubert <s_schub AT webtv.net> Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:22:02 -0700 Hello all, A reminder...the 'Condor Benefit Mixer' is taking place this Sunday from 3-6pm at Saucelito Canyon Winery Tasting Room on Biddle Ranch Rd., off of Hwy. 227 (Broad St.). Hope to see you there! If you are intending to attend the event an RSVP is appreciated at s_schub1 AT msn.com Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Benefit Mixer Sunday, July 19th . 3 to 6pm Saucelito Canyon Tasting Room . $20 3180 Biddle Ranch Rd, SLO . In the Heart of Edna Valley Join Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, The Land Conservancy, Morro Coast Audubon Society and other wildlife professionals for a festive afternoon exploring the work of Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project and the California Condor Recovery Program. $20 admission includes live acoustic music, wine & cheese tasting and exclusive talks with staff and volunteers. More info at www.condorlookout.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: good news! From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:57:21 -0700 from the Hollister Freelance: http://www.freelancenews.com/news/257660-3-month-old-california-condor-doing-well *3-month old California Condor doing 'well' * Jul 14, 2009 By Colin McConville Biologists of the Pinnacles National Monument and the Ventana Wildlife Society are lowered down to the California Condor's nest 30 feet below. Photo by: Special to the Free Lance HOLLISTER Local authorities report that a three-month old male California Condor, the first hatched in San Benito County in more than 70 years, is doing "well," according to a press release from the Pinnacles Partnership. The nestling was checked-up on by biologists from Pinnacles National Monument and the Ventana Wildlife Society on the RS-Bar Guest Ranch, a private, 18,200-acre ranch near the monument. To get to the nest, National Park Service biologists Scott Scherbinski and Alicia Welch were assisted in a 30-foot cliff-top descent by Ventana Wildlife Society biologist Joe Burnett. The release said the bird appeared "normal and in good health," and feathers are developing. The bird weighs more than 11 pounds. "Thus far, the nesting appears to be maturing at a normal rate," said Daniel George, condor program manager at Pinnacles, in the release. /Read the full story in this Friday's edition of The Weekend Pinnacle./ -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: condor chick found w/ lead From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:42:00 -0700 from the Salinas Californian http://thecalifornian.com/article/20090713/NEWS01/90713015/1002/Lead+found+in+wild-hatched+condor+chick+in+Pinnacles+National+Monument+area July 13, 2009 Lead found in wild-hatched condor chick in Pinnacles National Monument area / BY KIMBER SOLANA ksolana AT thecalifornian.com/ Lead has been found in the first California condor chick to be hatched in San Benito County in at least 70 years, biologists announced Monday. But despite the findings, scientists said, the 3-month-old male bird is doing well and expected to take flight in about two months. "So far, so good," said Daniel George, Pinnacles Condor Program manager. Recent lab tests of a small blood sample found 18 micrograms per deciliter in the condor, officials said, indicating that the nestling had ingested some lead during the previous month. George said the lead may have come from carcasses of animals that may have accidentally swallowed lead ammunition. Scientists said the lead level was not high enough to prompt emergency treatment. George said no set guidelines exist regarding lead levels in condors, so scientists rely on those set for children by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends actions be taken when children have more than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. George said treatment for lead exposure is hard for the birds. "We wait until there's an imminent threat," he said, adding that the lead level found in the bird may cause learning disabilities and affect proper development. Biologists first saw the bird's parents - condor 313, a male from the Los Angeles Zoo, and condor 303, a female from the San Diego Wild Animal Park - perching together in February. The nest, found on private property just outside Pinnacles National Monument, was spotted in March. California condors remain one of the rarest birds in the world, with a current world population of about 350. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cal Poly Interns at the Lookout From: "breeput" <breeput AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:44:08 -0000 The lookout this weekend was slow, but enjoyable. There were very few visitors all weekends and very few condors that were able to be tracked. Joel (a volunteer) came up on Sunday with Bree (an intern)to meet Michaela (other intern). It was nice having three people at the lookout and we got a lot of cleaning done. All in all it was a beautiful productive weekend up at Hi Mountain. Subject: condors & Tejon Ranch Development From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:36:22 -0700 Update on "opinions" on the Tejon Ranch Development and Calif. Condors http://mountainenterprise.com/atf.php?sid=5244¤t_edition=2009-07-03 *Printed From The Mountain Enterprise* 2009-07-03 ** /BREAKING NEWS: /* Scientists Submit Opinion on Survival of California Condor Under Tejon Ranch Plan* (FRAZIER PARK July 7, 2009 9:30 a.m.)---A consortium of scientists who are specialists in recovery of the California Condor from the brink of extinction have submitted their evaluation of a habitat conservation plan (HCP) proposed by Tejon Ranch Company and DBM Associates, Inc. for the development of Tejon Mountain Village. The HCP seeks to secure "incidental take permits" for 27 species, including the California Condor. The comments from the scientists are included here. Also posted are comments from the Center for Biological Diversity which chose not to participate in the Tejon Ranch Conservancy pact. The five organizations that did become part of that agreement did so at the cost of forfeiting the right to participate in the public debate regarding the impact of Tejon Ranch's development plans on the well-being of threatened and endangered species. Click to read Comments from Scientists on the TUMSHCP (52 KB PDF) Click to read Comments from the Center for Biological Diversity (5.2 MB PDF) -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nice rescue "story" From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:22:52 -0700 This was passed around the Calif. Council of Wildlife Rehabbers (CCWR) [Kelly Sorensen, VWS, wanted to share this and wrote ] Almost exactly one year after the Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur and the heroic effort to rescue eight captive condors at our release site Reader's Digest came out with the story in their July 2009 Issue. The dramatic rescue was led by Joe Burnett with assistance from VWS biologist Mike Tyner, intern Henry Bonifas, and the US Coast Guard. For your convenience, here is the link to the story. It is well done by writer A.J.S Rayl and contains all the details of the rescue that you may not have heard. Please take a moment and read the article or pick up your copy and forward to a friend or family member that may enjoy reading it. To all who helped us rebuild quickly and get back up and running to restore condors to the wild, we thank you! http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=282993969&u=3101690 -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: No Subject From: steve schubert <s_schub AT webtv.net> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:46:45 -0700 Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Benefit Mixer Sunday, July 19th . 3 to 6pm Saucelito Canyon Tasting Room . $20 3180 Biddle Ranch Rd, SLO . In the Heart of Edna Valley Join Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, The Land Conservancy, Morro Coast Audubon Society and the staff and volunteers from Hi Mountain for a festive afternoon exploring the work of Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project and the California Condor Recovery Program. $20 admission includes live acoustic music, wine & cheese tasting and exclusive talks with local experts. More Info at www.condorlookout.org or Phone (805) 927-1017 (Leave a message for Marcelle at Stepping Stones). Advanced reservations at: www.saucelitocanyon.com. Please RSVP if you might attending (and the number in your group) to Steve at s_schub1 AT msn.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mixer publicity From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:07:04 -0700 Good publicity (even though it's at the bottom of the list of community events) in the Five Cities Times Press Recorder (re: Hi Mountain Mixer) http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2009/06/25/news/fivecities/news17.txt Wine mixer to benefit condor recovery A mixer from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19, will benefit efforts to bring the California condor back from the brink of extinction. The mixer will be held at Saucelito Canyon tasting room in the Edna Valley, 3180 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo. Attendees can sample Saucelito Canyon wines, listen to live music and learn about the condor recovery program from professionals. The cost is $20. For more information, visit www.condorlookout.org . -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: good news From: Marcelle <marcelle AT bags4you.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:55:16 -0700 *Judge refuses to limit fine for S.F. Bay oil spill...* Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, June 23, 2009 The company that operated the container ship that struck the Bay Bridge 18 months ago and spilled 53,000 gallons of fuel oil lost a bid Monday to limit its fine to $400,000 on criminal charges of negligently polluting San Francisco Bay and killing seabirds. Even after Fleet Management Ltd. offered to plead guilty to two misdemeanors last month, federal prosecutors were entitled to file amended charges that carry a potential fine of $40 million, said U.S. District Judge Susan Illston. She put her ruling on hold until Friday so the company can decide whether to appeal or go to trial on the charges. Fleet Management operated the Cosco Busan, a 901-foot vessel that hit the second tower of the bridge west of Yerba Buena Island in thick morning fog on Nov. 7, 2007. Oil pouring from a gash on the ship's port side reached the bay shoreline and ocean beaches in Marin and San Mateo counties and killed more than 2,000 birds. Government agencies have estimated the cost of the damage and cleanup at $60 million. The ship's pilot, John Cota, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of negligently polluting the waters and killing birds. His plea agreement calls for a prison sentence of two to 10 months and a fine of between $3,000 and $30,000. Fleet Management is charged with the same two misdemeanors, for its management of the ship and training of the crew, and with six felonies for allegedly concealing the ship's navigation plans and fabricating plans to obstruct a federal investigation. The company is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 14 on the felony charges, which are unaffected by the dispute over its potential sentence for the misdemeanors. When Fleet Management first offered to plead guilty on May 11, the misdemeanor charges carried fines of up to $200,000 each. On May 26, the day before the company was scheduled to appeal in court, prosecutors obtained a new grand jury indictment accusing the company of causing $20 million in losses and invoking a law that allowed it to be fined twice that amount. Fleet Management accused prosecutors of manipulating the system and argued that it should be allowed to plead guilty to the earlier charges with the lower maximum fine. The company cited a past case in which prosecutors were barred from seeking increased sentences after defendants had admitted their guilt in court but had not yet formally pleaded guilty. But Illston said Fleet Management had made no such courtroom confessions before the prosecution raised the possible sentence. The company also said a $40 million fine for unintentional harm would be excessive, but Illston said the argument was premature because prosecutors haven't yet announced what penalty they will seek. For the full story visit the site below: http://www.sfgate. com/cgi-bin/ article.cgi? f=/c/a/2009/ 06/23/BAPL18BS4O .DTL -- Marcelle SteppingStones *EcoSac* Shopping Bag System *(800) 926-1017* www.bags4you.com e-mail: service AT bags4you.com /Saving on paper & plastic since 1989! Providing the highest quality bags & the BEST customer service!/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]