Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gymnogyps californianus
June 29, 1946
Nr. Castle Mtn., Calit.
Flat (wind fair from NE). At 5 p.m. I saw one
over the ridge on N. side of Arroyo Canyon - it circled
& worked up the ridge & at 5:10 disappeared behind
(to N. of) the lower peak of Castle Mtn.. Then at
5:15 I saw one just above & beyond this peak, & again
about 1 not minute later. That area is the head
of Arroyo Pinos & is doubtless the roost for
this area. These birds then roost in Fresno Co., & fly
through Mercey & San Luis Obispo Counties (Kings too
sometimes) in going to Shale Wells in Kern Co.! Saw
no more by 5:45. Drove to a point about 1½ mile S.
of top of Castle Mtn.. Fair E. wind continued.
June 30, 1946
Nr. Castle Mtn., Calit.
At 5 a.m. I started up the trail to Castle Mtn., & was
atop the mountain by 5:45; the trail climbing good. Day
clear & cool. I followed trail eastward then along the
crest & at 6 a.m. got a look at the bluffs at head
of Arroyo Pinos. These bluffs faced northward
toward the foothills & plains of W. San Joaquin Valley.
The ridge was topped by steep cliffs & rocky slope
for about 500', then several steps assume nor
to northward. The cliffs consist of sandstone,
much sloff & broken, with slopes and intermittent,
but offering good sandy perch points & possible
nesting caves. Fair NE, then E. wind by 6 a.m.
at 6:42 I saw 3 condors perched in a green