California Condor field notes, v1401
Page 273
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gymnogyps californianus July 3, 1946 Beartrap Canyon, Calif well dam in front view & 4 junior wing straight. One dove at another, twisting in flight. At 8:36 at least 3 of these glided 5. above the trees, 1/4+ mile apart, without ever getting over 1/4 mile E. of the cliffs. 8:42, 4 adults (same probably) circled 200' above highest cliff point. At 8:45 there 4 headed NE about 100 yds. apart. after about 1 mile, they circled 4 more, 4 were joined below by 2 more condors & a vulture (as 6 con- dor, apparently non-breeding adults). All circled & at 8:49 headed NE as if toward Syncline Hill in business-like fashion (strung out about 1/4 mile at 4000' elevation level. A duck hawk was frequently heard from cliff area. 8:55, one adult circled, feet down, near highest cliffs. This bird glided 1/2+ mile NW, then circled & rose, & I saw another condor circling 300' below it. The two circled together, then upon dove at lower 4 successive times, each time approaching from above in an accelerating flex glide & attacking from the rear, the lower bird then steepening glide & (twisting), the upper following, then both re- summing normal flight, the upper bird still above. The lower continued on into Nay Canyon, the upper returned 1/2+ mile S., circled & rose, & glided E. past about 1000' above me, also about