California Condor field notes, v1401
Page 401
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gymnogyps californianus June 18, 1947 Mr. Cholame, Calif. for 50 to 100 yards until at its crest, then took off down- [illegible]. Our presence may have disturbed them. Two of the 6 were immature. They took off one at a time, circled, & rose together. 15± ravens milled with them & a seventh condor joined the group. The 2 imm. circled below the others. One adult soared 1+ mile E. & circled; the other 6 worked toward the carcass area. Meanwhile, carsons were occasionally landing or taking off at the carcass, & at least 10 were counted on the ground at the carcass or scattered among the cattle for about ¼ mile S of carcass (possibly drinking in the cow-tracked water). At 9:40, I counted at least 11 in air — so at least 18 total seen at once. There were 20± turkey vultures also in the vicinity including at the carcass. Air still calm. Of the 7 in air, several had primaries missing (none #9a10 seen). One imm. had center 2± rectrices out, an outer secondary, & some primaries too. One imm. showed a ludge in scrap area. At 9:59, 6 circled about 1 mile E of carcass at 500'; rising. Dan & I counted 22 then, individually, 16 being on ground, 4 at the carcass. Condor walked among the cattle, stood quietly 100± yds. from the calf, or occasionally landed near the carcass or took off. At 10:10 we drove slowly to about 250 yds. E of carcass and counted 17 on the ground.