California Condor Eben McMillan 23 June 1963 Ian and [illegible], packed our sleeping-bags and some victuals on our horses, bid farewell to the other members of the party, who planned returning to Cuyama this afternoon, and with instructions to them to leave our pickup and trailer at Santa Barbara Post Office as they drove out from Salinas, we rode up the Sisquoc River at 10:00 A.M. One Red-tailed Hawk and one Turkey Vulture were observed before we reached the Falls Canyon Trail. Turning up Falls Canyon Trail as we reached an altitude that would be on somewhat the same level as the falls, of Falls Canyon, we observed a Black Swift fly by below us heading in the direction of the falls area and holding close above the top of the chaparral as it flew on. Above the Falls, in Falls Canyon, about three-eighths of a mile, a good sized rock face looks out over the Sisquoc River area. A bench, on this rock, showed signs of having been used as a roost-site by large birds for much white excrement had been deposited on this bench in the past and is still very evident. To me, this gave reasonable evidence that Condor had used this spot to roost on in the past. We yelled and shouted and clapped our hands in the hope of getting a Condor to appear, but no luck. A Duck Hawk flew up from what appeared to be the falls area and circled our area emitting calls as it passed over our heads. This rock-face would appear to be the only place suitable for Condor nesting in the Falls Canyon area. It being within one-quarter mile distance of the trail, we were on, would seem to me to nullify it as a possible nesting area for Condor now. The Trail passing so close to this Rock Face neutralizes any advantage the Condor refuge, that encompasses Falls Canyon, would have in saving Condor and could only localize the search anyone might be making that who would rob eggs or further disturb Condor.