California condor survey field notes, v1476
Page 363
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
P.277 -Continued- California Condor Evan D. McMillan 21 August 1963 over to East Frazier and continued northward from there. This was an adult condor. Soon two condors followed in nearly the exact route and were followed several minutes later by a fourth condor using this route around the east face of Frazier mountain, across to East Frazier Peak and then out northward where it seemed they were gathering together and circling about the area of Tecuya mountain five miles to the north of Frazier mountain. At 1:00 p.m. Six condors flew directly over the Frazier mountain lookout approximately 150 feet above us and separated into pairs, traveling northward, about 1/4 mile separating the 1st and 2nd pairs and about 200 yards separating the 2nd and 3rd pairs. All condors which I observed this morning and after noon have been positively identified as adults with the exception of the first condor that flew across Cuddy valley to the northland I feel sure from the slate color of the back and the prominent upper wing-bats that it was also an adult bird. I watched the last 6 condors that passed northward over the Frazier mountain lookout go to the spot in the general area of Tecuya mountain and circle, when last seen at 1:10 p.m. they were heading northwest and dropping behind the mountain range that lies across from us, on the north side of Cuddy Canyon. Mr. Calhoun mentioned having noticed condors throughout the years he has been on lookouts in the Las Padres National Forest, seem to have a pattern of movement that does not lend to predictability of these movements. He stated that one will see them for two or three days in a row, then not see them again for several days. He was wondering if they fill up on carrion and then sleep in some remote area for several days before—