California condor survey field notes, v1477
Page 383
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
California Condor Eben McMillan 1 may 1964 one-quarter mile North of the foot of Kerr grade. Within Two hours a Condor had dropped in to feed on this Carcass. Other Condor soon joined this bird. At 5:00 p.m. Six Condor were feeding on this Carcass. These birds allowed us to drive in Ian's pickup within 200 yards of them before they Commenced showing Concern. When we Stopped all the birds ran up the slope to the West and flew from the hill top behind this slope. The young bird and one adult after Circling for a time with the flock left and moved slowly Westward as if heading for the roosting location in Maule Canyon. I watched Six Condor Circle and drift Eastward until at a very great height over the Cholame Rock area, they Turned Northward and drifted towards Castle Mountain. At 5:22 p.m. one adult Condor returned and fed on the carcass at the North site of mouth of Kerr grade. This bird appeared more suspicious by itself and after feeding for a few minutes it flew out towards Cholame Ranch headquarters and not being followed too closely as it went I could relocate not it again once it got away from where I sat. Perhaps it may have landed in one of the nearby Oaks for the Night or perhaps it Could have passed on around ridge Northward and went to roost behind Gene Rambos's house. Vulnerable I left the area at this point. Had we rifles with us today and had been around to Shoot big birds we could probably have answered for four of these 8 birds.