California condor survey field notes, v1477

McMillan, Eben
1964
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley
Original Source
Source Material:
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org

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Mileage and days in Field- California condor Eben Mcmillan January 1964 vary 4-5-- 1964 To Cuyama Valley via Carrissa plains-Hopper Ranch ---- ---- Fillmore-Castaic Jet. Lebec and return home--- 418 miles-2 days vary 7-- 1964 To Cholame Flats-Rock Corral Canyon and return home-- 41 miles - 1 day ary 14-15-16-- 1964 To Fillmore-Hopper Canyon and return home---- 409 miles-3 days vary-27-- 1964 To Famosa-Poso Hills-Bakersfield and return home-- 214 miles-1 day
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Mileage and days in Field California Condor Eben McMillan February - 1964 February 1-2-3 - 1964 To Fillmore-Castaic Jct. Hopper Mountain - and return home -- 445 miles - 3 days February 7 - 1964 To La Panza Ranch - John Bowman Ranch - and return home -- 73 miles - 1 day February 9-10 - 1964 To San Emigdio Ranch - Tejon Ranch - Calicute Wash - Bakersfield and return home -- 319 miles - 2 days February 13-14 - 1964 To San Emigdio Ranch - Bakersfield return home - 293 miles - 2 days February 18-19 - 1964 To Fillmore - Hopper Mt. Ranch - Oak Flat - return home - 443 miles - 2 days February 23 - 1964 To Cholame Flats and return -- 50 miles - 1 day February 25-26 - 1964 To Santa Barbara - Ojai - Hopper Mountain - and return home -- 445 miles - 2 days February 26 - 1964 To Woody - Glennville - Granite station - Poso Creek and return home -- 216 miles - 1 day
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mileage and days in field. California Condor Eban McMillan April 1964 April 22-23--1964 To Bakersfield-Tejon Ranch-Arvin-Frazier Park and return home----350 miles - 2 days April 24-25-1964 To Coyame Valley- Big Pine Lookout-Sierra Madre Ridge- and return home--0----2 days April 26-1964 To Cholame Flats-Rock Corral Canyon return home--45----1 day April 27-1964 To Choice Valley and return home-----6----1 day April 28-29-30-1964 Toposo Creek-Callante-Tehachapi-Rosamond- Tejon Ranch and return home----412----3 days
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mileage and days in field - California Combat Eben McMillan May 1964 8 --- 1964 to Cholame Flats and return home ---- 41 miles - 1 day 9 ---- 1964 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 36 miles - 1 day 10 ---- 1964 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 37 miles - 1 day 11 ---- 1964 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 43 miles - 1 day 13-14 - 1964 to Bakersfield-Lebec-Tojon Ranch-Arvin and return home -- 36 3 miles - 2 days May 15 - 1964 to Cholame Flats and return ---- 46 miles - 1 day 16 - 1964 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 41 miles - 1 day 17 - 1964 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 42 miles - 1 day 19 - 1964 to Cuyama-Bakersfield and return home ---- 246 miles - 1 day 21-22 - 1964 to Bakersfield-Granite Station-McFarland and return home -- 271 miles - 2 days 26-27-28-29-1964 to Tulare-Visalia-Potterville- Fountain springs-Woody-Granite stn.- Bakersfield-Arvin-Comanche Point and return home -- 583 miles - 4 days
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{ "text": "Mileage and days in Field\n\nCalifornia condor Eben McNillan June 1964\n\nJune 1 — 1964 To Bakersfield-Lebec-Frazier Park-\nand return home — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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mileage and days in field California Condor Ebenezer McMillan July - 1964 July 2 - 1964 To CARRISSA Ranch and return home ----- 111 miles - 1 day July 9 - 1964 To Glennville-Woody-Granite Station and return home ----- 178 miles - 1 day July 15 - 1964 To Avenales Ranch-Pozo and return home ----- 140 miles - 1 day July 31 - 1964 To Tehachapi and return home ----- 220 miles - 1 day
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mileage and Days California Condor Elm Drmillan August 1964 August 6-7-1964 To Berkeley and return home------ 468 miles - 2 days 8-9-1964 To Lake-of-the-Woods-Chuchopate-Frazier-Mt. Sandburg-Gorman-Nenach-Mt.Pinos- San Emigdio Ranch and return home------ 387 miles - 2 days August 23-1964 To White Mountains Research Station out of Lone Pine, California and return home------ 200 miles-1 day
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mileage and days in field California Condor Eben McMillan October 1964 October 1 - 1964 To Bakersfield - Lebec - Frazier Mountain - Chuchupate - 372 Bakersfield - Tejon Ranch and return home - - - - - 372 miles - 1 day
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 7 January 1964 Ian, Brooks Atkinson and I left for Fillmore at 6:00 A.M. in my pickup. We passed the southern end of Soda Lake at 6:30 A.M. just as about 800 Sandhill Cranes flew out from the lake heading southwest. These cranes passed over us and immediately set their wings to a glide lowering as they went and appeared to be dropping in the grain stubble of the American Ranch about 1/2 mile S.W. of where we were parked. This population is much less than the number of birds we saw here on December 7, 1963. Arriving in Cuyama Valley at 7:45 A.M., we chatted with two shepherds who were attending sheep on alfalfa about one mile south of west end of Cuyama River Bridge (the one east of Cuyama). Neither of these shepherds had seen Condor this winter. Turning off the Cuyama-Ventura highway, as it passes over Pine Mountain Pass into the Sespe River drainage, to the eastward, we drove to Pine Mountain Public Camp and reviewed the shot-up signs etc. The out-houses (toilets) had been removed from this camp. These were what Ian wanted Mr. Atkinson to see as one of them had over forty bullet holes in it. The purpose of this side trip was to see what further damage had been done since deer season. We thought that but few people had used this camp since the first two weekends of the deer season, 1963. One sign appeared to have been badly mutilated with bullet holes since that time. We next stopped for lunch at the Public Park on the hill between Ojai and Santa Paula. We saw a White-tailed Kite circling about 1/4 mile south of this camp. Stopping for gasoline at the Union Oil Co. Station in Fillmore at 1:15 P.M., the attendant there told me that Condor are seen about the town on occasion but that [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
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California Condor Eben McMillan 4 January 1964 Most people who wanted to see condor usually drive up the Sesne Corridor. He said groups from Colleges go up there to study the condor. I asked him how large a wingspread condor had and was informed that the ones they see now do not seem to be as large as they were in the past, these now being only about 18 feet from tip-to-tip of their wings. This man also informed me that today was the first day that the northeast wind had not blown a gale in the town of Fillmore for some several weeks. We stopped at the home in Fillmore of Eugene Percy's father and picked up the key for the gate leading into Little Hopper Canyon. Arriving at the Hopper Canyon Ranch of Eugene Percy we introduced Mr. Atkinson to him and told of our plans to camp further up the mountain near his corrals for the night if this was with his approval. To this Gene Percy consented. While talking to Mr. Percy in front of his mountain home he was telling us of seeing condor during November and December of 1963--I am taking down his notes, when I spotted one condor flying northeast along the top of the ridge between Pole Canyon and Hopper Canyon. This bird soon passed from our view at about 2:45 p.m., We then drove to the corral about ½ mile above Percy home where we met Stephen Percy, the son of Eugene Percy, who is about 30 years old and teaches school in Fillmore during the week while helping his father on the ranch on weekends. Stephen Percy had also seen the condor. We had seen a few moments before from the ranch home below. We were informed that the carcasses of three cattle were about the area, and one calf, but none had been eaten on by condor. We then drove to end of navigation on ridge north of Percy Home and from there hiked north along east face of Hopper Mountain. Mr. Atkinson remained seated on the mountainside about ½ mile
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 4 January 1964 Persons following the Hopper Mountain Roadway northward or any of the numerous trails (Cattle) that lead to the Saddle, where Pole Canyon and Hopper Mountain Roads converge, along the east slope of Hopper Mountain would not come across any signs warning them when they enter the Sespe Wildlife Area. At least this was the case at 4:00 p.m. today. Condor - At 4:30 p.m. Two adult Condor were sighted circling above the head of the Canyon on the east slope of Hopper Mountain. It was getting near sunset and a brisk east wind was blowing as these two birds circled briefly, quite low, and then went from sight flying northwestward. They appeared to pass around the north end of Hopper Ridge and drop out of sight into the Little Sespe Canyon. We drove to Percy's Corral and camped there for the night. While talking to Eugene Percy at his home this afternoon he told us that the U.S. Forest Service had approached him last fall for permission to widen the road from the top of Hopper Mountain through his property to the bottom of Hopper Canyon so they could get bumper trucks in. He had not given them permission to do so. Eugene said Mr. Jack Gains was the Forest Service representative who approached him concerning this matter and that Eugene thought Mr. Gains was working up some business for a friend of his that has a tractor and Bulldozer. Mr. Percy said that they did do a lot of earthmoving and widening of the road on the north side of Hopper Mountain as well as widening the road that runs out on Hopper Mountain to the Spring Canyon Trail. Mr. Percy had been in bed with the Influenza for a week and only got up today.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 5-January 1964 The Northeast wind blew a gale throughout the night. We were up at sunrise and had breakfasted and driven back up to the end of the roadway on the ridge Northwest of Percy home by 8:30 A.m. At 9:45 A.m., as we were walking along trail on East slope of Hopper Mountain, we saw five (5) Condor circling in the Canyon some distance below us. Three of these Condor came up out of this canyon fast-moving along the south side near its top and then crossing over above the old oil well site in the bottom of the canyon to clear the North rim and go out of sight around behind the North rim at an elevation about 3 or 400 feet below the level where we sat. These were all adults. The other two Condor flew Southward on a level about even with the Percy home and went from sight behind the ridge that separates this canyon from Hopper Ranch, or Percy Ranch Canyon. Three Condor rose above the ridge to our North and circled not far above where the three had passed from sight a few moments before, we watched these birds rise up and after getting some height above the Hopper rim, fly out towards the Northeast. A strong and cold wind was blowing along the upper slopes of Hopper Mountain. We noticed that the Condor rose up out of the canyon bottom very suddenly and apparently with little effort. As these birds reached the top of the ridge across from where we sat, they did quite a bit of flapping of their wings. I thought the Condor showed less stability than on calm days. That is they did more flapping and when circling made short uneven gyrations, but they also seemed to travel faster and were able to gain altitude much quicker. No doubt it takes them more energy to remain aloft at this time of year
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California Condor Eben McMillan 5 January 1963 especially when the Santa Ana winds are blowing off the desert. They also seem to be less circling now and to loop at a lower elevation when traveling out any distance Between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. we remained sitting on the East slope of Hopper Mountain about 300 yards from its top. On several occasions we saw one-two-or three condor circling north east of our position in the general area of Upper Hopper Canyon. These condor could have all been members of the three, of the original ive condor we saw circling below us in the bottom of the canyon at 8:45 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. two condor, one of which was a spot little wing bird flew Northward directly above us and circled for a few minutes north of us about ½ mile before flying out towards the hole-in-the-wall area. These two condor, like all others we watched this morning did not seem to be going anywhere in particular, but rather just flying around. At 11:15 we drove to the Percy home where we stopped to chat with Mr. and Mrs. Percy. At 12:00 Noon as we were standing in front of the Percy home talking to Mr. Percy Two condor were seen flying Northward slowly West of where we were about ½ mile. About two minutes later we saw two other condor following on the same course as the two seen a few minutes before but perhaps two hundred feet higher in the air. At 12:15 p.m. while still in front of the Percy home we saw 8 adult condor circling above the general area of the Corrals where we camped last night and which was also in the general area where two carcasses of dead cattle were lying. These Eight Condor circled for several minutes
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california condor Eben McMullan 5 January 1963 above this area before drifting slowly northward, seven of them heading up along the east slope of Hopper Mountain and one passing slowly out to the northeast. At 12:25 as we were preparing to leave the Percy Ranch another condor was seen to the southwest that was flying northwest. We then drove down below Angels Pass and stopped in Little Hopper Canyon for lunch. At 12:45 P.M. while eating our lunch a black-blind phase of Condor was seen flying eastward about 1/2 mile south of where we were. With this bird we were sure of at least ten condor having been seen, that were all different birds, today. We returned the key to the Elder Percy in Fillmore and drove to Castaic Junction where we visited the dead-pit of Newhall Land and Cattle Company Cattle feed lot. We could find no evidence of any large birds having fed on any of the three fresh carcasses that were in the ditch, or pit. We returned home via Lebec - Maniopa and Tatt, following highway 33 to Blackwells corner. Stance up Bitterwater Valley to my home. No fog was in the San Joaquin valley but a deep smog deposit that we dropped into about 1/2 mile north of Old Fort Tejon on highway 99 and were in it, until we got to Choice Valley. Reviewing events of the last two days there is no doubt but that Condor concentrate in the Sespe Wildlife area in the winter months. Also, food appears to be no problem during the winter months - dead sheep were plentiful in Cuyama - four dead cattle on Percy Ranch none of which had been touched by condor would seem to substantiate this, as well as 140 Condor feeding at Newhall Land and Cattle Company Dead-pit. Also, Condor do seem to exert more effort in flying in winter months.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 7 January 1984 I was on the Cholame flats by 9:30 A.M. and remained thereabouts until 12:30 P.M. During this time I saw three Golden Eagles, all of which were young, at separate times, and Red Tailed Hawks were to be seen in the sky most any time I was there. No Condor were seen. The grass that was lush and green has now all withered and gone back into the soil. Most of the cows on the Cholame Rancho are being fed. I picked up a dead calf that appeared to be about one day old and gave evidence that it had died at birth or a few moments after. This carcass was near the road on the [illegible] side of the stream that runs from Rock Corral Canyon on the Cholame Ranch on the North side of the Cholame valley. I put this calf out on the hill by my windmill in the chance that Condor may come by and feed on it in the next day or so. 18 Ravens were feeding on remains of the sheep carcasses I have put on the hill west of the windmill south of my house. Even though these sheep carcasses have been here, some new or fresh ones from time to time for the last 6 weeks no large birds other than the Ravens have been seen feeding on them. Carcasses dry out considerably in the cold dry weather we have been having but they do not spoil. Where the sun or wind does not hit the meat it remains fresh for several weeks and I have seen no maggots on these sheep carcasses.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 January 1964 It showered lightly here at Cholame during the night, but the sky had cleared during the early morning hours. Ian and I left for Fillmore and Hopper Canyon at 5:00 A.M., via the Coast Route, but turned eastward at Cholame when we encountered heavy ground fog in the Cholame Valley and proceeded by way of Blackwell's Corner, Tufts, and Grapevine Canyon. As we approached the mouth of Grapevine Canyon we found our progress halted by the Ridge Route being closed due to snow and ice at the higher elevations. We were held here for about an hour when the traffic was allowed to move on, supposedly with chains only, but even those who had chains did not put them on and with total disregard for the pleading of highway patrol officers everyone drove on up and over the grade with no difficulty in any way. Hard squalls of sleet were falling in the Lebec area. Snow capped the Frazier and surrounding mountains and a thin cover of snow was in the Castaic Valley and on Holland Summit although the sun was shining at Borman and only traces of snow could be seen south of the Holland Summit on down towards Castaic Junction. We visited the Dead pit of Newhall Land and Cattle Company at Castaic Junction. No sign of scavengers could be found although a new black carrion had been dumped here lately to add to the three other carcasses that were slow to disintegrate at this season of year when cool temperatures kept the activities of maggots at a minimum. We talked to a Mr. Arnold, one of the Cowboys who were shipping and weighing cattle from the feed lot. He said that
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 14 January 1964 although he had been working at this location for a year he had seen no condor. He said he knew condor from having seen them in the Bakersfield area of Kern County and that on one occasion he had seen several in the Kings River Canyon. The temperature at Castaic Junction was mild and very little wind was blowing. As we drove down the Santa Clara valley towards Fillmore, we came up with a strong east wind at Piru. From here on into Fillmore the wind actually pushed us along. The elder Mr. Percy gave us the key to Hopper Canyon and we gassed up at the Standard Oil Company Service Station in the Corner where the Highway 126 and the Grimes Canyon grade road intersect. Jan called the Ojai Ranger Station and applied for a renewal of the permit to enter the Condor refuge or Sespe Wildlife Area. He said that a Mr. Bennett, who had talked to him on the phone, had assured him that a new permit would be forthcoming and that it would be permissible for us to enter the Sespe Wildlife Area for the time being until the permit came through. We drove on up to Percy [illegible] Cabin at the mouth of Hopper Canyon where Eugene and Ruth Percy stay at night during weekdays when Mrs. Percy is teaching school in Fillmore. Eugene Percy was at this cabin having just returned from Fillmore where he had gone to have a fire repaired in his trap. Mr. Percy told us of seeing only one or two Condor flying about his ranch since we were here on January five when we had observed Eight Condor over the Percy home on Hopper Mountain. We followed Eugene Percy to his Ranch where we chatted with him regarding condition of his livestock and range. He is quite worried -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 January 1967 About the length of the dry spell of weather that has been the rule for the last 6 or 7 weeks. Mr. Percy thought his cattle were in Good shape considering the shortage of feed but he felt this would Not be the case in another week if more rain did not come soon to revive the feed. Jan and I felt that Mr. Percy's range, where it was in bad shape from overgrazing, nevertheless had held out better than most areas we have seen lately and will continue to support the Percy livestock for some time yet without a chance of recovery. This feature has been made possible by the fact that the range of Mr. Percy is so situated that the water is all at the lower elevations and the higher range part of the range such as on the upper part of Lopper Mountain and in the Pole Canyon area are never grazed to any extent during the warm weather of summer and fall, due to its distance from water, and this naturally defers the use of this range until the lack of forage around near the water is gone and cool weather makes it possible for the cattle to climb the tall hills and remain for some time before having to return for a drink. Thus, Mr. Percy's cattle are now spending a good deal of their time at the higher elevations where old forage (wild oats) remains that give protection against the cold and dry winds to the new green growth, as well as preventing loss of moisture from the soil by covering the ground against heat and cold that tend to suck up moisture from bare ground that has no protective cover, Range condition
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 January 1963 Ian and I then drove above the Percy Ranch home and crossed northward into Sulpher Creek, a tributary of Hopper Canyon, that breaks out into wide potreros on the upper half of Hopper Mountain on the East Side, and is open grassland as its headwaters. We camped at the lower end of this grassland area in Sulpher Canyon at a location where during the years from 1926 till 1929 an oil well had been drilled here that had included a quite elaborate campsite. Evidently the crew who did the drilling remained at this site during the operation for remains of houses, water tanks and such likes are still evident. It would be reasonable to expect that this crew would be like most oil drilling crews, somewhat lawless in nature and ready to shoot at anything that offered a target. Two adult Golden Eagle were circling north of Percy Ranch home in Soda Creek at 11:55 A.M. Two adult Golden Eagle overhead at old oil well site in Sulpher Canyon at 1:00 P.M. At 1:45 P.M. one condor observed circling upwards over him to the North of our camp in Sulpher Canyon. This bird was riding the strong updraft of east wind that was racing up out of Hopper Canyon from the Hole-in-the-wall area and remained facing into this wind seemingly capable of moving upward-side ways, downward or backward, as well as forward, with no apparent muscles effort, and with little use of any of its [illegible]; at least to a given point one could see in the use of movement of the wings or tail. After sitting on this wind for about two minutes this condor, after having drifted up the ridge about—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 January 1964 One-quarter of a mile, moved out to the Northeast and out of sight behind the brush covered and rocky ridge that forms the North barrier of Sulpher Canyon. I proceeded to hike to the South facing Top of Hopper Mountain while I went North along the trail heading along the east slope of Hopper Mountain to the road that goes out on Hopper Rim to the top of Spring Canyon Trail. When I reached the Saddle that is near the top of Hopper Mountain, on the South facing side, and along the Crest of which passes a Jeep road that connects the Percy Ranch area with the Top of Hopper Mountain, I noted reasonably fresh tracks of a Narrow gauged automotive vehicle that had traversed this road since we were here on January 5, 1964. The Tracks left by this vehicle were not of small tires, but seemed quite large and did not have traction grip or snow tread. Before coming down the steep incline from the top of South Hopper Mountain this vehicle had been stopped for sometime as an accumulation of Oil, that had leaked from the engine of this vehicle, was substantial enough that were it to have been deposited in a matter of less than a minute it would have been a bad enough leak to have caused trouble to this vehicle within an hour's time. This vehicle only traveled one direction on this road and what signs I observed pointed to the direction of travel to have from Hopper Mountain towards the Percy Ranch, and Soda Creek. I would guess from what I observed, that these tracks had been made within the last 3 or 4 days. At 3:07 P.M. a Condor flew over me, fast, heading SW with a wind that was blowing strongly and evidently with -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 January 1964 many turbulent cross-currents of air, for this Condor did considerable sideslipping, dipping, dodging and falling, as it dashed down Pole Canyon for a distance of about one-half mile, where it then turned about, rose up swiftly on the rising currents, with no apparent effort, and proceeded to move northward above the west ridge of upper Pole Canyon, and when reaching a place where the strong up- currents of air coming down Little Sespe Canyon hit and raised upward against the ridge that runs north and west, from the head of Pole Canyon, the Condor then gained altitude suddenly, as if being blown upwards; all the while heading into the wind and never circling, and after reaching a height that placed it well above the horizon of Bear Heaven, and the Topa Topa Scarp, from my point of view, moved slowly up the center of Little Sespe Canyon and passed from right behind the thick scrub oak thicket that covers the North and west side of the top of Hopper Mountain, where I was sitting. Actually I was sitting near the top of Hopper Mountain, a bit below the crest on the south, by southwest, side of the mountain. This Condor passed from sight at 3:09 P.M. While watching the above Condor a white-throated Swift flew past me heading north over the top of Hopper Mountain. The cast wind was blowing very strongly and the temperature there was quite cold. 2 Condor At 4:57 P.M. (the sun had just set) Two adult Condor came from the south around the ridge that separates Sudder Creek from Soda Creek, to the south, and passed over. I am And As we stood in our camp near the old Oil Well site. One of these Condor had a wide gap in the right wings about 1/4 way out from the body -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 January 1964 This gap appeared to be due to the shortage of at least two feathers. No gap could be seen in the feathers of the other Condor. These two birds circled above us for about two minutes at a height of about two hundred yards above where we stood. A strong east wind was blowing at the time. This wind seemed to effect the flight of this pair of Condor in no way. At 5:03 this pair of Condor moved on Northeastward and disappeared below the ridge to the North. As these two Condor passed from sight they were heading in the general direction of The Hole-in-the-wall in Upper Hopper Canyon. A Horned Owl called from the large California Walnut tree that stood up the draw about 150 feet above where we were camped at 7:15. P.M. Due to the Cold temperature, and high wind, we went into out Sleeping robes soon after 6:00 P.M.,
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california condor Eben McMillan 15 January 1964 The East wind roared throughout the night. Screech owl were heard calling in the early morning hours. It remained cold. At 7:45 A.m. Two Raven flew Northward and circled above our camp. At 8:03 4.m. one adult Golden Eagle circled high above the east face of Hopper Mountain. At 8:30 A.m. one adult condor was observed sitting, or floating, on updraft of wind just North of crest of Rocky ridge to the North of our camp. This bird faced into this strong current and held its wings visibly motionless as it drifted slowly up, then down slightly, or to the left or right sideways, all motions being very slow. It would also drift upwards and backwards at the same time, or upwards and forward with seemingly total control of direction and movement at all times. At no time did I see this bird appear to be out of balance or buffeted in any way. As this hovering on the wind went on the condor slowly drifted North and West, upward, following the crest of the ridge that forms the North boundary of Sulpher creek and rises to the Northwest where it forms the North end of Hopper Mountain. After drifting up this ridge, always facing into the wind and never circling around, this condor finally ended up hovering on the wind above the top of the North end of Hopper Mountain. After remaining above North Hopper Mountain for several minutes, in an apparent motionless position, this condor drifted castward, downward, then Southward, in a big sweep, all the while facing outward into the wind until it had swung with the wind, at which time it turned Southward and raced away on the wind and passed from sight behind the hill, or the South end of Hopper Mountain, at 8:36 A.m. see diagram on next page.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 15 January 1964 condor At 8:39 A.m. an adult condor came from the south, into the stiff wind, with no apparent effort, and crossed along east face of Hopper Mountain to the ridge north of camp that forms north boundary of Sulphur Creek drainage and played along the top of this ridge on the upcurrents of air until moving on northward at 8:41 A.m. condor At 8:42 A.m. a young condor in the dull color phase, with the white under the wings very dull and spotted, came from the south and circled above camp several times before weaving its way northward where it remained for some time playing on the up-currents of wind that rushed up from the Holoin-the-wall area of Hopper canyon before moving on northward and out of sight at 8:48 A.m. This condor flew very well. While hovering on the strong updrafts of wind, or, as I use the term sitting on the wind, condor use the wrists a good deal but never with the tail outstretched and sort of fluttering as do the Red-tailed hawks or sparrow hawks who also hunt this area and can be seen much of the time, hovering on the wind. But the condor glide the impression of being held up by a string, or like and just remain in one spot with wings outstretched to full length and apparently motionless and effortless. I have often wondered what a condor would do in a stormy, heavy, wind while watching it maneuver about in nice weather, it never having been my lot to watch these birds in difficult weather conditions before; but after seeing condor yesterday and today, in very high, adverse winds I am amazed at their ability to negotiate about with apparent ease, and seeming to welcome the strongest and most turbulent wind currents for at no time today, or yesterday, did any condor I observed seem to be searching for relief from the
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California Condor Ebon Mcmillan 15 January 1964 Tempests. In fact the Condor seemed to search out the most turbulent areas and so there to spend sometime just sitting on these winds and apparently handling them with ease and dexterity. From what I have seen of Condor in flight, during the last two days, I would say Calm air, and not strong, turbulent winds, are more of a problem to Condor to cope with. Of course boosting could be another matter and perhaps this is one reason the Condor return to the Hole-in-the-Wall to roost in winter and spring seasons, when heavy, stormy winds prevail. Perhaps the great cave, or cirque, that forms the Hole-in-the-Wall, modifies these strong winds to a point whereby Condor can come in to roost, in late evenings, without any trouble. As was our observations in past trips, to this area of the Percy Ranch, and Hopper Mountain, we have noted that Condor do not use the Hole-in-the-Wall in late spring and summer and, well into the fall months. Evidence is now beginning to build up that the Hopper Canyon, and its Hole-in-the- Wall roost area, are very critical to the welfare of Condor in winter and early spring seasons. It could be that without the Sespe Wildlife Refuge, a fall back on at this time of the year, Condor could have long since become extinct. At 9:07 A.M. as I was climbing up the east face of Hopper Mountain from our Camp and having already gained about one-half the distance, to the top, I saw a Condor (adult) coming around the ridge to the south flying close in towards the mountainside and about 200 feet below me. As this Condor crossed a fairly deep ravine
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 January 1964 about 200 feet below me, it Noticed me, and in breaking its onward Progress, it was buffeted by the Turbulent Cross currents of air to some extent, giving rise to the thought that condor are not too maneuverable once out of balance in a high wind. This would also give rise to conjecture that landing in a hard wind would be an effort for these big birds. Once having regained its composure, and balance, this condor rose nearly straight upward in the process of making about three Circles, and was soon well above me six or seven hundred feet. This was accomplished without any flapping of the wings. This Condor passed out to the North and idled about for a few minutes on the ridge to the North of me, dropping from sight at times, only to come into view again above the ridge crest. At 9:10 A.m., three condor were seen circling above the area where the Pole Canyon road, and Hopper mountain road, converge on the North end of Hopper Mountain. These three condor were observed while the condor that had been further down the ridge was still in sight. Therefore four condor were observed Circling or idling about. All these four Condor passed from sight by 9:12 A.m. From 9:15 until 11:00 Army, there was a definite lull in the movement of animals about Hopper Mountain. At 11:01 A.m., a raven came by near where I sat on the South slope of Hopper mountain, near the Crest. Three more raven came up from below, on the East side of Hopper Mountain, and gambolod about in the air above me apparently enjoying the strong currents of wind still that were sweeping over the top of the mountain; and it was still Cold.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 January 1964 At 2:00 p.m. Two immature Red-tailed Hawks were hunting along the east slope of Hopper Mountain. These hawks would mount up to a height of about 200 feet above the surface of the mountain slope and hover for periods of up to seventy seconds, with wings outstretched, tail fanned out, head pointing downward and flapping the wings gently as they held their balance on the wind. Now and then one or the other of these hawks would drop to the ground in a slow glide, but on no occasion did I see them come up with anything in their talons. These immature Red-tailed Hawks did very well at remaining stationary when hovering; for on several occasions they would do so below the opposite horizon from me where I could get a spot in the distance landscape to fix their movement against and on more than one of these occasions I would loose sight of the bird by its remaining so motionless while hovering in the air that it was difficult to pick it out from the distant scene even though my eye was fixed on it with the binoculars. Nevertheless when these hawks hovered near and above me it was easy to make out a slight fluttering of the wings and the wings, also, from below could be seen to be pulled in and stretched out, sort of like letting in and playing out sails to accommodate variations in wind velocity. Condor show no sign of this fluttering or paying in, or letting out, the wings when hovering, but seem to just hang there like stuffed birds, not moving a muscle or moving their position. On the lee side of Hopper Mountain, directly over the crest, the sharp, cold wind, seemed to race on above, leaving a space with little or no wind, and, when the sun shone in on these areas it was quite warm, Providing of course that one remained close to the ground.
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california Condor Eben McMillan 15 January 1964 At 2:35 P.M. Two adult Condor came from the South on a level with the Percy Ranch home and entered Sulphur Canyon around the tree covered Point well below and to the Southeast of our camp. These two Condor circled about considerably along the south slope of lower Sulphur canyon finally making their way up-canyon until they passed over our camp where they circled several times before passing on out to the North around the rocky ridge to the Northeast and when last seen were going in the direction of the Holman Wall. One of these two Condor had a wide gap in the right wing about one- fourth of the way out from the body. I would judge that this was the one of the pair that passed over our camp last evening at Sunset that had the same gap in the cright wings. When last seen, these two Condor were together as they had been so this afternoon, as well as last evening - It was 2:45 P.M. when they disappeared from sight going Northeast. At 2:15 P.M., a brush fire sent up huge columns of smoke from an area about five miles North and West of Santa Paula. Everything is so dry from lack of rain, and the [illegible] winds so dry, that serious fires could result now anytime these high winds are blowing. I noticed that although a small smoke in the riverbed of the Santa Clara river was being blown swiftly along the valley floor across from the town of Fittmore, the smoke from this fire near Santa Paula was rising straight up to a height of about 2000 feet before being carried out to —
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California Condor Ebon McMillan 15 January 1964 the Westward by a fairly strong upper current of wind. Smog and haze, that had been conspicuous by its absence from the Los Angeles basin, and adjoining valleys, the last two weeks, began forming this afternoon. The strong East Wind commenced to abate somewhat as the afternoon wore on. I returned to camp at 3:45 P.M. At 4:05 P.M., an immature Condor came from the south and circled several times above camp. This bird had a shallow gap in the right wing next to the body as if the first two feathers were about two inches shorter than the others were - see diagram below, [illegible] This young Condor had the black head, and the white under the wings was very dull and muddy, and mottled, but no spot in the wing could be seen. A triangle of white that did appear brighter and more pronounced than other parts of the white wing patch were noticeable at the point where the front edge of the white is opposite the widest part of the white band under the Condor's wing, see diagram below, [illegible] I took five shots of Ektachrome 35mm film at this young Condor at what I hope is acceptable distances to show up the white under parts as well as the gap in the right wing. This Condor, after—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 January 1964 Circling our camp several times, gained considerable altitude and passed over the gap in the ridge to the North of camp and was lost from sight at 4:11 P.M. The Exachrome shots were taken at 78' at 500. Possibly too dark, for the shadows were long, and where the bird was in the sun, I was in shadows where I stood taking the film. One of two of the shots the bird banked so that the sun showed under its wings. The wind died down considerably and it warmed up about sunset. We went into our sleeping robes at 8:00 P.M. after discussing condor for two and one-half hours by a roaring campfire.
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California Condor Eber McMullan 16 January 1964 at 8:15 A.m. the first large bird showing in sulphur canyon was Two Raven that came from below and worked their way to the top of Hopper Mountain where they circled and called for five minutes, or more. at 8:35 A.m. the first Imm. Red-tailed Hawk came from south and passed above our camp, flying laboriously, northward. Where after passing across the East face of Hopper Mountain, it passed from sight around the rocky ridge to the North. It was calm until 9:00 A.m. when a gentle but cool South wind commenced blowing on the ridges and in the passes. Several white Throated Swifts hunted insects over the Point where I sat on the ridge south of camp. Smog that filled the Los Angeles basin and adjoining valleys commenced to expand by 9:30 and soon arose to where only the Tops of the high Mountains east of the city could be made out above the yellowish cast of this Smog. Our Camp was above this Smog layer and the air about Sulphur Creek and Hopper Mountain was clear and sharp. at 10:45 A.m. an adult Golden Eagle came from the bottom of Hopper Canyon between sulphur and Soda creeks and spiraled upwards, to where it stood above the horizon from where I sat, and then drifted Northward up Hopper Canyon where it soon passed from sight against the dark background of the Chaparral brush cover of upper Hopper Canyon. at 10:53 an adult Golden Eagle passed swiftly south and then westward across the east side of Hopper Mountain near the top and disappeared into Pole Canyon. at 10:58 A.m. an adult Condor came down from —
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california Condor Eben McMillan 26 January 1964 The Hopper Rim area and circled briefly about the north top of Hopper mountain. This Condor had a gap in the right wing one- quarter way out from the body to the tip of wing. This Condor, after circling briefly went into a long glide that carried it out to the southward several miles to what I thought would be about over the promontory that stands at the mouth of Hopper Canyon, on the west side, and extends out from the main foothills to the east of the town of Fillmore. When this Condor reached, what I thought, was this point, it reversed its course and came back towards Hopper Mountain for a mile or so, to what appeared to me to be a spot about over [illegible] Pass, where the Percy Ranch Road crosses from Tom's Canyon, or Little Hopper Canyon, as I have mistakenly been calling it, into Hopper Canyon drainage again, before passing into the Soda Creek drainage where the Percy home is located, and which is a drainage into the main Hopper Canyon. The Condor, after reaching this point, circled upward gaining considerable elevation, after which it again turned southward, and without varying from its course, sailed back over the promontory west of the mouth of Hopper Canyon continuing on across the Santa Clara valley and was finally lost from sight as it dipped below the blue timeline of Wiley Canyon, and Dale Ridge, that is south and east of Fillmore about 4 or 5 miles. This Condor was last seen at 11:17 A.m. At 11:31 A.m., a Condor was seen circling above the headwaters of Tom's Canyon about two miles west, or west by southwest, of the Percy Ranch home. After gaining considerable altitude this Condor moved slowly up the ridge, passed across the upper east face of Hopper mountain from where it moved out eastward and downward and was lost from sight—
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California Condor Eben B. Millan 16 January 1964 behind the rocky ridge north of Sulphur Canyon, while traveling in the general direction of the Hole-in-the-Wall. This Condor did not present me with a good opportunity to make out any feather patterns in its wings. It could have been the same bird that made the long flight southward and across the Santa Clara Valley a few minutes earlier. When this Condor was lost from sight the time was 11:36 a.m. At 11:39 a Golden Eagle was sighted circling above the ridge between the headwaters of Toms Canyon and Soda Creek where the Percy Ranch is located. Ian and I had lunch and left camp in the pickup, driving towards Percy Ranch. We met Mr. Eugene Percy below his upper corrals as he was coming up the mountain road in his Jeep with salt for his cattle. It was at this time that Mr. Percy gave us the proper names for the watersheds near his Ranch. The Canyon which the road follows coming to the Percy Ranch that is a west fork of Hopper Canyon, and which I have been describing as Little Hopper Canyon, is named, according to Mr. Percey (Toms Canyon). The Canyon or watershed, in which the Percy Ranch home is situated is known as Soda Creek and has been termed Percy Canyon by me up until today. The Canyon to the north of Soda Creek and which has been termed Gill Well Canyon by me before, is known as Sulphur Canyon, the name I will use in all future references to this watershed where we camped the last Two Nights. Mr. Eugene Percy again stated that he thought Condor fly out over his area more on days when a strong east wind is blowing. He has stated before that he feels Condor follow the west side of the
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California Condor Eben McMillan 16 January 1964 Hopper Mountain, and Hopper Rim, on days when the west winds are blowing. We may have good reason for this thinking, for Today, we saw but few condor and know down in Hopper Canyon Proper. Both Ian and I feel that when a strong east wind is blowing down Hopper canyon, Condor, in [illegible] elevation when leaving the roost area, of the Hole-in-the-wall, would probably fly down Canyon, holding their altitude, slip around ridge into Sulphur Creek, from the North, follow the upcurrents of wind up Sulphur Canyon and come out on top of Hopper Mountain with plenty of elevation so in any direction they might choose. We have seen Condor coming up out of the lower reaches of Sulphur Canyon in the early morning on numerous occasions. With a south, or west wind, things would be different. Condor could fly out from their perch in The Hole-in-the-wall and hitting The rising updrafts of wind gain elevation and head in any direction of their choosing. This could explain Mr. Percy's theory on why Condor are seen over his Soda Creek range more on days of high east wind than on calm days. We returned the keys to the Elder Percy in Fillmore and while there stopped in at 2:30 p.m. to visit Jack Gains. Mrs. Gains told us that Jack had just taken their daughter to the school for music lessons and would come right home to talk with us. Mr. Bennett, chief fire Control Officer from the the @Jai Office of U.S. Forest Service, also arrived at the Jack Gains home. We chatted with us for about 10 minutes after which Mr. Gains had not returned, even though his wife had phoned him, so we left for home. while talking with Mr. Bennett we were told that [illegible] Mountain Lookout -
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California Condor Eban McMillan 16 January 1964 had been re-activated and that many of the fire control personnel had been ordered to stand ready with Truck Pumps. Mr. Bennett also mentioned that the late fire dangers making it necessary that men be kept in readiness has made it necessary to forego sending crews into the backcountry to work on trail repair and firebreaks. Mr. Bennett also informed us that the fire from which we had seen the smoke rising Northwest of Santa Paula yesterday was a brush fire that had burned over half acre before it [illegible] had been brought under control. We arrived home about 6:15 p.m.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 27 January 1964 The dense ground fog that has persisted throughout the general San Joaquin valley during much of the last three months has not been holding throughout the daylight hours for the last several days. It was clear, but hazy, as I drove down the Bitterwater Valley, eastward, heading towards the east valley foothills, to the east of Famosa, in Kern County. Rain that brought 2.35 inches of precipitation to my place during 20-21-22 and 23 of January did not drop near as much moisture as this on the area below the Standard Oil Pumping Station in the Bitterwater Valley and out towards Blackwell's Corner. In fact in the area of Blackwell's Corner, that is at the crossroads about twelve miles west of Lost Hills, seemed quite dry. A coyote that acted very gentle and undisturbed at our stopping the car and looking at it standing and looking at us, was about 50 yards to the west of the roadway and nearly directly across the roadway from the Old Fred Twisselmann water wells in the Bitterwater Valley. This cyote did not run from us, as we stopped, but moved away a few yards and stood watching us. It was still in the same locality when he drove on eastward after watching it for about three minutes. When writing [illegible] Mrs. Gladys McMillan was with me today and is being referred when I make this plural statement. A tremendous flock of wintering linnets were feeding and flying up from the ground every now and then near the road at the mouth of the Bitterwater Creek that flows northeasey from Choice Valley and the Temblor range.
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California Condor Eben McMILLAN 27 January 1964 Thick, close, ground fog, that was very shallow in depth, lay in spots between Lost Hills and Wasco. East of Famosa about three miles we came upon a flock of sheep being moved eastward by three shepherds. One of these shepherds told me that the sheep were being moved out of the valley bottom and into the foothills. east of Famosa, Arriving in the foothills we drove off the road way visiting three shepherd house trailers, only one of which was occupied by anyone when we arrived. This shepherd was a very right completed, frackled faced, Red haired, Basque Spaniard who knew of Condor but had not seen any in the area although he had been camped here for several weeks and during this time knew of dead sheep being present most of the time. Neither had he seen Eagles although he claimed to have a knowledge of Eagles and could identify one were it to come into his area. As we drove over these rolling foothills with their shallow draws, with little or no erosion in their bottoms, and smooth rolling hilltops there was very little evidence of Ground squirrels in this area although this is the general area where Koford found Condor feeding regularly on Poisoned ground squirrels in the springtime when Poisoning activities were being carried on here in the years when he was doing his life history Study of Condor. Some of these dates by Koford were from May to August in 1946 when he found Condor feeding on Poisoned ground squirrels here. We saw only one den of ground squirrel in which three
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 27 January 1964 squirrels were observed. This den was located in what had been a wire corral but now only had a few posts remaining about the outside and some wire scattered here and there. These probably gave these squirrels a measure of protection against predators, as well as the influence of the concentrating here, in this corral, in past time, numbers of sheep, so that the soil had been enriched and was now growing much more grass than was any of the surrounding area. We did see great numbers of mounds and depressions that appeared to have been remains of ground squirrel dens from the past. These features attest to great numbers of these rodents having been here at one time. 1986 poison, used in organized drives on California ground squirrels all over Central California has this mammal rather uncommon in many areas. A few Jack rabbits were seen in this area east of Famosa. These rabbits hide during the daytime in the piles of Russian Thistle (Salsola kali L var denuifolia) that have been rolled into the draws and concentrated in piles in the low places where the wind has loft them. These areas are not sufficient to give protection to large numbers of Jackrabbits. This foothill area to the east of Famosa, and west of the Bakersfield Woody road, does not seem to be heavily populated with kangaroo Rats, Jackrabbits being the only mammal of any consequence there in the wild state.
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california condor Eben McNillan 27 January 1964 At 10:15 A.M. we stopped to interview three men who were repairing the County Road that goes from Woody to Famosa. Richard Kambricks, one of these men, who lives in Glenville, knows Condor, and has seen them many times. He thinks this is a bit early to see Condor in the Granite Station area. He thinks Condor came into this area in the springtime. Mr. Kambrick said he saw 34 Condor about four years ago at the foot of Battleshulee Grade in the Rancheria area at the southwest end of Greenhorn Mountain. After questioning him concerning the seeing of the 34 Condor he then said it was some number about that figure. Kambricks thought the Rancheria area the best place to see Condor with the hills below Granite Station running a close second. Darrell Degler, another one of the men working on the County Road here, and who also lives in Glenville, said he saw two Condor last year in the valley below Granite Station where Carl West lives. Mr. Degler also knows Condor and has seen them off and on over the years in the Granite Station. A. Mr. Cresio Driver was the third member of this trio who work at maintaining the roads in this area for Kern County and all live in Glenville. They will all be on the lookout for Condor and leave word with Mrs. Evalyn Jansworth should they see anything unusual. We then stopped at the home of Mrs. Russell Lawrence Moore that is located near the road in the area where the Poso Creek Oilfield crosses the Woody-Famosa Roadway, Mrs. Moore immediately informed me that she knew Condor very well and that her husband had seen Condor to the west of -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 27 January 1964 her home within the last few years. Mrs. Moore does not think Condor come to the Mount Poso and Granite Station area in the winter months. She thinks they show up in the spring- time. Mrs. Moore said that Buzzards always return to the Mt. Poso area on the 19th of February of each year. The reason she feels sure this is so, is, that her grandfather's birthday was on the 19th of February and on many occasions they would observe the first Turkey Buzzard to arrive in spring, in this area, on this date. In fact, she mentioned their having at times, chided her Grandfather- about this connection between he and the Buzzards. Mrs. Moore spends the summer months on Greenhorn Mountain between Davis Campground and Basket Pass, She has not seen Condor in that area. She took my address, and Telephone number, and promised to phone, or write me of any new developments, or observations, regarding Condor that she might come by. Bautista Aleman, a shepherd for Joe [illegible], who is camped to the east of the crossroads of the Bakersfield- Woody road and the north junction of Famosa Road. Mr. Bautista had seen Raven coming to feed on Carcasses of sheep that have died in his flock during the last three weeks, but he has seen neither Eagle or Condor. He appears to know what Condor are and having been in America for several years and having herded sheep in different sections of California, has probably seen Condor. A Sheep Carcass that had been recently skinned and thrown in a shallow ditch to
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California Condor Eben McMillan 27 January 1964 The south of Bautistas Trailer house about two hundred yards, had not been eaten by scavengers of any sort. Mr. Aleman will keep a watch out for condor and report to me on his observations the next time I see him. At 12:15 P.M. We partook of our lunch on top of Mt. Poso. The air was clear. It was also calm. One Red Tailed Hawk was seen circling to the west of where we were at 12:30 p.m., otherwise no large birds showed during the hour we spent here. ( Humans ) At 12:45 P.M. Two adults, on tote-gotes, or Trail vehicles, came across the hills, roasting up the ridges and Coasting down the inclines on the opposite side. They boated about our area for Ten minutes before leaving enterted enroute along a ridge to the Southwest. These men did not have firearms that I could see. At 2:15 P.M. I stopped at the Winter Field Office of the Kern County Agricultural Commission. This is about fifteen miles north of Bakersfield, California at the junction of the Shafer Highway. Mr. Ben Easley, the representative of this office who is in charge of Rodant and Pest Control was here. Upon learning of my mission Mr. Easley immediately commenced telling me Brown Condor? of his implication with the Brown Condor circus that he had known of for some time. The following is generally his story of this affair. Mr. Easley first learned of the Brown Condor after it came into Mrs. Brown's possession. He said that
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 27 January 1964 Mrs. Dorothy Albite first found this condor when she was poisoning squirrels on the property managed by Curl best. Knowing Mrs. Margaret Brown to be interested in strange birds Mrs. Albite told Mrs. Brown about having seen this dead condor. Mrs. Brown immediately went to the location and found the condor and loading it into her car. Took it to her home and stretching it out on a wire fence proceeded to wash it out with water from a garden hose in order to get it so it would not smell so bad. Mrs. Brown saw wheat fall from the carcass of this bird as it was being washed and this wheat or barley, had a light greenish yellow color like that grain that is used by the Poisoners in Poisoning squirrels. The water running from this carcass passed through a wire pen in which several ducks were kept. The ducks in this pen died a short time after the water ran through their pen. Mr. Easley first saw the Brown Condor after it had hung in the barn for some months. A Dr. Lawrence from the Bakersfield Jr. College was supposed to have come to Mrs. Brown's ranch to investigate the dead Condor. Mrs. Brown had some [illegible] understanding regarding what Dr. Lawrence planned to do with the Condor and she denied him the privilege of seeing it further. Mr. Easley said that when he heard that Ian and I were doing research—
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California condor Eban McMillan 27 January 1964 on condor he immediately phoned Mrs. Brown to inform her that we would be interested in seeing her specimen and taking it for scientific analysis. Mrs. Brown, during this conversation, informed Mr. Easley that I had already come to her place, on the advice of Mr. Sam Etter of Parkfield, and taken the condor carcass with me. Mr. Ben Easley also informed me today of a Mr. Claud Fennell, who is now Agricultural Commissioner of Imperial County, California, had reported to him dead condor? Several years ago of having seen a dead condor on the Tejon Ranch that had been shot with a rifle about the size of a 22 caliber from the size of the hole it made. I will write Mr. Fennell for information on this sighting immediately. Mr. Easley stated that Mr. Fennell had been on the Tejon Ranch making a survey of potential grasshopper invasions. This, he thought, would have probably been in late April or May of 1950 or 1951, or possibly 1952. Mr. Easley thought the Brown condor could have been poisoned by feeding on young squirrels that Mr. Easley claims are in the habit of stuffing their pouches with poison grains before they die of the poison. He thinks condor might find these young squirrels lying dead and swallow them whole, thereby getting the grains that were in the dead squirrels pouches—Easley thinks 1080 poison would kill any warm blooded animal that got a sizable amount of this poison into its system.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 27 January 1964 Three or four years ago Ben Easley saw 29 Condors in the White Wolf area southeast of Bakersfield. These birds were perched and flying around near the Toyon Ranch Corrals in White Wolf Pass and were feeding on the carcass of a cow that lay in a draw not far from the White Wolf Corrals. Several of these were young birds Mr. Easley said for they lacked the white under the wings. He thought these Condor remained in the White Wolf area for several days. John White, an assistant and field man for Ben Easley said that a week or two before Mr. Easley saw the Condor at White Wolf he had seen 19 Condor when poisoning squirrels below the Jeff Hitchcock Ranch in the Rancheria area at the foot of Battlesnake Grade. This area is at the southwest end of Greenhorn Mountain and on the road from the mouth of Kern River to Greenhorn Mountain. Mrs. White said these Condor were at this locality for several days before they left. When the squirrel poisoning was operation was moved from this locality, to the White Wolf area, a week or ten days later, that was when Easley saw the Condor at White Wolf. John White knows Dr. Lawrence (George) of the Bakersfield Jr. College. He said that Dr. Lawrence wrote his thesis on Condor and thought he would have some good information that we could use. I will look Dr. Lawrence up on some future trip to Bakersfield.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 27 January 1964 Ben Easley told me today that kangaroo rats are not much of a problem in Kern County, only on a few occasions has it been necessary to make a special project of poisoning kangaroo rats. Last year his force oversaw an operation where kangaroo rat poisoning was done by airplane. This took place in the summer time on a half section of land to the southwest of the Rancheria area about five miles. Mr. Easley tried to set about three pounds of poison scattered on each acre of land. We stretched a 20 (Twenty) foot square canvas on the ground and as the plane flew over it dropped about three kernels of whole grain barley on this canvas. He and his crew watched this poisoned area for three mornings following the application by plane, two mornings immediately following the application and the third morning of inspection came after two days at a weekend separated the inspection dates. He said that no scavenger or predatory birds were noted in this area on any of the three inspection trips following the application of the poison, nor did they find many dead rats. Easley thought 3000 numbers of rats had been killed with the poison but that nocturnal scavengers removed them by daylight. Strychnine poison was used in this rat poisoning project. I forgot to enter our seeing and photographing the parts of forty (40) adult sheep that were hanging on a barbed wire fence to the south of the road on the Woody Famosa roadway about one mile east of highway 65. No carcasses could be seen in the area.
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Eben J. McMillan 28 January 1964 A postal card was received in the mail today from Evelyn Farnsworth, at Glennville, Kern County, California that was mailed January 24, 1964 and read as follows: "Jan. 22, at 12:40 P.M., we saw three condors circling over the top of 'Bear Hollow Hill', on the Woody-Glennville road about 2½-3 miles towards Woody from the intersection of that road and the Granite Station road. The day was very dark so could only see that two were adults. The third one could have been a young one. Too was too far away to tell for sure. The day was very stormy although not as cold as the weather we had been having. We had just driven through a very heavy snow flurry a few minutes before we saw the birds. They apparently were headed due south for one was sailing in that direction when we looked back from further down the road. Did you get any useful information from Floyd Smith? Sincerely - signature - This is evidence that condor do move about in the Glennville and Granite Station areas during winter months and even in periods of inclement weather. There rises a threat to condor from high power lines when they are forced to fly in these storms with visibility limited to a few rods or even perhaps a few feet at times. After seeing condor manipulate in the strong gusty winds over Popper Mountain last week I now feel they are capable of flying in any weather so long as they can see. But with snow storms and thick fog to impede their progress, especially the high-power lines strong high across the canyons, this could be a factor in condor mortality. The above post card was filed of course.
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california Condor Eben McMillan 1 February 1964 A high fog that was quite cold prevailed as Ian and I drove down Choice Valley en route to Fillmore at 7:00 A.M. An east wind was blowing. The high fog became a dense ground fog as we climbed out of Choice Valley onto the north end of the Carrisa plains, but the plains themselves were free of fog. It was quite cold on the Carrisa plains especially after passing the Crossroads near Old Simmler and turning south on County Road traverses the length of the Carrisa plains from this point. Heavy frost was on the grasses and puddles of water, at the roadside, laced frozen over. Two colored men were hunting rabbits, on California Valley Development land near the northwest end of Soda Lake. They were wearing overcoats. Some snow still lay at the roadside as we passed over the summit of the Coast Range from the Coyama Valley to the Ojai area. The mud at the roadsides, on top of Pine Mountain Summit, was cemented and riddled with the tracks of people and their automotive vehicles that had come up here to play in the snow following the storm that hit this area on 21-22-23 January. While passing the south end of Soda Lake, on the Carrisa plains, we watched an immature Golden Eagle make three unsuccessful dives into the shrub cover that rings the flat Country about the edge of Soda Lake. This young eagle showed much white in flight and when first seen by us was sitting on a fence post about two hundred yards east of the roadway over which we were passing. Upon seeing this eagle fly
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California Condor Eban McMillan 1 February 1964 from the post on which it perched and gaining about twenty Feet of altitude, slow its flight, and attempt to hover above a spot briefly, and then drop into the shrub cover that here consists of the plant Atriplex spinifera and averages about twenty inches high. Seeing that this young eagle appeared quite crude in its hunting process we stopped the auto and were about to go over to see if it had captured anything in this drop when the eagle flew up out of the shrub, moved on about two hundred feet and then repeated the former sequence. After remaining in the shrub cover for about two minutes this young eagle repeated this performance once more before returning to another fence post and perching. Jack Rabbits are very plentiful about the shores of Soda daylight lake and remain in this shrub cover throughout daylight hours. This gives them a measure of protection from Eagles and other predators. It seemed apparent that this young eagle had not yet become proficient in the art of the chase whereby it could capture its prey with a reasonable amount of effort. I think this is a situation that arises when the young Eagle, that has been subsidized in its hunting efforts, up to now, by the parent Eagles, is now thrown into its own resources by the incoming reproductive urge of the parent birds and will go through a very critical period before it develops hunting habits of a more successful nature. I mention this as it would pertain to the same situation in Condor development. I feel quite
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California condor Eben D. Millan 1 February 1964 sure that the young condor that came in and landed in the sand of the San Juan river, about one mile north of the La Panza bridge, on 1 June 1963 was in somewhat the same predicament as was this young Golden Eagle. Probably the young condor had somewhat the advantage of the young Eagle due to its not having to resort to the chase to procure its food, but nevertheless I would expect this to be the more difficult of all experiences that any condor, or Eagle, would endure throughout its lifetime. Rudnick Trust is feeding its Cattle on the extreme South end of the Carissa plains. The feed is all gone from the hills and cattle look bad. Two men were scattering hay on the ground while the Cattle came running, and bawling, for the feed. This condition appears to hold quite true throughout the Temblor and Coyama valley areas as well as everything on the west side of the San Joaquin valley north from Maricopa to Coalinga and west to the flat western slopes of the Coast Range that confront the Ocean. At 9:30 a.m. we stopped at the Ojai Station of the U.S. Forest Service and were told by the young girl in the office that Mr. Jack Parkinson was not well and would not be in the Office today. At 10:15 a.m. we stopped at the home of Jack Gains and found him home. He told us about having spent the night in the Sespe area and had only returned late this morning. He gave us no reason for his being kept out all night in the Sespe nor did we show any interest in the matter. Mr. Gains had prepared forms in quadruplicate that we signed, one of which was given to us as
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California Condor Eben McMillan February / February 1964 our copy and permit with which we can enter the Sespe wildlife area in the process of our Condor study. Jack Gains also told us of having seen 19 Condor on Hopper Mountain the day-before-yesterday. This would be on 30 January 1964. Mr. Gains said he was on Hopper Mountain that day and had gotten stuck. It had snowed considerable there, he said. First he saw seven (7) Condor together. He continued to see Condor throughout the day. At one time he saw fourteen Condor in one place over Hopper Mountain and later looked north towards Whittaker Peak and saw five more Condor that were seen at the same time as the 14 previous Condor we so still in sight. Jack Gains also told us that Mr. Buchheister, the president of the National Audubon Society, was coming tomorrow, to Los Angeles, to attend a meeting after which he was to fly back east immediately. Mr. Gains stated that Mr. Buchheister intended to return to the West again in the near future, but that he had to go back, just now, to some meeting in the east and therefore could not get around the area. Mr. Gains said he had gotten this information from Mr. Paul Howard who had been at some meeting nearby and being in the general area had thought "I'll just drop by and pay the [illegible] a visit." This was about a week ago that Mr. Howard had stopped by and visited with Jack Gains; and given Mr. Gains this information. Jack Gains, in answer to Ian's query if Mr. William Hansen, supervisor of Los Padres National Forest, had ever been on the Sespe wildlife area stated that with the exception of a brief "show me" trip through the section when he first came, Mr. Hansen has never been on the area. Mr. Gains also stated that the Sespe corridor into the Sespe wildlife
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 February 1964 area has had much use of late by campers, hikers and picnickers. most of whom had gone to the Cow Springs area. We stopped in Fillmore for gasoline at the Union Oil Co. Station on the crossroads where the highway from Moorpark meets with Highway 126. The young fellow who attended to us told us of having been on duty last evening when a bandit entered the station and held him up at gunpoint, demanding the contents of the cash register. The bandit thinking this young fellow to be too slow fired three shots at his feet to urge him on. When apprehended some hours later it was found that this bandit was a local person who had worked on a nearby ranch. This is only brought out to show that irresponsible people not only shoot at the Condor but will also shoot at people to scare them. Picking up the ranch keys from the elder Mr. Percy in Fillmore we drove up Bigger Canyon into Louis Canyon and over the ridge to Percy Ranch. Ruth Percy was at the Percy home by herself while Eugene and some Stephen were working cattle at the Bear Tree Corrals. After visiting with Mrs. Percy briefly we drove on up to Bear Tree Corrals and there met Eugene and Stephen Percy who were branding calves. Eugene Percy said he had seen four Condor last Saturday, January 25. We had seen no Condor since that time. Eugene also said he had received about three-and-one-half inches of rain during the storm of 21-22-23 January. The grass had improved since we were here last although it has along ways to go to insure ample forage throughout the summer. In order to check numbers of Condor now in relation to the population that frequented this area when Carl Koford did his work here on the Percy ranchy from 1946 up until 1950 or later, and in that Dr. Koford in most of these experiments used bait of one sort or another, we now put out bait.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 February 1964 One Sheep carcass (50 pound lamb) and two Jackrabbit Carcasses were thrown out on the ridge between Soda Crick drainage and Sulphur Creek drainage, the Sheep at a spot where the end of Vehicle Navigation occurs on this ridge and the two Jack Rabbits scattered at hundred-yard intervals along this ridge. After this we retired to our Campground in Sulphur Canyon and Set up camp. This by 2:00 p.m. Two Raven flew across Sulphur Canyon, high, from the east, and circled, calling, above the upper Sheep Carcass at 2:25 p.m. They soon left westward, more raven circled Carcasses at 2:40 p.m. Two Golden Eagle circled above North Hopper Mountain at 2:45 p.m., one of which was an immature bird. This bird had long patches of white under outer third of wings. See below. These Eagles, after playing on the wind above North Hopper Mt. flown northward after 3:15 p.m. No large birds in sight at 3:00 p.m. Two Golden Eagle and one Raven show up and circle above the carcass of the Sheep at 3:05 p.m., and an adult Condor comes up above ridge due north of our Camp in the Saddle in which a death Big-Cone Spruce tree stands. This Condor could be seen through this saddle but was probably three-quarter-mile from us. After circling for two minutes it moved off eastward, fast, and dipped behind the ridge out of view. At 3:10 p.m. the two Golden Eagles seen at 3:05 had gone. Two other Golden Eagle Cross above us, high, heading Southeast- At 3:25 p.m., was seen circling above the North-headwaters of Sulphur Creek
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California Condor Eben McMillan 2 February 1964 It remained warm during the night, just past, but strong gusts of wind, from a westward direction, blew at times. After sunrise an east wind commenced blowing moderately. It was very [illegible]. Two Raven showed up, circling above ridge where sheep and rabbits had been left last evening. From all appearance, at a distance, the carcasses of the sheep or the two Jackrabbits we put out on Sulphur- Soda Ridge had not been molested. The Raven came at 7:45 A.M. and continued to call and fly up and down the ridge west of us. At 8:17 A.M. a Golden Eagle, visibly buffeted by the east wind that was becoming stronger now, flew northward along the upper third of Hopper Mountain and passed on through saddle that connects Hopper Mountain with ridge north of Sulphur Creek drainage. We left our camp at 8:45 A.M. and drove towards Castaic Junction where we were to meet Carl Buchheister and Bill Goodall at 11:00 A.M. As we rounded the point below Percy Ranch, and below Castle [illegible], we looked back with the spotting scope and binoculars but could make out no large birds about Hopper Mountain. This at 9:20 A.M. Arriving at Castaic Junction at 10:15 A.M., we filled up with gas at the Standard Oil Co. Service Station there. The attendant who served us was a lad of about 20 years old who had been born and raised in the Castaic area but had never seen Condor, although he said that he would very much like to see one. According to him, his father used to see Condor quite frequently many years ago when he worked, driving trucks, for the Newhall Oil Company. His father has not seen Condor in recent years. When I mentioned the possibility that Condor were probably all gone he said NO! That there were still Condor living around Piru. That they were doing—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 2 February 1964 a good job of protecting them and that some still remain. At 11:15 A.M. we met Carl Buchheister and Bill Goodall who had been waiting in lot across the highway from us for an hour. We immediately loaded Carl's dunnage into our pickup and with him accompanying us we were on our way, We visited the Dead pit of Newhall land and cattle Co. Feed Lot, near Castaic Junction, but saw not one bird about. We then drove westward to the mouth of Hopper Canyon and up Percy Road to the point below Castle Crags, that overlooks the Soda Creek drainage and the south and east slopes of Hopper Mountain, where we stopped for lunch. Condor — As we lunched, at 12:45 P.M. an adult condor was seen flying NE up Hopper Canyon from the way of Button Peak. As this condor came even with us it veered from its course and [illegible] directly over us about 300 yards high and drifted, quartering into the stiff east wind that was now blowing, along the SW ridge of Soda Creek and was lost from sight as it passed along upper drainage of Soda Creek. Finishing lunch we drove to Percy Ranch, seeing several deer on the way, and there talked with Mr. and Mrs. Percy. Mr. Percy then drove us to the top of Hopper Mountain in his Jeep. Along the crest of Hopper Mountain the east wind was blowing a gale that restricted our activities to a certain degree, it being quite cold and strong enough whereby one had difficulty standing against its force. At 3:10 P.M. an adult condor was seen floating SW from the direction of upper Hopper Canyon and passed by to our eastward about one-half mile and continued drifting, fast, on the strong wind until out of sight behind the SW ridge of Hopper Mountain.
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California Condor Eben Dschmillan 2 February 1964 This Condor was moving at an elevation about equal to the top one-third line on Hopper Mountain. At 3:30 p.m., an adult Condor was observed passing northward, below our level and out to our eastward about one-half mile. As this bird passed Hopper Mountain it swung more northwest and joined another adult Condor at the east of Leofords Lookout about 400 yards. Those two Condors then sailed into the strong east wind and soon passed from sight behind ridge and into the Pitu River drainage. We spent some time at the forks of Percy Hopper Mt., and Able Canyon, roads acquainting Mr. Buchheister with landmarks about the area and showing him developments that could influence Condor. Mr. Percy Jane Carl Buchheister a general history of the area, he, Mr. Percy that is, having been in this area in the ranching business more than fifty years. The east wind, blowing so strong, we returned to Bear Tree Carrels where we had left our pickup, thanked Mr. Percy for his generous help in transporting us up the mountain in his Jeep, then drove to Sulphur Creek and went into camp. A roaring fire was kindled, much activity went on in the process of gathering firewood—setting up a cot and bed for Carl Buchheister, cooking our supper and other industries in preparation for a cool, windy, night. While this was all going on four Condors came from the south and circled above the sheep carcass we had put out this morning before leaving for Gastart Junction. This was in addition to the one we had put out yesterday afternoon and was placed below where the road passes from Soda Creek to Sulphur Creek and was on the Soda-Sulphur ridge about on a level with our camp. Several more Jackrabbits had been thrown out along this ridge also.
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california Condor Eben McMillan 2 February 1964 After circling this lower sheep carcass for several minutes the four Condor would alternate between alighting on the ground near it or hovering in the air above it. The east wind blowing up out of the Sulphur Canyon, created updrafts near the carcass on which the condor could remain nearly motionless for minutes at a time before going higher or forward or backward. When these birds would drop to the ground, from heights of from 20 to 100 feet, above the ground, where they would be waiting among, they would slowly let down at perhaps a foot a second and land on the ground with little or no more than the average body weight on their legs. When they wanted to arise into the air again, after standing and looking for a few minutes at the sheep carcass, they merely spread their wings and gently raised from the ground with no flapping of wings. I doubt that I have ever observed another species of bird that could better control itself and maintain stability in a stiff wind. At sunset we thought one of the four Condor, at the lower sheep carcass this evening, fed on the body of a Jackrabbit that lay about thirty feet south of the sheep carcass. This was due to our seeing a Condor dropping its head to the ground several times as it stood above the Rabbit carcass. At 5:15 p.m. All four of the Condor mentioned above flew out to the Northward alternately at about 200 yard intervals. The last one passed out of sight at 5:18 p.m. through the pass to the North of our Camps. This was about 5 to 7 minutes after Sunset. A fierce east wind blew throughout the night. It was cold.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 February 1964 At 6:25 A.M. Two Raven were hovering above the upper sheep carcass and calling. At 6:55 A.M., Just as the sun was showing over the eastern horizon, from where my bed was rolled about two hundred feet above our campsite, Two Condor were seen hovering about one hundred feet above the lower sheep carcass. How long before this time they had arrived I have no idea for I had not looked in that direction before not thinking there would be a chance that Condor would be on the wing that early. A strong east wind was still blowing as it had done throughout the night. It was also quite cold but not enough so that ice could form. Except for the Two Raven, no other birds were about at sunrise besides the Two Condor. The Two Condor and Two Raven were hovering over the area where the lower sheep carcass lay at 7:30 A.M. When an adult Golden Eagle dove down from the top of Hopper Mountain, on closed wings, and alighted on the lower sheep carcass and commenced eating of it. Four more Raven came in and joined the other birds about this carcass soon after the Golden Eagle came. The Condor were still hovering about over this carcass while the eagle fed. Some of the Raven were on the ground trying to filch a few bits of mutton when the Eagle was not looking. This Eagle was an adult. One adult condor flew northward over our camp, low, and lit in dead Big One spruce tree three hundred yards north of our camp. Six Condor were at the lower sheep carcass at 8:30 A.M., four of which were on the ground and two in the air above. The eagle had gone. The four Condor and about Twelve Raven that were all on the ground flapped and fought over the carcass.
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California Condor Eban McMillan 3 February 1964 Another adult Golden Eagle came in and landed on the lower sheep Carcass at 8:45 A.m. Most of the Condor and Raven about this Carcass flew into the air when this Eagle arrived. Condors came and went from the lower sheep Carcass, as also did the Eagle and Raven. at one time six Condor worked their way northward along the upper trail that traverses along the Top third of Hopper Mountain, about 200 yards below the summit. One of these Condor lit on the Point that sticks out from the Central ridge that goes up the east face of Hopper Mountain from the Sulphur Creek drainage. This bird had no more than alighted than three other Condor lit about fifty feet above it and immediately after alighting the last three Condor commenced Pocking at one another, or sort of Pushing their heads together, and performing what might be termed a Necking Party. This went on for about three minutes when all four of these Condor flew up and Joined the other Two Condor that had remained hovering about two-hundred feet above in the air. Two of these six Condor then flew down near our camp and circling over towards the Big-Cone Spruce Tree in which an adult Condor had been perched for some time, flushing this perching Condor from the tree by flying towards it. When the perched Condor left the tree all three Condor played about over our Camp chasing one another. [illegible] in the air. It should be strictly understood that at no time during all of our observations on Condor, this trip, have we made any attempt to Conceal ourselves, or to limit our activities. A good sized Campfire has been burning at our Camp during all of the time that the Condor -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 February 1964 activities were carried on. During this activity several occasions occurred when several condor would come and circle directly over our camp. I exposed two rolls, or 38 exposures of 35mm film on condor in flight over our camp. A 400 mm lens was mounted on a gunstock for this purpose and when pointed at the condor to photograph them in flight caused no unusual reaction from the birds. At 9:40 A.M., an immature condor was seen circling to the north of the ridge, north of our camp. This bird was seen on several occasions to the north of this ridge and circling above the north end of Hopper mountain but never did it come to join the other condor that fed around the lower sheep carcass. At 9:50 A.M., while the above mentioned immature condor was still circling to the north of Hopper mountain, nine condor were about the lower sheep carcass, one of which was a young ringed necked condor. This young condor seemed to enjoy unusual freedom among the other condor when feeding. At one time two adult condor and this immature ringed-neck condor were all around the lower sheep carcass together. When this ringed-necked immature fed on the carcass none of the adult condor attacked it; but when one of the adult condor fed on the carcass other adult condor would jump at it in a menacing way. Once when a golden eagle came in and lit on the carcass it flew down towards the young ring-neck condor that stood about six feet below. The young condor did not run nor fly away, and even moved towards the -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 February 1964 Golden Eagle. When the young condor came within one-foot of the Eagle, the Eagle flew away. I saw adult condor retreat from the advances of the Golden Eagle on several occasions. While this feeding was going on some Raven, or Condor, and at times the Golden Eagle, hovered in the air over the sheep carcass, while other birds fed. On one occasion an adult Condor and the Ring-neck bird were slowly lowering themselves from above to alight near the lower sheep carcass. As they let themselves down [illegible] that were also hovering nearby made several dives at the Condors from above, striking the tail of the young Ring-neck Condor several time, it so appeared. After the young Condor lit on the ground about four feet below the sheep carcass several Raven dove at its head. The young Condor would drop its head quickly each time a [illegible] would dive at it. Carl Buchholzer, Ann and I watched this feeding operation from an open hillside about 100 ft. to the Southwest of our camp. We were in plain sight of the Condor, and other birds, while they were feeding on the ground, and when in the air, they were likewise always in sight unless [illegible] they moved downward and got behind the large live Oak trees directly below our camp. At 10:10 A.M., the immature Ring-necked Condor flew up from among the other Condors, that were feeding on the lower sheep carcass, and moved over above our camp, where it circled about for about five minutes, seeming to be rather inquisitive as it watched us move about. We assumed this bird to be about 21 months old. This could be wrong - It showed dull, spotted white,
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 February 1964 under its wings. Its head was thin, small, and black except for a short ring of about two inches at the base of its neck where the bare head emerges from the neck feathers. When this immature condor left our camp area it returned and landed on ground by other condors, and Ravens, that were feeding on the lower sheep carcass. The lower sheep carcass on which the condors had fed had been dragged downhill about 100 feet. The less remained of this sheep carcass the farther it continued to be dragged, and the more the condors fought over it. A Golden Eagle came and dove at two condors that were hovering in the air about twenty feet above the sheep carcass. Those dives were rather slow and did not seem to concern the condor much. At 11:00 A.M. we left our camp in the pickup and drove to the top of the ridge above where the lower sheep carcass had been left. We had observed condor leaving the area of the sheep carcass as we were breaking camp and assumed all the birds had flown above Hopper mountain, or gone out of sight northward. Stopping the pickup on the brow of the ridge we walked down to look over the brow of the hill to where the sheep carcass had been dragged in order that we might inspect what was left of the sheep carcass. Looking over the brow of this ridge we saw three adult and the imm. Bingham-headed condor standing around the remains of this carcass which was now about sixty feet below where we stood. The condors saw us as we looked over the brow of the ridge but remained about the carcass for about two minutes before they leisurely flew up into the air and circled above us for two or three minutes before going -
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California Condor Eben McMullan 3 January 1964 up to join other condors that were now circling and lighting near the other sheep carcass that was put out up the ridge at the limit of vehicular traffic. We inspected the remains of the lower sheep carcass. No sign remained of the jackrabbit we had left near this place. The sheep carcass was now limited to hide and bones. The bones were all outside of the hide with the exception of the leg bones from the hocks out towards the hoofs. The skull and neck were intact, the nose having been eaten, and the lips. Everything else edible was missing. Some of the smaller ribs had been broken and were missing. A secondary wing feather from a condor was found near the carcass. It was while discussing the manner in which the condor, raven, and eagle had cleaned this sheep carcass and the evident disconcern these condors showed towards us while feeding that we came upon the idea of National Audubon Society leasing the Percy property instead of having it leased to hunting interests as is the case now. Mr. Buchheister said he would take the matter up with Mr. Percy as we passed his ranch home on the way out. This we did. Mr. Eugene Percy not appearing opposed to the idea stated that he would have to take the matter up with his wife before he could give any firm commitment. We agreed to call Mr. Percy tomorrow evening to see what his thinking would be at that time. Looking back from the point under Castle Crags, as we left the Percy Ranch at 1:00 p.m., we saw condor still circling above the place where the upper sheep carcass—
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california Condor Eben McMILLAN 4 February 1964 Today I talked with Nick Lewis who has ranch properties on west side of Carissa Plains at headquarters of the San Juan River and in Cholame Valley to the East of the Cholame Rancho headquarters about five miles. Both of these areas are Potential Condor feeding grounds. To my question as to whether he had seen Condor of late Nick Lewis answered that the only Condor he had seen in recent years were several (more than one) that were feeding on a dead calf about one-half mile Northwest of the La Panza Ranch and just north of the Camarata Road. Mr. Lewis saw Condor here on two consecutive days, about Two Years ago. This is important evidence in that several different People saw Condor here about Two Years ago. I am quite sure this incident occurred about one year ago when Mr. Zimmermann of the La Panza Ranch hauled, two [illegible] that had died, to this place and left the carcasses. Mr. Zimmermann saw Condor here on this occasion as did Paul Freeborn and others. It merely Points up the fact that when Condor are around, people recognize them. This is not necessarily the case if Condor are flying by a given area, for even though Condor flew over the highway, that passes the La Panza Ranch, quite commonly last spring when sheep were in the Narajo Canyon and San Juan River areas, very few people, other than Ian and I ever saw them.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 6 February 1964 Mr. Bruce Murray, director of National Audubon Society's Wildlife Films, who with Mrs. Murray arrived at our home this evening having driven from Ventura today. They had stayed with John Tuft in Camarillo last night. Mr. Murray said that yesterday both he and Mrs. Murray had gone with John Tuft to the Cow Springs area in the Sespe Valley and had seen three Condor- flying over the White Cliffs to the east of the road Whiteacre about over the Whiteacre-Whiteacre Peak area, it would seem to me, from the description Mr. Murray gave me. He thought they were about between where the Old Cabin is at Squaw Flat and the Oil Well site on the knoll before road dips into Cow Springs drainage, when they saw the three Condor Circling for some minutes over the "White Cliffs to the east of the road". Mr. Murray thought all three Condor had White under their wings and Cooled heads. This was in the afternoon.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 7 February 1964 I drove to La Panza Ranch this afternoon. Jule Martin, who had been working cattle all day, up the river, told me that the temperature had been down to 16 degrees at the La Panza Ranch buildings the last two mornings and that things were looking pretty bad for the cattle. Jule said he had sheep on the plains near the mouth of Bitterwater Valley and at the New Well. He said he had seen no condor in that area. Budd Zimmerman, who works for Jule Martin, on La Panza Ranch, told me of seeing five condor at 3:00 p.m. on January 30, 1964 about one mile below the La Panza Camp on the San Juan River. This would place the area where these birds were seen to be on San Juan River between where Daystack Canyon enters the river and the camp corrals where Pilitas Canyon enters the San Juan River. Budd said three of these five condor were in the air circling while two were on the ground. He thought there must have been something dead near where the condor were but did not stop to investigate. John Bowman, whom I visited at his home, at Old La Panza, said he had seen nothing resembling condor for a long time. He said that his wife, [illegible], pays attention to things like that but that he seldom sees what kind of birds are around. Bowman was not home. I drove home via the Pines and San Juan River.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 9 February 1964 The Shepherd caring for a flock of Duke Martin sheep that are being Pastured to the NE of the Kern County Road at the Mouth of Bitterwater Canyon. This herder told me that a few more days would see all the available forage gone in this area and where the sheep would be moved would be a problem in that alfalfa fields were now being irrigated and would not stand sheep pasturing on them and hay, selling at twenty five dollars per ton thus making hay too expensive to feed the sheep. This herder had seen no condor. In fact he had never seen a condor although he had worked on the Curissa Plains herding sheep one Summer, and had worked at the La Panza Ranch for a time. He knew what condor were, but had never seen them having found about condor by word of mouth. Two dead sheep were to be seen from his mobile camp house. A young Basque Shepherd, who had been in the United States two years, was herding a large flock of ewes and lambs to the west of Highway 33 about two miles north of Taft, Kern County, told me at Two Sheep carcasses in the brush near his camp that had died within the last four days and nothing had fed on them yet. This shepherd knew condor, having seen them last September in the Cuyama Valley where he had herded sheep on stubble lands of a Mr. Calhoun. The Cuyama is the only place this man had seen condor. His patron, (employer) Is Leonard Bedart. The green forage in this area, among the atypical shrubs, is much better than is the case to the north of this location. Two Golden Eagle were seen circling southeast of San Emigdio Ranch Headquarters about one mile near the skyline at 1:15 P.M. Walter Shaylor, foreman at San Emigdio Ranch, had seen no —
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California Condor Eben McMillan 9 February 1964 Condor. This is rather unusual in that Mr. Slaytor said that many of the Cattle under his care had been dying during the last month. Most of the Adult Cattle that had died were heifers having their first Calv. Many of these heifers had lived in the process of giving birth to Calves only to have the newborn Calves die in the process. Walter Slaytor told me, waving his arm in a gesture to point out the area to the south and west of San Emigdio Canyon. "There are dead cattle scattered all through those hills!" Mr. Slaytor, in an attempt to better care for these Cattle, had just the last few days, moved all heifers that had not yet calved into a field, on the flats, that lies between the mouth of San Emigdio Canyon and Plito Canyon to the east and extends out onto the flat to highway 33. Slaytor feels he can watch the heifers closer in this smaller field. I must get back to this area as soon as possible for it seems incredible that Condor would not come to this source of food. I think Slaytor must have been overlooking Condor here. If this is the case, Condor should follow this herd of calving heifers down to the field on the flats where they are now held. Mr. Slaytor said he had about five hundred heifers in this field on the flat now and thought they should all calve within the next six weeks. This should furnish ample food for Condor. Green forage Grasses are in good shape on the San Emigdio ranch. Damp fogs that persisted through the last two months prevented the soil from drying out and held minimum temperatures above the freezing point. This fog no doubt inhibited the movement of Condor in areas where it prevailed throughout the daylight hours for weeks on end, but Mr. Slaytor thought that enough heifers and Calves-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 9 February 1964 died in the canyons above the fog belt to provide fresh food and Carcasses each day, I met Walter Fieguth, one of the [illegible] on the Tejon Ranch, near the old Tejon Headquarters. He had seen no Condor this winter. Mr. Fieguth attributed the ample green flora on the Tejon lowlands to the presence of fog, also. Even at the elevation of the old Tejon Headquarters, he said fog had persisted for weeks on end, with no let-up, this winter. According to Fieguth, higher elevations were too cold for grass to grow resulting in a shortage of forage there. Gib Dockensie had seen no Condor since observing the group of 24 birds on the flats at mouth of Pustoria Canyon on 26 October 1963. Gib told me that most all calves had been dropped on the Tejon Ranch and that Condor food was not as plentiful as had been the case last fall. He said that a man who stays on his father's place, above the Tejon Ranch in a south fork of Tejon Canyon, had seen two Condor about two weeks ago. Mr. Dockensie claims "I have seen Buzzards killed by Poison. on the road going up Tejon Canyon, near the forks of Chanac Canyon, I met Bill Koutnik who is a member of the group who rents area five for hunting purposes from Tejon Ranch. Mr. Koutnik comes from 1622 Highland Oaks, Arcadia, California and works for Aero-Jet General. He said most all members of [illegible] who hunt and lease Area 5 of Tejon Ranch work for Aero-Jet General. Koutnik said that most all members of Area 5 association are very well pleased with circumstances surrounding their lease and that a waiting list of 14 names is now on file in the event a vacancy occurs whereby new members can be taken into the group. Bill Koutnik stated that according to their agreement with Tejon Ranch —
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California Condor Eben McMullan 9 February 1964 that NO more than fifteen Deer could be killed and that a maximum of Eight hunters is all that would be allowed in the field on any given day. This group have a secretary who keeps record of all game killed. All game animals can be shot in open season. Koutnik said considerable Quail hunting was done on area five by his group and he thought about 200 quail had been taken. He did say that his figures of take could be in error for their secretary had not yet compiled the list for the 1963 hunting seasons, and that his figure of 200 quail taken was only an estimate. Mr. Koutnik was prepared to hunt after dark as his gun was equipped with a spotlight. Evidently Predator hunting is allowed by the Tejon company throughout the year or else he is just taking this liberty upon himself. I gathered from Bill Koutnik's conversation that the instructions given them to go by in hunting on area five of Tejon Ranch was quite detailed as he said the list of these instructions comprised about forty written pages of print. Evidently mention is made in these instructions as to what can be shot and what cannot be shot, for he (Mr. Koutnik) in answer to my question if he had seen any Eagles brought a detailed description of how he had seen an Eagle approach the place where he was sitting and after perching on the limb of a tree for some time the eagle had flown on its way. Had he not been instructed against shooting at certain objects I feel sure he would have mentioned shooting at the eagle. He did say that a Kenny Krebs, whom he sees in the area of area 5 quite regularly and whose camp he mentioned visiting, did have the foot of a large bird that had been found dead in Tejon Canyon. Koutnik thought from the size of the foot and the length of the talons that this was the foot of an Eagle. Koutnik had spent yesterday and today on area 5. Two other members of his group had been there also over the weekend. All had been repairing a cabin that is situated on area 5 and which the group use as an —
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california condor Eben Mcmillan 9 February 1964 overnight camping place. I have no doubt that Bill Koutnik and his group can be educated Towards the preservation of Condor and other large birds of prey. He mentioned that their group does not allow practice or target, Shooting other than in the immediate area surrounding their Camp. This, of course, to discourage frightening game as well as the protection of themselves when in the field. Were someone to approach these people, as well as all other hunting groupson Tejon Ranch property, with a well directed Circular of information relative to the need to protect all large birds I feel sure it would be met with a reasonable amount of appreciation from these people. Either the Tejon Ranch Company should be approached to do this through their wildlife representative or some organization like the National Audubon Society should take this matter up and see that it is done. I passed company with Bill Koutnik following a display he put on for me in calling Predatory mammals in so that he can shoot them. We had two separate objects with which he did the Calling. I must say his demonstration was most realistic and no doubt effective when in proper surroundings. It was dark, or late dusk, when he left down Tejon Canyon on his way to his home in Arcadia. I camped for the night, late, on the flats at the mouth of Pastoria Canyon, on Tejon Ranch property. It was cold. I overlooked mentioning that Bill Koutnik had also told me of seeing the Carcass of a good sized Buck deer yesterday, that was lying on a slope of the mountain, well above the hunting Camp on area 5 at Tejon Ranch, that had not been eaten by predators. He said that the eyes were gone but that otherwise it was just as it fell. Cold temperatures had it preserved it well. He thought it had been there for some time.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 February 1964 I was up at 6.30 A.M., It was quite cold and a dull smog covered the floor of the valley. I drove to Tejon Oil fields of Standard Oil Company and met Mr. L. Davis who alternates with Joe Brown in caring for the machinery at this site for Standard Oil Co. Mr. Davis told me that Joe Brown would be on the job tomorrow. L. Davis knows Condors well, He has lived for 28 years on the west side of highway 99 at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon. He told me that he has seen Condor many times in past years, but never more than eleven or twelve birds at one time. Many times he has seen Condor Circling above the mouth of Grapevine Canyon. He couldn't say whether Condor were more or less, common now than in times Past. He mentioned not paying much attention to Condor in the past, but that he would keep watch for them now. The Tejon Ranch Cowboys were moving cattle from one field to another, in the area west of the main Ranch headquarters in Tejon Canyon, one of the Cowboys with whom I talked told me that all the Calves had been dropped how and that branding would commence next weeks. Mrs. Jack Tautzen said that Jack had left no word of seeing any Condor lately, but that three Turkey Vultures had spent the night in the Tamarak trees near her home the night before last. She said that many Cattle had died during December and January, and earlier, on the Tejon property looked after by Jack, but that he had seen no Condor. I drove to White Wolf, northeast of Arvin and cooked my breakfast. It was clear, warm and calm there. Jack Tautzen came with a Truck to haul away some Bulls from the Corrals at White Wolf. He
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 February 1964 verified the statements given me by his wife that he had seen no Condor this winter. a heavy fall of Smog Covered the San Joaquin Valley floor. I drove to Caliente at 10:30 A.m. Mr. Lawrence Brown, who runs the general store there had heard of no one seeing Condor this winter. A Mr. William Peterson came to the Caliente Store while I was there. He works for Kenneth Mebane on a ranch east of Bena, near the mouth of Caliente Creek. He said that Condor have come to the Bena area quite regularly in years past but that he has not seen them there for at least a year. Lawrence Ralls came into Caliente Store at 11:30 A.m. He has a ranch up-river from Caliente in the Lion Trail grade area. He also works on the County Road Crew in the Caliente Creek area. Thought he might have seen a Condor off the Lion Trail Grade about a week ago, but when I told him that Condor only have white under the wings decided it was an immature Golden Eagle for it had white, above, at the base of its tail. Mr. Ralls did feel sure that in 1942 he saw great numbers of Condor feeding on Calves that had been killed by dogs in the Old Town area of Tehachapi Valley. This location is about two miles west of the present town of Tehachapi. He said that dogs would come every night and kill two or three Calves from a herd he was tending there. Condor would come during the day to feed on these Calves. When Ralls would be going out to feed the Cattle he would come upon great numbers of Condor feeding on the dead Calves that had usually been chased into a Canyon by the dogs before being killed -
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page 536 was skipped California Condor Eben McMillan 10 February 1964 As these Condor dashed about, getting into the air, after being surprised by Mr. Ralls sudden approach they would fill the sky. He thought there would have been well over a hundred of them. He said that on several occasions he had tried to ride up suddenly on horseback and rope one of these Condor, but they always were able to get elevation quick enough to get out of his way. There is little doubt but that these were Condor that Mr. Ralls saw in 1942. He established the date, or year, by remembering that the Second World War had just started when he went to work on this ranch in the Tehachapi Valley, and that the owner of the ranch got him deferred for a year after which he had to go to the service via the draft. Thus he places the date of this Condor observation sometime in 1942 as he went into service in 1943. As to the number of Condor, it is quite possible that the flock of 40 plus birds that Perry Sprague was reported to have seen on the Tejon Ranch (Craford Condor Report) about this same time could have been feeding in the Tehachapi Valley in 1942 when Mr. Ralls saw them. I have seen 18 Condor hurriedly leaving a steer carcass and being very hard to count. I have no doubt that 42 or so Condor, all getting into the air together, could easily give the impression of being more than 100 birds; and of course, Turkey vultures could have been mixed up in the melee. I stopped at the office of Fish and Game warden, Clanton, in Bakersfield. His only knowledge of Condor was that of the warden from the Mt. Pinos area who had sent his report to Dave Selleck, in Fresno, and reached us this way already: A Mr. Jack Root, Calif. Fish and Game warden stationed—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 February 1964 at Kernville, Calif., who was in Mr. Clanton's Office when I dropped in, stated he had seen Six Condor over Isabella Lake last Wednesday—when I commenced to write this observation down Mr. Roof changed his mind and said it could not have been Wednesday for he was at another location on that date. He finally thought it was about 1 February that he saw the Six Condor near French Gulch on the West Side of Isabella Lake. I do not put too much credence on this observation for Mr. Roof first mentioned Wednesday as though he were sure of the date. Then when he was aware that a record was being made of this matter, his memory failed him. I arrived at the Winter Field Office of Mr. Ben Easley, Mr. Easley manages the Rodent-Predator and Pest Control Branch of the Kern County Agricultural Commissioners Office. He was not in when I arrived, but came in from overseeing a Gopher Poisoning operation about 1:15 P.M. He said that Pests were not important in his operations during the Winter months, but that the Spring and Summer Seasons were his most active seasons. These are the periods when Squirrel Poison and Insect Control Programs are carried out. This is also the period when Ben Easley hires crews of men, and probably attends to the wants of many more people than is the case during the Fall and Summer months. Ben Easley said that Rodent control programs were in force both before and after the Margaret Brown Condor was found. That at the Time Mrs. Dorothy Albite found this dead Condor, that a Mr. George Moore, of [illegible], Kern County California, was his representative in overseeing the crew that was applying Compound 1080 Poison on Potted barley. It was Mr. Moore's job to see that all Bukanafield 538
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California Condor Eben McMullan 10 February 1964 Poisoned grain used in this squirrel poisoning campaign was weighed out to the persons who applied this 1080 material from horseback, and to see that all such poison was weighed back in at the completion of the job or at the end of the days work. This was done in order to prevent any compound 1080 treated grain falling into the hands of persons who might use it at their own descretion. Nevertheless, Mr. Easley did say that there are chances that some compound treated 1080 poison grain can fall into the hands of persons other than representatives of his Office. He mentioned one instance where one of the persons that was applying poison grain under the supervision of his man, made several requests for poison on the grounds that in a Canyon where he had been scattering the poison, great numbers of squirrels were making it necessary that he put out unusual quantities of poison. Upon investigation by Mr. Easley's representative, it was found that this person was [illegible] storing this poisoned grain in a heap, out of sight from others of the poison crew in the hope that he would not be detected of such practice and that he would return at another time, when no one was about, to get this poisoned grain that he might use it at his own discretion. Mr. Easley also informed me that he had taken as [illegible] many as 80 grains of compound 1080 treated [illegible] barley from the pouches of one dead squirrel. That the State of California has set a tentative maximum
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California Condor Ebou McMillan 10 February 1969 Of one ounce of Compound 1080 to one hundred pounds of grain when mixing squirrel poison. Pocket Copper Poison can be treated at two ounces per one hundred pounds of grain. Mr. Easley said that it was on the property belonging to Mrs. E.L. Taughin that is approximately two miles Southwest of Granite Station, that is about 20 miles North by Northeast of Bakersfield, Kern County California, that the Margaret Brown Condor was found. Mr. Ben Easley also informed me that his office has as many as six crews of squirrel poisoning persons going in Kern County at the same time. This usually in the months of May-June and July and on occasions well up into September. In the Summer months of 1956 one crew of men poisoned squirrels on the San Emidio Ranch for sixty-four days. On one area of the San Emidio Ranch property crews under Mr. Easleys supervision were applying as much as hree hundred pounds of poisoned grain to an acre. That in the process of making a test on the [illegible] Galanini property West of Inclifflick, Kern County California that a plot one-quarter mile long and one hundred fifty yards wide was treated with poisoned wheat that had been mixed with Compound 1080 at the rate of two ounces per hundred pounds of grain. Following this application sixty dead squirrels were found on top of the ground inside this test area. In a like area that had been treated with- [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
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California Condor. Eben McMillan 10 February 1964 grain that had been treated with Thallium Poison, NO dead squirrels were found on the surface of the ground, Ben Easley thinks compound 1080 commenced being used as a mixture to poison squirrels in 1946. Mr. Easley again stated that his thinking regarding the death of the Margaret Brown Condor was that this bird had fed on young squirrels that had filled their pouches with this compound 1080 Poisoned grain before dying. They being quite small the Condor swallowed them whole. Mr. Easley thought the pouches of three of four young squirrels would hold enough poisoned grain to kill anything. 1080 poison that is. Easley thinks five grains of 1080 treated grain will kill a ground squirrel. He thinks 100 grains of 1080 treated grain would kill any warm blooded animal. In referring to squirrels, Dr. Ground squirrels, in the past, the species in mind has been (Citellus Beachyji) - California Ground squirrel. Ben Easley told me of seeing Twenty-Two Turkey Buzzards coming from Cottonwood trees near Old River, about 8 miles south of Bakersfield Yesterday morning.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 12 February, 1964 at 2:00 p.m. Today Jan and I met with Mr. William Hansen, the present Supervisor of Las Padres National Forest, in his office in Santa Barbara, California. Mr. Hansen had called us to this meeting. Mr. Hansen came quickly to the point and the reason why he wanted to see us. It seems that, according to him, the local Santa Barbara Chapter of the Audubon Society and the Las Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club are strongly opposing the construction of a road along the Sierra Madre ridge that would open this area to public use as well as making firefighting in this area more efficient. So Mr. Hansen says, These two organizations are using the argument that the Sesquoc Condor Sanctuary, a very important facet in the preservation of Condor, would be nullified were this road to be constructed and the general public allowed in to use it. Mr. Hansen merely wanted a statement from us regarding our present findings relative to value of this sanctuary to Condor welfare. Of course he was told that, as yet, we had no definite findings on the association of this sanctuary to Condor welfare, and that until we completed the study we could not make a commitment in this regard. Jan did mention that were Mr. Hansen to make a formal written request to us in this matter that it would be taken up with the Director, or Directors, of the study for their approval. Mr. Hansen stated that he thought the lack of food to be the critical factor in the present welfare of Condor,
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 February 1964 A cold North wind was blowing, with cloud remains, from a storm front that had passed quickly through the area last night, banding on the Temblor and adjoining mountain ranges as it drove down the Bitterwater valley at 8:00 A.M. What grass remained along the route had been turned browner by the cold weather of the last few mornings. The shepherd with whom I had talked last Sunday at the mouth of the Bitterwater valley had moved away. Another shepherd, herding a flock of sheep on the grassless plain, two miles southeast of Blackwalls Corner near the roadside of highway 33 was burning the heaps of Russian Thistle that had lodged in a ditch, in order to warm himself, as I stopped to talk with him. He said he had been in this area two days with his flock of sheep. That his boss had to move the sheep from alfalfa fields near Modesto, California, in order that the farmers could commence irrigating their alfalfa. This harder suit that his boss, Antoine, had rented the pasture, he was now on, from Jake Martins. That even though there was no forage plants on this bare plain, that he had no where else to go. Therefore the sheep would be held here and fed hay if necessary, to keep them alive, until rains come to bring on green feed. This shepherd knew nothing of condor and probably would never become interested in watching for them, so I left him at his bonfire. At 10:45 A.M. I arrived in the field, out on the flats, in front of the mouths of Plieto and Plietito Canyons that are on the San Emigdio Ranch about twenty miles south of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. It had been cold here also as was evidenced by grass that had been green when I was here last Sunday, and had now turned brown and withered to nothing. The North-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 February 1964 Wind was picking up soil from the freshly cultivated fields along highway 33 and carrying same towards the mountains as clouds of dust. Dark clouds over Frazier and Pinos mountain masses, appeared to be releasing some moisture, probably in the form of snow flurries. I remained along the south boundary of this field the remainder of this day watching for Condor that might be attracted to this area by the placental remains following birth of calves by several of the many [illegible] that have been left in this field to calve out so that better watch could be kept over them to minimize the deaths that had been occurring among these [illegible] of late before they were moved out of the mountains into this field. Several of the [illegible] themselves had died in the process of giving birth to calves since being moved to this field and several calves had died while the [illegible] had survived in the process. An intense sonic boom reverberated throughout the area at 11:00 A.M. from a high flying plane that left short contrails at a high altitude. A band of about thirty horses that had been feeding near where I was parked all dashed away excitedly following this sonic boom. As far as I could see, no cattle reacted to this explosive sound. I watched a pigeon hawk sit on a post about one hundred feet from where I parked in the car. This hawk paid no attention to my movements, even when I got out of the car to adjust my telescope. This bird continued to watch the sky above it frequently as if expecting enemy action from above.
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California Condor. Eben Dittmiller 13 February 1964 This hawk flew off towards the east at 11:53 A.M. after remaining on the post for twenty-eight minutes. A Golden Eagle was seen circling above the flat near the mouth of Plieto Canyon at 11:53 A.M. After circling this area for some time this eagle flew northward about one-half mile and continued circling again over an area that was thickly covered with dry Russianthistle bushes. At 12:30 P.M. this eagle was joined by two more of its kind. All circled above this area that was now about one quarter mile north of where I was parked. Poor lighting conditions had prevented my establishing if any of these eagles were immature until 12:35 when the sun shone brightly and it was now possible to see that two of these birds were immature, or, had white at the base of their tails. I could not make out any white markings in their wings. One of the immature eagles, of the three mentioned above, dove three times at the adult eagle. The adult eluded these dives by diving away, downward, turning and twisting while in the dive. One immature eagle flew out northwestward until out of sight at 12:40 P.M. The other two eagles left eastward following the foothills at 12:42 P.M. Joe Kinney, one of the San Emigdio Ranch Cowboys, who had been inspecting the heifers in this field, came my way and stopped to talk at 4:00 P.M. He told me of three heifers that had died calving the last two days in this field that I had been watching. He also said that several heifers had lost their calves at birth here also within the last few days. Mr. Kinney and I discussed factors —
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California Condor. Eben McMillan 13 February 1964 that might lead to the death of so many of the San Emigdio Ranch heifers when giving birth to their first Calves as well as so many Calves being born dead. Mr. Kinney thought the problem stemmed from the heifers having been Too fat during the fall months. That the good grass that Covered the hills of San Emigdio Ranch last fall had fattened the heifers whereby the embryo within the Pregnant animals had over-developed whereby the Calf, at time of birth, was Too large to pass through the pelvic arch of the mother. Mr. Kinney related to me how he, and some helpers, had pulled on a calf with a truck To the point of pulling a leg off this calf's body and this not extracting the calf's body from the Cow. He also mentioned having tried to push his hand inside the cow in order to feel what held another calf from coming out. In this effort he was prevented from getting his hand past the pelvic arch due to insufficient room. Even when the heifer would relax from straining he could still not force his hand between the calf's calf's head and neck that were already protruding from the cow's vaginal opening. Joe Kinney said he had seen no Condor on the San Emigdio Ranch, although he professed to be acquainted with this bird from having had one come and feed with a flock of Buzzards, on the carcass of a dead cow, in 1957, at the Jordan Ranch that is located about five miles Northwest of the town of Agoura, in extreme Southeast Ventura County, California. This Condor remained in the vicinity of this carcass, with the buzzards, for several days. Mr and Mrs. Jordan, who owned this ranch at that time, were—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 February 1964 Known as Fibber McGee, and Molly, in the entertainment world. Mr. Kinney was managing this ranch for the Jordans at that time. At 4:15 p.m. I drove to Ranch headquarters of San Emigdio Ranch. Eight Turkey Buzzards were circling above the tops of the Eucalyptus trees that line the driveway entering the ranch yard. These birds later settled in the top of one of those tall trees about Sunset. I met Smokey Snyder, another San Emigdio employee who had been working for the last two weeks in the mountain area south of the Ranch headquarters. He said that large birds can be seen most times during the day in the back country of the San Emigdio property, he advised me to go into Plietito Canyon tomorrow and see if there were not condor there. At dusk, an immature Golden Eagle was observed perched atop a Russian Thistle bush that had been turned topside-down. I stopped the car within one hundred feet of this Eagle and watched it for about a minute before it flew, heavily, to the foothills one-quarter mile south and landed on a gentle slope of the hills. I drove on and camped for the night near the mouth of Plietito Canyon.
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california condor Eban Mcmillan 14 February 1964 up at 6:45 A.m. it was clear-calm and cold. Ice had formed on water seeping from a leaking pipe. I drove up ridge between plieto and plietiato canyons. Red-tailed hawks were hunting over the open grassland. In left fork of plietieto canyon the carcass of a dead cow was lying near the roadway. Investigation showed that nothing had fed from this carcass even though it was still in an edible state, due to the cold weather that had kept putrification to a minimum. Continuing over a low ridge into the west fork of plietieto canyon I came upon the carcass of another cow with the remains of a dead calf lying about five feet behind it. From here I drove to a pass between plietieto and san Emigdio canyons that overlooks The Devils Kitchen area of San Emigdio Canyon and halted to cook my breakfast. Golden Eagle were seen from time to time and Red-tailed-hawks could be seen most of the time. At 9:55 A.m. Two adult Condor came gliding in, above the flat to the North of where I was located, on set wings, coming from what appeared to be the West flank of Brush mountain and the Blue Ridge area. Both were adult birds with no apparent defects in their plumage, crossing above the flat to my North, that is at the head of the west fork of plietito Canyon and in which a barbed-wire holding corral is located. These Condors then circled for several minutes above the low range of hills north of this flat before sailing off northeastward to an area near the headwaters of plietito Canyon where they again circled until 10:07 A.m.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 February 1964 when they both then sailed eastward and passed from sight behind hill southwest of Three Springs at 10:09 A.M. heading towards the Tejon flats. I drove to Williams Canyon at 10:30 A.M. This is the west fork of the headwaters of San Emigdio Canyon. Leaving my car at the mouth of Williams Canyon I hiked southwest, up this canyon for about one mile. Ground squirrels were literally, "all over the place", in Williams Canyon. Their whistling was continuous as one drew their attention as he walked along. Three separate Golden Eagle were seen in this canyon. Two deer were observed lying down, on the top of the high ridge to the west side of Williams Canyon, but in the open grassland. Returning to my car, after hiking in Williams Canyon, I then drove up Devil's Kitchen, this being the southeast fork of the headwaters of San Emigdio Canyon. At the end of Progress, with a car up this canyon, about one-half mile, I found the carcass of a calf that appeared to have been eaten on by condor, I photographed this carcass and turned back towards the foothills. In the west fork of Pleitito Canyon, about one- quarter mile above the forks, and in the very bottom of a narrow ditch close by the roadway, I came upon the carcass of another heifer with a small calf lying about ten feet behind it. This calf was well decomposed, but the cow, even though it smelled somewhat putrid was nevertheless intact with apparently edible flesh remaining on its corpse, but there was no sign of anything having commenced to eat on either the calf, or the cow.
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california condor Eben McMillan 14 February 1969 There remains ample forage for cattle in the Mountains of the San Emigdio Ranch. The ground is still protected with a good cover of old grass and the new grasses, where having been inhibited somewhat in growth by the cold weather, nevertheless is furnishing all livestock in this area all the forage they need to be doing well. At 1:05 two Golden Eagle moved along the west slope of pleitito canyon. On ridge between pleitito and pleito canyons a heifer was lying dead about one hundred yards northwest of the cement trough that is located on ridge above where the crossroads meet. This animal appeared to have been dead about a month and showed no signs of ever having been eaten on. Four dead heifers were observed on the grassland area on the west side of pleito canyon. All were within a mile of one another. All were near the roadway. All appeared to have been about a month old. None of these carcasses appeared to have been eaten on by any scavenger. I was on the west side of pleito canyon in the area around the Cow Camp from 2:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Golden eagles were in sight in this area nearly all the time I remained there. At one time three Eagles were circling together. At 2:35 p.m. I flushed two immature Golden Eagles from near the roadside one mile south of the Cow Camp. These birds flushed as I came around a bend. As they left they appeared to have been laden with food. A determined search of the steep hillside from which they flushed turned up no sign of the remains of prey objects. California Ground Squirrels -
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were extremely plentiful in the large swales and basins that are so common a part of the geology of the area East of Pleito Canyon. There could have been as many as fifty of these mammals standing or running about one den of holes that would not have been more than seventy- five feet square. At 4:30 p.m. I left the San Emigdio Ranch and returned home via Bakersfield, California. A map I was formally using, according to my present map and California Place Names "Gudde", had misspelled the name Pleito that is given to the second large canyon to the east of the San Emigdio Ranch headquarters. A smaller canyon between these two named Pleitito Canyon was also misspelled. I have been using the spelling Plieto and Plietito Canyons which according to the above sources is wrong. In the future the correct spelling, as above, will be used.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 February 1964 Ian came at 3:50 A.m. and we left for Fillmore immediately, arriving there at 7:45 A.m. Ian left me at the Night-Camp of the Percy's in the mouth of Hopper Canyon while he drove on towards the Little Sespe, and Cow Springs, where he was to watch for Condor and time his observations, so that we could establish whether the Condor that were being seen in the Agua Blanca and Whiteacre peak area were the same birds that we see in the Hopper Mountain and Hopper Canyon areas. I loaded my pack into Eugene Percy's jeep and rode with him to his Hopper Mountain Ranch. I had brought with me a sack full of rabbits and a white housecat that had been either run over on the roads, or shot. Mr. Percy drove me on ridge between Soda and Sulphur creeks where I put out two Jackrabbit carcasses at the upper limits of automobile travel, on this ridge, and one Jackrabbit and one Cottontail carcass on this ridge where the road passes over from Soda to Sulphur creeks, about one mile north-west of the Percy Ranch home. The cat and the remaining rabbits, I kept in the sack leaving them with my pack at the Bear Tree Cotrol above the Percy home. The last of these carcasses were put out on Soda-Sulphur ridge at 9:30 A.m. At 9:40 A.m. two Ravens and one immature Golden Eagle were seen circling above the area where the upper carcasses had been left on Soda-Sulphur ridge. At 9:45 An adult Golden Eagle moved northward along the upper reaches of Soda Canyon hunting close to the ground as it went. As this eagle came around the south end of Hopper Mountain to where it could see the upper rabbit carcasses, it immediately dropped down to where they were. From where I stood, near the Bear Tree —
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 18 February 1964 Corral, I could not see the area where the rabbit Carcasses lay nor where the birds were lighting or appearing to be lighting on the ground. I hiked to the Carcass of a Dead Bull that Eugene Percy had shown me and which he said had died of Malignant Edema some five or six days before. The Carcass of this Bull lay in a swale about one-quarter mile south of the Bear Tree Corrals. I photographed the Carcass of this bull, with both color and black and white film. It was badly swelled with the front and back legs on the upper side, sticking at a 90 degree angle into the air. There were signs about this Carcass where birds had been walking on the ground, mostly about the rear end. Some feathers were scattered about near the bull carcass also, but nothing could be found that would indicate that Condor had been near this Carcass. Eugene Percy told me that he had seen a flock of Turkey Buzzards, circling above where this Carcass lay, about three days ago. These were the first buzzards he had seen this spring. Mr. Percy also said that he understood the Bull was to have been vaccinated against Malignant Edema before he purchased it. He thought someone overlooked doing this or else someone inexperienced in handling a vaccine needle might have done the job of vaccinating this bull and not performed the operation properly. He thought the new vaccines for Malignant Edema, when properly applied, were nearly 100 percent perfect. Mr. Percy had purchased this bull as a replacement for another bull he had lost last winter. I hiked up soda-sulphur ridge at 10:50 A.M. to where the Lower Jackrabbit and Cottontail Carcasses lay—Nothing—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 February 1964 had molested them by this time. At 11:00 A.M. I Passed by the place where I had placed the two Jackrabbit carcasses earlier this morning. No birds of any sort were in sight nor were any remains of the two jackrabbits to be found anywhere. After searching the area thoroughly, thinking that some creature might have dragged one, or both, rabbit carcasses away some distance, I found no sign of the rabbit carcasses in the area. I hiked north along the east face of Hopper Mountain to where the Pole Canyon road comes out on top of Hopper Rim. Following the road northward along Hopper Rim for about one-quarter mile I observed two separate automobile tracks that had gone on out this road, and returned, since the last rains. One set of tracks that had been made not long after the last rain storm had torn the road up considerably. When these tracks were left, it was still quite muddy for the vehicle slid back and forth as it progressed on out the bridge. Returning it experienced some difficulty and in one place appeared to have become stalled until a tire chain was mounted on the left rear wheel. A second vehicle had passed up Pole Canyon Road and out along Hopper Rim within the last few days. This car left dim tracks due to the cementing of the road surface following the mixing up of the surface by the early car. Nevertheless, in places one could easily see the tracks of this late vehicle that appeared from these tracks to have been made by a light weight vehicle that did not have heavy tread on its tires. At 12:11 P.M. Two adult Condor flew southward, swiftly, over the crossroads at Pole Canyon-Hopper Rim and Hopper Mountain These Condor dropped from sight behind the northeast face of -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 February 1964 Hopper Mountain. I hiked hurriedly southward, through the growth of chaparral scrub that grows on the northeast face of Hopper mountain, to where I could see the Soda-Sulphur ridge on which the Rabbit Carcasses had been left. At 12:22, emerging on the south side of this brush patch, I saw two adult Condor and one immature Golden Eagle on the ground in the general area where I had left the two rabbits at the lower location where the road passes from Soda to Sulphur creeks. Both Condor were standing about fifteen feet from where the eagle was. The Condor appeared to be feeding on one of the rabbit carcasses. The imm. eagle appeared to be watching the Condor. The immature eagle left the ridge where it was sitting at 12:24 pm. Due to poor lighting conditions I could not follow the flight of this eagle. At 12:27 pm, after I had hiked some distance along the face of Hopper mountain, mostly in sight of the Condors, one Condor flew from where the two Condor had been on the ground. The other Condor continued to pull at something until 12:30 pm. When it too raised into the air. Watching this last Condor closely with the binoculars I noticed something fall from its grasp; either from its talons or beak, after the bird had gained about two hundred feet of altitude. Marking where this object, that the Condor had dropped, fell, I proceeded on down the ridge and found that the object the last Condor had dropped was the skin and legs of the cottontail rabbit that I had left, some one hundred feet from where I now found this morning. No meat was left on this skin. Only the legs and fur covered skin.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 February 1964 Both these adult Condor remained circling above sulphur Creek for some time. Neither came close enough for me to identify them by missing feathers. An adult golden eagle stooped at one of these Condor and drove it close to the hillside on the brush Covered, North, face of Sulphur Canyon. This eagle continued to drive at this Condor until it left Sulphur Canyon and flew out of sight around the east face of Sulphur creek at 12:35 P.M. The other adult Condor soon followed, heading up Hopper Canyon. Three Golden Eagle were circling above the east top of Hopper Mountain at 12:39 P.M. Except for brief periods of time during the day, Red-tailed hawk and Golden Eagle could be seen flying somewhere in the area. The red-tailed-hawks were all immatures. I saw at least two adult golden eagle and at least as many immature eagles. One of the immature Golden Eagles was undoubtedly a specimen that had been here for some time and had been seen on other occasions. It has long white stripes under the outer wings and the tail is very white. At 3:56 P.M. an immature Condor came out eastward over the top of Hopper Mountain. It moved on eastward, then northeastward over North Sulphur Creek ridge and went out of sight behind this ridge momentarily before returning again to area above Hopper Mountain where it sat on the wind, that was blowing strongly from the east, until 4:06 P.M. when it flew out of sight through North Sulphur Creek pass at 4:08 P.M. During the twelve minutes this bird was in the area it made only three complete circles. Otherwise it faced into the wind continually, drifting backwards, forward or side-slipping to one side or another, or lowering-
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California condor Eben Dychmillan 18 February 1964 or elevating, perpendicularly, for great distances of perhaps three hundred feet at a time. While watching this condor, and the other large birds hereabouts, sitting on the wind above Hopper mountain, there appeared to be one small area that lay near the top and above a swale that faced into the wind, a dead-air space created difficulty for them to maneuver over. The first bird I saw pass over this area was an immature red-tailed hawk. When this hawk hit this area it commenced beating its wings more rapidly than I had ever observed these hawks do so before, and it appeared for a time that it was going to be forced to land in order to get out of trouble; but it did make its way out after about fifteen seconds had passed. Later I saw the young condor get trapped over this same dead-air space. The young condor experienced considerable difficulty in setting past this space having to pump its wings quite fast, but did seem to be more maneuverable in this situation than was the hawk that is mentioned above. At 4:17 p.m. an immature condor came from the north, down Hopper rim, and remained sitting on the wind above Hopper mountain. This immature condor appeared the same as did the bird that was here only a few minutes before. It had considerable muddy white under the wings with the patch of longer muddy-white feathers next to the body. The head appeared dark. The color was soft dark-brown with no sheen. The wings and tail were without feather gaps and the tail was long. When Ian and I were here in Sulphur Creek with Carl Buchheister on February 2 and 3 we saw an immature condor about Hopper mountain that kept to
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 February 1964 itself and when it did approach other condor was driven away. Also, on February 2 we saw a ringed-neck immature condor feeding with several other condor on soda-sulphur ridge that appeared to be accepted into the group of condor and even seemed to be allowed privileges of crowding in to feed that would not have been permitted to adult members of this flock. This bird, or any of the immature condor seen today were not close enough to see if they had ringed necks. This immature condor passed to the north, and out of sight, at 4:26 p.m. At 4:28 p.m. 58 turkey buzzards were seen moving north, in a tight group, but over the east side of Hopper Canyon across from the Percy ranch home. The strong east wind impeded their northward progress and after about 4:38 p.m. this flock broke up and dropped below the horizon, presumably to roost for the night. At 4:42 p.m. an immature condor was seen circling over the north end of Hopper Mountain in company with an adult Golden Eagle. The young condor was holding a position about fifty feet above the eagle and a short distance farther eastward into the wind. Both birds held this position for about six minutes when the eagle gained altitude quickly, just above and behind the young condor and then chased the condor down into the northwest arm of Sulphur Creek and out through the north sulphur pass at 4:49 p.m. An immature golden eagle spent several minutes playing with objects that it would pick up from the ground, on the east slope and near the top of Hopper Mountain. The strong east wind made it possible for this eagle to drop down and pick up an object from—
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California Condor Ben McMillan 18 February 1964 the surface of the ground then take off into the air again without flapping its wings either in alighting or leaving. The objects it picked up from time to time appeared to be light in weight and when carried aloft for one-hundred feet or so and dropped would fall to the earth rather slowly. These objects were probably dried Cow dung. The young eagle gambol ed about on the wind repeating this dropping down to pick up an object and carry it aloft where it would be dropped for five minutes before moving on northward and out of sight. At 5:15 p.m. an adult Golden Eagle was observed making three buptial dives out over the center of Hopper Canyon Northwest of the Percy ranch home. At 5:16 p.m. a Pigeon Hawk, coming from the Southwest, passed above me on Soda-sulphur ridge only a few feet away. This bird continued on up Hopper Canyon, quite high, into the strong wind. The sun set clear and somewhat on the calm side as the east wind died down to a strong breeze at sunset. The air was sharp with little haze or smog.
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California condor Eben Mcmillan 19 February, 1964 The day broke clear, fair and mild. Little if any smog could be seen in the Santa Clara Valley or any of its neighboring areas. A mild east wind was blowing gently. I packed up and hiked to Sulphur Canyon, via the roadway that goes from Bear Tree Corrals. As I topped out on Soda-Sulphur Ridge I put out two cottontail rabbit carcasses that I had brought and the carcass of a large white housecat that Gregory, my son, had killed at my place about five days ago. The white cat and one cottontail were placed out on the point above where the road crosses over ridge from Soda to Sulphur creeks and in view of the Sulphur Creek campsite and were left at a distance of about ten feet from one another. The remaining cottontail placed about fifty feet to the south of the other rabbit and cat, and about ten feet from the brow of a rise over which I could not see from the Sulphur creek camp. This done I hiked down to Sulphur Creek Campsite and stationed myself out in the center of the flat on which the old oil well site is located. Out of a flock of 23 deer that were grazing on the open south facing hillside one-half mile north of the Percy home were six bucks. All six had good [illegible], with two pair of fine antlers. At one time three of these buck deer, with one of the larger of the group included, sparred with their horns locked together, pushing one another buck and forth. A younger and much smaller buck seemed able to best the big buck. Among this group of deer were a fawn and a yearling that played a sort of follow the leader game. One would dash across a swale on the steep hillside and run swale at full speed out onto a point beyond the [illegible] about-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 February 1964 Two hundred yards, to be followed in turn by the other. After playing together on this point, both would come dashing back to where the remainder of the deer fed in the swale. Both these young deer would run much faster than one sees them go when running in a group or singularly, and as they dashed away they continued to kick up small geysers of dust that when caught in the early morning rays of the sun, gave detailed report of where the deer were going and at what speed. Otherwise the light was not good for observation on the hillside where the two young deer played. Vulture Seven turkey buzzards passed along the east face of Hopper Mountain at 8:10 A.M., continuing their way northward without any hesitation. A flock of six Raven came north out of Soda Creek at 8:20 A.M., and passing about one hundred feet uphill from where the Cut and rabbits lay, either missed seeing them, or completely ignored them. At 9:00 A.M. Two Raven hovered over the area where the Carcasses were, but failed to drop down on them, or near them. At 9:10 Two Raven came and dropped on ground near the Cotton tail that was south of the other. Two Corcassos but soon both birds flew northward and lit in a tall, dead, spruce tree that stands about one quarter mile north of the Sulphur Creek Campsite. Condor At 9:18 A.M. An adult Condor was seen circling below the timbered point north of Percy home at east end of Soda-Sulphur ridge. This bird was seen only for a moment before it went from sight southward. Condor At 9:32 A.M. An adult Condor came up Hopper Canyon opposite Percy home, but over the center of the Canyon and at an elevation -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 February 1964 about equal to the horizon from where I was at Sulphur Creek Camp. This Condor continued up Hopper Canyon to a point about even with Sulphur Creek when it turned Northeast and headed towards the Piru area. At 9:35 A.M. it dropped from my sight flying along the ridge, Northward, between Hopper and Piru Canyons. At 10:45 an adult Condor came out over east top of Hopper Mountain. This bird had fifth Primary missing from right wing and one feather gap in secondary wing feathers on right wing about 1/3 way out from body. See diagram below. Right wing Left wing This bird circled above Hopper Mountain briefly and sailed out of sight Northward at 10:47 A.M. At 10:56 A.M. an immature Condor came from the North, sails down over South Hopper Mountain, then reverses its direction and after circling some over North Hopper Mountain briefly, moved on north along Hopper rim at 11:00 A.M. At 11:48 A.M. a Golden Eagle came in and lit on ground near Cottontail rabbit carcass that had been placed fifty or eighty feet from the other carcasses. At 11:50 A.M. an adult Condor came directly into the area and lit on the ground near where the eagle was. The Eagle then flew up from the ground and attacked the Condor causing it to fly also. As the eagle dove at the Condor it appeared to touch it on the back with its Talons, off feet. The Condor did not seem to be overly afraid of the eagles advances. This at 11:50 A.M.. At 11:54 the Condor-
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California Condor Eden McMullan 19 February 1964 Returned and landed near the isolated Cottontail Rabbit. It walked around this rabbit carcass two or three times appearing very Suspicious. When it did reach out to pick at the rabbit carcass it stood away and reached as far as it could by stretching out its Neck and leaning forward as if trying to reach the carcass from as far away as it possibly could. See diagram below. This Condor seemed to think the rabbit was going to jump up and attack it. After considerable reaching towards the Cottontail Carcass this Condor finally picked it up. When the Cottontail Carcass moved as the Condor pulled at it the bird dropped its hold and jumped away flapping its wings. This was repeated three times. Each time the Condor would move the rabbit carcass a few feet before dropping it and flying or jumping back out of the way. Several raven came in and one landed near the rabbit Carcass while the Condor was about ten feet away. The Condor ran at the raven and frightened it into the air. The Condor Continued to tug and jump away from the rabbit carcass until it was dragged out of sight from where I sat. At 12:00 Noon two more Condor came into where the one Condor and several raven were interested in the Cottontail Carcass that had now been dragged from sight from where I sat. One of these last two Condor dropped down out of sight where rabbit carcass was. This Condor and the one that was formerly there must have been competing over the Cottontail Carcass for I could see their wings flapping above -
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California Condor Eben D. McMillan 19 February 1964 low ridge that kept them from my view. Two more Condor came in from the north, quite high, and joined the one Condor that was still circling at 12:05 P.M. One of these last Condor had a wide gap in the feathers of the right wing next to its body and another small gap in right wing about one-half way out from the body. The other Condor had gap in left wing near body. See diagram below- [sketch 1: Condor with labeled wings: Right wing, Left wing, L.W., R.W.] Five Condor were circling above me at 12:08. One was thusly marked [RW] One was thusly marked [RW] One was thusly marked [RW] Six Condor circling or feeding at 12:17 P.M. Seven Condor " " " " 12:20 P.M. An immature had just come in from the north and was immediately pursued by two adults and ran out to the north. One Condor now circling could be seen to have feather defects thusly [RW] Seven Condor circling above Sulphur Canyon Camp at 12:25 P.M. Six of these were [illegible] adults - The immature was by itself much -
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california Condor Eben Macmillan 19 February 1964 higher than the others. Three Condor including the immature flew north up towards Hole-in-the-wall at 12:26 p.m. Two adult Condor remained and circle the area near where the White Cat and the remaining Cottontail rabbit lay. One of these remaining two Condor had gap in its right wing 5/8 of the way out from its body, while the other was the bird with the two gaps in the left wing. These Two Condor left to the north through North Sulphur Pass at 12:35. An immature Condor came out over Hopper Mountain at 12:36 P.m. and moved out of sight northward at 12:39 p.m. The significant matters in today's observations are as follows. Having been able to find distinguishing marks on at least six of the Condor I saw today. Having observed that the young Condor was being discouraged from hanging around by at least two adult Condors. That something discouraged the Condor from taking the Cottontail rabbit Carcass that was near the White Housecat Carcass. I think the White housecat carcass appeared suspicious to the Condor, the eagle and the Raven, thus making the Condor suspicious of everything. That adult Condor show no particular fear of Golden Eagles in the Hopper Mountain area. That Condor can be easily baited. That rabbits are good Condor bait. I left the area at 1:30 p.m., hiked up over south end of Hopper mountain, across Polo Canyon to Oil Well Cabins and then -
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california Condor Eben McMillian 19 February 1964 down Jeep road to oil fields road that I followed down to Oak Flat Camp of the U.S. Forest Service. Arriving at the Oak Flat camp at 4:45 P.m. I found Jack Gains and a fellow in civilian clothes waiting for Ray Dalen whom Jack said be thought was in the Bucksport area with Ian. Ian's Dodge Pickup was parked, and locked, near the Oak Flat Forest Camp Cabin. At 5:05 p.m. Jack Gains said he would not wait any longer and for me to tell Dalen that he would be down at his home in Fillmore if he wanted to stop by and see Gains. As I approached this Oak Flat Camp at 4:45 P.M., the fellow who was with Jack Gains called to me. "Did you have any luck?" I answered that it all depended on what he meant by luck. I said that I had seen Condor. This fellow seemed surprised and said "You did!". Jack Gains asked me if I had been in the back Country. I told him no! that I had camped last night at the Pecy Corrals and had hiked on across Pole Canyon this afternoon. Ian, Ray Dalen, and another fellow, came at 6:45 P.m. from the north. Ian and I left for home via Castric Junction arriving home at 11:15 p.m. Enroute home Ian explained his experiences of the past two days. It sounded incredible that the Forest Service would have Jack Gains take a photographer within a few hundred feet of a known Nest-site of Condor during the very time when these birds would be laying their eggs. It appears that something must be done to protect the Condor from their protectors.
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California Condor Eben McMullan 23 February 1964 I drove to the Cholame flats at 9:30 A.M. The morning was mild-clear and calm. No eagles were seen in Palo Prieta Canyon. The Cholame Ranch is feeding alfalfa hay to most of their cattle. Great groups of Cows and Calves were gathered on the grounds where they are being fed. One dead Calf was seen by itself. Four dead Cows were seen only one of which had been eaten on and this mostly about the rear end where the body of a calf that had gotten about 3/4 of the way but had been well eaten as well as the rear end of this Cow. One old Cow had just dropped a Calf near the road on Kerr grade. Only one Red-tailed-Hawk was seen. No other large birds were in the area. Great numbers of young @ calves are on the ground and many more being added each day— The Cows in general look weak but the Calves look good. Free range feed is Practically non existant. Some Cows are still living on Range grasses in the Rock Corral Canyon but these are weakening fast. Pure- bred Cows like those at the Tejon or San Emigdio Ranches would not survive with these @ Cows for long.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 February 1964 It was clear and cold, and calm, as I drove to Jun's place and picked him up at 6:00 A.M. He had a sack full of Jack Rabbits that we loaded in to take with us as Condor bait in the Hopper canyon area. We drove down highway 101. At a place about two miles north of where the San Marcos Pass road takes off from highway 101 we came upon the carcass of a deer that had been hit by a motorist during the night and although being well mangled was loaded onto a Canvas and tossed into the rear of the pickup to be used as Condor bait also. Continuing on, via the San Marcos Pass, we arrived in Santa Barbara and were at the office of Mr. William Hansen, Supervisor for Los Padres National Forest, at 9:04 A.M. Mr. Hansen invited us into his office, not uncordially, and immediately opened the discussion regarding the incident where I am had come upon Jack Gains and a photographer for Ralston-Purina, a Mr. Burton, photographing Condor in the area of a nest-site last Tuesday, February 18-1964. We were informed by Mr. Hansen that he wanted us to understand that Jack Gains was officially on duty, on the three days he was in the Bucksnort and Oak Flat areas, with Mr. Burton. That although Gains had been taking his days to off during this part of the week, in the past, his off days had been recently changed whereby he was on official duty on the days he had Mr. Burton under his care. Mr. Hansen said that Mr. Gains had camped with Mr. Burton Monday and Tuesday nights at the Bucksnort Cabin. That Mr. Gains had
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California Condor. Eban McMillan 25 February 1964 On the morning of Tuesday, February, 18/1964, taken Mr. Burton to the heliport, that is not in the corridor area, and which he should not have done, and so did without the prior consent or knowledge of Mr. Hansen. Mr. Hansen stated that permission had been granted patrolman Gains to take this photographer, Mr. Burton into the corridor, but not off the corridor, by the forest service Office in Ojai, that is under the jurisdiction of Ranger Jack Parkinson. Mr. Hansen denied any knowledge of the affair. This, he said, is why he had requested a detailed report of the whole incident from Ian. At this point Ian told Mr. Hansen of receiving a letter from him asking for a statement from us, regarding our thinking concerning the value of the Condor Refuge in Sesquoye River's Falls Canyon, and what its impact on Condor. Preservation might be. Ian explained to Mr. Hansen that our association with the present Condor Survey was such that it was vitally important that we not take sides in any issue such as that presently raging over the construction of a Sierra Madre Ridge Road and especially not allowing our names, as connected with the Condor Survey, to be used in any way that would show when we had passed official djudgement until all the facts are down and have been completely compiled and evaluated following the completion of the study, Mr. Hansen said he did not want us to make any statement that he felt could not be used, that he only thought we might have something to pass on about the relative value of this refuge to the future of Condor Preservation or lack of value.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 February 1964 It was here that Mr. Hansen returned to the Jack Gains, Mr. Burton, incident by stating that he had had a discussion with Mr. Gains on this matter and that he, Gains, had convinced Mr. Hansen that he did not take Mr. Burton any further than the Heliport that is about one-half mile North of the Bucksnort Cabin. Mr. Hansen stated that Jack Gains gave this story. That he had taken Mr. Burton to the Heliport to photograph Condor and while there had noticed three sets of human tracks going towards Whiteacre Peak. Leaving Mr. Burton at the Heliport Mr. Gains proceeded up the road, or trail, in quest of the trespassers who had left the tracks, for no one is allowed off the Corridor unless accompanied by written permit. Mr. Hansen here stated that Jack Gains did wrong in driving up towards Whiteacre Peak as he should have shown better judgment and walked up instead. After Patrolman Gains had left in quest of the trespassers, Mr. Burton had gone down to an opening below the Heliport. It was in this opening that Jack Gains had told him that the photographer, Mr. Burton, had been, when Ian came along. Then when Patrolman Gains had driven as far as he could following the tracks, Mr. Hansen was told by Gains, that he left the vehicle there and continued on after the Trespassers. It was while he was on in search of the trespassers, that Ian had come up and found the Forest Service vehicle parked in the opening across the canyon from, and within one quarter mile of a known Gabor Nest. Hansen said that Patrolman Gains told him that it was while
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California Condor Eben McDillian 25 February 1964 Said that we did not need to notify anyone that we were entering the sespe wildlife area, that we could go and come as we pleased, that he did not care what we did while we were in the wildlife area, in fact, he said, it was none of his business. Mr. Hansen stated that he did not want us to feel responsible to anyone in the forest service in his region, nor did he feel [illegible] the forest service had any responsibility towards us. Supervisor Hansen reminded us that he wanted to see everything done to preserve Condor. That he was as interested in seeing Condor guarded as anyone. I am asked Mr. Hansen who he should check with when entering the Condor refuge for we want to let members of the forest service know of our movements when we are in the sespe wildlife area and that, in the past, it has always been our colicy to inform someone as to our whereabouts in the area. I am asked if it would be O.K. to notify his, Mr. Hansen's Office when we go into the refuge. Mr. Hansen said no, that we should notify the Ojai Office, that Mr. Jack Parkinson manages this Office and if no one is at this office [illegible] we could notify, Jack Gains. Supervisor Hansen told us that he had made an investigation of the matter and that he had to go along with Gains, "I cannot Suspect in these men. I must believe what they say!" Of course if it is proven that Jack Gains did have the photographer with him near the Condor nest then this would be a different matter and would have to be dealt with. Gains would be lying and if I find he is lying he will be fired. This is generally the statement of Supervisor Hansen. He, Mr. Hansen said Jack
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California Condor Eben McNillan 25 February 1964 Gains is a good man. That there seemed to have been some difficulty or trouble between us and the Forest Service Officer at the commencement of this study, but that Jack Gains had assured him that he had always had friendly relations with us and saw no reason why they couldn't continue to be the same. I assured Mr. Hansen that this was correct. That Jack Gains had always been most co-operative with us as has been all other personnel of the San Padres National Forest and that we held no personal feelings against anyone in this branch, but that our job called for the investigation and appraisal of all factors that have a bearing on the welfare of Condor and that we were of the opinion that were we not to put these things down as we see them happen, as we find them to be, then we would be derelict in our duty to an honest appraisal. That we wished to inconvenience no one other than to the extent necessary to bring out the facts in this case. I am then mentioned why he had gone to the Santa Barbara people with the word of this affair. That he had called the Ojai office and found no one there. That he had called Mr. Hansens Office for someone to come to the Oak Flat area and appraise this situation with him immediately after he found the problem of entry into the Sespe Wildlife Area being abused by Mr. Gains and the photographer and that a person had been sent out to appraise what he had done wrong in going to a phone and calling the head office before calling -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 February 1964 Local representatives who could have straightened things out immediately. Jan said that due to this condition he had to set someone sympathetic with his claim that there was [illegible] malfeasance committed here and that the very wording of the permit he carried committed him to make an issue of any irregularities he might find happening when in the area of the Sespe wildlife area. To this, Mr. Hansen agreed that he was doing what was right. Mr. Hansen stated that both Jack Garis and the photographer Burton had signed statements to the effect that they did not go beyond the heliport into the Sespe wildlife area. That both Burton and Garis had camped two nights in the cabin at Bucksnort and that Jack Garis had taken Burton around the area during the three days he was there. Hansen said he thought that Garis was a good man and this was only the second incident of its like in the last 8 years so he thought the record as a whole had been good in the administration of the Condor Program by the Forest Service. Jan asked William Hansen if he had a report of the incident that he could go over and analyze. Mr. Hansen stated that there is no report and there will be none. Jan then handed him the report of his findings that Mr. Hansen had asked for.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 February 1964 We stopped in Ojai and found the Tall Secretary in Charge of the Office and were informed by her that all the men were at a school in Santa Barbara, or somewhere. We stopped at Fillmore and picked up keys to Percy Ranch from the Elder Steve Percy and drove to Percy Ranch on Hopper Mountain. Eugene Percy was above the Bear Tree Corrals, on horseback, on his way into Pole Canyon to cut some trails. He was quite worried about the lack of rain saying that things would get critical in another week or two if it does not rain. Mr. Percy rode on up the mountain and we drove north to where the road tops out on Soda-Sulphur Ridge and there below the road we put out Two Jack rabbit Carcasses and Two Jack rabbit Carcasses above the road also. This was at 2:00 p.m. One Raven and two Red-Tailed Hawks over east slope of Hopper Mountain at 2:20 p.m., as we went into Camp, in the swale above the line Oak Tree, about two hundred feet SE of the Vagel Oil well site, on flats in Sulphur Canyon. An immature Condor sailed out over east slope of the top of Hopper Mountain at 2:25 p.m. This bird sailed on north along Hopper rim out of sight at 2:28 p.m. At 2:39 p.m. an immature Condor, probably the same one that was here 12 minutes ago, now flew out over top of Hopper Mountain and Continuing on Northeast passed from Sight going in the direction of towards Hole-in-Wall at 2:40 p.m. 2:42 p.m. One adult Condor Circling above our Camp
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 February 1969 briefly before sailing northward and passing from sight behind North Pass at 2:14 p.m. At 3:08 p.m. Two adult Condor circling high about one mile north of our camp. They were gone from sight at 3:10 p.m. Without my seeing which way they went. Two Raven one and light near rabbit carcasses above road but act suspicious and fly away only to return now and then to light and fly away again. Red Tailed Hawks, all immature, were seen hunting the slopes of Hopper mountain throughout the afternoon. A gentle west or southwest wind that had blown all the time this afternoon that we had been on Hopper mountain, now turned to the east and became quite cold. The sky was clear and the Los Angeles basin was quite free of smog, at least above the 500 foot level, that is about where we could see from the lower slopes of Hopper Mt. The sky was clear except for a few contrails of vapor left by high flying planes. A bit west of Hopper mountain seems to be the main beam that airplanes follow north out of Los Angeles. The planes coming south are usually lowering for an approach to the Los Angeles landing areas while those going north are straining for altitude as they come up out of the Los Angeles basin. G. Eagle At 5:10 p.m. an immature Golden Eagle with about the 6th primary missing from its right wing slid down Soda-Sulphur ridge from the top of Hopper mountain and circled over where the Jack rabbit carcasses were and also over our camp before leaving the area.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 It was cold throughout the night - The east wind that blew in Gusts was quite strong at times but not of gale force. The sky was clear at sunrise and a minimum of smog lay in the Los Angeles basin. A Red-Tailed Hawk was hunting on the upper east face of Hopper Mountain at sunrise. About 8:00 AM, an immature Golden Eagle drifted down from top of Hopper Mountain, circled above our camp briefly before leaving southward. Eagle At 9:05 AM, an adult Golden Eagle came around hill from the south, on a level with our camp, hunting, and seeing me standing by the pickup, veered upward and turning downhill moved out to the southeast, but did not seem to notice the carcass of the deer we put out on the ridge above the road where it comes around point from Soda Creek. We also put out one more Jackrabbit here and two cottontails. 9:25 two Ravens hunting above southeast top of Hopper Mountain. A group of Crows were in the trees just below our camp, but never ventured into the air very high nor were they seen out on the open grasslands. At this same time the twittering nuptial call of Sparrowhawk was heard in the Big One Spruce tree northeast of our camp and a flicker whistled from the canyon below. Eagle At 9:27 an immature Golden Eagle hovered for a few moments over the southeast face of upper Hopper Mountain before diving out of sight into Soda Canyon. Hawks Red Tailed Hawks have been in sight most of the morning, chasing one another at great speeds all along the eastern slope-
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California Condor Eben McMullan 26 February 1964 of Hopper mountain, sometimes creating a great roaring noise when diving after one another nearby and coming out of towering dives at great speeds. These are all immature Red Tailed Hawks that seem to enjoy flying about at great speed, in which these birds are very maneuverable and adept at turning and banking. One pair of raven came in and went from one bait to another, lighting on the ground near either the rabbit carcasses that were well scattered or the deer carcass. At times these birds would jump into the air four or five feet as if something had frightened them, after which they would either settle back and walk around the carcass or else fly away for a time before returning. This pair came first at 9:59 A.M. Another pair of raven joined the first ones at 10:10 A.M. As the new birds came in this seemed to add to the Courage, or lessen the Suspicion of all the raven that now commenced feeding on one of the Jackrabbits and the deer at separate intervals. These raven seemed concerned also with Nocturnal display and spent much time chasing one another in the air. Two adult Condor show up, out of nowhere, at 10:16 A.M. and after circling above ravens that were now feeding on one of the Jackrabbits seemed indisposed to come down and feed even though they would come down close above the bait at times. Five raven were feeding on deer carcass at 10:22 A.M. and an adult Golden Eagle came in and stacked up, hovering on the wind above where the raven were feeding. 9 Raven feeding at on deer carcass at 10:24--
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1969 At 10:24 A.M. the Eagle that had been hovering above lowered down and passing by above one of the lower Jackrabbit Carcasses grabbed it briefly, then let it go, causing the rabbit Carcass to be thrown about ten feet downhill. After this the Eagle drifted downhill, eastward, and alighted in a dead Spruce tree that stands with several others of its kind on Soda-Sulphur Ridge after it commences to plunge down into Hopper Canyon in the timbered area. At 10:26 the two Condors that came earlier are still stacked up, hovering above the bait, but not coming in to light on the ground as yet. Y. Eagle At 10:28 an adult Golden Eagle comes in and circles with the Condors. Neither paying the other much attention. Raven of which there were now Twelve, would fly up and chase the Condor and the Eagle. On one occasion the Eagle dashed after one Raven but after one Stoop and a miss that was the result of a deflection by the Raven, the Eagle came back and circled. Following this chase the Raven seemed to enjoy it and immediately returned to pester the Eagle again but to no avail. Jet planes in Hopper Canyon At 10:29 A.M. two single engine jet [illegible] roared up Hopper Canyon well below my level. In fact they passed up the canyon following a line of flight that fixed them, from where I sat, near Sulphur Canyon Camp, at about one-half way up the opposite, or east side of Hopper Canyon, and opposite Sulphur Creek drainage. Had any Condor been flying in the bottom of Hopper
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California Condor Eben McMillan February 26 1964 Canyon at the time these planes roared up its drainage leaving long tails of black smoke, they could have been hit, for at the speed these aircraft were traveling Condor would be hit before they even knew what was coming. These two planes continued on up Hopper Canyon passing directly over the nesting area near Hole-in-the-wall. The roar of their engines would seem to me to be a disturbing influence to Nesting Condor if not downright frightening them. And, of course, there is a real danger of hitting one of these Condors or an eagle as these planes fly up this canyon so low. I am sure there is supposed to be restrictions on the flight pattern over this Sage wildlife area. Jack Gaines once told us that planes must maintain a 500 foot ceiling over the Sage wildlife area. Perhaps these planes were 500 feet above the canyon bottom but less than 500 feet from the cides of the canyon on each side of them. It would appear that if these planes continue to pass through this area in this way that it is just a matter of time until one of them hits a large bird of some sort. It Condor would probably bring them down. At 10:30 one of the two Condor that had circled above the bait for the last fifteen minutes came north and circled near the north face of Sulphur Canyon near where I was now crouched in the sage bushes. I am sure it saw me but paid no heed and after gaining some elevation moved out of sight to the North at 10:31.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 Another Condor came from North Hopper Mountain at 10:32 A.m. and joins the one Condor that has remained circling above the baits. An adult Golden Eagle came in and alighted on the ground near Upper Jack Rabbit, but soon flew into the air again. One of the two Condor circling now flies out Northward, up Hopper Canyon, towards Hole-in-the-Wall at 10:20 A.m. While the other remained hovering above the baits. The eagle that was near Upper Jackrabbit, on ground, has been gone for a few minutes. Another eagle, or the same one previously here, comes in and circles above the baits then moves out of sight to the South at 10:22 A.m. At 10:48 A.m. an adult Eagle came from the South and lit on the ground near deer carcass. At least Twelve Raven were coming and going from this carcass now. They had been feeding on this deer for quite a few minutes, but never steadily. One minute 8 or 10 Raven would be on the ground walking around the deer carcass and picking meat from it. The next instant all would fly up into the air. Or perhaps only one or two of the Raven would remain on the ground. At 10:49, soon after the Eagle lit near the deer carcass, the adult Condor that had been hovering above now dropped down and lit on the ground opposite the Eagle from the Deer carcass, and about ten feet away. Nine Raven, one Golden Eagle and one adult Condor were all about the deer carcass at 10:50 A.m. At 10:51 A.m. the Eagle jumped, with wings flapping, at the
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California Condor Ebenezer McMillan 26 February 1964 Condor, as which action the condor flew into the air while the Eagle chased it about fifty feet before returning to deer Carcass and commencing to feed on this Carcass for the first time. In jumping at the Condor while it and the Condor were on the ground near the deer Carcass, the Eagle seemed to thrust its talons towards the Condor instead of using its beak or wings. The talons could have raked the tail of the Condor, before it got out of the way, but with no momentum it is doubtful that any damage could be done in this manner. Eagle eating on deer Carcass with many ravens gathered about it at 10:51 A.M. while the Condor hovered overhead a few yards. At 10:52 A.M. the Condor sailed downhill about 150 yards to where the lower Jackrabbits had been left as bait. After circling only a few feet above one of these Jackrabbit Carcasses momentarily, the Condor dropped on the ground near the rabbit Carcass. It stood for about 30 seconds staring at the rabbit Carcass and now and then looking down at its own feet as if in fear that some sort of trap were on the ground nearby. It then walked a few steps around the rabbit Carcass, crouching and twisting its head forward and downward as if to get a better look at what might be wrong with the rabbit. Once it flipped its wings a bit and jumped back a bit as if something about the [illegible] Carcass had moved. At 10:53 this Condor flew again and continued to hover above the baits. The Golden Eagle and at least 10 ravens were still feeding about the deer Carcass.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 26 February 1964 The condor flew down and alighted near the same jack- rabbit that it had been near at 10:52 A.M. It again walked around the carcass, looking towards it very suspiciously. A raven came down and passed close to this Condor before it lit on the ground. As this raven flew by the Condor ducked down and dodged to the side. Both the Condor and raven flew into the air at 10:55 A.M. and returned uphill to circle above where Eagle and other raven are feeding on deer carcass. After circling here a few moments the condor returned to hover above the lower jackrabbit carcass near which it had previously lit. The Eagle left the deer carcass and flew down to where the condor was hovering above the lower carcasses at 10:58 A.M. The condor then flew uphill and lit on the ground about fifteen feet from the deer carcass. As the Condor was standing looking at the deer carcass, the Eagle returned from below and dove at the Condor that immediately took wing and was chased a short distance by the Eagle. The Eagle then flew down and moving slowly past the lower Jackrabbit carcass, which the Condor had lit a few minutes before, and into the wind and heading downhill, it grasped this rabbit carcass in its talons and very slowly, with no flapping of the wings, raised the carcass off the ground, gliding downhill into a stiff breeze from the east, it carried the carcass down about one quarter mile where it went in among thick oak trees and disappeared. This at 11:00 A.M. The Condor that had continued to remain hovering above the baits landed on the ground near another of the lower—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 [illegible] Jackrabbit Carcasses. This Condor stood looking at this Carcass until a Raven came and lit below on the hillside about 30 feet away. The Condor flew to where this Raven was and drove the Raven into the air by running and flapping Towards it at 11:03 A.M. After Raven had left the area this Condor walked back up the hill near where the rabbit Carcass was and stood gazing at it then moves up and crouching with knees bent and body close to ground, stretched its neck as far as possible and picked at the rabbit carcass with its beak. In nibbling at this Carcass it was moved a bit, at which this Condor jumped back and walked away, then flew into the air and moved uphill and hovered above the deer carcass at 11:07 A.M. This Condor returned and landed near the lower rabbit carcass again at 11:09 A.M., walked near the Carcass looking down at it with head and neck stretched forward as a hawk sees turkeys do when following a snake along in the grass. Now and then this Condor would flip its wings and jump as if something had frightened it. Also now and then it would look behind itself as if to be sure something were not coming upon it from behind. At 11:12 this Condor flew from where it had been near the carcass of one of the lower Jackrabbits and proceeded to hover above the deer Carcass where several Raven were feeding, and flying. At 11:13 A.M. it returned and lit near Lower rabbit carcass again and went through the same procedure of circling this Carcass and watching it intently. It flew again at 11:15 A.M.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 After circling the area the Condor returned to the area near the Lower Jackrabbit Carcass at 11:16 A.M., but after standing and looking at the carcass for ½ minute it again flew and circled the area. This was repeated again at 11:19 A.M. Another Condor came in from the North at 11:20 A.M. Two Condor were now hovering above the baits. An immature Golden Eagle came in and lit near the Carcass of One of the Upper Jackrabbits upon which it soon fed. After feeding on this rabbit Carcass for about 60 seconds this eagle took into the air, dragging the Carcass of the rabbit with it, along the ground seemingly for about Twenty feet, where the hill pitched off rather steeply, where the eagle now got airborne with the rabbit for a distance of about Two hundred feet, when it dropped the rabbit remains into the bottom of the canyon below, or a drop of about 100 feet. At 11:21 our Condor landed on ground near deer Carcass. An eagle came and fed on another of the Upper Jackrabbits Carcasses while the other Condor circled above. The Condor on the ground left the deer Carcass at 11:24 without having fed on it. This Condor dropped into Canyon where Eagle had dropped the rabbit. Eagle still feeding on upper rabbit Carcass. One Condor lands near Lower Jackrabbit Carcass at 11:25 A.M. after repeating the acts of earlier of standing and looking, and circling the rabbit Carcass suspiciously, this Condor flew into the air again and hovered above at 11:26 A.M. Many Raven still So And Come from deer Carcass and Eagle still feeding on upper Carcass of rabbit at 11:30 while Two -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 Condor hovered above. At 11:31 one of the condor drops down and lands on ground near lower rabbit carcass. Repeats its common performance of standing, looking-walking around carcass and jumping back now and then, while other condor hovered overhead about 30 feet. Condor- Two more adult condor come in from Southwest at 11:32 A.M., and join the one circling. At 11:33 the condor that was on the ground near the lower rabbit carcass flew and joined the other three now circling. Condor- 4 adult condor circling at 11:33 A.M. While Eagle fed on upper Jackrabbit carcass and Ravens still were coming and going from deer carcass. At 11:35 one condor lowers down and lands near deer carcass, At nearly the same time another condor did likewise and both walk to deer carcass and nibble at it. A third condor joins them at 11:36 A.M. These condor do not feed on the deer carcass but rather pull or nibble at it, mostly doing so from the greatest distance they can stand away and still reach it with outstretched neck. All three were nervous and Leary. At 11:39 all three of these condor flew from the deer carcass and hovered above while the fourth condor, that had not landed, moved up Hogger Canyon and out of sight towards The Holo-in-the wall. One Condor landed on ground near Eagle feeding on upper Rabbit carcass at 11:40 A.M., and another condor did likewise five seconds later. The Eagle jumped at one of these condor-
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California Condor Eben McMullan 26 February 1964 that moved back away from the eagles rush but did not seem overly afraid. The Eagle then flew out northward, and downhill, carrying the remains of the Jackrabbit it had fed on, with it. As the Eagle got out over the Canyon it dropped the rabbit remains, that landed on a grass covered hillside about 150 yards north, and somewhat below, where the Eagle had fed on it. After dropping the rabbit remains the Eagle flew on to the southwest and out of sight. No sooner had the Eagle dropped the rabbit remains than one of the Condor that were circling above dropped down and landed near where the rabbit remains fell. At 11:43 Two more adult Condor now flew in from the Northeast. At 11:49 Am. two Condor were on ground near where Eagle had fed on Upper Jackrabbit while Two Condor and Several Raven were in Swale where Eagle had dropped the last rabbit remains. At 11:50 five Condor were circling above the baits and 11:54 all five Condor had dropped into Swale where eagle had dropped rabbit remains. A 6th Condor came in from the South at 11:59 and all Six were circling above baits at 12:00 Noon. The light was poor from where I sat, for identifying birds with missing feathers, in the morning, but past mid-day it improved somewhat. At 12:03 a bird with gap in right wing 3/8 way out came and circled over me. Two more Condor came in high and fast, from the Northwest, at 12:04, one of which had the 4th or 5th Primary missing from its left wing. At 12:07 Nine Condor were circling the baits. It was now-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 Getting difficult to keep track of each condor, where it was going and what it was doing. To add to this confusion more Raven had come in swelling their numbers to about 18 or twenty birds. Also one Turkey Vulture came up from the South, remained along the south side of Soda-Sulphur Ridge soaring back and forth for about five minutes before leaving the area and not being seen again. one condor circling showed a large gap in middle of left wing. one Condor showed 5th primary missing from left wing. At 12:15 P.M. Ten Condor were circling above the baits. one Condor with about 6th primary missing from right wing. one Condor with gaps ½ and ¾ way out missing from left wing Condor were coming and going but a doubt that any left that did not return. At 12:20 P.M. one Condor dropped down and lit near deer carcass. It walked to carcass and commenced feeding but soon walked about Ten feet away and stood. Another Condor soon landed near this one, both stood and watched the ravens feeding on the deer carcass. One of these Condor walked over and fed on the deer carcass but seemed very fearful and leery and when one of the raven would flap its wings this Condor would jump back and look at, or towards, the raven as if fearful that something was wrong. From this I gathered that some of these Condor had witnessed others of their kind caught in traps or the like and those surviving developed a fear of anything like this that was not completely natural. Two Condor and eleven raven were at the deer carcass -
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California Condor Eben Macmillan 26 February 1964 at 12:40 p.m. with three condor circling above them. Three condor on ground near deer carcass at 12:41 p.m. with four condor circling above them. The three condor on ground have not yet gone in to actually feed on the deer carcass. They stay back and watch the Ravens gorging themselves. Something is strange with this scene. Either these condor have fed previously or else they are aware of my watching them all the time from this vantage point at least one-half mile away. I will now leave this location that is about 1/4 mile Northeast of our sulphur camp and move to a vantage point among the Oak trees where I will be less conspicuous to see if this has any effect on the behaviour of the condor in feeding. Thus I at 12:46 p.m. left my former location on the steep ridge, on the north side of sulphur canyon. Before I had reached the bottom of the canyon to where I would be out of sight of the deer carcass, five condor had lit on the ground and three of them were feeding on the deer carcass at 12:50 p.m. crossing the canyon and working my way towards camp through the Oak timber, that grows on the north slopes of Sulphur Creek below the level of our camp; I came out in an area where I could again see the soda-sulphur ridge and the area where the bait was put out. At least six condor were on ground fighting over and dragging, the deer remains about. I remained hidden watching the condor for several minutes but wanting to see if my presence, in clear view of where they were feeding would frighten the condor, I walked out into an opening that is about —
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 ¾ of a mile from the bait and stood in full view. Even at this distance, and having seen us about ten numerous occasions previously, all the Condor immediately flew and circled above the bait as soon as they saw me. This was at 1:15 p.m. After exposing myself and seeing the Condor leave the ground, I then walked back into the timber out of sight. At 1:18 p.m. the Condor returned, landed on the ground, and commenced feeding on the deer carcass. I hiked towards the feeding Condor, keeping hidden among the trees, until coming out on the ridge where the old desalinated tank sits on an open knoll about ¼ mile south of our camp and about ½-mile north of where the Condor were now feeding on the carcass of the deer that they had dragged down hill about one-hundred feet. Keeping behind this tank I crept up and stood behind this tank over which I could look at the Condor without them seeing me; or at least without them recognizing me as anything to be feared concerned about for I could raise my head over the edge of this tank and watch these birds, with the binoculars, without disturbing them. Eleven Condor, one of which was an immature ringed-neck bird were now scattered on this hillside opposite me feeding, fighting, juggling at the deer carcass or just sitting and watching. At 2:15 p.m. Two single engine jet planes passed over soda-sulphur ridge, a bit to the south, heading east. They were quite low and created a roaring sound as they passed a bit to the south of —
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California Condor. Ebendmchillan. 26 February 1964 Where the Condor were feeding. None of the Condor seemed disturbed at the Noise caused by the passing of these planes. They did not fly nor stop feeding. A few moments before these planes came by, several Condor were circling at about the place where they later passed. These low flying, swift traveling, planes not only pose a problem to Condors but also to the personnel who are piloting these craft, for should they come in contact with a bird as large as a Condor it would no doubt damage the plane. At 2:20 Seven Condor were feeding on the deer carcass that they had now pretty well cleaned up except for the skin and had dragged down the hill northward about 250 feet. Some Condor seemed the rulers of the situation and took command, at the Carcass, whenever they chose. The ringed-neck bird showed some competitive activity and on one occasion was seen to faint towards an adult in a fighting attitude but was somewhat disregarded by the adult bird momentarily, and then driven away with one Peck of the others beaks. One adult seemed second from the bottom of the Peck order and would run at the ringed-neck bird each time it went to the Carcass remains to feed, other Condor always ran this adult away after it commenced to feed after it had run the immature one back. The ring on the immature birds Neck was not visible when the bird was on the ground unless it stretched its Neck out to feed on the remains of the deer. It was then even visible to the naked eye at the two-hundred yards distance I was from the birds. The red or reddish-pink of the lower Neck covered up about one-half the Neck proper. See below. [illegible] Reddish-pink
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 The condor now flew out of the Canyon, into which they had dragged the deer carcass and some returned to the area above from whence the carcass had come and there fed on scraps and morsels that were scattered about the area. At 2:27 p.m. fourteen Condor were in the air at one time with none on the ground. At 2:30 p.m. these fourteen Condors, one of which was the Ringed-neck bird were circling in two groups. Eight in one group were out to the Southeast at about 4,015 feet above the ground and one quarter mile away from where the bait had been set out. These birds were very near, if not on, the exact route that the two Jet planes followed when they passed by here heading east towards Piro Lake area. Had this number of Condor been circling at that time in this same area, there would probably have been a collision. The other six Condors were circling moderately high above where the carcasses had been left on the Soda-Sulphur ridge. At 2:40 p.m., the Condors were well scattered and most were circling high overhead. At 2:45 p.m. 6 Condors were seen heading north out of sight. Another Condor flew west over the top of Hopper Mountain. Three more Condor circle high and go north at 2:50 p.m., Three more Condor circle up and head west around south end of Hopper Mountain. At 2:55 p.m., two Condors returned and circled about area where bait had been left. These two birds were seen to spiral up and fly out north over top of Hopper Mountain at 2:57 p.m., No Condor in sight at 3:00 p.m., At 3:02 p.m. Two Condors were observed circling high over area where bait -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 had been put out, at 3:25 P.M. These two condors had dropped down and were now feeding on the remains of a Jackrabbit that had not been eaten during the day. These were the first condors to actually feed on one of the Jackrabbit carcasses we had put out. Two more condors came in and circle above area where the two are feeding on the rabbit remains. Two more condors came in at 3:33 P.M. and at this same time the two condors that were feeding on the Jackrabbit remains flew so that six condors were now circling together. At 3:44 P.M. when we left Sulphur Creek and Hopper Mountain, two condors remained circling high above Hopper Mountain. A summary of the days observations are as follows. At least 18 raven fed on the Deer and Rabbit carcasses we put out yesterday and this morning. Condor came to the area where we had put out bait in scattered groups giving reason for belief that they represented many small groups from different localities. A minimum of 14 Condors were observed, only one of which was an immature biseed-neck bird. Watching the cautiousness of these Condors and the suspicion they showed towards anything unnatural, one must believe that they have been present when members of their species, as well as other birds such as Eagles and raven have been trapped. One develops the thinking after watching this shy and heavy manner they display, that only the most wary birds how survive. Something about the deer carcass, half of which had been torn up and the skin removed, triggered the suspicion of the
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 February 1964 Condor Today. Eagle & Condor are not mortal enemies. I doubt that Condor are ever damaged by Eagles. Eagles have probably saved many Condor lives by going to bait first and becoming the victim of traps, or guns, that would have destroyed the Condor had it come in first. Raven and Turkey Vulture are probably a buffer species that protect Condor against guns and traps. Condor are suspicious of humans that act interested in their behaviour. Conversely Condor develop a confidence around humans that disregard them. When leaving Sulphur Creek we stopped on the ridge where the bait had been put out and investigated what remained. One hind leg of the deer was virtually intact. This leg had the skin removed by the force of the automobile that hit it. The skin is all that remained of the other part of the deer. The Condor had dislocated and removed all vertebra up to the base of the skull. One front leg was still intact with all meat missing. The eyes - Tongue and nose had been eaten. Two Jackrabbit carcasses still remained almost intact, I would think these must have been overlooked what with all the other bait around. I would surmise, that had we been collecting Condor, that we could have shot a good number today. Perhaps like
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 26 February 1964 Claude Brown wrote in a letter to me, regarding the exploits of one Arthur Wilcox collecting Condor in the early days. Mr. Brown mentioned of having found a Camp among the Pines in the McChesney mountain area from which Mr. Wilcox shot Condor from their roost. By always shooting the last Condor to leave the roost in the morning Wilcox found the remaining birds would return to the same roost again in the evening. Of particular interest is the report of Condor sighting that I received from Mrs. Evelyn Farnsworth of Glenville, who reports seeing four Condor circling between the fork of Poso Flat and Granite Station road and where the Williams road leaves the Granite Station road. This sighting occurred at 9:30 A.M. on February 26, 1964 and was likewise observed by members of the County Road Crew. The road crew said, to Mrs. Farnsworth that they had observed five Condor near Bancheria about the first of February. (Letter dated Feb. 26, 1964.) The diagram below is a list of feather defects noticed in Condor that came to the Sulphur Creek of Hopper Mountain Today - birds flying towards one overhead Left Side 5th Primary missing Gap in Center Gaps 3/4 way out Gap in Secondary 2/3 way out Gap next to body Right Side Gap 3/4 way out 6th Primary Missing
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california Condor Eben McMillan 29 February 1964 A quick storm moved in last night and resulted in light showers falling before midnight. Clouds were still covering the horizon at sunrise, but were now moving from the Northwest. A light frost was in evidence this morning and a gentle wind was blowing from the North. As we drove down the Bitterwater Valley it was evident that the only light showers had fallen in this area that needs rain so badly. As we passed by the mouth of Bitterwater Valley an immense flock of linnets flew from the roadside about two miles east of the Bitterwater Water Wells and flew over to the sterile, eroded, white, foothills, that mark the western flank of Bitterwater Valley as it opens out upon the San Joaquin Valley Plains, and alighted on the bare white areas and seemed to be feeding, or picking up gravel. As we stopped to photograph this tremendous flock of linnets they flew into the air and after gaining about 400 feet of elevation, broke into two separate flocks that momentarily separated themselves about 1/4 mile before converging again, one flock going west and the other east and then all swinging together in one disorganized group. Flocks of birds this large are rather difficult to describe and to estimate in number. Ian had a covey of quail that I once time photographed in flight and from this photograph we arrived at a number of 800 quail. This flock of linnets we saw this morning were at least 100 times in number more than Ian's flock of quail. More rain had fallen on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley to the east of Famosa, Kern County. Also past rains had-
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 29 February 1964 been more beneficial, for the range Conditions found here were not bad and where South hillsides had become quite dry and the grasses have mostly matured and dried up, nevertheless the flats and the North hillsides are green and support a good quantity, and quality of forage grasses. The livestock in this section are in good condition. Bautista Aleman, a Basque shepherd of MTR Sheep Company, who is camped east of the Bakersfield, Woody, highway and about two miles north of Woody-Granite Station-Famosa, Bakersfield, Crossroads, said he had been watching constantly for Condor to come and feed in his area, but he was quite sure none had been around. Shepherd Aleman said that in Spain, in the high mountains, there is a large bird like our Condor. He said that the shepherds shoot at all big birds in Spain and that all the Eagles have been killed off and are never seen. I told him that Eagles are protected in the United States. That the Eagle is the National emblem of this Country and therefore the people do not want it destroyed. I also told him that Condor are protected by law and that anyone found shooting or molesting them shall be in trouble with the law. Aleman seemed quite surprised to find this to be so. I doubt that he has ever been advised regarding shooting of wild animals. That he now possesses a 22 caliber rifle is evidenced by several spent 22 caliber cartridges near the place where he works in and out of the house-trailer in which he lives. Most of the shepherds in Central California are foreigners, or aliens, from the Pyrenees mountains of Europe and must are of Basque lineage. Few of these shepherds speak any English and none are acquainted with our laws and regulations; most are transported to this country via-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 29 February 1964 Air and are given no briefing relative to what is expected of them regarding responsibility. Most of them have firearms in their Trailer houses. None that I have talked with, in my limited Spanish, seem aware that they are violating their agreement as aliens in this Country. I have never availed them of this knowledge directly, feeling it best to gather sufficient information on the matter and leaving the matter of making an issue of this problem up to those whose job it will be to evaluate these findings. With this in mind I feel safe in stating that until alien Shepherds are advised of their responsibilities in this matter of bearing arms in this Country, and their employers who are no doubt responsible for the behaviour of these persons who are contracted under their care while in the United States, and all other irresponsible Native Shepherds who display irresponsible attitudes towards our Native Wildlife Species in their use of firearms, are brought to task for their acts of destructiveness towards our Native Wildlife, then Eagles and Condor can never be properly protected. For the type of food for these birds, offered by dead sheep, is such that in the range of Condor, and many Eagles as well, Shepherds have ample opportunities to shoot them while feeding on the Carcasses of dead sheep well within gunshot range of the camps of these men. It should be a simple matter to prevent the possession of firearms by alien Shepherds. Native Shepherds may pose more of a problem to control, in their use of firearms. But most of these people, both alien and citizen, are good people and I am sure would want to do what is right. It is just that they have never been told of what is right and what is wrong in these matters. [illegible]
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California Condor Eben McMillan 29 February 1964 I saw a Golden Eagle circling east of the road about five miles southwest of Woody. Stopping at the home of Dorothy Albitire that is about two miles west of Woody I found, upon inquiry, that she had lost no lambs this year. She said that it was about one year ago now that something was killing her big lambs. She felt sure it was an Eagle. I was somewhat concerned about this upon hearing of it last year for with Eagles on her list of enemies I was afraid condor might come in to feed on her dead sheep and get shot, by her, for an eagle. I prevailed upon Mrs. Albitire to inform me should any large bird be seen feeding on any dead sheep, or other animal, so that I could go and investigate the Cause of the animals death and try to help her out should we find that her Lambs were being killed by Eagles. This she consented to do and besoured me this morning that she would call me as soon as she found signs of Predation on her sheep. Several Turkey vultures were in the tops of the eucalyptus trees near the Post Office in Woody. Several of these birds were also seen circling a hilltop about one mile west of Woody. Dorothy Albitire said they had been in the Woody area for about a week. Enroute from Woody to Glennville I encountered some snow on the road. At the top of the grade it lay about five inches deep in the road. Arriving in Glennville about 10:15 A.M. I talked with Friedland and Evelyn Farnsworth who own the Shopping Center in Glennville as well as their ranch property about three miles south of the town. Mrs. -
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California Condor Oben McMillan 29 February 1964 Farnsworth informed me that she had mailed me a postcard on 28 February 1964 telling me of seeing more Condor in the Glennville- Woody area. She thought the reason they were seeing more Condor than before, in winter, was that more people had become conscious of Condor and were watching for them now. She also wondered if it would be possible that Condor might nest on the sides of Blue Mountain that stands about seven or eight miles northwest of Glennville. She had developed this thought after seeing Condor circling in that area on numerous occasions and also watching them go in that direction from her ranch home. I explained to her that were someone to come in and tell me that a Condor was found nesting in the barn of Mrs. Farnsworth, that I would go immediately to investigate, for after seeing how Condor would come feed, and roost, near her ranch home last fall, I was ready to believe anything about Condor. I did this, more or less, so as not to drain her interest in Condor and her concern for their welfare. And she could be right. Mrs. Farnsworth told me that the road crew that saw the same Condor that she did and wrote me about on February 26, had actually observed the three before she and Freeland did. For she said that as she and Freeland approached Round Hill, that is just east of the entrance, where Edna Williams and Jim Ben Williams Glennville turn off the Glennville-Bakersfield Road, they saw the Condor circling above Round Hill on the east side. As they proceeded on around Round Hill, on the south side, being the road crew bailed them down and pointed to the three Condor that were circling above the south side of Round Hill. As they watch the bird they had seen on the north side of -
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Granite Station 601 California Condor Eben McMillan 29 February 1964 the hill came and joined the three circling south of the hill top, then drove to this area where Mrs. Farnsworth had seen the Condor on 26 February and went to the home of Edna Williams, seeing a Golden Eagle circling the South Top at Round Hill as I turned off the main road, Edna Williams had seen, not heard of, no Condor. I also visited at the home of Jim Ben and Nona Williams. They had not seen Condor but late although they had heard of Frank Stockton seeing Condor in the Granite Station area on 12 and 13 February 1964. (See letter from Frank Stockton dated Feb. 13-1964). Jim Ben Williams thought that the long dry spell that had matured most of the grass on the south facing exposures in the Granite Station area had created a situation whereby more rain now would do little good in the lowlands although benefiting the forage grasses a great deal at the higher elevations where the summer range was still mostly frozen over and would commence to grow soon now with the coming of warmer weather. I left the Granite Station area at 3:00 p.m. heading west. Stopping at the home of Mrs. Moore, that is near the Woody, Famosa, road. She nor her husband had seen, nor heard, of Condor. They had noticed that Buzzards were in about a week early having come by their area about 12 February instead of the usual arrival date of February 19th that Mrs. Moore claimed is the usual return date of Buzzards to her...
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California Condor. Eben McMillan 29 February 1964 Area. As I passed down the Canyon that leads to Famoso I Noticed a Camp Where Sheep-Shearers are Waiting for the Weather to Clear So that they Can commence removing Wool from the Sheep. I was home at 7:00 p.m. Some clouds still remained in the sky but generally the Storm seemed to have subsided.
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 22 April 1964 Some clouds still were about from a weak storm front that Passed through this area Yesterday. No appreciable moisture was left by this storm. Stock Outlook Range conditions are very poor east of the San Juan river and Cholame Valley. The Bitterwater Valley is without any green grass and what dry forage remains is limited to very short and sparse brome grass. Most crops Are in bud shape. The area from the mouth of the Bitterwater Valley on to Lost hills is completely void of any vegetation. Some places did not even germinate grass seed this spring. From Bakersfield, Calif. I phoned John Rofer who had seen no condor for several months. He said that a man who worked for him on his property in the Battlesnake Grade area about fifteen miles N.E. of Bakersfield claimed to have seen a Condor there on March 31, 1964. Rofer said this man should know Condor having been raised in the Rancheria area. From Bakersfield, cal. I also phoned J.B. Williams of Granite Station who had neither heard nor seen of Condor since reporting sightings to me early in the year. J.B. Said the feed was drying fast in all areas below Granite Station and that the south slopes were drying above. He said they had lots of feed and their cattle were all in very good shape. He thought the sheep had left the foothills below Woodr and Granite Station several weeks ago, after having stayed in that area longer than they usually do. Also phoned Mrs. Glen Becoud who lives below Oak Flat Lookout on south end of Greenhorn Mountain. She nor any
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 april 1964 ot her family had seen condor in 1964. She did say that the Turkey Buzzards were back and could be seen most anytime of day now in her area. I went to the office of Agricultural Commissioner of Kern County and from there talked to Mr. Ben Easley on the phone, he being at his Poison Mixing Warehouse at Minier Field that is about fifteen miles north of Bakersfield, just off Highway 99. Mr. Easley manages all pest and rodent control activities performed by Kern County. He told me his crews were just this week getting started on poisoning squirrels with Compound 1080 and that activities were now limited to small problems that were being taken care of. He thought that his regular squirrel poisoning crews would not get lined out until after the last of May. Mr. Easley promised to keep me posted on any sizeable jobs he would be doing and did say that the Woody Ranch had ordered 400 pounds of Strychnine Poisoned grain for use in poisoning Kangaroo Rats. He thought this poison grain would be ready for application next week. The Woody Ranch is near the Town of Woody in North Central Kern County. I must try to check this poison operation when it is done to determine the number of dead rats on the ground following the placing of the poison. Mr. Easley also stated that if the San Emigdio Ranch did any poisoning it would be in the fall when their men were not so busy. The Tejon Ranch, he thought, would not do any poisoning this year. He said they had their squirrels well under control,
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California Condor Eban McMillan 22 april 1964 From Bakersfield I called Jim Toland of the U.S. Forest Service Office in Bakersfield who informed me that no sightings of Condor had been turned into his Office in 1964. He also told me that he had read the press release, by Audubon on the Condor survey, in the Bakersfield Californian of yesterday. Mr. Toland said that Helen King would not be at Oak Flat Lookout this coming summer, but that another lady was taking this post that should be activated sometime after the first week in May and that the lookout on Breckenridge Mountain would be the same lady as was there last season and this lookout would probably not be activated until after June 1, 1964. Mr. Toland asked that I notify him whenever I might be going to either of these two lookouts, Oak Flat or Breckenridge Mountain, so that he could brief the lookouts there as to the importance of my visits. The Secretary in the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner of Kern County told me of hearing of the Condor News release over one of the Bakersfield Radio Stations within the last few days. I drove to Arvin, Calif. where I stopped at the Standard Oil Company Service Station on the east edge of that Town to get a New Tire for my pickup. Mr. Evans Boyce, attendant and Manager of this Station, even having lived in Arvin for 20 years, and having heard of Condor many times during this period, and he having spent considerable time in the hills east of Arvin hunting, still had never had the opportunity of observing a Condor. Just a few weeks—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 april 1964 ago a car load of elderly ladies came to his station for a new tire. This tire was to replace one that had gone flat on their Car while they were watching for Condor along the roadside east of Arvin. These ladies were somewhat discouraged as not having seen a Condor but felt better when Mr. Borce told them of his not having seen one in 20 years of living in Arvin. I drove to the home of Jack Tanzen who works for the Tejon Ranch and lives in one of their houses about one mile east of Arvin. I have been misspelling Mr. Tanzen's name in referring to him formally in this study, a thinking, his name was spelled Tentsen. Jack Tanzen had seen Three Condor on March 23, 1964 at 1:00 p.m., while he and another fellow were mending a barbed-wire fence on the Sheep Trail Grade about three miles SE of Arvin and about ½ mile up the grade from the down bottom of the Mountain — He said the three Condor circled above them for some minutes and were close enough at times so that he could have killed one of them with a rifle had he been shooting at them and been able to hit it. Mr. Tanzen did not notice which direction the Condor left the area when they passed from sight. Mrs. Tanzen told me of a man and his son coming to her home about three weeks ago and asking for permission to go onto Tejon Ranch lands in order to look for Condor. They told her they had seen Condor in the White-Wolf area a week before. They told her they were from the Audubon Society—
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California condor. Eben McMillan 22 April 1964 but did not say from what area they came. She told them that trespassing was forbidden on Tejon Ranch Lands. Mrs. Janzen also told me of being at a service station in Arvin last week and hearing a person who said he was trapping and poisoning coyotes in the mountains of the Tejon Ranch, go to great ends to describe how much a threat to human welfare coyotes were, and how they kill sheep in great numbers and calves and deer as well as being a menace to human health by carrying hydrophobia. Mrs. Janzen told him she doubted coyotes killed sheep that were properly cared for and that she thought sheep did as much harm in overgrazing range as coyotes did in killing. I drove from Arvin to Tejon Flats and put my bed-roll down for the night. The sky was clear, but a brisk SW wind was blowing.
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California Condor: Eben McMillan 23 april 1964 About 3:00 A.M. I was awakened by light rain falling on my face. The sky was overcast and the wind had changed to the N.W. At daybreak few birds were heard calling. The grass, of which there was a good ground cover on Tejon Flats, was all dry. The cloud cover was breaking away in the West. A brisk, cool breeze blew from that direction. At sunrise a flock of 12 or 15 Purple Martins flew above me heading North with a few Swallows accompanying them. Some Meadowlarks sang and a few Horned Larks flew overhead calling and at times singing. I drove to Tejon Oil Field of Standard Oil Company and chatted with Joe Brown who oversees these wells for that company. Mr. Brown said he had seen no more Condor in the area since the last ones he had reported to me the early part of the winter. Mr. Brown said he had been wondering what had become of the Condor. I talked to Ray Like who with another person was feeding some Bulls at the Corrals below old Headquarters of Tejon Ranch. He had not seen nor heard of any Condor being in the area for some time. Mr. Like told me I could catch up to the Ranch Cowboys who were leaving the barn about five minutes before and would be going out towards the South Past the Gum Trees. I drove up past the ranch and overtook the Cowboys as they rode up the ridge to the south of the Gum Trees. Gib McKenzie had seen no Condor lately nor had any of the other 8 Cowboys. They said that few cattle had been dying since the -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 23 April 1964 Calves quit coming. This he thought might have some bearing on why condors were not being seen on Tejon. The lower foothills and on out on the flats of Tejon Ranch was all dried grass, but from the level of the Old Ranch Headquarters on up the mountain grasses were still green and plentiful. I drove to a point on road that overlooks the old Tejon Ranch and the country below. I took several photographs here. While photographing I saw an Eagle (Eagle Nest- (Golden) coming around the hillside below me and across a canyon and drop from sight behind a hill. Walking out on the Promontory, on which I had parked, I looked down into the Canyon into where the Eagle had gone out of sight. I then saw an Eagle dropping down Canyon and going away from me as well as leaving an area where several blue Oak trees were standing. Thinking this Eagles movements unusual I drove back down the grade to where I could look into the above mentioned Oaks with the glasses. Here I found out One Young Eagle, about three weeks old, on a nest in the upper third of one of these Oaks that stood below and about 700 yards from the roadway. No doubt the Cowboys, who had ridden past this area after I had talked to them had frightened the adult Eagle from the nest to which it was returning when I first saw it. After watching the young Eagle staggering about on the Nest for several minutes, I left the area for Frazier Park. At Chuchupate Ranger Station, in Cuddy Canyon, I
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california condor Eben Mcmillan 23 april 1964 met Don Hoots who had just been transferred here from the Mt. Lassen area of Northern California and who is stationed here now at Chuchupate Station as assistant District Ranger. Mr. Hoots has never seen condor nor had he heard of the present Condor Survey. Bob Roberts, fire control officer of Chuchupate Station, was there and had a duplicate of the Condor records from Thorne Point ran off for my files. Bob Roberts told of seeing two condor in the Lockwood Valley about three weeks ago. Roberts gave no reason why he had not recorded and filed this observation in the file in which District Ranger Gary Plisco had told me he would have all condor sightings in his district filed. Ranger Plisco is now away on annual leave. Glen Alzola, one of the personnel at Chuchupate Ranger station and who was in the office with Hoots and Roberts, told me of seeing a condor attack a young deer some years ago in the area East of Gorman. The Condor hit the fawn and knocked it down on two occasions. After knocking the fawn down for the second time the Condor alighted near the bush in which the fawn had fell. The Condor walked about the bush looking in as if hunting for the fawn. As this went on the fawn ran out of the bush and up, and out of sight, over the hill. The Condor tried to follow the fawn but in that it had to drop downhill to set momentum it never got up the hill in time to follow where the fawn had gone. I enter this observation only as an example of -
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California Condor Eleanor McMillan 23 april 1969 how well meaning people will get things twisted up. Mr. Alzola said there was no doubt of the bird being a Condor that hit the fawn as he could see the white in its wings. If Alzola did see these things then it is more than likely that the bird attacking the fawn was an immature Golden Eagle. Bob Roberts told me he had seen Condor quite frequently last May in the area to the west of West Big Pine Lookout at the headwaters of the Sesquoc River. He and Alzola also said they have seen Condor on McDonald Mountain, or peak, that lies between Alamo and Cobblestone mountains. These last observations were made last summer and fall. Don Roberts told me that Jeff Calhoun would not be back on Frazier Mountain as Lookout attendant this Summer. He said Mr. Calhoun would be working at some other job about the Ranger Station. Mr. Roberts also informed me that cattle would probably not be grazed on Frazier Mountain this summer as Jack Malouf and associates who had been running cattle there the last several summers had not renewed their lease this year. I must see Cory Ellingsbo, who attends to these Cattle and see what the reason for their not renewing their lease again this year. Ellingsbo had two animals shot on Frazier Mountain last deer season and sent, or mailed, a statement to California Division of Fish and Game for the Cost of these animals. I have a copy of this Statement. It will be interesting to get Ellingsbo's Side of this story of why no Cattle will be on Frazier Mt.
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California Condor Ethan McMillan 23 April 1964 this Summer. I drove to Lekes and inquired of Condor at the Offices of Tejon Ranch Company there. Walter Zijuth had heard of no Condor recently. I was told here that John Grigsby, the resident engineer of Tejon Ranch and the man with whom we first became associated with at the start of this study on Tejon Ranch, had passed away about two months ago. I applied for, and was given, a key, and permit, to enter the Mendiburu lease on Tejon Ranch from April 28 to May 1, inclusive. No one was home at San Emigdio Ranch as I passed there en route home. At Taft I stopped and purchased groceries for a trip into Big Pine mountain area with Ian tomorrow. Very strong winds were blowing from the west as I passed from Incekillrick to Blackwells Corner. Sand was blowing across roadway in the North and South Bellridge areas. Great clouds of dust were also blowing in the Blackwells Corner area. Some rain fell on the windshield near Blackwells Corner and Gladys McMillan told of light snow falling here at home before I arrived. It was cold.
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california condor eben mcmillan 24 april 1964 A light frost was evident this morning at sunrise. A cool north wind blew and a few clouds were visible in the east as 9am and I left for the Cuyama Valley at 7:30 A.M. Crops on the west side of Carrisa plains northwest of Simmler looks fair, but the east side of the plains seems doomed. At 9:30 A.M. a LeConte Thrasher flew across the roadway about one and one-half mile northwest of the Dewey Welling Ranch. At 9:45 six Buzzards were flushed from the Carcasses of two Badgers that had been shot about a week before about one-quarter mile west of the south end of Soda Lake. Three Ravens were also feeding on the Badger Carcasses. The Buzzards and Ravens flew off towards the east. At 10:15 A.M. we stopped to talk with two County Road maintenance men and a Cowboy working for Marcus Rudnick near the south end of the plains. These men all said they [illegible] had never seen Condor. One of the road men said that about five years ago, on a lake near Gallup, New Mexico, he and his wife were rowing out to fish one morning when they saw something resembling another boat on the lake. Knowing no other boat was supposed to be on this lake this man and his wife towed towards this object. When they approached withing [illegible] seeing distance this object turned out to be a large bird, that upon seeing them rose from the water with great flapping of wings and hitting the water with its feet in setting momentum, then after becoming -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 24 april 1964 airborne this bird circled them two or three times and then set down on the water again with a great splash. "This was one of those Condor!" was the mans ending statement. When told we were studying Condor the Cowboy stated that "you had better catch some of those that were left and get them cooped up in cages," as if Cow people had no time to be fooling around with any bird. Arrived at Cuyama Ranger station at 11:40 A.M. The Cuyama valley is as dry, or if possible, drier than the southern carissa plains. Ranger Bill Morse was in his Office. We chatted with him at some length on several matters, particularly Condor observations turned in his lookout personnel. He thought Condor sightings had been more numerous than during the last summer and fall season than had been the case in the past. Mr. Morse thought this could have been caused by more emphasis being placed on Condor than before and therefore more interest taken in watching by lookout personnel; but on second thoughts he thought this not to be the case. Ranger Morse gave late Condor sighting records to Jan. Ranger Morse also gave an account of the numbers of people who had been stranded during a storm, at Easter week, in the Big Pine, Alamar saddle and Santa Barbara Potreros areas. Something like 20 People were cooped up in Alamar Guard Station Cabin, a Forest Service House Trailer in Santa Barbara Potrero-Judell area was filled with people and the Sesquoc Camp or South Fork Guard Station -
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check Mr. Morris Secretary's name Anyama California Condor Eben McMillan 24 april 1964 was over-run with Stranded campers. It seems that a very heavy snow fall at the higher elevations and the weather turned quite cold. One man froze to death who with his companion, had become stalled on their [illegible] Bikes and in trying to walk out the one had become exhausted and being left by his partner who went on ahead for help, was found frozen stiff when help came for him early the next morning. Ranger Morse stated that the lookout on McPherson Peak had observed few if any Condor last year. He thought the Condor movement pattern had shifted so that old established flight [illegible] routes were no longer being used. He thought this showed up in the numerous sightings from Coyama Peak Lookout last year. Ranger Morse evidently had formally recorded two nesting observations of Condor, one of which came from Helen Theirs who is secretary to Mr. Morse. She said that a Condor Nest site was on the east side of the Coyama valley across from where she likes near the mouth of Tinta Canyon. The absurdity of this statement demanded no further discussion of the matter in order to save this lady from embarrassment. We got keys from Ranger Morse in order to go to Big Pine Mountain and left Coyama at 12:10 p.m. We drove west from Coyama and then took foothill road that runs south through farm fields, stopping at length with the shepherd Julian who was camped about one mile west of Old Coyama, and who told us of seeing four Condor feeding on a dead sheep about one mile to the northwest of where he now camped and about ten days or two weeks ago. He pointed out the place where he had been camped at the time he saw the four Condor and told us -
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california Condor Eben McMillan 24 april 1964 another shepherd was camped there now with a flock of sheep. We ate our lunch in Julians Trailer-house after which we drove to shepherds camp at which place Julian had seen the four Condor. The shepherd at this camp was a Basque who had been in this country and mexico for the last forty years. He had herded Sheep in central California a good deal but had never seen Condor to know them. He said that Coyotes had never been much of a problem to sheep he had herded in California nor in Nevada where he had also put in several seasons herding sheep. Also, he had Never been in an area where Eagles had bothered sheep. He did say that on many occasions he had seen old, or sick, ewes lie down and be attacked by Ravens that would pick the eyes of the old, or sick, ewe causing her to go blind. Otherwise he had not been bothered with predators among any of the flocks of sheep he had herded. This old shepherd also stated that the winters in Nevada, being so cold at times that the thermometer would get down to minus ten or fifteen degrees, still did not seem as cold to him as did the winters here in the Coyama Valley. He also said he would be on the lookout for Condor now that he knew they were in this area. we passed up at Old Coyama and then drove up Santa Barbara canyon and out along ridge road to Alamar Guard Station where we looked over the facilities for Camping there Tonight, they drove on towards Big Pine mountain for a distance of about a mile where we were prevented from going further by hard banks of snow that covered the road in protected -
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california Condor Eben McMillan 24 april 1964 places where the sun could not reach. Leaving the pickup at end of navigation we hiked on around Big pine mountain To where we could see out towards the west. Upon reaching this point we found the weather closing in and a light snow commencing to fall so we returned to the car and drove back to alamar Cabin where we put up for the night with a good fire to warm things up and cook our evening stew. All facets of condor study were fully discussed Before we retired for the night. It was decided that if tomorrow turned fair we would hike to west Big pine Lookout by 9:00 A.M. and spend the day in that area searching for Condor. In the event the weather turned bad we thought it best to return home rather than get caught in a snowstorm that might block the road going out for three or four days. a Bear had broken out the North window of the alamar Cabin and making his way inside had left the Cabin in a mess inside. We Patched the window with Ian's air mattress and repaired everything else to where we spent a very comfortable night in out of the howling wind and powder snow that fell.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 april 1964 at 3:00 A.M., the moon was shining brightly but by 5:00 A.M. bad weather had closed in again and a cold fog kept visibility to a minimum. We breakfasted and waited until 8:00 A.M. for the weather to clear. No sign of clearing at 8:15 A.M. So we drove back to the Santa Barbara Potrero's on Sierra Madre Ridge where the clouds were higher and the wind not so cold. Here we studied the "Re-key" activities that are being conducted by the U.S. Forest Service in attempting to tear out sections of brush along the top of this mountain ridge and convert these de-brushed spots into grassland. From all evidence it seemed to us that the money being spent to convert these areas could never in any way be justified on the amount of livestock forage they would produce were they even to be developed to a point whereby their productivity would match that of the best soils in the Potreros nearby. And I think this could ever be accomplished should be out of the question, for most of these spots being cleared of brush are now, or have been brushlands by virtue of the fact that the soils underlying them are mostly porous limestone rock on which the only soil to be found is the direct result of the residue from the brush that has grown here over the years has deposited and support brush for the very reason that brush is all that will thin grow here over a long period of time. Once these soils are eroded away by either wind or water, not even brush will grow. Thus it appears that this development going on here is both a folly and a farce.
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California Condor Elbern McMillan 25 April 1964 At one point on this Re-key operation of the U.S. Forest Service we followed a line where barbed-wire and Posts had been scattered from the ridge top down to within a mile and one-half of the bottom of Sesquoc river and within two miles of Sesquoc Falls. This fence only seems to be dividing one brush patch from another, and seems to be opening up an area, with the building of roads and trails, that could be of great interest to the welfare of Condor for those roads and trails being built in order to construct this fence will allow automotive travel within a problem distance of a known Condor roost and possibly a Condor Nest site. What the purpose of this fence is meant to accomplish it is hard for me to understand. One thing for sure and that is that the number of cattle that will be pastured on those developed Re-key spots with the accompanying expensive fences will never pay for this work even if they were on pasture on those spots at 20 dollars per head per month. If this operation is not the best example of boondoggling of public funds that has ever been promoted then I would like to see one that would beat it. I think the public should demand a thorough appraisal of this whole affair before more funds are squandered and more areas laid waste that at best will never be more than brushland. We lunched at the end of the proposed fence right-of-way, looking down on Sesquoc Falls and the Sesquoc river. Three Red-Tailed Hawks gambolod about in the air in front of us—
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 25 april 1964 Several Raven Passed Over Our heads as they played about over the Sisquoc Valley. One Turkey Buzzard Came up out of Sisquoc River gorge and sailed out eastward Towards the Goyama Valley. After Lunch we hiked back to our pickup on top of the ridge and drove to Santa Barbara Canyon Ranch of Gertrude Reyes. Mrs. Reyes was much disturbed regarding promotion of a, forthcoming, or planned, Sierra Madre Roadway that would traverse the crest of the sierra madre ridge from Santa Barbara Potrero to Miranda Pines on the Northwest end of Sierra Madre Ridge. Entrance to this roadway, from the south, would be through Santa Barbara Canyon therefore passing through the yard of Mrs. Reyes whose home and buildings are situated in a narrow part of the canyon where a roadway would have to pass within 100 feet of Mrs. Reyes home. She was also worried about running Cattle on Santa Barbara-Salisbury and Montgomery Potreros where in the past she has experienced many Problems With unauthorized trespassers disturbing and exciting the cattle she Pastures on these Potreros during the late spring and Summer months. Last Quail season, or during a weekend in Either November or December, Mrs. Reyes was put to a great amount of inconvenience by two hunters who came through or Under the chain that the Forest Service has placed South of Big Pine Mountain to prevent automotive or vehicular traffic beyond this point into the San Rafael Primitive area. These men were in a Jeep and Continued on through the primitive area and out along Sierra Madre Ridge where:
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 april 1964 they hunted Quail until running out of gasoline. These Two men then hiked to a place near Salisbury Potrero and took a truck belonging to a man who was doing brush clearing for the U.S. Forest Service with his Bulldozer and drove this truck to the locked gate in Santa Barbara Canyon that is Near the Reyes Ranch. Here they left the truck they had taken Without permission of the Owner and hiked the short distance to Mrs. Reyes house where after awakening her they were allowed to remain overnight in a house trailer Mrs. Reyes had at her Ranch. This was about midnight. In the morning Mrs. Reyes phoned Ranger Morse in Cuyama who came and took the two men back to Cuyama Ranger Station where he told them, in the presence of Gertrude Reyes, he was going to cite them for trespass, for when asked by Ranger Morse how they got by the Chain across the Roadway south of Big Pine Lookout, they admitted having driven their Jeep under this Chain. Mrs. Reyes said that Morse took these Two men and left her Ranch heading for Cuyama. Later they were returned to her Ranch by an assistant of Ranger Morse, who although being supposed to follow these Two men onto the Sierra Madre Ridge to where their Jeep was and there get the Licence Number of this Jeep. However the Forest Service assistant left the two men at the Reyes Ranch and he returned to Cuyama. The two men then borrowed gas- oline from Mrs. Reyes and returned to their Jeep in the Truck they had taken Without authorization -
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California Condor Eban Mcmillan 25 april 1964 and here they left the Truck Parked even though Mrs. Reyes had warned them repeatedly to be sure and return the truck to the same place it had been when they first took it. This these men did not do. Instead, they left the truck near where their Jeep had been stalled when running out of gasoline, and driving to the locked gate at the Reyes Ranch in Santa Barbara Canyon and there unlocking this gate, with a key they had obtained from the Forest Service Office in Cuyama that morning, and passing on through this gate drove on down the roadway towards Cuyama Valley, Ranger Morse, upon finding his man did not go with those men to their Jeep to get the licence Number of this vehicle, called Mrs. Reyes instructing her to get the licence Number of this Jeep when it passed her Ranch. As the two men passed Mrs. Reyes home, having already driven through the locked gate, Mrs. Reyes instructed her son, Freddie Reyes, to follow the men below her ranch and let them through the cattle guard that prevents automobiles from passing by having a padlocked cable stretched across it. Freddie Reyes following the Two men in the Jeep arrived at their sight of the locked cattle guard just in time to see these two men drive their Jeep under this cable and continue on down Santa Barbara Canyon without anyone having their licence Number.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 april 1964 Mrs. Reyes then told us how the man, who was doing the brush clearing with his Bulldozer near Salisbury Potrero, when arriving on the ground to so at his work found his tuck missing and returning to the Reyes Ranch was much worried as to its whereabouts. Upon being filled in on happenings of the day previous he returned and after bunting for some time found his truck several miles from where he had formally left it, at a location the two Trespassers had left it after returning to their Jeep with the Gasoline. Mrs. Reyes is of the opinion that the two men who trespassed on primitive area, took another automobile or truck, without authorization of the owner and took Gasoline from Mrs. Reyes without Paying generally disturbed the General area, had been fined in Court. It will be interesting to see how this episode actually turned out. One thing is sure, [illegible] One can easily see why Mrs. Reyes would not be in favor of seeing the Sierra Madre Ridge Road becoming a general Public thoroughfare. We returned home via Taft and Blackwells Corner. From South Bellridge to Blackwells Corner great numbers of Antelope Ground squirrels were observed feeding from the grasses that still remain green along the edges of the highway Right- of-way, most of these Ground squirrels were immatures. Between South and North Bellridge Oil fields, a distance of about five miles, the numbers of these squirrels was estimated at more than Twenty per hundred feet of Roadway.
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california condor Eben McMillan 25 april 1964 my son Gregory told me this evening, that Chappy Still, with whom he had worked today branding calves for Adam Grant, reported having seen a condor last Thursday, april 23-1964 feeding on the carcass of a death sheep on the knoll behind Adam Grant barn, in company with about ten Buzzards. This at about 11:00 A.M. Mr. Still told Gregory that the Buzzards and condor all flew when he approached the area where they were feeding on the dead sheep. When he retreated from this area the Buzzards soon returned and fed on the carcass, but the Condor was not seen again. Gregory told me that he had questioned Chappy Still on how he knew the one bird was a Condor. Mr. Still's answer to him was that the Condor was about four times as big as the Buzzards were and when it raised its wings to fly the big White Patches could be seen under its wings. This seems a good description of a Condor.
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Notice To keep the records straight— all records from this date on will be kept according to Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Chalame California Condor P. Bowman McMillan 26 april 1964 I drove down Palo Prieta Canyon at 10:30 A.M., heading for the Cholame Flats. The morning was clear, bright, calm and warm. The Lower Palo Prieta Eagle was seen leaving the Nest Tree as I drove past. This bird was circling above Ortega Spring when I drove on out of the area. At least fifty young squirrels (Beechey) were seen running about on the flat across from the old word place at the mouth of Palo Prieta Canyon. The Cholame flats couldn't look any worse. R.E. Jack Co. are putting out hay to the cattle, but the hay is of poor quality and many of the cattle do not seem to be holding their strength. I talked with the three men who were scattering a truckload of hay on the flats at the bottom of Kerr Grade. They said they had not heard of when the management planned on moving the cattle, if ever. A dead calf was observed on the hay that had been put out the previous day. Carcasses of other calves could be seen buried under the hay. On the ground about one-half mile east of the foot of Kerr Grade 21 Raven were hopping about, and perched on the carcass of a cow that had been dead about two weeks. A Swainson's Hawk was seen to fly in and land in the Swainson's Hawk top of an oak on the hillside about one-quarter mile SE of the foot of Kerr Grade at 11:30 A.M. Soon another Swainson's Hawk dropped in from above and alighting on the back of the former. Copulation occurred with the top, or presumably male bird, gently flapping its wings to maintain balance. Following copulation the upper hawk flew out and circled for a while before alighting -
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 26 april 1964 among the top branches of another Oak about 100 yards further up the hillside. At 1:20 p.m. an adult Golden Eagle came from the South, high, on fixed wings, and continued sailing on Northward until out of sight to the unaided eye. At 12:30 a Cooper's Hawk sailed northward over where I was sitting on a hillside above the foot of Kerr grade. After passing over my position this hawk circled for several minutes before continuing onward, but following the west side of the Cholame Valley in its North-Westward course. At 12:55 Two adult Red Tailed Hawks came and circled above me rather low before gaining altitude as they spiraled upward and then flew west and alighted in the tops of separate Oak trees. One of these hawks was seen later dropping down the Canyon that runs to the west and parallel to Kerr grade. Four separate Nest sites of Burrowing owl were noted on the Cholame Flats. This is more than I have noted in this area for many Years. Since I was last on Cholame Flats, on 23 February 1964, there have been many Cattle die. I noticed the Carcasses of seven cows that had died during this time and at least that many Calves. Surely there would have been at least equal this amount of Cows and Calves that would have died where I could not see them. This supply alone, would have kept 25 or 30 Condor well fed for 60 days, assuming that other Ranches in the area had lost this amount between them from the food supply for Condor in this area would have been glutted. Driving back up Palo Prieta Canyon on way home at 3:15 p.m. I saw twelve Deer deer all lying under trees close by the roadway.
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california condor: eben mcmillan 27 april 1964 I drove 3 miles east of my home where a flock of sheep have been grazing on volunteer wheat on land owned by Ernest Still, in choice valley. The shepherd caring for these sheep informed me he had seen a condor several days before that had alighted near the carcass of a cow that had been dead a long time. This shepherd could speak no english and was dissatisfied with conditions here in the united states and stated that he did not care to return again. He particularly did not like the privation experienced by spanish shepherds here and he said he did not like herding sheep as he had been a farmer in spain and had done little sheep herding before. The above shepherd told me that he had experienced no problems among his sheep due to coyotes. He also told me that in spain there is a wild dog that is smaller than the coyote, and a wild cat that catches domestic fowl at times. This shepherd, who tends a flock belonging to Joe Estros, was very dissatisfied with his lot in this country. He has spent most of his time here isolated from other people. This he does not like. He thought he had been misrepresented to him when he came to this country. He also told me that coyotes have never been a problem among any sheep he had herded in this country.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 April 1964 It was overcast when we arose at sunrise and a brisk, and cool west wind was blowing. I packed up and drove down Bitterwater Valley at 8:00 A.M. Cattle in small numbers still remain on the stark grassless plain. They still looked strong and healthy even though no forage was in evidence. This is when overgrazed lands are damaged the most. It seems that cattle numbers, regardless of how many, do little damage to soil when it is covered with bare vegetation, but when it is [illegible] and coverless, then even a few cattle, or sheep, on a large area can do untold damage. The disturbance of the soil with each hoofstep sets up a cumulative situation that tends to generate its own problems from there on until rain, or moisture of some sort, stabilizes this area again, and in aggravated instances sometimes moisture does not stop the blowing of the land. The soil east of Blackwells corner is already, even before summer, blowing. If more rain fails to come to germinate the Russian Thistle, this area could become a chronic dust bowl. Ten miles east of Famosa I talked with the Red Headed shepherd who has been camped in this area since January. He told me that several sheep of his flock have died lately but that he has only seen Buzzards and Ravens feeding on them. This shepherd is Spanish, not Basque, and does not speak the Basque language. His name is Fulgencio Beaumont. I photographed this man with kod. II on Roll 3. He has been in America two and one-half years. He claims not to have saved any money. The range he is pasturing is badly overgrazed. It being low enough in the foothills that the rains did not come here in sufficient quantity to make a good season.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 april 1964 near Poso creek oil fields, on road from Famosa to Woody, I found and photographed the carcass of a Buzzard that evidently had been hit by a Car as it fed on the carcass of a Cotton-tail rabbit that I found lying on the opposite side of the road. One seldom sees Buzzards killed on the roadways even though they feed in this way quite a bit. Past the Poso Creek oil fields I stopped at the home of Russell Lawrence Moore. Both he and Mrs. Moore were home. Neither of these people had seen, or heard, of Condor lately. Mr. Moore said he was thinking about me only ten minutes before I drove up to his house. His thinking of me was triggered by him seeing a Buzzard sitting on a Power Pole that at first sight looked big enough to be a Condor, but upon closer Observation he saw it was a Buzzard. Mr. Moore told me of seeing 45 Condor about twelve years ago in a canyon about three miles west by Northwest from his home on Famosa-Woody Road. He said it was in August and squirrels were being poisoned in that area, at that time. He said he had taken several children who were at his house on a Jay ride down this canyon where water runs and lots of tules grow. The forty five Condor were circling low over this area and remained circling long enough for Mr. Moore to get a—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 april 1964 Good Count of them. He remembered this date by the fact that someone had died in the family which was the reason for the family gathering at his home with the resultant group of children there. Mr. Moore also told me of shooting a Condor, that had already been wounded and was unable to fly, with a shotgun, about seven years ago. He came upon this Condor as it was walking hurriedly up a hillside about three miles southwest by west of his home. He said he shot the Condor to put it out of its misery. He said the outer third of one wing was shattered as though it had been hit with a rifle bullet. After he shot this Condor he cut one wing off from close to the body and took it home. This wing remained in his garage for a long time. "Now, what Should I have done in a case of that kind?" Mr. Moore asked me. "I knew no one to notify and somebody told me I could have been arrested for shooting the Condor!" "I only wanted to put the bird out of its misery!" I told him that so long as I was around, should he find any sign of a sick, or wounded, or dead, Condor, to phone me collect and I would see that the proper authorities would be notified. Both he and his wife said they would do this. Russell Lawrence Moore told me of a great fondness he has for hunting deer. He said —
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california Condor. Eben McMillan 28 april 1964 that is the only hunting he does much, but that he sure likes to go after those Buck deer. He told us he always carries a shotgun and a rifle in the car, or Jeep, with him, and that he loves to shoot Jackrabbits for Practice for deer season. Now this is my judgement of Mr. Moores story. I believe he saw several Condor and could have seen fifteen or more of these birds for Koford States' that twenty miles east of Famosa, during squirrel Poisoning time, Condor Could be seen there in good numbers. So we will say that Moore saw fifteen Condor and hirty Buzzards and counted them all, or more likely saw fifteen Condor and recounted them all three times. This can be done easily as a flock of Condor circle. As to the Condor he shot, I also think this to be true and he may have been the one who shot the Condor and broke its wing - From what I know of most people who Carry rifles and Shotguns in their Cars, I would say that without some education in what NOT to shoot, they will all shoot at any large bird if they see it within range. Bob Lewis, of the Navajo Ranch, once stated to me when we were talking of Condor at a Rodeo on La Panza Ranch about fifteen years ago, " sometime I would like to shoot one of those Condor so I could see just what they look like" end quote.
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california condor Eben McMillan 28 April 1964 stopping to chat with shepherd Bautista Aleman who is still camped east of Bakersfield Woodyroad a few miles East of Mr. Pazo, I found him thinking he had seen condors but after discussing his observations with him it was evident that he had been seeing hawks for he showed me the aged remains of a hawk's wing that he said was like the big birds he had seen circling about his camp. I would judge he had killed the hawk from which the first bit in any feathers of the right wing is all that now remains, for he has a .22 caliber rifle in his trailer house. I drove to Bakersfield and had my butane gas tank filled, after which I drove to Caliente and talked with Mr. Brown, who operates a store there. He told me that Mr. Atkinson, a relative newcomer to this area and who runs the post office in Caliente, had reported seeing great numbers of Condor in the area a few weeks ago. Otherwise he had heard of no other Condor observations by residents of the Caliente area. I went to Caliente post office and found, after considerable discussion with Mr. Atkinson regarding the Condor, he was supposed to have seen. There is now little doubt but that they were Turkey Buzzards. At the McCarthy Ranch, at Beale ville McCarthy had seen no condor lately, but told me that as a young fellow in this area forty years ago condors were seen commonly, particularly in the Cummings Valley area. Driving east east of Bealville on highway 46, I saw a flock of Buzzards wheeling over the valley bottom Near Keene. There were 50 plus Buzzards in this flock that are probably associated with
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californis Condor then Mcmillan 24 april 1964 The birds that form the Buzzard roost here at [illegible] Driving on over the Tehachapi, via Pale Creek Pass, I Turned west along L.A. water aqueduct road that proceeds along foothills on east slope of Tehachapi mountains. I had stopped and cooked my supper and was again proceeding along the rutted, winding and sandy roadway when a flock of 25 plus Vaux swift caught up to me and proceeded to move on past me on my left. A fairly strong west wind was blowing that seemed to present some problem to these birds. I sped up to 30 [illegible] miles per hour and at this speed was able to stay even with these birds that remained near the roadway and at times crossed over in front of me. After pacing the swifts along this roadway for about one mile I lost them as I entered Cottonwood canyon. I was surprised at the westward course of these swifts, in fact their course along this aqueduct road was more or less on a southwest course but the birds kept moving across to my right seeming to be tending to move a bit more westward. These swift remained close to the ground when flying and were averaging about 30 mph. in ground speed. I stopped at the West Antelope Aqueduct Station of L.A. Water and Light in Cottonwood Canyon where Mr. Miller, whose [illegible] automobile it was that had been shot up on two separate instances, while being left parked at the roadside at end of Rosemond Boulevard, where he had been leaving this car while catching the high school bus on his way to Rosamond. Mr. Miller was home and was most willing to discuss the car shooting incident. He told me
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California Condor Eban McMillan 28 april 1964 of having to replace four of the heavy padlocks that lock the heavy marble manhole covers, that are scattered along the aqueduct, just this last weekend. He showed me these four padlocks that had been hit with rifle bullets in places where they would break open. Mr. Miller said he has a bin full of damaged locks he has replaced during the last several years. He said that the L.A. Water and Power Department do not encourage arrest of those found damaging these locks. They claim it is cheaper to replace the locks. Miller gets no help from the authorities in trying to discourage this promiscuous shooting in an area that, is closed to the discharge of firearms. He maintains this unrestricted shooting goes on each weekend and that during School Vacation the tempo increases. Mr. Miller wants me to contact the aqueduct patrolman southwest of him where I would be shown how these shooters finally destroy, with rifle shooting, the six inch thick Concrete encasements that have been built by the Water and Power Department to protect expensive pizzometers that meter the altitude of the water in the aqueduct. Not only have these Concrete fortifications been broken down by rifle power, but many of the expensive pizzometers also shot to bits. Mr. Miller also stated that L.A. Water and Power Department are now planning on fencing highway aqueduct north of Highway 466,
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california condor Ebenmcmillan 28 april 1964 at a cost of some $180000, with human tight fences, as a means of getting away from this Same sort of problem there. Miller is quite certain that all living creatures that remain in the area, that are large enough for a target, are Shot on sight by this mob of Shooters, most of Whom, he thinks, Come from the Los Angeles area. He said his Children used to raise pet Ravers that they would bring up from infancy after having found them in Nests in the trees near the Aqueduct Station. This is no longer done for as soon as the young Raver commence to fly they venture Away from the yard and are Shot. Mr. Miller also has Edens on the matter of Coyote Control. At present, he said, there are signs scattered through his area, stating that traps and Poison bait Stations are set for Predator Control of Coyotes. He thinks the Coyote is Nearly Non- existent in the desert Portions of Kern County due to this incessant Campaign. He said that the farmers in Antelope Valley, along the edge of the desert, suffer great loss each year to Jackrabbits while at the same time this program to eradicate their Predators is in force. I camped for the night in Cottenwood creek, about two miles above the Aqueduct Station. A
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 april 1964 strong west wind blew throughout the night and near midnight a few drops of rain fell on my face.
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California andor Eben Mcmillan 29 april 1964 I was up at sunrise. The West Wind Continued to blow quite Strongly. A Scott's Oriole sang from a Joshua Tree nearby. The likeness of this birds Call to that of the Meadowlark, belies the kinship of these birds. House Finches also sang about. Miguel Iturriia, Patron for Mendiburu on Tejon Ranch lease, was Contacted at his Camp in Cottonwood Canyon. Mr. Iturriia Talks some english. He had seen no Gudor, of late, nor had he heard of any sheep having died. I drove into foothills where I found the body of a ewe that had only died a day or so before. Signs were in the area of poison bait and traps Stations being out, but I could get no evidence that this Sheep had been Poisoned, Even though an automobile truck had Passed around it and showed signs of having stopped there for a time. Another Sheep Carcass was found farther west along foothills in Little Oak Canyon that had been here for several days without ever having been eaten on. This Carcass was Near a roadway and also showed Signs of having been closely approached by an automobile. Still another Sheep Carcass was found later, in Cottonwood canyon, about one mile below Iturriia's Camp. Nothing had fed on this Carcass. From the Veil of Secrecy that
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 29 april/1964 now prevails within the Predator Control Program, of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is going to be difficult to get satisfactory information from these people relative to their ever [illegible] injected the carcass of dead sheep with strong potions of compound 1080, in order to poison Coyotes, that would come to eat on carcass. One of the shepherds today told me that one of his two sheepdogs had disappeared. One Golden Eagle, three Ravens and [illegible] Red-Tailed- Hawks were the only large birds seen today. The West wind blew a tempest all day throughout the eastern foothills of the Tichachy's mountains. clouds or fog, hung over the mountain tops and it was quite cool.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 30 april 1964 I camped in a canyon east of little Oak Canyon last night. The wind blew a gale all night long and is continuing on unabated. Evidently this is a prevailing Spring Condition for I notice the Oaks in Canada Del Secretario, Little Baldy and Cottonwood Canyons all leaning downhill as though experiencing considerable Pressure from downhill winds, while the Pines on the upper ridges also have given way to the pressure of this wind. This could be a factor in the shortage of large birds On this side of the Tehachapi Mts. For today, a turkey Buzzard I saw in Canada Del Secretario Canyon, at 10:00 A.M., was literally blown out of this canyon, into the desert. I doubt that Condor would be able to maneuver in this downward blast. They do well in Currents as strong as this in the Sapse, but these are uphill winds on which the Condor can sit for any length of time it chooses. There is nothing like that here. I drove over Tehachapi Range in afternoon through the White Oak Lodge. Mateo Amundarain, an aged Basque Shepherd, who has been in America forty-three years, was camped with his flock, among the Oaks, past, White Wolf lodge. Mateo told me he had seen no Condor of late in the Tehachapi Mountains. That two of his sheep had died or been killed by Coyotes, even though he lets them spend the nights on a brush covered hillside to the east of his Camp about one quarter mile. Mateo does not think that Coyotes
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California Condor Eben McMillan 30 april 1964 Another sheep too much after they get some size, for he remembers small flocks that have shayed away and lived by themselves in the mountains for long periods of time without any death loss occurring among them. Here also I am reminded of a passage in, The Flock (Mary Austin), when she was told how, following a severe drought on Tijon Ranch in its early history, all sheep were turned loose to fend for themselves in the mountains. The following spring after good weather conditions had returned, a sizable portion of the total flocks originally loosed, were regathered in good condition, they having spent the winter in the mountains fending for themselves in a most successful way. I passed on over the mountain and dropped into Tijon Canyon. Here I found Juan Arburua Camped with a flock of [illegible] sheep, in a flat, at the foot of the grade. Juan had lost three sheep two days ago to some predator. Coyotes, he thought. He had seen no scavengers feeding on these sheep carcasses. While I was talking with Juan a Golden Eagle circled a hillside not far away. He claimed not to have ever seen a bird like this one before. Therefore it is doubtful if many of the Busques over here To be very proficient as Naturalists. Generally speaking, they are a rather dim-witted lot.
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 30 april 1964 Grass was lush and tall as I drove on down Tejon Canyon past the Indian habitations. Coming westward from the top of Cummings Mountain, following downward in Tejon Canyon along, open, ridge, a Telegraph Cable is being buried. The process of which is cutting a great scar across the land. This Cable runs out of the Canyon north of Old Headquarters and heads west in the general direction of Maricopa. Much trenching, ditching, filling and Bulldozing equipment is on the ground working now, and where their stay will be brief, their scars are many once they are gone. I arrived home to find that Dan had been seeing Condor, on Cholame flats, the last two days. ondor entered
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 May 1964 The sky was partly overcast with high fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze was blowing from the Northward as a drone down Palo Prieta Canyon at 10:20 A.M., heading towards the Cholame flats. The temperature was mild. A Golden Eagle was perched atop a small fence post, on hilltop, above Dick Escarcia home. Five Ravens were feeding on the ground near roadway at mouth of Red-Rock Canyon on east side of Cholame flats and four Turkey Buzzards were feeding on the carcass of a ground squirrel, on hillside Northside of mouth of Red Rock Canyon at 10:55 A.M. At 11:00 A.M. a Golden Eagle was observed through the glasses circling high, to the North, over mouth of Rock Corral Canyon. These observations were made from inside pickup which was pointing up Red Rock Canyon, to Northeast. At 11:05 A.M. I stepped out of pickup and immediately saw four adult Condor circling directly overhead about one-quarter mile above me. These four Condor had no doubt come from the West and had just arrived for as they circled upward, the wind that now came from the West, soon carried them Eastward and higher. At 11:08 these four Condor, very high now, proceeded westward where they dropped lower near the foot of Keep grade. The last sight of these birds I had was of one that was circling about in the canyon that is just mouth of Keep grade on Cholame Ranch property. This Condor was easy to follow when above the horizon at this distance which, on an air line, is a little more than three miles.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 may 1964 At 11:30 A.M. I dragged the carcass of a calf that lay on the feeding grounds near roadway, at mouth of Redrock Canyon, up on the point to the northeast. The Buzzards that were still feeding on the squirrel carcass now left as I dragged this calf carcass near the place where they were feeding. The wind from the west was now becoming stronger and the cloud covering more intense. I then drove to mouth of Rock Corral Canyon from where I scanned the skies for several minutes. At 11:40 an immature red tailed hawk came up out of the flats below and after gaining altitude moved out to the northwest. Four Buzzards were observed in the sky over separate locations at 11:57 A.M.. At 12:17 P.M. a Golden Eagle was seen circling high out to the north. After this bird gained considerable elevation it drifted out eastward slowly and out of sight. At 1:00 P.M. I met Ian at foot of Kerr grade. He was watching Condors that were feeding on the carcass of a small calf he had dragged there last evening, on a ridge, above the flat where cattle are fed south of the roadway. During the afternoon up to eight Condors came and went to this carcass only one of which was an immature bird. This one young condor was a spot-in-the- wing bird, the spot showing up more pronounced than in any specimen I have ever seen before. Several of the adults were of imperfect plumage but due to the fact that I was quite busy most of the time taking pictures I had little time to
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 May 1964 Detail these defects. However the following were noted. 1 adult Condor: Fourth primary of left wing missing. 1 adult Condor: Gap in right wing close to body. Then of course the juvenile Spot-in-the-wing bird. The following diagram is to give some idea as to the location and shape of these spots. Immature spot-in-wing-Condor. This juvenile Condor could not have been much over one year old, if any. It showed poor capabilities in flight and at times when hit by side currents when circling it would be visibly disturbed. Also one adult Condor seemed to remain with it continually and once when this adult Condor had flown and alighted atop a nearby Oak tree another adult Condor came in and ran the immature bird away from the Calf Carcase, while this act was in progress the adult bird flew down from the tree and attacked the adult that had run the juvenile bird away from the Carcase. First adult Condor and juvenile then dragged Calf Carcase over hill out of sight. Second adult remained in sight, on ridge for some time. I then drove up and put out the Carcase of another dead Calf he had found yesterday. This about food
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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.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 2 may 1964 This morning was overcast and threatening rain. By 11:00 A.M. the threat of rain had passed somewhat but it was still cloody with patches of blue showing. At 10:30 A.M. Gregory McMillan came home from helping Adam Grant ship his cattle. He told me of seeing Turkey Buzzards feeding on a dead sheep on hillside behind Adam Grant home after which I advised him to return to this location and see if he could load the sheep carcass into the pickup so that we could use it as condor bait on the Cholame flats. This he promptly did but soon returned with the information that the sheep carcass was pretty messy having been opened up by the buzzards and ravens that were feeding on it. Condor At 11:30 A.M. Gladys spotted an adult condor circling about one-quarter mile south of our house. I glanced out my bedroom window to which I was confined with the flu and believed her observation. This condor soon moved on south. At 12:30 Gregory McMillan drove, via back way, to area where sheep carcass was on Adam Grant property. Here he found six condor feeding in company with about two dozen Ravens and 7 or 8 Buzzards. The condor, though showing some fear when he first approached, returned to the carcass to feed and allowed him to take shots of them with the telephoto lens. Gregory left the condor, Buzzards and Ravens all fighting and feeding and returned to the house at 12:45 P.M. Whereupon he was joined by his mother on a return trip to try for
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California Condor Eben McMillan 2 may 1964 Take movies of the Condor. As they approached the area of the Sheep Carcass the Condor, that were now sitting about on the ground, resting, Took off on the wing and sailed out to the Southeast along the ridge that divides the Bitterwater drainage from the San Juan river drainage. Later this evening Jan reported last seeing six Condor, that had circled as a group of eight over an area about one- and one-half miles southeast of Kerr Grade, fly out of sight to the Southeast while the two of the Eight returned. We last saw the six Condor go out of sight at 11:20 A.M. According to my State of California, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry map of San Luis Obispo County, the air line distance between the foot of Kerr Grade and my house is eleven and one-half miles. Now suppose the six Condor, last seen by Jan, were one and one-half miles southeast of the foot of Kerr Grade when he last saw them. This would make the distance they would need to cover, to reach my home, as ten miles. There seems good reason to assume that the one Condor Gladys McMillan saw over our home at 11:30 A.M. was one of the group of six Condor that Jan last saw at 11:20 A.M. This then seems to be substantial evidence that the six Condor covered the ten miles in ten minutes, or an average speed of one mile per minute. This Corresponds to the Speed we established a Condor traveled over an estimated distance over the top of Frazier Mountain last year.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 may 1964 Clear - warm, with gentle winds. I drove to Cholame flats at 1:00 p.m.. Cowboys were working a herd of Cattle they held in fence corner near headquarters. Four Turkey Buzzards fed on a cow carcass that lay near old spring in Maule flat. Three Buzzards fed on the carcass of a Calf that lay about 300 yards west of main road about one-half mile north of Kerr grade road. One of these Buzzards was in a very unkept manner, wings serrated and tail scrappy, and appeared to be paralyzed in its legs. This bird moved about with the aid of its wings and when on the ground lay prone with its head low. It would flap up on the calf carcass but I doubt that it could do much feeding. As far as I could see it could not get enough movement from its head and neck to pull any meat from the carcass. Soon this buzzard, as well as the other two that fed with it, flew into the air. Once airborne the paralyzed buzzard seemed to fly satisfactorily. Seven Buzzards circled behind the Rambo farm buildings before sailing down to feed on the Cow carcass at 3:30 p.m., At 4:30 p.m., two Turkey Buzzards were seen to come sailing down Red Rock Canyon and continued on out over Cholame flats. Otherwise No large birds were observed in Cholame Flats today.
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California condor Eben McMillan 9 may 1964 To Cholame flats at 2:00 p.m. Several Buzzards came and went to cow carcass that lay near old spring on Maule flat. They also worked on the calf carcass that lay 100 feet east of this cow carcass as well as another carcass that lay one-half mile east and nearer the road. There was not much wind. It was even a bit warm at times. No other large birds were seen today. plenty of food was becoming available for Condor. Three more calves dead. There is something funny about these Calves that are dying from malnutrition. The Condor and Buzzards do not seem to open the carcasses up other than at the Naval and the anus. Could it be that due to the emaciated condition of these carcasses perhaps the skin becomes tough, or could it be that the meat is not acceptable to the Condor not the Buzzards. It can't be due to age for two carcasses I have watched that were not opened up were of calves that died at birth. The Cow and Calf that Condor, Turkey vultures, and Ravens have been feeding on regularly on the Maule Flat, by the old dry spring box, on Cholame Ranch, died by causes other than malnutrition. Scavengers worked on these carcasses quite thoroughly. I am beginning to think that Cattle that have starved to death are not good food items for Condor.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 10 May 1964 Drove down Palo Prieta Canyon heading for Cholame flats at 7:45 A.M. I wanted to make sure that Condor were not coming in early and leaving before Noon. Lower Palo Prieta Eagle was on Nest, feeding young I suppose, and flew out to circle over Bruce canyon, at the moment I drove by. Two Buzzards were on ground by cow carcass that lay near spring on Maule flat. This number increased to Seven by 9:15 A.M. I had bumped the [illegible] of a sheep we had butchered last night on ridge [illegible] one-quarter mile north of foot of Kern grade. I saw a Weasel that stood on its hind legs and looked at me from the mouth of a Gopher hole. This is one of the springs when Weasels in this area have an explosion in population or at least one can see Weasels quite common now and perhaps several years will pass before more of these little mammals will be seen again. As I walked away from the pickup, towards the carcass of a Calf that lay nearest the roadway, I saw what appeared to be the same Turkey Buzzard that was paralyzed in its legs on 8 May, on the carcass of this same Calf. Today, this Buzzard seemed much improved and could stand and when in flight, did not dangle its legs as it did on 8 May. I think a [illegible] of Lewis Woodpecker are nesting in one of the old death trees that still stand inside the Netting enclosure where the spring of water used to be on Maule flat. At least one Lewis Woodpecker flew from a hole in this tree when another came and called. Very little wind blowing on Cholame flats at 10:00 A.M. and the sun was rather warm. Not a cloud was in the sky. At 10:10 A.M. I saw two Condor circling low, and —
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 May 1964 Laboriously, quite low, over the mouth of the draw near where I had left the sheep to fall this morning. I drove there and stopped on Rambo Road, but in front of this draw. As I stopped here I saw both Condor circling close to the foothill to the west. While getting my binoculars out and moving outside the pickup to where I could take a rest on the engine hood, I lost sight of both Condor. After watching the hillside for ten minutes, where I had last seen them, I saw one adult Condor walk from behind a tree and stand on the ridge that runs up a bit north of where the P.G.&E. Gas line goes. This bird stood for several minutes before it flew out to the north, skimming the Oak tops as it went. As it proceeded northward the young spot-in-wing bird came up from the ground through some oaks on the north facing ridge and followed the adult. Both continued northward, seeming to be troubled considerably in gaining elevation, and circled for several minutes over the mouth of the canyon south of Rambo's barn. After circling this canyon mouth for about two minutes with little success in gaining altitude, and being dive-bombed by a Red- tailed Hawk, both birds moved back southward over the route they had just come, and the adult, at least, that I happened to be watching, landed in the top of an Oak, uphill about one- hundred feet from where it had been on the ground some five minutes before, on this ridge north of P.G.&E. pipeline. I did not see what became of the spot-in-wing bird. At 10:45 A.M. the adult Condor left the tree on the ridge and flew south over the draw where Manzanita grows and -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 may 1964 after circling here briefly dropped into this Canyon out of sight. At 11:00 A.M. an adult Condor came from the North, in flat glide, so I feel sure it came from a distance, and after circling twice, dropped down and out of sight in the Canyon into which the other adult Condor had disappeared into only ten minutes before. Three Condors came out of this same Canyon at 11:13 A.M. Two adults and a spot-in-the-wing bird. One of the two adults had 4th primary missing from right wing and a gap in left wing also about where 6th Primary should be. The other adult had perfect plumage. These three Condors circled the area about foot of Kerr Grade for five minutes gaining considerable altitude before flying out towards the Southeast. After going Southeast a distance of about one-half mile, the spot-in-wing bird and the adult, with primaries missing, circled and returned while the other adult continued on Southward. Spot-in-wing and missing Primary adult returned and circled high for a few minutes then sailed out Northward where they circled several minutes above Rumbo Ranch before returning again to area about mouth of Kerr Grade, where they circled briefly before dropping in and alighting among six Turkey Buzzards that were feeding on the Sheep offal I had left on the Little Ridge this morning, about one-quarter mile North of the bottom of Kerr Grade. At first, both Condors acted suspicious of the Sheep Entrails—
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 10 may 1964 and approached them carefully, and when reaching out to pick at them, with its beak, the adult condor stood back as far as it could and still reach the guts. When the guts would move, or being pulled by the adult, the bird would jump or otherwise flip its wing, as if in preparation to jump back quickly. The immature bird stood by and watched the adult. At times when both condor would move away from the guts, a few feet, one of the buzzards would dash in and nibble at the pile. On these OCCASIONS the young condor would run after the Buzzard in a lumbering, gungly fashion, and chase them Soon the Condors became Confident. The adult would Stand on the guts and tear Pieces off, Sometimes eating the Piece on the spot or sometimes dropping it on the ground from whence the young condor would retrieve it, and eat Same. At no time did I see the adult condor attack the young one, although the young condor showed great respect towards the adult and appeared to suspect the adult of attacking it. On occasion both young and adult condors would stand and lower their heads near the ground moving their heads about close to one another. I could Not see that anything was accomplished by this holding heads together other than as might be a show of affection between Parent and offspring. The young bird did show subservience to the adult bird. After these two condor had cleaned the guts up, quite well, they both hiked uphill thirty feet and stood briefly in the shade of an Oak. The Buzzards moved back to the remains of the Offal and picked at what remained. Several.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 May 1964 magpie that had fed on the offall, while the Condor were also feeding, seemed to draw little concern from the Condor. I suppose the size of the [illegible] magpie would be the reason why the Condor did not attempt to run them away. After standing in the shade of the Oak tree for a few moments the adult Condor first jumped out into the air and sailed out northeastward to be followed in turn by the young Condor. Both coasted and pumped out to a point above the center of the valley, where they soon climbed high on thermals that came up from the alkali flats, and in a few moments both were circling high and drifting back westward. Both Condor loafed above the area for about ten minutes. At 12:23 p.m., both were still circling high. At 12:30 p.m., these two Condor were last seen moving southeastward along foothills on west side of Cholame valley and about three miles SE of the foot of Kerr grade. No more Condor were seen in the Cholame flats area prior to the time I left the area at 2:45 p.m.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 11 MAY 1964 It was clear, calm, and mild as I drove down the Palo Prieta Canyon at 7:45 A.M. The blue Oaks in the Canyon are leafing out but the trees on the hillsides seem to be very slow in sending out leaves. Undoubtedly the drought must have some influence on this condition and one wonders if these trees on the hillsides are suffering or are they withholding activities in the interest of their own preservation. The lower Palo Prieta Canyon Eagle was perched in the top of an Oak that stands about 200 feet west of the large tree on the ridge where the Nest is situated. At 8:45 A.M. One Turkey Vulture was feeding at the Cow Carcass near the dry spring on Maple Flat on © Branch and four more Vultures were feeding at the Calf Carcass that lies 200 yards to the east of the Cow Carcass. At 9:30 A.M. A Coyote was seen galloping up a slope just out of the flat on west side of Cholame flats about two miles SE of the foot of Kerr grade. At 9:35 an adult Golden Eagle was seen first circling low over rocks on west side of Canyon to the Southeast of foot of Kerr grade, and at 9:40 this Golden Eagle was on the ground near the Carcass of a dead Calf one quarter mile further up this Canyon. Two Turkey Vultures sailed about the area southeast of the foot of Kerr grade. Condor - At 9:55 A.M. One immature Condor was seen on the ground, near the top of a ridge, about one-half mile southeast of Gene Rumbold barn. This bird was sitting still, out in the center of an open patch of grassland,
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California Condor Eben Tschillan 31 may 1964 and some 200 feet from the Nearest tree. Ian and I watched this bird for some Ten minutes or more during which time it scarcely moved from its trucks. Ian left the area at 9:15 Am. enroute to cholame where he was to meet a Mr. Ken Millar of Santa Barbara who, in turn, was bringing a Mr. and Mrs. Phelps from New York to see Condor. At 10:28 A.m. the immature Condor flew from the Open hillside where it had been sitting and flew Southeast along foothills until it came over the foot of Kerr grade where it stopped and circled with four Turkey Vultures for about two minutes at which time the young Condor dropped down suddenly, banking sharply as it came near the ground, and alighted out of sight over a little raise at the Same spot where Condor had fed on a Calf carcass on May 1, 1964 at the top of a ridge about 3/8 mile south of the foot of Kerr grade. This took Place at 10:34 A.m. and the young Condor was not seen again until it flew out of a small draw downhill from where it had gone out of sight earlier and circled above the low foothills 1/2 mile S E y foot of Kerr grade at 11:15 Am. This young Condor now circled up high, quite quickly, and in a minute or two was circling high out to the east of foot of Kerr grade about a mile at 11:18 A.m. At 11:19 A.m. this Young Condor sailed slowly westward and after coming above the ridge top on west side of Cholame valley turned and drifted with this ridge Southeastwards. While in this last glide a raven came up with the Young Condor and Seemed to disturb it with its Presence and on one occasion the-
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California Condor Ebon McMILLAN 11 May 1964 Young Condor was seen to make a dive towards the raven which the raven thwarted with little effort and continued to follow the Young Condor. Upon coming above a draw where three Turkey Vultures were circling low over the Dale tops the Young Condor dropped down and went out of sight somewhere in this draw that is one of the far southeast drainages of the Canyon that dumps out on Chalame flats southeast of the foot of Kerr Grade about 5/8 of a mile. The Young Condor went out of sight, into this draw, at 11:36 A.M. At 11:43 A.M. a young Condor was seen to circle above the horizon above the area where we had gone out of sight at 11:36. This Condor circled with several Turkey Vultures above the ridgetop here for several minutes appearing at times as though it would drop down again but after several passes over the area it went up higher and then headed Southeast in a flat glide at 12:06 P.M. and was soon lost from sight still going in this same direction. At 1:50 P.M. An adult Condor with 5th Primary missing from right wing and a gap in primaries of left wing came in from the North on flexed wings and very high, passing directly over where I lay on my back, eating my lunch, on hillside 1/4 mile south of foot of Kerr Grade. As it came overhead this bird down slowed considerably in speed, and where it did not deviate from a straight course, it appeared to be floating over air waves that would cause it to trim its sails when dropping into troughs and spreading out for more surface when meeting the uphill side of these waves. The wing action did not include wrist motion as is the-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 11 May 1964 Case when these birds are manipulating cross currents. The action was very much like a human being swimming in the surf of the ocean. After loafing above me for about 30 seconds this adult Condor went into the flex glide and moved on down the ridge and when last seen as a dim speck at 2:04 P.M., was moving south somewhere in the Neighborhood of Cholame, Calif. I feel sure this was the same Condor that fed with the immature bird on the offall of the sheep I placed out North one-quarter mile of the foot of Kerr Grade after Noon yesterday. I also feel quite sure that the young bird that was present this morning was the same Spot-in-Wing-bird as was about yesterday. The Phelps, Ken McMillan, and a all visited with Gene Rambo at his home in the afternoon. Gene said that he had brought two of the Calf Carcasses, that had died from malnutrition on Cholame flats, home to his dogs for food. The dogs would not eat these Calf Carcasses. This morning I chopped open the rib Cage of a @ Calf that had been been dead about two days. It smelled similar to the gas that comes from a mud-hole when a horse walks through slumud, No Turkey vultures-Raven, Eagles or Condor came to feed on this Carcass today even though I had seen a Golden Eagle sitting near it before I opened it up with hatchet.
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California condor Eban McMillan 13 May 1964 It was clear and warm with a gentle west wind blowing as a left home heading down the Bitterwater Valley. Cattle are still on the land in the Bitterwater even though the area looks incapable of supporting them. The area from the mouth of Bitterwater valley to the Lost Hills oil fields is showing signs of blowing badly. Stopping at Minter Field I talked with Ben Easley who is in charge of squirrel poisoning in Kern County. He said that crews were at work now on the Hudson Ranch above Maricopa and that a crew had been working in the McKittick area. Carl Twisselmann and Ernest Still have been poisoning off and on, having to stop to ship cattle at times. Ben Easley said that no poisoning was now going on where heavy concentrations of squirrels occur. He said one of his men, George Moore, was running a small crew on the Mandubury property, lease, east of Famosa, but that they were not putting out much poison. Mr. Easley told me that Freeland Farnsworth was to bring in five-thousand pounds of grain for Mr. Easley to mix with [illegible] poison that Farnsworth was to put out on his property for rats. Easley also mentioned that The Woody Ranch, that had ordered 500 pounds of rat poison three weeks ago, had not put it out yet. I questioned Mr. Easley if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service got their 1080 poison from his office. He said No, that oftentimes it is the other way. That his office gets 1080 from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Boise, Idaho.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 May 1964 On Government lands, like the Forest Service Lands, when a crew of Easley's men are Poisoning for some operator who has a grazing lease, his men will do the Poisoning here. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will then furnish him with the Poison, for in a case of this kind Mr. Easley said, that were his office to go through the proper channels of getting permission from the Forest Service, or any other Government Branch, it would take two or three years, so the U.S.F.T.W. Service just issue him the poison and his men do the job of applying. Mr. Easley also told me that sometimes Poison that they have on hand, for any length of time, becomes dehydrated. When this happens they his Office sends this poison back to Fish Wildlife in Boise, Idaho where the Poison is Concentrated again and returned to his Office in a usable form. Ben Easley told me that the San Emigdio Ranch was planning on Poisoning Squirrels soon and that he just did not know their exact plans. I drove to the San Emigdio Ranch in order to set their plans on squirrel poisoning for I think this could concentrate Condor in that area. I found Walter Slaytor in a cast with a broken leg that he had suffered on 17 April 1964. Mr. Slaytor told me of their plans to Poison the San Emigdio in about ten days time with Strychnine poisoned grain. This way he could do the applying with his own men at times when the Cowboys had little else to do. Slaytor said the-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 may 1964 Squirrels were very plentiful in the Canyons of the foothills. Walter Slaytor nor none of his men had seen Condor. He said there were lots of eagles in the hills. He voiced a concern for protecting Eagles and Condor and considered warning all hunters who come onto the San Emigdio lands to hunt in the fall; a good idea. I drove to Tejon Headquarters at Lebec and picked up keys to go up Tejon Canyon, then drove to Tejon Ranch and up Tejon Canyon. I ran onto Ray Like and Jim Wilkensen who told me they had seen no Condor lately. Jim Wilkensen is to be looking after Tejon Cattle that are in the Lebec area this summer. He said he would be on the watch for Condor in that area and keep data of any he sees. Both Wilkensen and Like voiced strong opposition to the shooting of Coyotes on Tejon Ranch and especially to the State Trapper coming in and destroying Coyotes that they feel are doing a service to the Tejon Ranch Co. in keeping the Jack Rabbits down as well as the Ground squirrels. Rain had fallen since I was [illegible] in Tejon Canyon and the Sheep had all been moved to the Mountain Top. I drove to the Top and Came upon Sheep but they were out away from their Camps and were hard to get to, so I Camped for the Night near the head of Cottonwood Canyon. At dusk Coyotes -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 may 1964 Called from the Chin-Oak thickets across Cottonwood Canyon. Later in the night I also heard Coyotes howling. The wind did not blow strongly during the Night. Barn Owls were heard screeching during the night and Screech Owls were also heard. The temperature was cool but not cold.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 14 may 1964 Clear, Calm and cool at sunrise - visited with Mateo Mendiburo who had been moved up into upper reaches of Cottonwood Canyon on east side of Tejon from his former camp on flats below timber line. He said he had lost no sheep since moving up high even though Coyotes could be heard calling at night. He told me that before he left the lower country he had seen what he took to be six Condor feeding on the carcass of a dead sheep about seven days ago. This would have been may 7, 1964. Mateo also stated that he beds his sheep at night on a ridge to the northeast of his camp about one-half mile and that nothing seems to bother them. Mateo now lives in a tent and cooks his meals in a dutch-oven over a wood fire. The grass is still lush and green at the higher elevations on Tejon Ranch and very ample in supply. Five bands of sheep are in this high country now. I saw two sheep carcasses today that had been dead for two and four days and still no scavengers had fed on them. One of the shepherds, Mateo Amundaraen, told me of seeing 35 or 40 Condor circling above the carcass of a lamb that died near his camp in White Oak Valley about ten days ago. The Condor were at this carcass eight days ago. I went to where he told me this carcass was and found it intact even though it was in an advanced state of deterioration. There was no evidence that this lamb carcass had been fed on by scavengers. With this lamb carcass and the two fresher carcasses mentioned above this would be a total of three sheep carcasses that have died within the last ten days none of which had been touched-
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California Condor Blen McMillan 14 may 1964 by scavengers of any sort. The last trip I made here to the Tejon Ranch on 29 and 30 April 1964 I saw three sheep carcasses none of which were more than a week old and on that same trip the Shepherd, Juan Arburva, told me of having two lambs and a ewe killed near his camp none of which, he told me today, had been eaten on by scavengers. This makes a total of ten sheep carcasses I have either seen or had good account of within the last fifteen days, none of which have been eaten on by scavengers of any sort. Now this is rather difficult to deduce. Why there are no scavengers working in this area, on both east and west slopes of Tejon Ranch in the areas of Tejon and Cottonwood Canyon is rather amazing. I saw only one Turkey Vulture on the Tejon Ranch yesterday and today, and no Raven-Eagles or Condor. The young Shepherd, Juan Arburva, in Tejon Canyon said he was quite sure he saw two Condor circling over Tejon Canyon near his camp, that is about one and one-half mile upstream from the Indian school, but he did not see these Condor come to feed on either of the sheep carcasses that were present then and rather fresh. This was two days ago or Tuesday that he saw the Condors. Home from Tejon by 7:30 p.m.
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California Condor Eban McMillan 15 may 1964 Sky was clear except for a few patches of high-thin cirrus clouds, it was moderately warm and a gentle west wind was blowing at 11:13 A.m. today as I looked from the front window of my house and saw two rather large bird shadows passing north of my house in a Northerly direction. Going to the large glass window I saw two adult Condor, moderately high, meandering Northward in an uneven sailing flight, as if hunting for food. The two Condor Continued on Northward for about three-quarters of a mile distance where they commenced to circle and gain altitude and were soon quite high. From this height these two Condor went into a flat glide after dipping the wings, and at 11:17 were lost from sight heading North by Northerly Northwest or in a bee line for the Cholame Flats. Today, while watching these Two Condor at a distance, there seems to be Two Charistics that one Can use to positively identify these birds when they are a Good distance away. These two factors would be predicated on Condor being observed to be either Circling or Coming, or going directly To or from the Observer. When Condor are circling the wrist motion of these birds is much more accentuated than is the case in Other large birds. Golden Eagle would more closely resemble a Condor in flight than any other Western American
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California Condor. Eben McMillan 15 may 1964 land bird and the wrist motion of a Golden Eagle is mostly restricted to the outer one-quarter of the wing. See following diagram. [illegible] wrist motion of Golden Eagle Where the wrist motion of a Condor will include at times the outer half of the wing - See following diagram [illegible] wrist motion of California Condor. The second feature one can use in identifying Condor from other large birds in flight, at a distance must be used when the bird is either approaching or going from the observer. It is then that the brush appearance of the outer primaries of the wings give the Condor an unmistakable appearance. See diagrams following. [illegible] Brush appearance of Condor wings at distance. [illegible] Lack of brush appearance of Golden Eagle when seen at a distance. The Tail of the above Golden Eagle is too low and too wide, nevertheless it shows the important feature of lack of brush appearance of outer tips of wings at a distance. At 11:30 A.M. I drove to Cholame flats, passing up the main valley roadway to Cattleguard where the roadway is fenced on each side near the Cholame Rancho Headquarters. No Condor Nor Turkey vultures were seen at this time. Six more Cows had died near the Kerr Grade bottom since I was here last on May 11th, more death Calves were also in evidence. I drove and parked at
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 may 1964 Top of hill about one quarter mile south by southeast of foot of Kerr grade. At 1:15 P.M. an adult Condor came from the southeast, quite high, sailing easily, and moved on past the spot where I was sitting, to a place about over Cholame Rancho Headquarters where it circled for some time and gaining more elevation before passing out to the eastward. As I watched this Condor heading eastward, high, from direction of Cholame Rancho Headquarters, I momentarily dropped my glasses in order to make my sitting position more comfortable and when glassing the skies again could not relocate this high flying bird but instead picked up what I am sure was another Condor that had just cleared the hills across the valley from me and near where the P.G. and E. Pipe line comes from the east foothills into the valley. This Condor could not be identified as to age due to the distance it was from me. This second Condor raised up very fast, circling, and when at a rather high elevation, this bird dipped its wings and went into a flat glide, seeming to gain elevation as it passed on and out of sight, above Sam Wallace Rocks, with no apparent intent of changing its course. The day was very clear with little haze and high thin cirrus clouds made conditions near perfect for seeing a great distance. My binoculars are 9x35 B & L. I feel certain I can follow a Condor in flight, under ideal conditions such as was the case today, for twelve miles. This Condor passed from my field of vision when it was still well above-
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california condor Ebendmcmillan 15 may 1964 the eastern horizon and still gliding on eastward. looking at my map I see that from where I was sitting to the Top of the ridge above the sam wallace rocks would be about seven miles. Now assuming that a could follow a condor for eight miles, which seems reasonable, the second condor on Cholame flats that passed from right over the eastern sam wallace rocks must have been bound for a long flight that might have taken it across the San Joaquin valley to the area near Tule Indian Reservation, where Condor have nested in the past. My map shows the distance necessary to travel on an air line from the foot of Kerr grade to Tule River Indian Reservation on the east side of the San Joaquin valley to be between Eighty and Ninety miles. This distance, I feel sure, Could be Covered by a sliding Condor in less than one and one-half hours. It is strange that the two sheep that died on the adam Grant Property, last week and the week before were both visited by Condor and Turkey vultures to the point of being Completely Consumed, except for the hide and bones, while sheep on Tejon Ranch were not touched, Nor Cattle on the Cholame flats, the last few days. I am thinking that within the range of Condor, such a plethora of food exists that these birds do become very particular as to where they eat. The location, the quality, and the availability of this food could have an influence on whether Condor would use it or not; and the degree of hunger Suffered by the Condor might have a bearing also. I doubt that there would be any rhyme or reason to when a condor would feed, or where it would feed. It does appear that these birds welcome -
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California Condor Eben J. McMullan 15 may 1964 exercise on the wing and might fly a good distance just to be flying and not in quest of food. Just why this last condor today would leave the Cholame flats that are literally covered with condor food and sail out eastward is hard to explain.
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Cholame 670 california condor Eben mcMillan 16 may 1964 It was cold and foggy with a brisk west wind blowing at sunrise. The fog cleared about 7:00 A.M. but the west wind continued. I drove to cholame flats at 8:00 A.M. with the carcasses of three jack-rabbits that I shot early this morning. I scattered the bodies of the three rabbits near the cow that had died yesterday morning at the mouth of the first Canyon coming from the western slope of cholame valley foothills about one quarter mile south of wooden gate entering Gene Rumbo property from the east. I also opened the paunch of this cow carcass with my hatchet as well as cutting several deep gashes in the rear of each hind quarter. I then drove to the Canyon North of foot of Kerr Grade and glassed the area with my binoculars. Three Turkey vultures came, circling, from Maule Flats on cholame and circling as they went passed out to the south with no apparent interest in any of the many cattle carcasses that lay along the foothills and out on cholame flats, many of which had only died within the last day or so and would appear to interest a hungry Turkey vulture. I drove to east side of cholame valley [illegible] via the road that passes North of the alfalfa Camp and [illegible] proceeded Southeastward along foothills to the mouth of a small Canyon between Rock Corral and Red Rock Canyons where I noticed a young heifer calf -
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 16 may 1964 about four months old, yesterday, in what I thought was the last hours of life, but found it today in the same spot, in about the same shape, being unable to get up, but still being capable of being startled when one would jump Towards it and wave his hands. When this was done the calf would react with a start, as if it were going to get up quickly, but that is all that would happen. It could not get its body off the ground. On one occasion this Calf uttered a plaintive bowl. Returning to west side of Cholame valley, retracing my route, I Saw Two pair of Burrowing Owls along the east side foothills. Crossing the culvert under which pumped Water now flows to water the Cattle just west of the Kerr Grade road turnoff, from the main Cholame flats Road, I Noticed One Cow that had just expired last night while the two Cows that I had photographed yesterday were still alive and in about the Same Stage of living as they were Yesterday. Someone had Put New hay in front of these Cows but other Cattle Were eating it up instead of the distressed animals. Driving southward along foothills, from foot of Kerr Grade, I lett my pickup in the headwaters of the first large Canyon south of Kerr Grade and hiked along the ridge top following the dividing fence between the White Property and Cholame Rancholands in search of a fresh carcass on which Condor could be feeding, having seen Condor in this area a few days ago. No fresh bodies -
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California Condor Eben Inchmillan 16 may 1969 Of Cattle were found, due, I think, to the fact that any Cattle that are now strong enough to make this journey from water are not about to die soon. I met up with several Cows and some calves along the top of this ridge and all appeared frightened at my presence and displayed ample strength in running in the opposite direction of me. Could it be that the grade of hay that is being fed to the Cattle on the flats is upsetting their systems and weakening them? At least the Cattle I found along the top of this ridge seemed quite strong and healthy yet. I also, while hiking along the top of the west slope of Cholame Flats, south of Kerr Grade, noticed the carcasses of several Cows and Calves that apparently had died in January or February of this year. Some showed signs of having been eaten on by scavengers. From this evidence, it would appear to me, that the Cholame Rancho alone, could have supported the present Condor Population with ample food from the first day of January, of this year, up to the present date. This on one Ranch. At 11:10 A.M., while hiking down ridge of southeast drainage of First Canyon south of Kerr Grade, I saw # A Spot-in-the- wing Condor sailing towards me, from the Northeast, at a moderate height. This bird came on and circled above the banks to the east of me for Two minutes, when it was joined by an adult Condor that also came in from the Northeast, but much higher than the former bird had been. The adult had, what appeared to be, the fifth primary missing from the right wing and a gap in the-
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California Condor Ebony McMillan 16 may 1964 Sixth or seventh Primary of the left wing that appeared to be filling in. The spot-in-the-wing Condor had a secondary feather missing from the right-wing-about two-thirds of the way out from the body. Both these Condor circled to the east and then south of where I was, gaining considerable altitude before flying out to the south, and out of my sight, at 11:20 A.m., heading in a south by southeasterly direction. I feel quite certain that these two Condor were the same adult and immature birds as I saw on May 10-1964 feeding on the sheep offal that I had placed out north of the foot of Kerr Grade. The only changes that seemed to have occurred since that time, in these birds was a loss of a secondary feather in the right wing of the immature bird and a gradual filling in of the gap in sixth or seventh primary feathers of the left wing of the adult bird. Arriving back at my pickup at 11:32 A.m., I glanced up to see both spot-in-wing and adult condor with 5th primary missing from right wing and gap in left wing in area of 7th or 8th primary feathers coming from southeast moderately high. Both birds circled over the mouth of this canyon where I had parked my pickup. The adult seemed to stay rather high while the spot-in- wing bird would circle much lower in elevation. It seemed also that the immature bird more or less wandered about aimlessly while the adult followed wherever it went, the adult usually remaining at a higher elevation as it followed the young and circled. At 11:37 A.m., these two Condor moved out eastward—
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 16 may 1964 slowly and after arriving above the east foothills of Cholame valley in the vicinity of Cholame Rock they circled briefly then appeared to let down, as if to investigate something on the ground, but before lowering within 200 yards of ground they rose up again and circled high for several moments before flying out eastward Towards the Maxey Ranch, where they passed from sight at 11:48 a.m. against the dark brush covered hillside behind the Maxey Ranch. At 12:58 I met Dan who was to watch Cholame flats this afternoon. I left the area at 12:35 p. m.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 17 may 1964 During the morning hours I hiked with a group of people to the top of Hubbard Hill that is situated east of San Juan River and north of Anderson Canyon and is one of the peaks in the Rough and Rocky Complex that separates the northwest end of the Carissa plains from the San Juan River in eastern San Luis Obispo County. During the five hours that we were in the area there were few times when one could not see Turkey vultures in the air and on most occasions there would be four or five of these birds in the air at one time. What impressed me was why one sees so few Turkey vultures on the Cholame flats where so much food is available for scavengers? Another intriguing matter is how do so many Turkey vultures find ample food in this upper San Juan River area? I suppose the Lupanza Ranch is furnishing dead cattle for these birds now and then.
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californiA condor Eben McMillan 18 May 1964 Arrived on cholame flats at 10:05 A.M. A fairly brisk east wind was blowing and the sky was streaked with the contrails of aeroplanes and a thin layer of moderately high cirro- cumulus clouds dimmed the sunlight. At 10:15 A.M. six Turkey vultures were sailing about the point on the southside of the canyon that empties into cholame flats about one-quarter mile south of Gene Rumbo barn. Three of these vultures alighted on a dead snag on this point but two lit on the ground, nor did those that lit on the dead Oak snag remain perched long, but were soon back on the wing. Two antlerless deer ran from the grove of oak trees on north side of ridge that runs up northwest about Three-eights of a mile north of the foot of Kerr Grade. Why deer would be on the overgrazed lands of Cholame Rancho when the Spring Ranch of Avenales Cattle Company is only a mile away where forage is plentiful seems strange to me. As I sat watching these two deer running up the ridge seven Turkey vultures came and circled near where I was located near the foot of this ridge at 10:30 A.M. A pair of Red Tailed Hawks also wheeled above me a few moments after the Turkey vultures had moved on, and a rather bedraggled appearing Prairie Falcon also came by and circled above where I stood. I was walking about on the ridge referred to above when the birds aforementioned circled above me. It seems that a human on foot creates a curiosity in large birds that -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 may 1964 attracts them where-by they are apt to come and circle above your position. This more so than would be the case were one on a horse or in an automobile. Human beings, on foot, in the hills are not a common sight. At 12:40 p.m., from my position on the Kerr Grade road about three-eights of a mile up from the bottom, I saw a condor and a Turkey vulture circling on the ridge above the headwaters of the Canyon north of where the P.G. & E. pipeline goes up westward from the valley north of the foot of Kerr Grade. After a few circles the condor came my way and was followed by a turkey vulture that flew much faster and therefore crossed back and forth behind the condor in order to keep behind the pace of the condor, which seemed to be the design of this vulture. As both these birds approached me I could see that the condor was an immature bird in the spot-in-the-wing stage. This condor did not come within range whereby I could definitely make out if it had a feather missing 3/8 of the way out from the body, of the right wing, as did the spot-in-the-wing bird which I saw in this same general area last Saturday May 16th. As both the vulture and the condor approached within one-quarter mile of my position, they sweared northeast and circled for several minutes over the mouth of the Canyon that is north of said P.G. & E. Pipe line. At 12:45 the condor, and also the Turkey vulture that was still keeping company with it, were both circling over the Gene Rambo home at a rather high elevation. After —
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California Condor Bben McMillan 18 May/1964 Circling this General area for several minutes both the immature Condor and the Turkey Vulture that accompanied it, dropped down on the Carcass of a dead Calf where Jan had watched them feeding yesterday afternoon. Three other Turkey Vultures were also already on the Carcass of this Calf, that lay on the Cholame Rancho Property about one hundred yards East of Gene Rambo's Stock Corrals. This occurred at 12:55 Am. The immature Condor and the four Turkey Vultures were feeding on this Calf Carcass until 1:07 Pm. when three of the Vultures flew away as if disturbed by something. They were immediately followed by the immature Condor that had to flap along the ground several beats, into the east wind, before becoming airborne. The immature Condor was followed in turn by the last remaining Turkey Vulture that remained with the Condor while both circled up to a considerable height before sailing out eastward above and beyond the Cholame ranch headquarters for about Two miles where both commenced circling. After circling the east foothills for several minutes, at 1:17 Pm. The young Condor took a direct course westward and lowering slightly as it returned, with ragged, loosely, held wings arrived over the Calf Carcass which it had previously left and after circling above this Carcass and the four Turkey Vultures that were now feeding on it, let down and landed about ten feet Northwest of the Carcass at 1:20 Pm. As many as five Turkey Vultures and the immature Condor continued to feed on this Calf Carcass for the Next hour.
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california Condor Eban McMillan 18 may 1964 Turkey Vultures came and went during this next hour that the immature Condor remained feeding at this Calf Carcass. Most of the time the young Condor stood at the Carcass and tugged, or pulled, at it in getting the meat from it. Jan said he thought yesterday that this Calf Carcass was at least four or five days old. Today it smelled quite strongly as if it had been dead for several days. At times the Condor would chase Turkey Vultures away some distance from the Carcass on which it fed. When this happened other Vultures would run in and be pulling at the Carcass when the Condor returned. Mostly the Vultures stayed away five or eight feet while the Condor fed but at times one of the Vultures would be permitted to move in and feed on the opposite end of the Carcass from which the Condor fed with little friction between the two. At 2:20 P.M. three of the five Turkey Vultures that were about the Calf Carcass at this time flew into the air. At 2:21 the Condor left, seeming to get airborne easier this time than was the case before it fed so heavily. The brisk east wind soon carried the young Condor back above the Rambo home, as it circled and gained altitude. It went from sight into the Canyon behind the Rambo home at 2:22 P.M. Once the Condor had passed from view I investigated a commotion that had been going on about ten feet above me in the branches of the low tree under which-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 May 1964 I had been sitting. A Pair of Brewer's Blackbirds were fighting off the advances of a small Gopher Snake that was at the end of a small, dead, branch and about two feet from the birds nest. Evidently the snake, that was about eighteen inches long, had chosen the wrong branch in approaching the nest and now found itself exposed, on the end of this dead branch, from which it was attempting to reach out and bridge the gap between it and the nearest branch that would allow it to pass on over to where the birds nest was situated. This gap was about ten inches, or about four inches more than the snake could manage. As it would stretch out to bridge this gap, one, or both, blackbirds would dash at it and strike it with their wings, and perhaps peck it with their beaks, the action being faster than my eye could follow. At least the birds efforts would disturb the snake enough whereby it would coil and strike out at the birds only to be hit again before it could recoil. This went on for several minutes before the snake retreated. I took several 35mm pictures of the engagement before running out of film. Evidently the snake retreated completely from the scene for when I had reloaded my camera the female Blackbird had returned to the nest and was incubating the e.g.s. Probably a very small percentage of small birds nests escape the plunder of snakes. Of all factors I would think snakes contribute the greatest influence in maintaining minimum populations among small birds.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 18 may 1964 The two cows near the water course at the foot of Kett Grade that could not get to their feet last Saturday morning were joined by a third to-day. One of the former is now flat on its side and only able to move its eyes and front legs a bit. Even when breathing there is little movement of the ribs and Stomach surfaces. Several new calves have died on the feeding grounds since last Saturday and the general condition of all the cattle that are feeding on the hay that is put out for them on the flats is deteriorating progressively.
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california condor Eben McMillan 19 may 1964 Ian came at 12:00 noon. We left immediately in my car for Cuyama Valley where we were to meet Carl Buchheister and Alden Miller. Enroute we stopped at Carl Twisselmann Ranch near McKitttrick where we chatted with Carl, who is the president of California Cattlemen's Association for the second term, regarding the policy of the Cattlemen's association regarding the proposals for opening of new areas to public hunting and the construction of new roadways in order that the public can get into these newly opened areas easily. Carl kept mentioning the support that the Calif. Cattlemen's association has given the multiple use program of the National Forest Service, but he made no direct statement as to their stand on such specific projects as the Sierra Madre Ridge Road where multiple use that is now being provided on this area will be transplanted by maximum use of an area that provides little of any value indefinitely. The Sierra Madre Ridge Road could only serve deer hunters in quantitative amounts. This will supplant the qualitative values enjoyed by those who hike or ride into this area in hunting season with reasonable success. We landed in New Cuyama at 2:55 p.m. and were met at the Buckhorn Hotel by Carl Buchheister, Alden Miller, Paul Howard - Ed Morse, Jim Dalen and another forest service personnel, all of whom were just disbanding from having returned from an inspection trip of the Sierra Madre Ridge Road. After putting farewells Mr. Buchheister and Alden Miller
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 may 1964 accompanied gan and me to Bakersfield where Dr. Miller caught a plane for San Francisco. Enroute to Bakersfield from Cuyama we discussed the more important aspects of the Condor study. It was agreed that Compilation of material gathered during the study would commence the latter part of June and that we would endeavour to have most of the field work completed by that time. Dr. Miller will take active charge of the compilation of all information we have gathered in our notes. This both Jan and myself were much pleased to hear as his experience in these matters will smooth out what, to us, would be a troublesome feature of the project. Carl Buchheister and Jan had dinner at my home and moved on to Jan's place later in the evening. A card from Louis Wilson of San Luis Obispo that came in the mail today, stated that on May 17, 1964, late in the afternoon, while climbing Freeborn Mountain that is situated four miles west of Curissa Plains School), on Curissa plains, he and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Wilson of Arroyo Grande had observed five Condor that circled within one-hundred feet of them as they neared the top of Freeborn mountain about 5:00 p.m. I will have to get more particulars from Mr. Wilson to make sure these were Condor, but I can't see how he could be mistaken at a distance of 100 feet.
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california Condor Eben McMillan 20 may 1964 Carl Buchheister and Ian came at 9:30 - we drove to Palo Pinta Canyon where we saw Golden Eagle on nest. It was probably one of the young, if there are two, that are now well flagged. We drove on to Cholame flats. The sick and dead cattle that were on the feeding grounds had been taken away, probably by the Tallow works. We remained in the area until 11:30 A.M. in the hopes that Condor would come in but we saw none. Many things were discussed during the morning. Especially the matter of the Sierra Madre Road and its Effects on Condor welfare; also the general problems confronting the National Audubon Society in regards to its policy towards private individuals who wish to emphasize the need for public concern over bureaucratic integrity especially as this would pertain to governmental bureaus and their personnel - also the matter of Audubon chapters or affiliates going beyond their bounds in developing programs that would supersede those of the National Organization. All these discussions were, of course, held to matters that would pertain to Condor welfare. At 12:15 P.M. we stopped at the Cold-Water Golden Eagles nest in the Pines - Two well flagged young were on the Nest. We put Carl Buchheister on the S.P. Daylight at 2:00 P.M. in San Luis Obispo and returned to our homes.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 21 may 1964 The month of May has had no warm days. So far moderate to cool temperatures have prevailed. Considerable fog on occasion, west of the San Joaquin valley at times, with showers or more than one instance. It was cool again this morning when I drove down the Bitterwater valley on way to Bakersfield. The Cattle have all been removed from the lower Bitterwater valley and the dust blown area east of Blackwell's Corner continues to grow larger and become more active whenever moderate to high winds blow, from any direction. Stopping at Agricultural Commission's Office in Bakersfield I was given a copy of Kern County Agricultural Crop Report for 1963, in which were estimates of the numbers of livestock on the ranges of Kern County on both January 1, 1963 and January 1, 1964. The estimate of Cattle on the Ranges of Kern County on January 1, 1963 was 139,100, while the number of Sheep on these ranges at this same date was 172,000. The Cattle Number of Livestock on Ranges of Kern County, given for January 1, 1964 was 146,800 while the Number of Sheep on these ranges on this same date was 168,300. Figuring these Numbers roughly, but conservatively, by assuming the annual death loss for Cattle to be .03 percent and the annual death loss for Sheep to be .05 percent I come up with a figure of Twelve Cattle per day dying, on an average day throughout the year in Kern County while Twenty Three Sheep expired each day, on an average, throughout the year in this same County. While at the Kern County Agricultural Commissioners Office, in Bakersfield, I was introduced to a Mister John B. -
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JOHN B. STEINWEDEN REGIONAL COORDINATOR ARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TE OF CALIFORNIA SOUTH BROADWAY MA DISON O-4150 LOS ANGELES 12
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Avery L.A. Southern Calif. Co-ordinator Had sugar letter from Etna Bronze or squirrel Poison Y1080 or Thallium -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 21 may 1964 Steinweden who is Regional Coordinator, Department of Agricultural, State of California, 107 Broadway, Los Angeles 12, California. Mr. Steinweden brought to my attention, a facsimile [illegible] of a letter that had been written, a short time ago, by District Ranger Edwin Morse of the Coyama Ranger Station, to the agricultural Commissioner of Santa Barbara County in which Ranger Morse was advising said Commissioner that the use of 1080 or Thallium was not being used on U.S. Forest Service Lands and that Ranger Morse thought the squirrel problem acute enough on the forest lands in his charge that he was asking that the program be carried out using Strychnine or other forms of poison on the grain. Mr. Morse made it plain, in this letter, that the Order [illegible] Preventing the use of 1080 and Thallium poisons on U.S. Forest Service lands was a Departmental order and not one from his Office in particular. Mr. Steinweden was wondering what I knew about an article that had appeared in Print, of late, where it was stated that Two Condor had been found death in Kern County and the cause of death had been found to be 1080 poison. I told him I had read of this article in a copy of the Fresno Bee, that I had no idea how long ago the article was printed and that the information, to the best of my memory, came from the University of California. Mr. Steinweden seemed somewhat disturbed at the Condor incident and asked if I -
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California Condor. Eben McMillan 21 may 1964 were any relationship to Ian McMillan who lived in San Luis Obispo, County, and who, sometime back, had suffered some loss of trees to the drift of spray from a neighbors operation, whereby aerial spraying operation applied to kill weeds in a grain field. Mr. Steinweden had been aware of this incident when Ian McMillan had asked, or demanded, that agricultural personnel be sent to his place to assess the damage and witness the problem. Mr. Steinweden had also heard of Ian McMillan through William Warne who some years ago was Director of the California Department of Agriculture, and later Director of California Department of Fish and Game and when under this title had been at Ian's place shooting Quail. Mr. Steinweden also inquired as to what I thought the number of Condor now surviving to be. I instructed him as to our study, and that it was hoped we could shed some light on this question when all material and field notes had been compiled and assessed, hopefully, by the end of this year. I drove to U.S. Forest Service Office in Bakersfield and found Opal Grimes at her desk. She informed me that Ranger Toland was in the field today. No information on Condor was forthcoming from this office, but Opal Grimes did tell me that a Gay Burk had been posted at Oak Flat Lookout last Tuesday and this lady had been ordered to keep records of, and send such records to the Bakersfield Office, of any Condor sightings she might have-
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Bakersfield 688 California Condor Eben Dmchillan 21 may 1964 during the Course of her stay at this Lookout Station. At the Office of the Kern County Land Company in Bakersfield I was told by a Mr. Max Newboles that he would be glad to compile information on the average death loss of Cattle on their range throughout the year, but that at present he was short of help and therefore Not in a position to help me, but, that were I to go to the Office of Justinian Care, at K.C.L.Co. at Gossford feed lot and that he felt sure Mr. Care would be most happy to help me out in getting this information. At the Office of Production Credit association, in Bakersfield, I discussed the Percentage of death loss in cattle with Mr. Foster Webb, the assistant manager of this office. Mr. Foster Webb evidently did not want to divulge information as to the death losses in livestock for fear this information might be poor business ethics for he kept assuring me that with good management and modern Scientific information that death loss in Cattle was now practically Nothing; "Oh! maybe one-half of one percent," he said. When questioned regarding Foothill abortion, Larksport, Bloat, and Potassium Poisoning, all of which are Common on Certain Years in the foothills of Kern County, he evaded the issue by making it appear that these were specific Cases and could not be included in an average, or expected, death loss [illegible] Cattle. Joe Meglas, head bookkeeper for MTR Shop Company was not in his Office, but I was told to return again, on another date when Mr. Meglas would be in and that it was quite —
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 21 May 1964 certain that I could set accurate estimates of death loss in sheep from Mr. Meglas. This I will do. Stopping at Winter Field office and Poison mixing warehouse of Ben Easley I found Mr. Easley and an assistant just Cleaning up their machinery after having mixed a batch of poison. Easley said the poison was going out fast. That the call for material to poison Rats-Rabbits and mice was the heaviest he had ever witnessed it before. I asked if he knew of any Poisoning Operations Going on where great numbers of Ground Squirrels were being Poisoned. Mr. Easley told me to go to the Carl Twisselmann Ranch at McKittrick to see lots of squirrels being poisoned, for on that ranch, the man who Mr. Easley assigns from his office to oversee the application of 1080 poison, had reported that on the Carl Twisselmann ranch twelve-hundred pounds of 1080 poison had been scattered in one day. Mr. Easley mentioned that some of his assistants had doubted the use of this much poison in one day, by one crew of men, but Easley said he checked and found the statement of 1200 pounds used in one day to be authentic. Mr. Ben Easley said that at the rate operators are using poison he is going to be out of grain, with which to mix poison in a few more weeks. 55 or 60 Ton of grain is all that remains in his stockpile. Mr. Easley, upon being questioned by me, said he-
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California Conbor Eben Mcmillan 21 may 1964 Must have misstated the amount of grain that Freeland Farmsworth was going to bring in to have mixed with Strychnine Poison. That it was 1000 pounds instead of 5000 pounds as a had in my notes. Also, Mr. Easley said that the 25 and 75 percent of Poison mix that he puts out for birds 25 percent for Horned Larks and 75 percent for Linnets is 25 percent of bird seed in the mixture that has been treated with a 25 percent dosage of Strychnine while the Linnets, that hull the seeds before eating it Need a poison dosage of 75 percent so that the poison is strong enough to kill them from even holding the hulls of the grain in their beaks before spitting them out. I visited with a new shepherd whom I had not met before who was tending a flock about twelve miles east of Famosa. & This Shepherd, Carlos Chamarrro, was a Spaniard who had been in this Country five years, having returned to Spain after his first three years of Service here in America and then applied and had been given employment again after a one year stay in Spain. He knew little of Condor but stated he had seen fine big birds feeding on a dead sheep Near a water tank, near the roadway, about one mile up the Canyon from where his Camp is located. Mr. Chamarrro wondered if I wanted to Shoot Condor if I Should find them. He said he had no gun. I advised him that were he to be found shooting a Condor that Officers of the law would take him to jail where he would -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 21 may 1964 likely have to remain for some time. Most Shepherds have the impression that everything wild is to be shot. Therefore I think it advisable that the Woolgrowers Association be advised that the Possession of firearms by foreign employees must be Curtailed Immediately. I feel that the present threat of losing the use of these foreign laborers will cause Sheepmen to gladly see that NO firearms are Possessed by these herders in the future. I drove to the ranch of Hugh and Charlotte Smith that lies about seven miles southeast of Granite Station. Hugh Smith told me that he figured on a three percent death loss in his Cattle throughout the year. This does not include young Newborn Calves, but would only include such Calves as lived to the time of being branded and marked. His Calf Crop runs about 87 percent. This would be 87 Calves that would live to be branded out of one hundred cows. Of course some of these Cows would not be with Calf, Others might abort the fetes before it reached full development and some might die in the act of giving birth to a Calf. I think it would be safe to say that of the 13 percent of the Cows that do not have Calves that live to be branded one-half would loose their Calf at time of birth. This Calf that dies at birth is a favorite food for Condor. Hugh Smith also said he thought his 87 percent Calf Crop was below many other operators of Kern County but that the annual death loss of adult Cattle of 03 percent was lower than is the Case with most Cattlemen in Kern County.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 may 1964 West wind-Cool-clear with a few high cirrus clouds in the Northwest. Had breakfast with Hugh and Charlotte Smith after which I rode with Hugh Smith to the east side of his Ranch that dips into Poso creek. His Property runs up the southeast flank of Poso creek to the ridge-top where it borders the property of John Rofer where I had seen Condor passing last fall. The Hugh Smith property is about four miles west of Oak Flat Lookout and includes Pine mountain on the Northeast slope of Poso creek. This area between the John Rofer area and Pine mountain has been recognized as a flight pass of Condor in the past. This would be on the same flight as the Rancheria and Rattlesnake Grade areas that lay about two miles to the Southeast and where so many Condor observations have been made in former years, I would like to make observations in this area for at least one day before we end this study to see if Condor could be baited into the Smith Property as a means of seeing from whence they come. I saw an adult Golden Eagle sitting among the branches atop a Buckeye tree that was about Twelve feet high and well leafed out. The Eagle flapped its wings and thrashed about in the top of this tree as if it were trying to flush some creature from within or underneath. Soon the Eagle flew out, raised up fast and disappeared over ridge to the west. Hugh Smith said he has heard of Golden Eagles catching Fawn deer but that he has never seen it happen himself even though he has spent his entire lifetime in the hills of Kern and Tulare Counties. He is now 73 years old. I talked with Mrs. Trent Stockton who lives east of Bakersfield Woody road near where the Famosa Road intersects. She although having-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 may 1969 been raised in the Bakersfield area, did not know what a Condor looked like even though she had heard tell of their presence in the Granite Station area. Squirrel Poisoning personnel from Kern County had Poisoned the Trent Stockton Property yesterday. Mrs. Stockton gave me permission to go over their property to see if any dead animals were in evidence. Mrs. Stockton told me that there were not near as many Kangaroo Rats on this property as is the case on property they have North of Granite Station. She said that following Poisoning operations on the property North of Granite Station Two or three years ago that she had seen the ground white with dead rats that had died with their under parts exposed to the sun. I asked her if she thought there would have been as many as four dead rats in an area as large as the yard that surrounded her house, that would have been about Seventy feet by fifty feet. She thought there would have been more than four dead Rats in an area this size on the areas of the Ranch North of Granite Station where Kangaroo Rats were the thickest. Some areas of this property did not seem to have many rats she thought. She could not remember seeing Buzzards or Condor feeding on these death, poisoned, Rats. Assuming, therefore, that Mrs. Trent Stockton did see Poisoned Rats on the ground of their property, North of Granite Station, as plentiful in an area as two the size of the yard in which she stood while talking to me, and which yard surrounded her house, this would have accounted for a death rat being on every 1750 square feet of areas that were well Populated with Rats, and would account for 25 dead Rats per acre.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 may 1964 This would form a concentration whereby it would not be difficult for a Condor or a turkey vulture to pick up ten or twelve poisoned rats in the matter of one hour. Assuming then, that each Poisoned Rat had a minimum of ten grains of poison grain in its pouches and that a Condor picked up and swallowed whole ten Rats in one hour, it would therefore have in its insides, exclusive of what poison the dead rats had in their systems, one-hundred grains of 1080 Poisoned grains that would be sufficient to kill a minimum of twenty ground squirrels, and surely any condor. I drove over the property of Trent Stockton that had been poisoned yesterday with 1080 poisoned Potted barley. No death animals were found. In fact, there were few places where excessive amounts of squirrels seemed to be. On some of the Squirrel dens, poison was still evident, and in only a few places did I see evidence where squirrels, or other small mammals, had eaten the poisoned gains. I saw numerous places, where poison had been scattered, by the handful, where no sign of squirrels was evident. Enough poisoned grain had been scattered on this ranch whereby kangaroo Rats could have found enough to have killed good numbers of their kind, had there been good numbers of them on this property. I saw very few signs of a large population of kangaroo Rats inhabiting any area on the Trent Stockton Ranch near Mt. Poso oil fields. Perhaps one should do some thinking about when the rats were poisoned here when plentiful and see if condor deaths could be correlated to that time.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 23 MAY 1964 To-day was cool with brisk west wind and high thin clouds in morning that thickened by mid-afternoon and thickened while threatening rain in the evening. A postal card from Mrs. Farnsworth, mailed at Glennville the afternoon of May 22, read thusly: one circling at the cannell corral between Carl West's and Granite Station at about 10 A.M. Thursday May, 21, with two buzzards probably feeding on the Nites' road casualties. signed; Farnsworth. I am sure this is authentic information and probably heralds the coming of condor to the Granite Station area to partake of the squirrel poisoning bill of fare at this season. Talking to Allen Still on the phone today he mentioned having heard of two Condor having been found poisoned by 1080 poison in Kern County. Mr. Still thought these Condor had been sent to the University of California, at Davis, where tests were made to identify the cause of death. Still is County squirrel poisoner! Yesterday, Jim Beard, who works for Hugh and Charlotte Smith on their property near Woody, told me that a Kenneth Mattern, who had worked with him for about two weeks, told Mr. Beard that he had seen Condor for the first time in his life while working on the Cantua Ranch last winter. This Ranch is north of Coalinga, California
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 may 1964 I left home at 10:30 A.M. en route to east side of the San Joaquin Valley. The weather has been threatening this last week, light showers have fallen at times but not enough to wet things much. A brisk, cool, west wind was blowing as I drove down the Bitterwater Valley. I turned north at Dairy avenue and drove to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl Refuge, on west side of Dairy avenue to the north of Lost Hills on east side of Jerry Slough. The Refuge is completely dry now and I understand the water is turned into the dikes in the fall prior to the migration southward of waterfowl. I left Dairy Avenue at avenue 56 heading towards Alpaugh and continued on this roadway to Highway 99. After getting on Highway 99 I drove to Tulare where I was told that Tulare County Offices are located in Visalia. At County Office in Visalia I was referred to Jim Rutledge, in Porterville, who oversees Squirrel Poisoning Operations where Compound 1080 is being used as the poison, only County Representatives can give out poison treated with Compound 1080 for use in poisoning rodents. This County Representative of the Agricultural Commissioners Office must continue to oversee the application of this 1080 poison during its total usage and in no case is 1080 poison to be left with non-official applicators. In Porterville I first went to the office of the U.S. Forest Service, where I was introduced to Don Bolander, who is with the Range Wildlife Staff at the U.S. Forest Service Office in Porterville-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 may 1964 Calif. of the Sequoia National Forest. In the same Office, working with Don Bolander, was George Franklin [illegible], Game Manager of California Fish and Game Department. Neither of these men know anything of Condor, had not seen Condor of late, nor had they registered interest in Condor throughout the year. Mr. Bolander gave me the number of livestock - Cattle, horses and mules, that had pastured on Sequoia Forest Grazing permits in 1963 as [illegible] 11,375 including Private lands permits. Mr. Bolander also gave me reports of Condor sightings by Sequoia Forest Service Lookouts during 1963. They were as follows. 2 Condor Breckenridge Mt. 7 September 1963 - 3:50 p.m. 1 " " " 8 July " 10:10 A.m. 1 " " " 7 " " 1:47 p.m. 1 " " " 7 " " 12:00 Noon 3 " " " 6 " " 11:05 a.m. 1 " " " 5 " " 5:30 p.m. Mr. Bolander mentioned the report that reached his office where two Condor had been found in Kern County, death. Their death having been attributed to compound 1080 poison. Bolander told me that to the best of his knowledge NO 1080 Poison has been released, or put out on Sequoia National Forest Service lands with the consent of the U.S. National Forest Service Personnel.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 26 may 1964 I drove to the home of Jim Rutledge at 601 Villa Street, in Porterville, Calif., at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Rutledge did not get in from his job of poisoning squirrels until a short time before I arrived at his home. It should be understood that when I mention the poisoning of squirrels literally, in all cases it should be realized that the species, California Ground Squirrel (Citellus Beecheyi) is being referred to. Mr. Rutledge had not seen Condor this year although he mentioned as having normally seen them during the squirrel poisoning campaigns of former years. He feels quite sure that condor and Buzzards feed on dead squirrels that were poisoned with compound 1080 mixed grain. Mr. Rutledge said that the strength of the compound 1080 poison that he is currently putting out is one ounce to one-hundred pounds of grain. This mixture, he feels, is strong enough whereby six grains of treated poison-potted, rolled, barley is sufficient to kill any normal adult California Ground Squirrel in a short time. Mr. Rutledge told me of counting the number of grains of poison grain in the pouches of one adult California ground squirrel that had died from the effects of 1080 poison as being one-hundred grains. He thinks that cannibalism in squirrels accounts for about 35 percent of the total of 98 percent death in squirrels in a concentrated campaign. He feels that this 35 percent die up to three weeks after the poisoned grain has been spread out from the effects of-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 26 may 1964 Secondary Poison achieved by the remaining living squirrels feeding on the poisoned bodies of others of their species. He also stated of having found the poisoned carcasses of many Kangaroo Rats that have died of the poison put out for squirrels during a squirrel Poisoning Campaign. Mr. Jim Rutledge has heard rumours of a non-secondary poison having been discovered that could be very lethal to squirrels but he admits not having had factual evidence of this poison nor has he heard of any research being conducted that would lead to the development of a poison that would be more selective than Compound 1080, and not be dangerous as a secondary poison. He thinks that no poison will ever be developed that will compare with Compound 1080 in effectiveness that is not of a Secondary Poisoning nature. Mr. Rutledge has never heard of anyone shooting at, or killing, a Condor, nor has he ever heard of a dead Condor. When I first discussed Condor problems with Jim Rutledge this evening he stated that Condor had not been seen in the foothills of Tulare County before 1953. This he had based on the fact that he had Poisoned squirrels in this area since 1944 and had heard no mention of Condor prior to 1953 nor had he seen them. As our Conversation progressed Rutledge retracted this statement and reconsidered the matter claiming that Condor must been in the foothill area of Tulare County prior to 1953.
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California Condor Eben McMullan 27 may 1964 I camped last night on the Sheep Range East of Dolano, California. At 3:30 A.M. light showers of rain fell on me. It remained warm. At 7:00 A.M. I drove past Fountain Springs enroute to Glennville via White River. Personnel at the California State Forestry Fire Control Station at Fountain Springs, three of whom I interviewed, had all heard of Condor but none had ever seen the birds nor did they have any knowledge of their appearance, or habits, other than that they were large birds. About one mile up-river from the old town of White River, I stopped to chat with Lawrence Bowen, a man of 65 plus years, all having been spent in the area of the Sierran foothills of Tulare County, thus being considered as a pioneer resident of this area. In past years Lawrence Bowen has seen Condors on numerous occasions flying down White River Canyon past his home in the mornings. He think they have spent nights in the rocky area in White River Canyon above his home during periods when they would be feeding in the lowlands west of White River and Woody. He mentioned not having seen Condor for the last two days. Mr. Bowen told me he had never heard of anyone shooting at Condor, nor had he ever found evidence of a dead Condor. In Glennville I found no one home at the Farnsworth Ranch except the hired man who reported that no Condor had shown up in the ranch area for many months. At Woody-Muvial Woody, who was tending the post office this day in the absence of the official Postmaster, told me of her, and several members of her family, seeing a Condor on
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California Condor Eben McMillan 27 May 1964 16 May 1964, at a picnic area on their ranch about 4 miles north- east of Woody. Mrs. Woody said that except for the interest of her son, who is currently attending U.C. at Davis, none of the others would have recognized this bird as a condor. But once brought to their attention by her son all members of the group who were attending a picnic, enjoyed seeing the bird, and were all of the opinion that with the peculiar white markings under the wings it was a very beautiful sight to see and that all felt every measure should be promoted to insure the perpetuation of this species. I met Mr. George Moore on the road from Woody to Delano. Mr. Moore is the Kern County representative in a program that is currently in force to poison squirrels throughout this county. He has been poisoning squirrels in the Woody-Granite Station- Famosa area for the last two weeks. We ate our lunches together. Mr. Moore has lived in the Woody area all of his Seventy plus years. He was born not many miles from Blue Mountain. His recollections of condor in early days was rather dim. I doubt that many people of the pioneer group that settled the foothill country of Western Sierra Nevada's had any interest in condor. The fact that they did not recognize condor, now causes those many of those still living, to think condor were not present in the early days of the settlement of this country. George Moore has not seen condor this year. The squirrel poisoning operation he has been overseeing and- [illegible] [illegible]
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 27 may 1964 operating has mostly been done from Jeep or Pickup, and very little squirrel poisoning having been done from horseback. I find one feature common among all who are actively engaged in any squirrel poisoning program, that being that without exceptions, they all seek to overemphasize the importance of poisoning squirrels and to overestimate the size of squirrel populations to a very great extent. In describing the numbers of squirrels in a given area one seldom hears these people speak in terms of hundreds, or even thousands; rather it is usually in millions. Likewise the dangers that might come to people from these squirrel populations are grossly over-exaggerated. One hears from them, much reference, to plague area, Bubonic area, and diseased areas. This is a condition common among people who guard the public health against such things as Pests of all types and Rabies. They are always selling the fact that their service is vital to the well being of the public, and without which, Disease and Pestilence would soon run rampant. This is undoubtedly due, in no small measure, to the ambition of these people to keep their Jobs. At Granite Station Edna Williams reported that Frank Stockton saw three Condor over his ranch about three miles north of Granite Station on 15 April 1964. Going back to George Moore with whom I visited today, while eating our lunch, thinks three grains of 1080 treated grain will kill an adult squirrel. He also thinks that the Margaret Brown Condor must have swallowed whole either-
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California Condor Eden DeMillan 27 may 1964 poisoned Rats or Young, Small, Squirrels, that had died of Poison and were small enough to be swallowed whole by a Condor, in order that Poison grain could have fallen from the decayed carcass of this Condor. As Mrs. Brown was washing it with a hose waterhose as it hung on a Chicken wire fence. George Moore described to me how his father, who had settled in the Ventura County area in the early days had told him of seeing Condor that had gorged themselves on the Carcasses of dead Sheep to the point where they could not get off the ground. Mr. Moore also spoke of seeing a flock of about Ten Condor, some Twenty odd years ago, in the area some four miles north of Woody, Kern Co. California, that fed on the Carcass of a dead cow before flying into an Oak Nearby where they remained while Mr. Moore rode around the tree on horseback within fifty feet of the Condor without their flying from the tree. Edna Williams, of Granite Station, told me that she has associated the occurrence of Condor in her area with Squirrel Poisoning activities since she can remember. I drove to Poso Creek Sheep Range, east of Famosa, where the two Shepherds Bautista Aleman and Carlos Chamorro gave me information that No Condor had been seen since my last visit with them. I camped for the night on a ridge between Woody-Famosa and Woody-McFarland Roads. Sky clear - Wind NW - Temp. mild.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 28 May 1964 Up at Sunrise - Cool North wind blowing - Sky clear but considerable haze in the Valley bottom. I drove to Bakersfield and the office of MTR Sheep Company where I was told that Mr. Joe Meglas, from whom I want to get death loss percentage on sheep owned by MTR Sheep Company, would not be in the office until 10:00 A.M. I then drove to office of Kern County Agricultural Commissioner where I was introduced to the assistant agricultural commissioner of Kern County Mr. James Stockton, a member of the well known Stockton family of Granite Station and Bakersfield areas. Mr. James Stockton displayed much concern regarding the information that Two Condor were reported to have been found in Kern County that had been poisoned with Compound 1080 poison. He asked that did I know of these condor and where had they been taken. I told him the birds were picked up in the Granite Station area and had been turned over, officially, to the University of California. I told him that I had never been furnished a report of the [illegible] result of the analysis of these carcasses, as yet, but that I did expect to get same sometime in the next few months. Ober Easley came into Mr. Stocktons office while I was there. Mr. Easley and I discussed the squirrel poisoning campaign that is presently being conducted in Kern County and which Mr. Easley is directing. To my inquiry as to where a poisoning program is going on where numbers of Kangaroo Rats might be getting some of the wheat put out for Squirrels whereby some rats could be poisoned on top of the ground -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 may 1964 allowing me a chance to find some and take them for analysis of Poison content and number of grains of Poison they might have in their pouches. In answer to this question Mr. Easley told me that currently Dan Garcia is running a crew Poisoning Squirrels on the Rex Ellsworth Ranch of Cummings Valley, where Mr. Garcia had reported to him that great numbers of both Rats and squirrels inhabit the area. Mr. Easley mentioned that he had warned Dan Garcia against allowing his crew to throw 1080 poisoned grain in any place except where squirrels might be found for Mr. Easleys supply of poison was fastly diminishing and unless husbanded somewhat might not last until more grain would be forthcoming, by July 1, to stabilize the grain supply for mixing more poison. Mr. Easley mentioned that this shortage of grain was due to the budget set aside for the purchase of grain having been exhausted prior to the issuance of more funds prior to July 1, 1964. On the advice of Ben [illegible] Easley as to where Dan Garcia might be found, a drove to arvin and then up the Sheep Trail Grade that goes up Commanche Point to the north of Commanche Creek. About 6 miles up from the foot of the grade I came upon the Squirrel Poisoning Camp of the crew from the Rex Ellsworth Ranch who Dan Garcia was supervising in the Putting out of Poison grain for Squirrels. This Camp was at a location where Two sheds are located about one-half mile west of Norsethief Flat and to the south of the -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 May 1964 Commanche Point Road about fifty yards. A Mr. Kecking, an employee of the Rex Ellsworth Ranch, who had been helping the squirrel poisoning crew was at the squirrel poisoning camp when I arrived, he having wrenched his back two or three days before by lifting on a sack of poisoned grain, and therefore becoming unable to assist in the application of the poisoned grain. Mr. Kecking told me the general whereabouts of the area in which Dan Garcia and the crew of three other men were working. He also informed me that they would be back at the camp for lunch between one and two o'clock in the afternoon. I drove my car to Horsethief Flat and leaving it under the shade of an Oak tree hiked south and west into the area where poisoned grain had been scattered for squirrels. I found the body of one dead squirrel and one live Rattlesnake, the latter was sunning itself at the mouth of a former squirrel droppings. At 12:30 p.m. I saw the squirrel poisoning crew working up a ridge and then continuing on in the direction of the squirrel poisoners camp. I hiked up a ridge and intercepted Dan Garcia and a Mr. Walter Leake, as they were towards camp, the other two employees having gone on to camp before I reached the trail on which they were traveling. Dan Garcia and I chatted briefly after which he and Mr. Leake rode on towards camp with the understanding that I would hike to my car and drive to their camp where I would join them at lunch. This I did, arriving at the Camp at 1:58 p.m.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 28 May 1964 Dan Garcia drives back and forth in a Kern County owned pickup truck each night and morning from his home in Bakersfield while the crew of men working for the Rex Ellsworth Ranch remain at the squirrel poisoning camp that I will refer to in the future as the Horse thief Camp even though it is located a distance of less than a mile west of the Horse thief Flat area. Mr. Garcia brings his own lunch. He and I sat on the back gates of our pickups, as we had our lunches, and discussed condor and squirrel poisoning factors while the other members of the squirrel Poisoning crew, including Mr. Lee Kings, prepared their own lunch from supplies at this Horse thief Camp that is furnished by the Ranch. Dan Garcia told me while we were eating our lunches that he had only been transferred to the Ellsworth Ranch the last few days to oversee the application of Squirrel Poison from the Horse thief Flat Camp, he having been attending to the application of Squirrel Poison in the Maricopa-Cuyama valley area prior to coming here. He said that while poisoning on the Hudson property that is located on the Mt. Able-Reyes Station Road that large numbers of Buzzards had been seen in area and that he had seen two Condor, on one occasion, at a distance, while the Hudson man mentioned having seen five or six Condor on one day while poisoning with Mr. Garcia. Dan Garcia told me that Jack Hudson of Maricopa, Calif. had described to him how his Mr. Hudson, had shot and killed a Condor with a pistol some years ago.
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California Condor Eben McNillan 28 May 1964 Mr. Hudson had thought the Condor to be an Eagle, that, he claimed, had been killing his calves. Mr. Hudson told Dan Garcia of measuring the wingspread of this Condor he had shot, with a pistol, but Garcia could not remember the exact measurement but thought Mr. Hudson had given it as somewhere between Nine and Ten feet. At 2:37 P.M., following completion of our lunches, Dan Garcia and I were talking when I saw a Condor circling at a good height about 1/2 mile west of the Horse-thief Camp. Having positively identified this bird as a Condor, with my binoculars I passed them to Mr. Garcia as the Condor drifted our direction and circled a bit to the Southwest of our position, but remaining high. Mr. Garcia had difficulty in finding the Condor in the binoculars and considerable discussion ensued among those present regarding the size of Condor, and the situation in their numbers, in recent times. All members of the Squirrel Poisoning Crew were about the camp as this Condor was being observed and discussed. At 2:38 P.M. this Condor flew out to the Southwest. At 2:38 P.M. An adult Condor came from the Northeast, quite low, and flying slowly into a brisk wind moved over our heads and commenced to circle a bit to the Southwest but no more than two-hundred yards from where we were all standing at the Horse-thief Camp. Dan Garcia—looking—walters Leake and I watched this Condor intently as it circled overhead. We were remarking how trusting it was
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 May/1964 To circle so close to where human beings could be easily seen on the ground. I could make out at least one of the inside primaries of the Right wing were missing from this bird as well as a secondary about two or three feathers in from the last primary feather of the right wing was also missing, giving this bird's right wing the appearance of being quite ragged on the outer end. While we were watching and remarketing about this bird I did not notice the other two members of the squirrel poisoning crew to be present at the camp where we were. It was while we were watching this bird that Walter Leake stated that last summer, while working on the Bedart Property that is situated south of the old Tejon Ranch Headquarters about three or four miles distance, he had seen Condor on numerous occasions. He mentioned seeing them lots of times several days in succession. I was intently watching the movements of this Condor, with my binoculars, in an attempt to chart its course away from where we were located, for the bird was now moving out to the Southwest, slowly, on a course generally directed towards Frazier Mountain, and generally on a course over which I have suspected that Condor travel at times on a direct flight from Bear Mountain to Tecuya mountain, or at times in a reversed direction, as from Tecuya to Bear Mountain. At 2:41 p.m., as I continued to watch the flight of the Condor mentioned above, that was now at a good distance to our Southwest and continuing on towards -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 may 1964 Tecuya, or Frazier mountain, I heard Dan Garcia exclaim to look and see what was coming from the canyon behind us. I turned about to see two condor, Extremely low to the ground, coming from a small canyon to the east of where we were and somewhat above our position. Both condor were sailing extremely slow, being able to do so by virtue of the brisk west wind that was blowing uphill to meet them. A high power line crosses this little canyon at its upper reaches and about one-quarter mile distance from where we stood. The two condor had evidently sailed under these power lines, where they cross this small canyon at a considerable height and were now approaching directly towards us, very slowly, as if suspended in mid-air by a string, or something of the like. Their flight was very slow and direct, with little oscillation from side to side, or up and down, as they approached. Dan Garcia, Lee King, Walter Leake and I were all intensely watching the approach of these two condor when the sound of a shot rang out from across a small draw to the eastward of where we stood near the Horsethief camp and immediately one of the two condor approaching faltered in its onward flight and fell several yards downward flapping and turning from side to side as it dropped. I yelled, "by God they shot one". Dan Garcia cried something to the effect that those damn kids are shooting them-
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california condor Eben McMillan 28 may 1964 During this action I felt sure the one condor in particular had been brought down completely by being shot, but after falling for about twenty-five feet this condor, that had fallen, regained partial control of its power to fly and leveled off somewhat while continuing on down the canyon to the south, and east, of us, pumping its wings laboriously and c clumsily, and with one of its legs dangling loose and with every indication of being broken. I threw the binoculars on this wounded bird, as it passed by where I stood at a distance of about 200 feet, and could plainly see that the leg that was hanging free and dangling like a rag in the wind, had been broken, no doubt, above the tarsus bone for I could see feathers covering the upper portion of the part of the leg that was dangling loose below the condors body, as it flew. The wounded condor maintained flight and after passing to the east and south of Horsethief Camp it set its wings and coasted downward, passing through the low saddle in the ridge to the south of Camp and when last seen was moving downhill, coasting, with wings fixed in a set position, that if held, could carry the bird for a considerable distance while loosing altitude all the time. The second condor that came towards us at the time of the shooting gained altitude by flapping its wings at the moment the shot was fired, moved on -
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california condor Eben McMillan 29 may 1964 out southwestward much ahead of the wounded bird, circled for a few moments after getting out of danger, but circled down and joined the troubled bird as it passed from sight below the ridge to the south. Going back to the time of the shooting, no sooner had the shot been fired, than Dan Garcia yelled something to the effect that one of the two boys was shooting at the condor. He now evidently ran eastward along the fence that encloses the Horsethief Camp and was calling across the canyon in the direction from which the sound of the shot came from, to this effect. "Hey you kids, for christ sake stop shooting those birds. Don't you know it's against the law to shoot them. Do you want to get put in jail? Put that damn gun away and quit shooting those birds!" Mr. Garcia continued to berate the boys who were sitting on a pile of rocks, across a small draw from the Camp, about 150 yards from where we had been when the shooting incident occurred, before he came back to where I was intently now putting down Notes. As Dan Garcia approached me he stated to me that I should go over and arrest the two boys — one of whom evidently did the shooting. "The Damn fools," Dan said "will shoot at anything!" Garcia also said [illegible] After finishing taking quick notes of happenings up to this part of the incident, I took my notebook and hiked across the small draw to the east of Camp and out-
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California condor Eben Macmillan 28 May 1964 The pile of rocks on which the two young fellows, Howard Binkley and [illegible] Harris were sitting, and talking quietly to each other. As I approached where they sat I mentioned to them that they must be good shots. To this they said nothing, giving only a shrug of the shoulders. I then, on coming closer to them, mentioned that they sure hit one of those birds that had just flown over. "I don't think I hit it" said Howard Binkley. I then stated that I was quite sure the [illegible] was hit, because following the shot, one of the condors nearly fell, and as it flew on, one of its legs dangled from its corps. "Condor," exclaimed Binkley, "those were Buzzards. I have seen lots of condor on Condor mountain and they are much bigger than those birds. There are millions of Condor over there and they are all big!" I asked Mr. Binkley where Condor mountain is, and he told me it was over near Taft. I then asked if Binkley would deny that he shot at the condor. He said he did not deny that he shot at the bird but that he did not know it was a condor. He claimed to have thought it a Buzzard. When I told him that it was also unlawful to shoot at Buzzards he said he had not known that for he had been shooting Buzzards all the time. I then asked Binkley if he had a hunting license. He said he had a hunting license at his house trailer where he lives at the Ranch Headquarters. I asked for his operator's licence which he produced. It was recorded as follows. Driver's [illegible] License issued to Howard Binkley, Number of License M140078, Date issued 12-11-61 - address of licensee 104 North Lincoln
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 may 1964 Street, Taft, California. The Gun that was used to shoot at the Condor was a Winchester, Bolt action, Single shot, .22 Caliber Long-short and Long Rifle - model 67. I told Binkley that the information I was getting was to be turned over to the proper Authorities, as it was my duty, as a citizen, not to see such acts committed without proper action being taken. I then photographed the area surrounding the Horse Thief Camp trying to show the relationship of the area and the direction from which the Condors came from and where they were when shot at, as well as the saddle in the ridge Southwest of the Camp beyond which the Condor was seen to disappear. Following this photographing Dan Garcia told me Two more Condors had flown past over the Camp while I was over talking to the two boys from where the shooting had come. He said these last two Condor were higher than were the two that were shot at. I then drove to Arvin, Calif. and phoned State Game Warden Clanton's office with no answer. I then phoned Warden Tharp in Tehachapi, and was told he was out on duty. I then phoned Warden Shackelford who told me to call Warden Reed. Warden Reed was called and upon being assessed of the situation came to Arvin to meet me. While waiting for Reed to arrive I called home and also Ian McMillan informing him of the incident. During this wait I also called Warden Clanton on the phone. I wanted him to follow this matter from the start, him being the Captain of Game Wardens in Kern County. This was done in order that all aspects of this incident would be known and would be fresh-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 May 1964 in his mind from the very beginning. Warden John Reed came. I followed him to Tejon Corrals at mouth of Comanche Creek where I left my pickup, Got in with Warden Reed in State car and drove with him to Horse Thief Camp. As we started up the sheep-trail grade we met Dan Garcia coming down grade. He told us that should we wish to arrive at Horse Thief Camp in time to find the men there, that we would have to hurry, for they had been preparing to drive on to Ranch Headquarters, in Cumming's Valley, as he was leaving thirty minutes before. We drove up sheep-trail grade in a hurry but found the Horse Thief Camp vacated of all men when we arrived. Continuing directly on to the Ranch Headquarters of Ray Ellsworth, in Cumming's Valley, we first drove to the house of Ranch Manager Bill Bailey. When we mentioned our mission to him he voiced much concern at losing the efforts of Mr. Binkley should we take him away to jail for he mentioned having much trouble in keeping hired help on the place. He nevertheless was not in favor of allowing anyone to shoot at, or hit, Condor without their being apprehended. Mr. Bailey stated that he was not in favor of destroying any form of wildlife that was not doing any direct harm to humans. He said he first saw Condor last Fall when five or six of them came to feed on a dead steer that had died in a small field Northwest of his house, Mr. Bailey mentioned that he thought Condor and Buzzards did a service to livestock men by cleaning up dead animals Carcasses that would otherwise rot and breed flies while-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 28 may 1964 smelling up the Country. He then told Warden Reed and I that the Law had to be enforced if it was to mean anything so for us to go ahead and toss Binkley in jail if there was no other way for us to handle the case. As we finished talking to Mr. Bailey, Mr. Leake and Lee King drove up in a red pickup. Warden Reed asked them if they saw Binkley shoot at the Condor. Mr. Leake said he heard the shot, saw the Condor dive downward, then fly on out to the south, out of sight behind the ridge, but that he did not see a leg hanging down on the bird even though he heard me mention that the Condor had a leg hanging down. Mr. Leake thought I could see the broken leg better with the binoculars. Warden Reed and I then drove to the trailer-house home of Howard Binkley that was located about 150 yards down south of the barn at Ranch Headquarters. Mr. Binkley came out of his Trailer house and readily admitted to Warden Reed that he had shot at the Condor. In answer to Warden Reed's question of why did he do it, Mr. Binkley shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know." Mr. Reed then asked him if he did not know it was against the Law to shoot Condor. Binkley said that he thought the bird was a Buzzard. Whereupon he was told by Warden Reed that Buzzards were also protected by law, that no large bird can be shot without breaking the Law excepting a horned Owl. Binkley did not know this to be the case. Warden Reed then issued Howard Binkley a citation to -
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California Condor Ebenezer Millan 28 May 1964. Appear in the Justice Court in Tehachapi at 10:00 A.M. on June 3, 1964. Mr. Warden Reed and I then drove to Horse-thief Camp and there Warden Reed picked up the .22 Caliber rifle that Binkley had used in shooting the Condor. Mr. Binkley having told Warden Reed where it could be found at the time Warden Reed was issuing the Citation at the Binkley House- trailer a short time before, while Warden Reed went to the Horse-thief Camp for the gun I hiked up the Canyon, down which the two Condor had flown moments before being one of them was wounded by a shot from Mr. Binkley's .22 Caliber Rifle. I thought the birds may have come from eating on a carcass due to their flying so low. I also searched for evidence of feathers that might have fallen from the wounded bird, but found none, and neither did I see feathers fall from the bird when it was hit even though I distinctly heard the bullet hit with a sharp thud. I then [illegible] led Warden Reed to the exact spot from which Binkley had fired the shot, and showed him the stub end of a cigarette that had been smoked by one of the men as they sat on these rocks. We then drove down Sheep-trail Grade - I left Warden Reed at foot of grade, he driving on towards Bakersfield, I to Arvin, where I got some groceries then returned to Sheeptrail Grade where I spent the night camped out on Commando Point inside the property of Rex Ellsworth.
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california condor Eben McMillan 29 may 1964 I was in Arvin at 6:45 a.m., where I phoned Dan, and also my home after which I drove up Sheep Trail Grade, arriving at Norsethief Camp as squirrel poisoning crew were ready to leave on horseback, to scatter poison. Dan Garcia was not accompanying the crew today as a new man had arrived to replace Howard Binkley who was to remain at Ranch Headquarters to work while Lee King had recuperated to the point whereby he was going to work this morning. This being the case Dan Garcia did not have a horse that was trustworthy which he could ride. Thus he took the County Pickup and drove out to study the area on the Rex Ellsworth Ranch that still remains to be poisoned. I hiked south from Norsethief Camp in search of the wounded condor, that was shot yesterday, should it have went down in an area in which it could be seen. The morning was clear. A brisk west wind blew over the ridges, but it was calm and warm in the steep canyon bottoms. The ground over which I hiked had been poisoned, some of it as late as yesterday. While I hiked I could see members of the squirrel poisoning crew working to the south- east of my position, about one mile. I also could see Dan Garcia, driving his pickup out on Points that overlooked the valley below, and hiking about investigating the squirrel poisoning operation. Turkey Buzzards were seen hunting the area from 9:15 a.m., or throughout the day. At 11:50 a.m. I returned to camp to find Warden -
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PHONE FAIRVIEW 7-2111 EXT. 2306 SELSON MORLEY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER COUNTY OF KERN AGRICULTURAL BLDG. 2610 M STREET BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 29 may 1964 John Reed Talking With Dan Garcia, At 11:55 A.m. Mr. Seldon Morley, Agricultural Commissioner, County of Kern, drove into Horsethief Camp with Ben Easley. Mr. Morley explained that the News reporters were, all over the place, around Bakersfield, gathering material for an article on the Condor shooting incident yesterday. The Purpose of his trip was to get to Dan Garcia before the News reporters did, in order that he could advise Mr. Garcia regarding what to say about the incident as it would have a bearing on how the Agricultural Commissioner's Office might appear. Mr. Morley particularly wanted Dan Garcia to make it plain to anyone seeking News that Mr. Howard Binkley was not an employee of the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner's Office and was only under the jurisdiction of Overseer Dan Garcia while the crew was in the field engaged in the putting out of poison, and that during the lunch break, at which time the shooting incident occurred, Mr. Garcia had no responsibility over what any of the crew did, providing such action did not interfere with the treatment or handling of the supply of Compound 1080 treated Poison grain. Mr. Morley told Dan Garcia, "When a News man comes to you, which they probably will do tonight, tell them the truth. Don't hold back anything, but, be awfully careful that they do not get you to say something that is not so. They are good at that sort of thing," he said. Mr. Seldon Morley told me that in conducting Pest Control -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 29 May 1969 Programs the agricultural Commissioners Office expects To kill some animals by mistake. In this statement he Was referring to the two Condor that had been found in Kern County. Before making this statement he asked me if it were Jan and I that picked up these birds. I told him it was. To his question as to where they went I told him the University of California. This ended his questions. Referring back to his mention of his office always expecting to kill some animals by mistake in a Pest control program, Mr. Morley stated that this is always the case. Some horse gets poisoned, or a Cow, or a dog, these are unavoidable incidences in such a large program, he said. Mr. Morley stated to me that the pesticide problem is getting to be a "hot-potato." He thinks his Office has eough trouble now without some news correspondent plastering headlines all over the papers that the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner is hiring crews of men to go out and poison Squirrels, [illegible] Shooting Condor. in their spare time. Something like this, Mr. Morley said, he would really worry about. From what I could gather, Mr. Morley feels that the loss of one or two Condor per year is a cheap price to pay for minimizing the numbers of California Ground Squirrels. He seems completely oriented towards economic values and seems to understand little of ecological responsibility or dangers that could accrue from unmindful tampering with complex factors that still remain unsolved by the most intelligent of men, or groups of men. 71 animals Pesticide problem a Potato food [illegible] Hosethie/Flax 720
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California condor Eben Medmilan 29 May 1964 I still feel that Ben Easley remains one of the few men in public employment who remains completely honest regarding my search for information for in this condor survey. He has never indicated any effort to withhold information from me. Today, Mr. Morley, Ben Easley's [illegible] boss, several times reiterated his desire to have his people implicated with this condor shooting incident, or any other condor incident, to tell the truth, but be careful of statements that might be misleading and not defendable. Morley and Easley left for Tehachapi at 12:30 p.m. Warden Reed, at my request, called Fresno office of Fish and Game, inquiring about the use of a plane to search for the wounded condor. This at 1:15 p.m. He was told a plane could be sent from the Los Angeles area. This was done. Reed met plane in Tehachapi and it was over Horse thief Camp at 2:55 p.m. and continued to search the area south and east of Horse thief Camp until after 4:00 p.m. I also searched this area on foot. While searching in Canyon south and east a bit from Horse thief Camp and about two miles distance from this camp, I saw an adult condor pass northeastward over the Canyon to a point near the head of this Canyon where the condor circled for about two minutes before flying off towards the north. This condor showed gaps in its right wing out near the end. [illegible]. The Fish and Game plane was flying in this same area as the condor -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 29 may 1964 was present. The Condor was at a higher elevation than was the plane. At 4:25 Another Condor was sighted over nearly the same point on the ridge, to the west side of the Canyon in which I was walking, as was the Condor when first sighted at 4:00 p.m. This second Condor also showed gaps in the feathers at the end of the right wing. I was not close enough to identify just which feathers were missing. This second Condor was also an adult, was flying close to ground, over a point in the ridge to the west. I would think both observations could be of the same Condor from the feather gaps in the end of right wing. The plane had left the area when the second Condor observation was recorded. During my search on foot this afternoon I observed the bodies of three dead squirrels, one Kangaroo Rat, and one Wood Rat (Neotoma sp.). I dissected the kangaroo Rat and found it had no Poison Grain in its Pouches, but did have a considerable amount of undigested grain in its stomach. Buzzards were about the area during the time I was hiking today. Undoubtedly Buzzards fed on poisoned ground squirrels although I have not witnessed them in the act of tearing the carcass of a squirrel apart yet. I returned to Horse Thief camp at 6:05 p.m. to find Warden Reed waiting for me. The squirrel poisoning crew of Ret Ellsworth Ranch were in camp. Warden Reed told of seeing lots of hawks & buzzards during the 75 minute -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 29 may 1964 flights, in the Fish and Game search plane, this afternoon; but that they saw no condor. The first Condor I saw this afternoon was near the plane on at least one occasion. Warden Reed said that during the flight, the pilot, when crossing over Commanche Creek and out over the @at covered, me carried 600 ft per with bald, hills to the south, showed him how the plane would be pushed upward as much as 600 ft. per minute by updrafts of air. The pilot thus thought that were a wounded condor able to hold its wings out, these currents could carry it a great distance without any effort on the part of the bird. He therefore thought the Condor that was wounded yesterday could have traveled a great distance. Warden Reed told me that while waiting for me to return to Horsethief Camp this evening he had talked to Bonnie Harris, who said he was the one who had encouraged Howard Binkley to shoot at the Condor. Warden Reed left Horsethief Camp about 6:30 p.m. heading down Sheep Trail Grade. I remained to prepare myself some supper and chat with the squirrel Poisoning crew, who were now relaxing on their cats, they having eaten some time before. Driving down the Sheep-Trail Grade at 7:30 p.m. I met three young men in a jeep, all with .22 caliber rifles, one of which, at least, had a telescope sight. I asked these young fellows if they had seen any lions, or Bears, to shoot at. They stated they had seen none, but were looking for some. "We shoot 'em all," one of them said. They stated having seen Warden Reed farther down the Grade. It being late and 9 in a hurry I drove down grade and on home by 10:30 p.m.
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California Condor Eben McMillan / June 1964 With Mrs. Gladys McMillan accompanying me, I left for Bakersfield, Cal., at 8:15 A.M. where I was supposed to meet with representatives of the District Attorney's Office in regards to the handling of the Condor shooting case. I was in the D.A.'s office waiting room at 9:55 A.M. After a twenty-five minute wait I was met and led to his office, by Mr. Tony Klein. Mr. Klein is an assistant District Attorney. The first information he wanted was a general description of the Condor and its habits. He said he knew nothing of Condor and wanted enough information whereby his knowledge of the subject we were about to discuss would be such that he would understand the problem more fully. I gave Mr. Klein a brief summary of Condor whereabouts and their present dilemma. He then asked for a general resume of conditions and activities that led up to the incident where the Condor was wounded. This I did. Following this meeting with Mr. Klein, whereby we went over all facets relative to the Condor incident, Mr. Klein gave me his thinking as to what could assume might develop in regard to setting a conviction. First he stated that without a corpus delicti, or body of the crime, such as the carcass of the bird, or other pertinent evidence, it would be quite difficult to prosecute the case. Without the body of the bird there would have to be a confession from Bernice Harris that he saw Howard Binkley shoot at the bird. This would be ample proof that Binkley,
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California Condor then McMillan 1 June 1964. Did aim and shoot at the Condor. It must be remembered that neither Dan Garcia, nor I, actually saw the shot fired, there being an oak tree between us and the place where Howard Binkley and Bernnie Harris sat when the shot was fired. Nevertheless, Mr. Klein gave me every reason to believe the District Attorneys Office, of Irem County, would pursue the Case with utmost diligence. He also informed me that all would have to pass the recommendation of the District Attorney before anything could be done on it. I was then ushered into the office of investigator Taylor, of D.A.'s office, who wanted all testimony on the case I had. It might be well, here, to remark that Warden Clinton and Warden Reed came into the Office of assistant District Attorney Tony Klein before I left and listened to the latter portion of the information I was giving Mr. Klein relative to factors that led up to, and including, the Condor shooting incident. They were still in the office of Mr. Klein when I was transferred to the office of investigator Taylor. A secretary was in the office of investigator Taylor who took down all information save on events leading up to, and during, the incident when the Condor was fired upon, and wounded. This was done in shorthand. Nearing the close of my giving information in investigator Taylor's office, Mr. Klein was called in and asked if he had any questions that he would care to ask me that might be entered in the written material the secretary was taking down. The only question Mr. Klein asked me was--did--
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California Condor Eban McMillan 1 June 1964 I feel myself competent enough to satisfactorily identify a Condor under normal conditions. I stated that it would be my thinking, that I would be able to identify a Condor, in its natural surroundings, as well as any person could. The information I had on the Condor shooting case being all recorded, I was ushered from the Office of Investigator Taylor by Mr. Klein. It might be well to record here that prior to Mr. Klein's return to the Office of Investigator Taylor, I had occasion to ask of Mr. Taylor, or his Secretary, how Tony Klein spelled his name. Mr. Taylor did not know and his Secretary was a bit hesitant in remembering it. This was due, Mr. Taylor informed me, to the fact that Mr. Klein had not been with the District Attorney's office for any length of time. As Mr. Klein walked with me from the Office of Investigator Taylor I was informed by him that the plans now were to wait and see if Howard Binkley pleaded Not Guilty in the Justice Court in Tehachapi on June 3, at 10:00 A.M., when he is to appear to answer to a citation that Warden Read served on him the evening following the Condor Shooting incident. Should he plead guilty, his case will be closed there and he will pay whatever penalty is assessed by the Court providing a penalty is assessed. Should Howard Binkley plead Not Guilty and ask for a trial, then the District Attorney's office—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 June 1964 of Kern County, will review the case and should they feel there is ample evidence for a conviction they will continue the case and ask for a prosecution of Mr. Binkley on the grounds that he committed an unlawful act by shooting at the condor. With this last word of advice I was left to myself, whereby I left the District Attorney's Office and joined Mrs. McMillan for lunch. At Chuchupate Ranger Station, District Ranger. Gary Plisco informed me, when he first met, of reading about the Condor Shooting Incident in the Newspaper. I asked if he had been alerted that the condor had been wounded and would probably die, thereby making it important that all forest service personnel be on the lookout for the remains of a dead condor, or any condor alive, that might appear suspicious by its acting as if it had a broken leg or sick in any way, to which question he answered that the Newspaper article was his only information. Mr. Plisco said he had a report from Frazier Mountain Lookout last weekend whereby the lookout there had recorded seeing a Condor going down somewhere to the east of the Lookout. Mr. Plisco said an alert had gone out that this Condor had gone down and that Warden Knolls of Fillmore was supposed to be organizing a search party to hunt for this Condor that had gone down. Plisco understood that the Condor in question had fallen from a flock of other Condor that were circling somewhere near the Frazier Mountain Lookout. Gary Plisco said that one of his men had been informed of -
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Chuchupate 728 California Condor Eben McMillan 1 June 1964 this incident and would probably know considerable about what took place and that should I care to walk out to the warehouse that stands behind the Chuchupate Ranger Station about 100 yards that he would gladly allow me to question this man. I mentioned my eagerness to talk to anyone who might know anything of this condor that went down. Mr. Plisco then led the way to a warehouse where eight or ten men were gathered. Mr. Plisco entered this building and called to one of the men to come outside with us. Mr. Plisco did not introduce me to this man, who after being asked by Plisco to inform me regarding what knowledge he had towards the incident whereby a condor was to have fallen from a flock of Condor on Brazier Mountain last weekend. This man expressed a complete ignorance of the question asked him, and gave every indication that any information he might have of Condor would be little, if any. I doubt that he knew what a Condor was. He seemed very [illegible] to get back to the warehouse where the other men were. As we walked back to Ranger Station Mr. Plisco asked me, that should I or I find the body of a Condor he would like very much to have it stuffed and displayed in his office. He said Mr. Abbott of Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History had promised to stuff a Condor for him should he find one, or get someone to turn over a dead Condor to him. I told him that were I to -
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california condor Eben McMillan / June 1964 find a dead Condor, that I would not move it until the California Department of Fish and Game had been notified and their written permission obtained. Better I thought, should anyone find a dead Condor, they would do well to notify the Nearest Fish and Game Warden and leave the bird be until said Warden came and took possession of same. I made it clear that Condor are the responsibility of the California Department of Fish and Game and of NO responsibility to the federal Government whatsoever. Returning to Ranger Station Ranger Plisco phoned the man who is tending the lookout on Frazier Mountain and allowed me to talk with him about the Condor dropping incident. This man gave a very incoherent account of seeing a Condor go from sight behind a ridge on the morning of 28 May 1964 at 9:00 A.M. This person claimed the Condor went out of sight to the southeast somewhere in the vicinity of highway 99. This would be at a greater distance than one could follow a Condor with glasses from the top of Frazier Mountain. He said he was sure it was not a plane for he saw it flap its wings. During the conversation the Frazier Mt. Lookout man spoke of wanting to learn more of Condor. That he is a native of the Ventura area but only saw Condor for first time since he came to Frazier Mountain the last two weeks. He also stated that a lady from the Audubon Society had been to Frazier Mountain Lookout a few days ago and where she did not see Condor. There mentioned to him of having seen a Condor on Mt. Pinos the day previous.
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California Condor Eben McMullan 1 June 1964 I gathered from my visit at Chuchupate Ranger Station Today that no alert has been sent out by the head Office in Santa Barbara warning all forest service personnel to be on the watch for a disabled or dead condor. Jan said he had called the office of Las Padres Forest Supervisor William Hansen in Santa Barbara and been assured that an all forest service alert in Las Padres district would go out for a close watch for any sign of the condor that was shot, which event Jan detailed to Supervisor Hansen following during the telephone conversation. It appears evident that anything, except fires and hunters, is going to get little attention from the U.S. Forest Service Personnel until the public comes out with a demand that other factors either receive due consideration or a new administration be made to replace that now in command from the top right down to the district Ranger. Below the District Ranger one seems to get interest and concern for many things that seem below the dignity of the higher officials, such as condor welfare and indiscriminate, and malicious, use of firearms within the National Forests, by the hunting public. Where the officials of the Forest Service seem to promote this sort of use, the fire control officers and their crews disapprove. One thing seems sure; that being, that until a sense of responsibility for all wildlife, other than game species, and including condor in Las Padres-Sequoia and Angeles National Forests in particular, is forthcoming, all efforts to stabilize condor
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 June 1964 Numbers and thwart the present downward trend in their numbers, will only be a losing cause that will end up with the greater part of the blame for wildlife decimation falling on those who did too little and demanded not enough, of our Public Officials. Anyone with experience in handling working people should be able to foresee this need. In a business corporation a board of directors set at the top. Their only purpose is to see that any employee, from the Management down, who fails in his duty towards the Corporation, is moved out immediately. This watchfulness maintains a deep respect among all working personnel of said Corporation and allows it to move along with continual improvement. This feature Government bureaus lack, and the degeneration that sets in without a watchdog influence can be evidenced in the Forest Service today. Where is Jack Gains At Present? I am told he is still in the employment of the U.S. Forest Service and working in the district Rangers Office in Ojai. Now I am sure that any man who has had experience in management of private business would agree that Mr. Gains is doing himself, not anyone else, no lasting good by being maintained in the Las Padres National Forest Service Personnel list. Jack Gains will have little, if any, respect for people guarding the public interest. If a normal case, he will continually work to alienate respect among his fellow workers for anyone showing an interest in what is happening within the Forest Service by any member of the Public.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 June 1969 In Bakersfield I stopped at MTR Sheep Company Office and was told that an annual death loss of between 3 and 4 percent among adult sheep is expected by their operation. Personnel of the MTR Sheep Company had read the account of the Condor Shooting Incident that appeared in the Bakersfield Californian on Friday May 29. There is little doubt but that word will go out to all shepherds to not shoot any large birds, for shepherds would realize how harmful newspaper headlines would be to their cause in securing and importing foreign Shepherds, should they find Alien Basque Shepherd shoots one of few remaining California Condor. I called Mrs. Walter [illegible] Slaytor at San Emigdio Ranch to inform her of the Condor Shooting Incident and ask her to have Mr. Slaytor alert his workmen and Cowboys to be on the lookout for anything looking like a wounded, or dead, Condor. Mrs. Slaytor [illegible] said she would gladly help me out in this way. Mrs. Slaytor also registered much concern when told of the Condor having been wounded. Women generally appear much more considerate of wild creatures that are being oppressed by human activities than do their menfolk.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 June 1964 High thin clouds shaded the sky and it was cool as Ian and I drove to Tehachapi, Kern County, California by 9:50AM where Howard Binkley was to appear in Justice Court at 10:00 AM. in answer to a citation issued him on 28 May for shooting at a Condor. Captain of Fish and Game Wardens Clanton, with Wardens Reed and Tharp were present when we arrived. Howard Binkley showed up at 9:25 AM, and was processed in Court, plead not guilty, was released to the Deputy Sheriff on $250.00 Bail. Mrs. Bailey, wife of the foreman at Ellsworth Ranch, arrived with Binkley's wife. Mrs. Bailey furnished the money to get Binkley's bail. I signed warrant, or complaint, in Justice Court in Tehachapi that would hold Binkley in case the Sheriff turned him loose should he not be able to post bail. The cail was obtained, so I was told. Ian and I then drove to Los Angeles Following the processing in Court of the Binkley Case, Ian and I discussed Fish and Game regulations with Clanton, Reed and Tharp. We all agreed that a clearer and more specific wording is needed, in the Game Code, in order to give Officers, or individuals, definite understanding as to what can and what cannot be done in apprehending Persons who Shoot - [illegible], Malast, Pursue, or otherwise present a problem to non-game species of wild birds and mammals, we felt that non-game birds that are protected should enjoy the same wording in the Game Code, in regards to how they shall be protected as do Game birds.
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 3 June 1964 Ian also specifically asked Warden Clanton, was he correct in stating that the first time he (Ian) stopped by at Clanton's office in Bakersfield, Calif., that a monthly meeting of Clanton and the Game Wardens under his jurisdiction was in session, and at this time when asked by Ian as to whether he had observed any Condor of late, or some statement to that effect, Warden Clanton answered him with the statement, that, even though it might seem ridiculous for him to say, he (Clanton) would still have to admit that were a Condor to fly over he would not be able to identify it with certainty. To this question of Ian's, Warden Clanton stated thus to the best of his knowledge that was the case. The factor making this statement of Warden Clanton's important was how it showed the integrity of the man. Here was a Public Official who was not afraid to tell the Truth. Ian and I drove to Los Angeles in P.M. where we spent the time from 2:30 P.M. to 4:25 P.M. with Dr. Kenneth Stager, Senior Curator of Ornithology and Mammalogy at the Los Angeles County Museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Our first interest was in seeing and getting the data on the Warden Stockton Condor as well as the Trapped Condor that was found hanging in a tree, south of Bakersfield, in 1947. Dr. Stager gave us at his valuable time and personally saw that all Condor material in the collection was made available for our records. There seems to be every indication that the Stockton Condor did not die of broken bones or bruises as was -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 June 1964 Suspected by the Stocktons and Mrs. Mona Curver, who banded it. Dr. Stager stated that this Condor, that is recorded in his Notes as 12 June 1962, was in very poor condition when it reached his office, it only weighing [illegible] thirteen pounds at that time. He also stated that the liver of this bird was in a very degenerated shape, this having been due, Dr. Stager thought, to disease or poison. This Condor Nevertheless made up into a wonderful study skin and remains, I think, as the most satisfactory specimen from which valuable color data and feather development can be obtained, of any specimen I have yet seen. It was in full adult plumage and the head was all orange. Dr. Stager stated that the best of his recollection, the 1947 Condor from the Bakersfield, Kern, Co. area had been caught in a trap and had flown into a nearby tree where the trap had become lodged in between limbs of the tree, thereby hanging the bird by its leg when it tried to fly again. He also thought this Condor had been alive when found, but very near dying from the ordeal. Nevertheless it weighed 20 pounds when put on the scales after coming into Dr. Stager's possession. Dr. Stager understands the threat to all wildlife by the multitude of hunters that swarm, particularly the public lands, during hunting season. He recognizes this to the extent that, he himself, never ventures forth onto public lands during the hunting seasons. That is, public lands where hunting is permitted by the public with no regulations as to numbers. Dr. Kenneth Stager stated that during 1960 and 1961 he had done-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 3 June 1969 considerable research on Turkey cultures in the area of Tapo Creek in Santa Susana mountains and north of the towns, Communities, of Santa Susana and Community Center, in Ventura County. Considerable time was spent in the field of this area by Dr. Stager, most of which was in watching for Turkey cultures flying. Dr. Stager was ever anticipating seeing Condor during this project. This he did not do. No Condor were observed by him at any time in this area. Dr. Stager said he has had no records of Condor having been south of the Simi Valley or east of Chatsworth in recent years. Perhaps the only place that Condor enter Los Angeles County now might be north of highway 126 and west of Highway Los Angeles County road running from Castaic to Lake Hughes. Dr. Stager asked us how many Condor there are left. We explained our position on this and stated that until we compile our information it would be unwise for us to make any guess, and guess it would be. We stated that our findings will be available by November of this year. Dr. Stager, when asked by Jan as to what he would think important measures to take in the future of Condor preservation, stated that he had given much thought to this problem but had been at a loss to develop sound plans along this line. We said that the first question, visiting Ornithologists, or Naturalists, ask him when they come to L.A. County Museum, is, how are the Condor doing. He feels the preservation -
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California Condor. Eben McMullan 3 June 1964 of Condor as a most important responsibility to everyone, and especially to those in Southern California. Dr. Stager told us of a Mr. Johnson, who [illegible] in Correspondence, several years ago with Mr. Stager, had stated that at a summer home that he owned in Pine Canyon, near Big Pine, in Inyo County, this Mr. Johnson had observed Condor for several years and the last year the Condor were seen in the Big Pine area in Owens Valley, there was a pair of adults and a black headed juvenile bird with them. Stager thought the Johnsons knew condor, for they had produced Condor feathers on one occasion to assure their identification. This Mr. Johnson had lived somewhere on the outskirts of Los Angeles at the time he wrote and visited Dr. Stager. Mr. Stager has not heard from him for several years. He will, nevertheless, mail us the correspondence he received from this Mr. Johnson, in years past, in case we should care to go to Lone Pine and look into the matter.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 5 June 1964 At 2:12 P.M. today I called the Office of Kern County District Attorney regarding the present disposition of the Howard Bintley, Condor shooting incident. I was connected by phone with deputy Frank St. Clair who said he has been assigned to the case. Mr. St. Clair asked me how many witnesses were implicated; I told him five or six. He then asked if I would write him a letter in which I would give the names of all the witnesses. I then told Mr. St. Clair that investigator Taylor had this material already. He then asked if that would be Mr. Taylor of the Sheriffs department. I said no, it is Mr. Taylor of the District Attorney's Office. He seemed surprised at this information but said he would go over this afternoon and get what information Mr. Taylor had. I then asked if he were to handle the case. He said yes, he was. That the case is slated for June 12, 1964. Mr. St. Clair said he should get together with me a day or so before the trial.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 9 June 1964 At 9:27 A.M. I called the District Attorney's Office of Kern County and asked for Mr. Frank St. Clair. This office is in Bakersfield. I was informed by a secretary that Mr. St. Clair was not in at the moment, but that he was expected anytime. I left word for Mr. St. Clair to contact me when he returned to his office. Mr. St. Clair called before 9:45 A.M. I asked him what the present disposition of the Binkley, Condor shooting case, presently was. He informed me that the District Attorney's Office had asked for, and received an extension of time, from the Justice Court in Tehachapi, and that the June 12th trial date had been cancelled. I then asked Mr. St. Clair what plans the District Attorney's Office had in following the case. To this question I was told that an investigator would be assigned to the case to gather pertinent evidence, and that if such evidence seemed strong enough to insure a conviction of Mr. Binkley the District Attorney's Office would go through with the case. Otherwise the case would be dropped. I was then told by Mr. St. Clair that the case, as it now stands, is not strong. "They have not found the body of the bird yet, have they," he asked me. I replied NO. He then added, as if attempting to discourage me, that there were no witnesses to the actual shooting. I said yes there were. That the other boy, Burnnie Harris, was sitting with Binkley when the actual shooting took place. That he has already admitted to Warren Reed that he told Binkley to shoot at the bird. To this Mr. St. Clair stated that Harris may lie. Not tell the truth. I then asked that should I call at his office next Monday, or Tuesday, would he be at that time,
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california condor Eben McMillan 9 June 1964 furnish me with what information he had on the case. To this inquiry Mr. St. Clair said he would give me what information he had on the case. At one time during this discussion with Mr. St. Clair, this morning, he asked me what particular interest I had in the case. I informed him I was part of a team that were doing research on Condor problems and that I wanted all the information possible on this case, for my records, because the actions and thoughts that public officials, as well as everyone else involved, would surely be an important part of our records. A letter was received in the mail, addressed to me, today, from the Justice Court Tehachapi Judicial District, W. L. Woods, Judge, P.O. Box 47, Tehachapi, California, informing me that Court Trial Case #2560, Binkley, at the request of the District Attorney's Office had been continued to July 10, 1964 at 10:00 A.M. in that court. After 1:30 P.M. today someone, a man, called from Los Angeles saying he was a representative of the Associated Press and wondered if Ian or I would want to make some statement regarding the Condor Project prior to the Tucson meeting this coming November. I referred him to Carl Buchheister in New York who would issue any statements on this study,
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California Condor Eben Inghamillan 10 June 1964 It was damp this morning with a thin Coastal ground fog blowing in about 6:30 A.M. on a cool west wind. This fog lifted about 8:00 A.M., but the sun remained shaded by a low layer of clouds that did not look like the rain holding type. I left home at 8:30 A.M. and drove to Avenal, in Fresno, County where I chatted with several Shepherds who are tending flocks of Sheep that are on the barley stubble south and west of Avenal. The shepherds had seen Raven and Buzzards come and feed on dead sheep, but no Condor. I saw several Buzzards wheeling above a dead sheep Carcass that lay about one quarter mile north of highway 33 and about one mile Northwest of Avenal. One Buzzard was on the ground feeding on this Carcass. A Shepherds Camp was about 1/2 mile west of where it lay. Another dead sheep Carcass that appeared to have been eaten on considerably lay south of the 33 highway about 1/4 mile and one mile west of Avenal. A Shepherds Camp was within 200 yards of this Carcass. Two Raven and two Turkey Buzzards were circling above this Carcass when I was chatting with the two Shepherds who were in the Camp Nearby. Driving towards Coalinga on highway 33 I found the dried Carcass of an immature Golden Eagle that was lying about six feet north of the edge of the pavement, on the west bank of the Wash that crosses highway 33 about two -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 June 1964 Miles Northwest of Arenal. This young Eagle could possibly have been hit by a car as it fed on some mammal that had been roadkilled but from all appearance, I would judge it to have been shot from the back as it perched on the power pole that stood close-by where it lay. The Tail feathers showed much white. The Carcass could have been there for three months, or more. Driving North of Coalinga, on Highway 33, while still in the foothills but about to emerge out on the flats, I saw an immature Golden Eagle Circling some distance to my West. After Circling briefly this Eagle flew towards, and over me, heading eastward. An adult Golden Eagle was observed near the Cantua Creek bridge as it passed in front of me, then skimmed low over a rise, behind which Atriplex (Poly Carpa) was growing. This Eagle was no doubt, hunting. I drove up Cantua Creek to the Lyle Christie Ranch that is located in the bottom of this creek, the Ranch buildings, that is. It is on this Ranch where Kenneth Mutton had been working last spring when he was supposed to have seen Condor. The Ranch buildings are situated up Cantua Creek about five miles from the Highway 33 turnoff. The Countryside is rolling hills that are deeply scarred with gullies and rock outcrops that, in some instances, run for more than ½ mile, forming slides and cliffs that serve as good nesting and roosting sites for Raven-Barn Owls, Sparrow Hawks, Cliff Swallows, and White Throated Swifts. The Cantua Creek itself, —
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California Condor Eben D. McMillan 10 June 1964 has water in its bed after one jets into the Canyon about Two miles. The water is highly mineralized with Salts and Gypsum that has washed from the hillsides, most of which appear well mineralized and rather marginal as far as grazing land would be judged. Cottonwood trees grow in the bottom of the Creek Valley in several places, but not within two miles of highway 33. West of the Ranch Buildings about five miles, high, Chaparral Covered hills rise up to a good height and many rocky masses could be made out about the summit of these peaks. I met Mrs. Marvin Jones at the Christie Ranch buildings. Her husband, Marvin Jones, has worked on this ranch for about three years and was here when Kenneth Mattern was an employee here last spring. Mr. Jones was looking at a feed-lot in the Valley today and would not return until this evening. Mrs. Jones had never heard of Condor before and had trouble remembering the name having to re-ask me several times. She said that Mr. Dyle Christie, who owns the property that Comprises Some 50 thousand, plus, acres, lives here at the Ranch Part of the time. When not here he resides in San Francisco. According to Mrs. Jones, Mr. Christie has been coming to the ranch for many years and has a keen interest in all wildlife. He allows no one to shoot any of the Quail, or rabbits, on the Ranch, nor does he allow the Government trapper to come in and trap Coyotes. She said that he does-
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California Condor Eben McNillan 10 June 1964 food Poison squirrels once in several years. christie) I was given the San Francisco address of Mr. Lyle Christie by Mrs. Jones who thought Mr. Christie would be most happy to help me out in any way he could. She also said she would have Mr. Jones write me should he have seen any Condor on the Cantua Ranch. I left my address and phone number with Mrs. Jones with instruction for them to phone me collect should anyone see Condor, in the future, or particularly find a dead or wounded Condor. I drove down Cantua Creek at 1:30 p.m. to highway 33. Another Golden Eagle was observed crossing the highway in front of me soon after the highway enters the foothills, going south from Cantua Creek. I did not see it well enough to see if it was an adult or immature. ad Buzzard) A dead Turkey Buzzard carcass was found lying on north side of highway 33, about ten feet from the edge of Panement, 1/2 mile Northwest of Avenal, Fresno County, Calif. Evidently this buzzard had been shot, for a buzzard feather lay near the partly eaten body of a kit fox about 100 feet north of where the Buzzard carcass lay. Automobile tracks indicated that someone had pulled to the side of the highway, while the buzzard was feeding on the kit fox and shot the Buzzard. The person then walked to the Buzzard and dragged it back to the roadside, evidently to admire the good shot, and there the Buzzard carcass was left. This appeared to
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California Condor Eben McMillan 10 June 1964 have happened about three or four weeks before. I photographed the Buzzard carcass. Driving from Arenal to Cholame Valley I entered Cholame Ranch property at East side of Cholame Flats and drove to Rock Corral Spring. One cow carcass had been added to the list of others that had gotten milled in Rock Corral mud-hole since I was here last, but, amazingly most of the cattle that frequent this spring area are still on their feet. One elderly cow, that was lying down when I drove up had difficulty getting to her feet, but once up, ambled away at a wobbly trot. It appears that those cattle that were genetically weak from one cause or another fell by the wayside as soon as the going got tough. Those that survived that first elemination are very difficult to kill off. Driving towards Cholame Rancho from Rock Corral Canyon, young calves were photographed that were near the roadside in the last stages of starvation. Strange to say these little beasts, even though too weak to pay any attention to the car, would get up and wobble away when I would get out of the pickup with camera to photograph them. I did not have the heart to follow them closely for fear they would fall and die. A Coyote ran across the roadway in front of me as I drove across Cholame Creek where the road crosses near the alfalfa Camp of ©. This Coyote was heading in the direction of
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Cholame 746 California Condor Eben McMillan 10 June 1964 Cholame Ranch headquarters. When I last saw it, A lone Buzzard was circling one mile south of Cholame Ranch buildings at 5:00 p.m. one half mile SE of the foot of Lecompte Grade I saw the bodies of two deer lying close by the roadside. One deer had been be-headed. The other had been slashed open in the throat. The bones of both were mangled. One carcass, a doe, the one that had its head on, was intact. The other headless one had three skinned out deer legs lying near it while it had, at least two of its own legs intact. It appeared to me that someone had dumped those Carcasses here and the additional legs along with them. Although flies were blowing these deer carcasses already nothing had eaten on them. Probably Too near the roadway and Too much to eat everywhere. Home at 5:30 p.m. Sky cleared some in evening and it was warmer. I might add that Mrs. Marvin Jones went to great detail today to tell me how much trouble they are put to in policing hunters the first weekend of Deer season on the Christie Ranch Property. It seems she and her husband drive up on the high mountain west of the ranch house the morning of the first week of Deer season well before daylight. She said that they can look and see lights all over the Country converging onto their property to hunt deer. She said the hunters are impossible to keep out so the best they can do is to watch for flies the hunters might set. Mrs. Jones said these hunters shoot everything that moves.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 11 June 1964 about 2:00 p.m. today, Lowell Adams, who heads the Rodent and Predator Control for the San Luis Obispo County, Agricultural Commissioners Office stopped by to visit at my home. He Told me of an instance, not long ago, when agricultural Commissioner Kalar of S.L.O. County [illegible] him, (Mr. Adams) to come To San Luis Obispo in a hurry one morning. It seems that Riley Patterson, who is in charge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office in Bakersfield, and who is in charge of Predator Control for most of the B.L.M. and Forest Service Lands in Central California, had asked Commissioner Kalar for a meeting. At this meeting Mr. Adams told me, Mr. Patterson did everything he could to get Commissioner Kalar to let his office take over Predator Control in San Luis Obispo, County. Mr. Adams said he had to admit that Mr. Kalar presented a strong front to Mr. Patterson in denying him the Predator Control Job in S.L.O. County. Adams said that Mr. Kalar told Mr. Patterson that he thought his office was doing a good job of Predator Control in S.L.O. County and not overdoing it. Lowell Adams claims that he and Commissioner Kalar are only interested in controlling predators and not decimating them. He seems to consider the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as dedicated to kill off all predators.
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748 Big Pine Mountain Cuyama California Condor Eben McMullen 13 June 1964 food Jan came at 6:00 A.M. We loaded the carcass of a young doe deer, that had died near our water tank last night with its head caught in the hog-wire fence, into his pickup and left for Big Pine Mountain. In the Carrisa plains, near Washborn Ranch, at roadside, we found the dried carcass and feathers of a small hawk that we felt had been shot some distance out in the field and then carried to the roadside where it had been left. This idea was gained from our finding a pile of this bird's feathers some distance from the road. We left the hawk remains there. A Prairie Falcon with one wing damaged to the point of preventing this bird from flying was found in the roadway 2 mile south of the Whimm Ranch road on Carrisa plains. A bullet or some sharp object had caused an abrasion on the upper part of the left wing that seemed to have left the muscles damaged. This bird was not more than a month from the nest. It was placed in a cardboard box and taken along in the hopes that we would be able to contact some fish and game warden who would see that it was cared for until able to feed for itself again. Stopping at Cuyama Ranger Station of U.S. Forest Service, we obtained the needed keys to go into Big Pine Mountain. Mr. Ed Morse was not in the office having gone, we were told, to Sierra Madre Ridge with a Richfield Oil Company group, to work on a water development. Stopping at the Standard Service Station in Cuyama (Cold) Jan grazed up his pickup—While here the Station attendant told us that Lamar:
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California Condor Eben McNillan 13 June 1964 Johnson, of Cuyama Valley, had stopped by this afternoon for gas at this station and said he was on his way, with his lion hound, up to Sierra Madre Ridge. The gentleman who attended us at this station also informed us that a riding club had been recently formed in the Cuyama Valley, the man that owns Stutz Station, near Kentucopa, being the new president of this recently formed group whose membership numbers nearly 90. As we were at this service station two young fellows, armed with bows and arrows walked from behind the service station across the highway, crawled through the barbed-wire fence that enclosed the private land on the north or opposite side of the highway, and proceeded to hunt rabbits. I saw them discharge arrows on two occasions at something in the tall brush that is scattered about the flat in which they hunted. The station attendant waiting on us mentioned how proficient these boys were becoming with these bows and arrows, they being able to kill lots of rabbits with their weapons. Arriving at the Reyes Ranch in Santa Barbara Canyon about 10:15 A.M. we stopped by to chat with Mrs. Gertrude Reyes in order to let her know who it was that was passing through the locked gate in front of her ranch home, and to inquire if she had seen any Condor of late. She said no, that they had not seen Condor for some time, more than a -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 June 1964 year she thought. Mrs. Reyes informed us that she had been thinking about Condor and the predicament they are in due to the shortage of food. She said that few cattle die any more due to the modern methods of range, and livestock, management, that there are no more deer for Condor to feed on and that this shortage of food is causing a decline in Condor numbers. She thought that were the Audubon Societies or Conservation Organizations to donate money to buy up sick and infirm cattle like the three she had taken to the auction sale last week, one old lump-jawed cow that was beyond help, one bull that had gone bad and was not doing well and [illegible] another bull that had broken down, these such animals, were money available from conservation groups, could be purchased from Mrs. Reyes, and her partner, for the same price of prevailing value and made available to Condor as food. I told her that some talk of feeding Condor was afoot and that when all the facts were in we would evaluate them and make recommendations that would be in the best interests of Condor preservation. I described to Mrs. Reyes how cattle had died all fall and winter on the San Emigdio Rancho where Condor were seen to pass over many of these carcasses only to continue on as though disinterested in anything but the most delectable items to them. Mrs. Reyes continued to mention the lack of food for Condor and stated that she and her partner had discussed this matter as a way of saving Condor. No doubt they also discussed -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 June 1964 the possibility of disposing of their, practically worthless, livestock that were sick or infirm, at a good price to themselves. Leaving the Reyes Ranch we drove on Towards By Pine Lookout - after Ian had photographed sign on Locked gate in Santa Barbara Canyon stating that all vehicular traffic past this point is restricted to those having business beyond. We then drove up grade out of Santa Barbara Canyon near the top of where we met Freddie Reyes who tends cattle for his mother. He and a hired hand were driving a small herd of cows and calves up the grade towards Santa Barbara Potreros. Freddie Reyes, being raised in this particular area and spending much time on the Sierra Madre ridge, should know condor when he sees them. He told us he had not seen a condor for more than a year. Driving to the top of the ridge and turning South, we stopped at the barrier that is supposed to restrict unauthorized automotive traffic along this road. The cable had not been put up since we were here last, although we were given a key to unlock the lock that had been shot open at this barrier sometime before we were here formally. I think Ian had turned this lock into the office at New Cuyama. The cable lay alongside the roadway undisturbed these last several weeks. While watching for Condor at this barrier we saw a yearling deer slipping through the brush above, and about 200 yards southwest of where we stood. Two more nice big Buck deer were seen standing in the road about one mile on past this barrier. These two bucks stood and -
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California Condor Ebam (ne)millan 13 June 1964 watched us for several minutes before slowly slipping out of sight into the dense chaparral above the road. One of these bucks had only one quite large forked antler on one side - I took several photographs of them. Another small buck deer was frightened from the road as we drove among the timber on the north side of Big Pine mountain. We carried the deer carcass we had taken from home to the top of the saddle west of where the road forks where the Big Pine Lookout takes off from Big Pine - Sierra madre ridge road and overlooks Bluff camp below. The deer carcass was opened at the punch and [illegible] ham, some meat being taken for the Falcon. We then drove on to Big Pine Lookout. Since we were here last, on horseback, the lookout building had been boarded up and painted white. The Cabin near the lookout had also been repaired and things generally looked much more respective now. Having arrived at the lookout at about 11:00 A.M. we inspected the area before eating lunch at 12:00 noon. At 1:00 P.M. Two automobiles drove up to the Big Pine lookout one of which was a U.S. Government Car, [illegible] Las padres Supervisor William Hansen rode along with several other men. A small pickup followed the Government car. Three men were in this pickup. I remained for some minutes at a lookout station I had taken up to watch for condor before going up to the Lookout building where-
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California condor Eban McNillan 13 June 1964 Mr. Hansen was standing on the balcony that surrounds the lookout tower. The others were still at the base of the Tower excepting Phil Orr of the Museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara and Mr. Mansfield of the Forest Service who were down near where the cars were parked, talking with Jan. As I walked up Mr. Hansen greeted me with a hello! He was in camping clothes and was wearing a hat and I did not recognize him until after he had spoken to me. I returned the greeting while continuing on under the base of the Tower to get relief from the sun that was shining down quite warm. One of the men that came with Mr. Hansen asked what I was doing. I replied that presently I was looking for some shade to get out of the warm sun. As I sat under the lookout Tower, in the shade, talking with different members of the party who just arrived with supervisor Hansen, I could not help but overhear him lecturing members of his party who remained down on the ground below, regarding the virtues of the Be-Boy- Program that was being promoted along the Sierra Madre ridge near Montgomey and Salisbury and Santa Barbara Potreros and the values of widening and opening the Sierra Madre Ridge Road. There was no doubt about it. Supervisor Hansen had these people here for the purpose of gaining support for those two projects. Phil Orr soon came up from where the cars were parked and greeted me as a long lost friend. Mr. Orr looked a bit on the worn side he having not shaved and his shirt—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 June 1969 opened at the front to his Naval, showed that the warm weather of the interior was having its effects on Phil who had been spending much time of late years doing archeological work on the islands off the Santa Barbara Coast. Phil Orr told me of finding the remains of a new species of Condor in the diggings he is presently working at on one of the Coastal Islands. This bird is much larger than the Rancho la Brea Condor, he said. Mr. Orr said the group that he was with, and headed by Supervisor Hansen, were all camped two hours away near the foot of the Santa Ynez Mts. I mentioned to Mr. Orr that by the time they got back to camp over that hot, dusty, road they would need a good drink of whiskey. To this Mr. Orr mentioned his fear that there would be any whiskey left when they returned for he said they had left two others in camp who probably had all the whiskey consumed by then. Supervisor Hansen seemed to have considerable difficulty in getting more than two of his group to climb the steps up to the balcony from where he was pointing out the Pabeg area on ridge between Santa Barbara and Salisbury Potheros, as well as the area on Sierra Madre Ridge where a gap had to be filled in whereby automobile traffic could come on through to Montgomery Pothero with no trouble. As it is now, only jeeps and Trail Bikes can make this trip with, of course, four- wheel vehicles included. They seemed more concerned with seeking the shade under the lookout and talk of Condor. Supervisor Hansen soon came down from the balcony and -
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California Condor Eben McMullan 13 June 1964 Joined us in discussing Condor. He said he had told his group that we were studying Condor. Mr. Hansen now answered most of the questions concerning Condor. We thought 4 or 5 o'clock would be the best time to see them in the Big Pine area. Mr. Mansfield, who is the oldest employee of the U.S. Forest Service in the Los Padres Nat. Forest and who placed Koford into the Mission Pines basin when he was doing the Condor study in the early 1940's, stated that the women who used to man this lookout then would go out on the balcony and wave their aprons to attract the Condor to come in and circle close over the lookout. Supervisor Hansen and his group left after about thirty minutes at the lookout. They were returning to their camp on the Santa Ynez river. Among his group was one from the F.B.I. Office in Santa Barbara, a man from the District Attorney's Office in Santa Barbara - a man from the Highway Patrol of Calif., from the Santa Barbara Office, Phil Ott from the Museum on Nat. Hist., in Santa Barbara. Mr. Mansfield and a Mr. Rutherford from Santa Barbara. I understood that they all had camped last night at the Forest Service Camp somewhere in the Santa Ynez River above Gibraltar Dam. All shook hands and departed from us with cordial feelings. We continued to watch for Condor from the Big Pine Lookout area. At 2:40 p.m. a Peregrine Falcon was observed circling about the cliff face that stands below the Big Pine Lookout about five hundred yards. Soon another Peregrine came out from under the overhang of this cliff and circled the area screaming. Both Peregrines remained about this cliff and continued to scream throughout the afternoon. We left the area at 6:00 p.m.-
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California Condor. Eben McMillan 13 June 1964 having seen only one Red-Tailed Hawk, the Raven and the Two Peregrine Falcon. At the Saddle where the deer carcass lay no sign of any feeding was evidenced as we inspected it driving towards the Alamar Guard Station where we intended to camp for the night. Stopping on the West face of Big Pine Mountain Near where the old road at one time went down to Big Pine Camp, we saw an adult Golden Eagle pass above the Pine Forest and sail out above the Canyon heading in a Northwest direction. The wind blew a gale as we retired at 7:30 p.m.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 June 1964 The sunrise clear. A strong west wind blew and fog was in the lower reaches of the Gualal valleys. Smog also cast a pall over the lower foothills and soon raised to extend a band across the lower Coyama Valley and into the Sun Joquin Valley. It was cool. We drove towards Big Pine Lookout at 7:15 A.M. stopping to find a fox had eaten on the entrails of the deer carcass, as well as pulling some meat from the lamb, during the night. The Peregrine falcons were not calling when we arrived at the lookout but when Ian rolled a rock off the top of the promontory on which the lookout is located, the peregrines came out and set up a chatter with their screams. One Raven was observed coming up the ridge to the north of the lookout at 11:30 A.M. and returned over the same route at 11:45 A.M. A Sparrow hawk was observed flying above the conifer trees. At 12:30 P.M. John Minton a 16 year old lad came to the Big Pine Lookout on his Honda motorcycle. He said his home was in Santa Barbara and that he attended High School there being graduated into his [illegible] junior year at the end of this last school season. He appeared very proud of the motorcycle he rode stating that it was a Honda 250 with 25 horsepower engine that cost him $800.00. The insurance and [illegible] license cost 61 dollars. The license number of this vehicle was 288642. Mr. Minton said he formerly owned a smaller Honda motorcycle, but that up in this back country it did not have the power so he saved up money for a long time and paid cash for this larger machine, he now owns outright.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 June 1964 John Minton said he first became acquainted with the Sisquoc, and Big Pine mountain area as a Boy Scout. He still belongs to the Boy Scouts in Santa Barbara, but no longer goes on hikes. Once he became owner of a motorcycle he no longer cares to do any hiking. He remarked. He mentioned having come into the Sisquoc River area from Davy Brown Camp with a group of Boy Scouts several years ago and on a four day hike had climbed the trail above Sisquoc Falls and passed by the Condor Refuge. Mr. Minton knew of Condor, but had never seen one. We said they are light red in color with orange head- He said about 8 pairs still remain in about the Sisquoc and also in a refuge in the Sespe area. He said there was also a few up in Utah. John Minton told us he came up via Q50 Camp where he drove his motorcycle past a locked gate. In setting by this locked gate he stated using a narrow gate at the side of the locked gate near which a sign stated that no motorized vehicles were allowed beyond this point. He mentioned having met 8 other trail bikes returning from Bluff Camp where they had spent the night. They were all going down towards Cachuma Dam. He said he expected to find forest service personnel on Big Pine mountain and at the Lookout for he thought the Lookout would be activated by now. He gave not the slightest indication that his driving past the wilderness area signs that forbid the use of any motorized vehicles, unless authorized by the U.S. Forest Service, on such roads as that going out to Big Pine Lookout. Of course it would appear that Supervisor Hansen could have been breaking this rule as were Ian and I also.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 June 1964 John Minton said there was considerable concern among the owners and sellers of motorcycles and trail bikes that they were going to loose the privilege of riding on the trails and roads throughout the forest areas. He stated that a meeting was to be called in Santa Barbara on the 18th of June where everyone interested in riding motorcycles and trail bikes over the trails of the U.S. Forest Service lands could plot a defense against this movement to restrict their use of the areas mentioned. Mr. Minton himself thought it advisable to restrict the smaller Trail bikes and Toto-Sotos from the Forest Trails for he said they do tear up the trails considerably. He does not feel that the larger motorcycles are as damaging to trails as are the lighter machines. He also thought horses were worse than motorized cycles on the trails. He said horses won't pull over to the side and let you pass but walk right on past one and crowd him off the trails. Mr. Minton said he owns a rifle and has hunted deer the last two seasons but has not shot at a buck deer yet. He expressed a great desire to kill a deer. He has not even seen a doe deer while hunting. When asked if he ever gets any shots at Eagles or other large birds he stated he would not shoot an Eagle. He thought them to do no harm and would do him no good were he to Shoot one, therefore he would not shoot one. He thought there was some law protecting Eagles but he had never found out for sure just what it was. Minton said he loves the outdoors. Thought he might move to the mountains and become a mountaineer. Said he like to be by himself.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 June 1964 Mr. John Minton, with our putting greetings, salutations and several photographs taken of him and his motorcycle, took his leave of the Big Pine lookout at 1:20 p.m. after walking to the lookout tower in quest of water at finding no water. Present he, without even glancing out over the scalp to get a view of his surroundings, took off in a cloud of dust for OSD and the Santa Ynez river. Ian + I watched the area for the remainder of the afternoon. We drove to Alamant Saddle and camped for the night at 6:30 p.m. The day remained clear but the wind went down in mid- morning and it became quite warm by afternoon. It was warm when we retired to our bunks at 8:00 p.m. A list of the birds he observed on Big Pine Mt. is as follows. Golden Eagle - adult - one ---- Red-Tailed Hawk - adult, two ---- Raven - two ---- Sparrow hawk - two ---- Stellers Jays - many ---- Calif. Scrub Jay - many ---- White-Headed Woodpecker - one ---- Hairy Woodpecker - one ---- Downy Woodpecker - one ---- Red-shafted Flicker ---- Mt. Quail - many ---- Calif. Quail - three ---- ---- White Throated Swift - many ---- Purple Martin - many ---- ---- Violet Green Swallow - many ---- Cliff Swallow - a few ---- ---- Fox Sparrow, common ---- Chipping Sparrow - common ---- Black-chinned Sparrow, common ---- Rufus Sided Towhee - common ---- ---- Brown Tailed - many ---- Common Goldfinch - few ---- ---- House Finch - Common ---- Purple Finch - Common ---- ---- Wren Tit, Common ---- Black-headed Grosbeak, Common ---- Western Tanager, Common ---- Oregon Junco, Common ---- ---- Junco? few ---- Golden Crowned Kinglet, two ----
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 June 1964 --- Black Throated Grey Warbler --- many --- --- Bewick Wren, many --- Rock Wren, few --- Canyon Wren - Two --- Bullocks Oriole, several --- and several Hummingbirds of unknown species.
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California Condor Ebendmillan 15 June 1964 We were up at sunrise. The day broke clear and warm with a gentle west wind blowing. A heavy fog filled all the fingers of the lower Sisquoc and Santa Ynez river drainages up to about 500 feet elevation. The air was remarkably clear. We drove to Northwest corner of Big Pine Mountain where I left Ian who drove on towards the crossroads and to inspect the deer carcass he had left in a saddle that overlooks Bluff Cueva. I hiked up the road way that follows the Northwest Corner ridge of Big Pine Mountain to the summit. Fresh tracks of a sow bear and her cub were following the same roadway I was traveling, after I had gotten near the summit. A pair of Pinyon Nutchatch were observed carrying nesting material into a very small hole in a dead pine stump. I photographed Sierra Madre ridge - Sisquoc river basin and San Rafael mountain as well as the Santa Ynez river basin that was pretty well fogged in. Meeting Ian at designated place we drove to Santa Barbara Potrero. Ian said that a Bear had dragged the deer carcass away from where we had left it sometime during the night. We inspected the Re-veg operation that the Forest Service is presently promoting mostly of which lies between Santa Barbara and Salisbury Potreros. There seems to be evidence that the Forest Service is setting themselves into a bad situation here. What acreage there is that was planted and cultivated this last year, or even last year, is doing poorly and the areas that were planted first are drying up. Even though no cattle have ever been allowed to graze on these areas that were cleared of brush -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1969 planted and cultivated; yes and sprayed—been sprayed—and probably fertilized in some places, is not producing the forage that could be grown on land that cultivated and sown to Oats, wheat, or barley. There seems to be areas here that may support reasonable stands of grass in the future but most of these areas that have been cleared of brush, only grew brush by virtue of the fact that brush was the only thing this type of poor rocky soil would produce and sustain. One can see the line between the brush and the grassland throughout this area is associated with the tilted formation of the land. Undoubtedly the areas where grass now grows were once level deep soils, and in the process of being tilted up on edge left strips of this soil exposed, while in between, the bedrock pushed up to the surface and remains exposed. These areas of bedrock are where the brush now grows. To assume that they can be changed into productive soils comparable to that where the grass now grows seems poor thinking and planning to me. At least one thing is certain, that being the price of establishing this vegetative cover on what was once brushland is going to be so expensive that cows grazing one to the acre throughout the permitted season would never make this thing a paying proposition. It is beginning to look as though this is a plaything for the Forest Service to keep busy at between five seasons, were it not so expensive a proposition and so vulnerable to the development of payola propositions—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 it might be justified But just now there seems to be too many outsiders implicated in an economic way, as well as the money that is being spent is simply not justified. My thinking along this line is being prompted by the activity this development creates along the area here where Condor are known to fly and probably feed. This whole ridge should be kept in as primitive state as is possible and all human activities held to a minimum if the welfare of Condor is to have first priority while the productivity of these Potreros will also be protected by a minimum of roadways and development. This matter should be gone into further and a team of unbiased taxpayers be allowed free access to the records of this whole operation. I can see why Mrs. Reyes would be interested in seeing all this development for at 60 d per head per month, and a herd means one 60w and a 300 ftm. Calf, she can't loose while the development will enhance the Price of her land that lies contiguous to the Forest Service development for with her hold on these lands whereby contiguous land owners get preferential treatment in leasing these lands it is much like having the Government develop your own land for you. The value of her land is predicated on the amount or size of permits she has to pasture Cattle on the Forest Lands, we drove out as far as the hilltop Past-Montgomery Potrero. The late rains brought on a good grass season here and the Cows, with big 300 pound Calves at their sides, are —
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 in very good condition. We had a flat tire on Jans pickup (Sharp Rock puncture) As we returned down the hill to Montgomery Potrero. While fixing it we had lunch. Following lunch we drove through Montgomery Potreros. 50 plus Raven were congregated on a hillside feeding on the myriads of grasshoppers that are just now hatching out. Several Turkey vultures were also seen. We drove down Santa Barbara Canyon stopping at a creek crossing above Reyes Ranch where we cleaned up somewhat. Reaching the mouth of Santa Barbara Canyon he turned north on an old road and proceeded along the western side of the Cuyama valley. As we approached a small gully that crosses this road about three and one-half miles south of here Cuyama several Raven and an adult Condor flew up from the left side of highway from the bottom of this gully. There has been a fill built up across the bottom of this gully to accommodate a culvert over which the road passes. The Condor and Raven had been feeding on a dead Jackrabbit that lay about 20 feet east of the south end of this culvert and down below this fill that at this point was about 40 inches high. a barbed wire fence ran parallel to this road and was about 8 feet to the south of this fill or edge of the fill. This caused a depression in which the Condor and Raven were standing as we approached, this depression preventing us from seeing Condor or Ravens, until we were nearly on them. The Ravens flew up out of the depression and the Condor followed only -
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California Condor Eben McMullan 15 June 1964 after we approached within 200 feet of them. The Condor, an adult bird, needed no run to take off but came up out of this depression on the wing, flapping vigorously, crossed the roadaway in front of us pulling into the wind. After getting out about two hundred yards northward the Condor commenced to circle and drift eastward with the wine, not seeming to be able to attain height easily. It continued to drift eastward about two miles where it hit air thermals that enabled it to mount up quite quickly to a good height. From this height this Condor appeared to move out towards the east some distance where it again circled and towered upwards very rapidly until it finally went into a double dip and then a fixed glide heading southwest. This Condor was under observation for a period of 25 minutes. It was flushed from the dead Jackrabbit at 1:25 am, and was lost in the scope due to the great distance at 1:50 pm. When last seen this Condor was heading southeast from a point about over Big Pine Mountain. We drove back and photographed the general locality where the Condor flew up from. My photo will have Mt. Ainos and Mt. Able in background. I also photographed the Rabbit Carcass on which the Condor had fed as well as one color shot with Dan holding up the Jackrabbit Carcass. We then drove to New Coyuma where we stopped at the office of the U.S. Forest Service. Ranger Morse was in. Both Dan and I were admiring a photo of a Condor that had been taken on Sierra Madre -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 ridge on may 9, 1964 by Don Porter. during one of the many excursion trips that the Forest Service has promoted atop Sierra Madre ridge to sell their story of the need for a wider and smoother road along the top of this ridge so that the public can use this roadway as a recreational driveway. The Condor photo was taken of an adult bird on the wing near the head of Lion Canyon. Mr. Morse informed us that the photo was taken with a regular 35mm Camera with conventional lens. He said he was with the [illegible] Mr. Porter, or Mr. Porter was with him. They had just met two Trail- bikes that were traveling the Sierra Madre ridge road. Ranger Morse said he saw two birds that he took to be Condor but on second thought they looked too small to be Condor. Soon these two Condor raised up whereby Ranger Morse could make out the white Gloring under their wings. He then knew they were Condor. The two fellows on trail-bikes, upon hearing Ranger Morse say the two birds were Condor immediately shut their Motors off so as not to frighten the Condor. Mr. Morse told them that was not necessary for he advised them that Condor will pay little attention to noise or movement. No sooner did he say this than both Condor came over and circled directly above Morse and his party at a height of about 70 feet. Morse told us that the Condor circled them about 6 or 7 times before they flew away. There is no doubt that the Condor, one of which Ranger Morse said kept higher than—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 The other, must have been within 100 feet of the fellow, Porter, who took the picture, for even with a 6 or 7 inch lens and enlarging in printing it was still - good print. In describing the birds to us Ranger Ed. Morse said they could not have had wingspreads of over six feet. He said they were not big birds. The adult bird in the photograph we were discussing Morse said could not have had a wingspread of over six feet. This being the case he established both birds to be immature - The only strange aspect of these two Condor was that their heads were red and the head of a young bird was supposed to be orange. It was here that Ranger Morse stated that this proved that the Doctor (meaning Dr. Alden H. Miller) was wrong in stating Correcting him about small Condor for those were small Condor and not in any way large like the 10 foot span of the wings of large Condor he has seen. Mr. Morse stated that he was well prepared to estimate distances in the air by working with timber, having to estimate the cheight of trees, this, he thought, has prepared him whereby no one could tell him about distance estimates. "This is one situation where the Doctor was out of place. This is a case where the Doctor was the layman and I was the expert," stated Ranger Morse. Morse thought this was a case where Dr. Miller talked out of turn. "It just goes to show that the experts like the Doctor can be wrong to," he said. In the process of our being enlightened by Ranger—
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 15 June 1964 Ed. Morse in the fine art of estimating the wing span of Condor in flight, a man who had been standing by us waiting for a weather forecast, from Ranger Morse's Secretary, interrupted our conversation by saying that he knew Condor well. That he had seen them in years past in the Wells Half Acre area east of Figueroa mountain. He said Condor used to come close to him in that area. Interested, I immediately asked him where this Wells Half Acre area was. He informed me it was south and west of the Hurricane deck. The conversation then turned to how easy it would be to shoot these Condor that come so close such as the one photographed with the left wingspread. At this the man who had formally interrupted us chimed in with the statement that he saw a Condor hanging on a fence here in the Cuyama Valley about four years ago. He said he thought part of that Condor would still be there. It would only take about 10 or 12 minutes to go out and look he said. I immediately had him in Gan's pickup and we were heading south on a dirt road in quest of these Condor remains that were four years old. We drove east on the highway about 1/4 mile from the U.S. Forest Service Station, then turned south one mile, then west 1/4 mile where a two-barbed wire fence enclosed a 1/2 section field. Mr. [illegible] Martin, having found out the name of my guide during our ride this far, explained to me that it was right on this fence, that goes east and west one mile south of New Cuyama, that the Condor Carcass was
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 hanging when a Deputy Sheriff named Shannacker, who was stationed at the Cuyama sub-station of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office, got him to go and identify this bird as a Complaint had been registered at the Sheriff sub-station that someone had shot a Condor and Deputy Sheriff Shannacker wanted the bird identified before he made an investigation. Thus Mr. Martin was called on to identify this bird. Martin told me that the bird was hanging by its Neck from the top wire of this fence. The Carcass had hung there sometime when he was called to make the identification as when he saw it it was dried out and [illegible]. He thought it had been hanging at this spot at least 8 months when he saw it. Mr. Martin identified this bird as a Condor, for Deputy Sheriff Shannacker on the strength of its meat hook, or long center toe. We said he had always known this long toe as a meat hook. He also used the long primary feathers as an identification feature. Russian thistle bushes were piled against this fence in places. We would stop and kick away these bushes to inspect the ground under them. After hunting along this fence for about 200 yards we came upon the Carcass of the Condor. It lay about two feet north of the fence that encloses the field on the north side of the little used dirt road that runs east and west one mile south of the town of new Cuyama. It had been burned over at least once. I suppose farmers burning Russian thistle but collect along these fences. The feathers were burned down to stubs. All had been partially -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 Covered with dirt, probably from the accumulation of drifting sands that are held by the bushes that collect along these fences as strong winds at this time of year blow dust storms across this valley. Most of this dust comes from the tridden fields where sheep have pastured. The Condor carcass had been in the position in which we found it for probably a year or more, as grass had grown last spring, at least, from under it. The larger bones and the stub ends of the wing feathers protruded out through the dirt that covered most of the carcass. The feet were exposed and in a remarkably good state of [illegible] preservation after having been here so long. The head and neck were gone. A lump of greenish material that I took to be part of the stomach contents of this bird when it died, was lying under the body. I photographed this carcass after it had been pulled from under the covering of dirt in which it was imbedded. I also photographed Mr. Al Martin with the bird remains and the town of New Cuyama one mile away in the background. In the process of gathering up the remains of this Condor, Al Martin related to me what he knew of the history of this bird following its death. It went like this. Mr. Martin is employed by the County of Santa Barbara fire department, and has been stationed at the New Cuyama Fire Station for more than five years. He is 51 years old today and was born in the Santa Ynez area not far from what is now Cachuma Dam. He knows Condor well from having seen them, as a youth, in the Santa Ynez and Sisquoc river drainages. The
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 farthest west he remembers of ever seeing condor over the village of Santa Ynez. He does not remember ever seeing a dead condor other than the one we were now investigating. He thinks condor are nearly as plentiful now as was the case when he was a boy about 1920 to 1930. About four years ago Deputy Sheriff Shannicleer (Mr. Martin did not know if this was the proper spelling of this name) who was then stationed at the New Guyama office of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's office came to Mr. Martin and asked that he accompany the deputy to a fence line one mile south of New Guyama where the deputy wanted Martin to identify the carcass of a bird that hung on this fence and had been brought to the deputy's attention by someone who had made a complaint that someone was shooting condors. Therefore, the deputy not knowing what condor looked like wanted Mr. Martin to accompany him to the scene and identify the bird. This Mr. Martin did by the process of recognizing what he described as the meat hook. Actually this meat hook that Martin referred to was the long middle toe on the foot of condor. Mr. Martin asked me if it were not this long toe, or meat hook, that condor used to open their [illegible] food animals. It is strange that Martin would know of the long toe of condor without ever having seen a dead one before. Perhaps he may have picked this up from others. At least it was effective, for he identified this bird properly. Another strange statement that Mr. Martin made was to the effect that he thought the carcass, when he identified it, belonged to a young condor as the feathers had not grown out on the head yet. This would be evidence of -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 Mr. Martin's limited knowledge of Condor, and would lead me to believe that this bird may have been an immature with dark head and the furry covering that accompanies the neck and head of young birds, thereby making him think that small feathers were coming out. Martin said that when he was taken to identify this bird that it was hanging from the top wire of the fence that is about 40 inches above the ground. The carcass had been fastened to this top wire by someone who had tied a length of baling wire about the birds neck and then fastened it to the wire. Evidently this was done to display the bird by someone, perhaps even the person that shot it. Mr. Martin said it was thought at that time that some shepherd had shot this Condor. He also said it had been hanging on the fence for many months when he was called to identify it, the carcass being very dry and dehydrated with no moist matter left in it. To the best of Al Martin's recollection, it was about four years ago that he was called to identify this Condor. He said that a Mr. Rex Kerr, who is now Captain at the Gola Fire Station of Santa Barbara County was stationed at the New Guyama station of S.B. County Fire Department, and at the time he went to inspect the Condor for deputy Shannacker, and upon hearing of the Condor on the fence, immediately went to the place and photographed the Condor with a Polaroid Camera. Martin said the picture turned out real good and he feels Kerr will still have it in his possession. I drove Al Martin back to the U.S. Forest Service
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California Condor Elben McMillan 15 June 1964 Station in New Cuyama, Measuring the distance on the way. It turned out to be one mile from the Forest Service Station to the Place where the Condor remains were found. Ranger Morse admitted knowledge of the Condor Carcass that we had taken possession of today. He thought it was about four years ago that the Condor, on the fence, was brought to his attention. Ranger Morse was reviewing Ian on his thinking regarding the need to construct the Sisquoc Madre Ridge Road when I returned. After discussing the Condor Carcass incident momentarily they returned to the Sisquoc Madre Ridge Road subject. Mr. Morse said that on Easter Week weekend Thirty people were camped at South Fork Guard Station. These people had hiked in from some distance. The hike in taking four or five hours and the hike out taking the same. This only allowed these people a short time to fish over the weekend, and concentrated a great number of people at one time in one place. "Now when you have 30 people in one campground like South Fork Guard Station you don't have a wilderness" Ranger Morse said. "Now when this road is built people can drive within an hour at the Sisquoc River, hike down and camp, fish all day, then fish the next day and return to their car in the evening and drive home," Mr. Morse stated. This situation, he thought, would scatter the people so that at no time would there be 30 campers at one place on a weekend. "Of course," he said, "the first year or two there would be thousands until the new wore off then things would settle down to a wilderness situation".
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 June 1964 We drove home by 5:30 p.m. Before we visited the Forest Service Station and Ranger Ed Morse today we visited a Shepherds Camp. He was not present. He took photographs of the sheep bedded down and the dust whipping up in clouds that blew along the ground towards the East. We arrived home, via McKitttrick, at 5:30 p.m. Gladys McMillan informed me that at 1:00 p.m. on June 13, 1964 three condor passed low over the Mature hill, that is about 1/4 mile Northeast of my house. These condor were heading Northwest and did not break from their flex glide as they continued onward. It was 3:00 p.m. when I returned to the Forest Service Ranger Station in New Cuyama with the Carcass of the Condor —
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California Condor Iban Macmillan 17 June 1964 I drove to Cholame flats at 2:00 p.m. Cattle are dying at Accelerated an [illegible] rate now. One soon looses track of the number of dead cows and calves within sight of the road. 22 cows lay bleaching in one sand pit at the foot of Kerr Grade where they had been dragged after dying At the water near where the Kerr Grade road turns off the main Cholame Valley Road. Newly dead critters were on the field grounds. Ten Turkey vultures were circling about the area from Gene Rambos to Kerr Grade. At one time four Turkey vultures were seen feeding on the remains of poisoned ground Squirrels near the wooden gate going into Rumbo Property and three more were at the same time feeding on squirrel remains on a hillside north of Kerr Grade. This area has been poisoned with Compound 1080 within the last ten days. These vultures seem to prefer squirrel remains even though a plethora of livestock [illegible] lay dead in every stage of decayification. Perhaps the carrion eaters get tired of a steady diet on one type of food. Eagle - A young Golden Eagle was sailing about the area to the east of Kerr Grade. This bird was not long out of the nest and at this stage [illegible] use their wrist a great deal more than do adults, thereby giving these young Eagles the appearance of a Condor in flight. At a distance whereby the white tail, or wing spots, could not be seen, one could [illegible] mis-identify these birds as Condors. Condor I left Cholame Flats at 4:30 p.m. No Condor.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 18 June 1964 Mrs. Dorothy Fleig of Shandon, in talking to me on the phone today informed me that about a month ago the county squirrel poisoning crew treated the Shandon Flats with 1080 compound poison. She said that no sooner had this poison been put out near their place than eight Turkey vultures came to feed on the squirrels that died above ground from the poison. She said that she and her husband went out to see what the [illegible] were eating. They found a dead squirrel carcass that the vultures had opened and eaten some from. On another occasion they saw a turkey vulture that did not act normally. They drove out in their pickup truck to investigate this bird, but it flew when they came within a short distance of it and flew away. Mrs. Jim E. Rutledge of Porterville wrote me a letter dated June 17, 1964 stating that her husband, who oversees the distribution of Compound 1080 poison in squirrel poisoning campaigns in the foothill area of Fresno County, informing me that her husband wished me to know that he had observed a Condor on June 16, 1964, five miles east of Fountain Springs, Fresno County, California.
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california condor Eben McMillan 19 June 1964 cool, clear, with a gentle west wind blowing as I left for carissa plains at 10:00 A.M., checking with sheep herders on Lake Ranch I found one had just moved camp to Pinole Ranch this morning, and the other was not at his Trailer house. I stopped at Pinole Ranch and found out from Bud McCormack that the sheep which were moved from Lake Ranch were now at Three mile well on Pinole. Six Turkey Vultures and a Raven were circling south of the Pinole Ranch at 10:45 A.M. I drove to Three mile well and found the aged, fat, Shepherd that was in charge of sheep at the Cow Camp, last spring, on Pinole Ranch, and had seen Three Condor come and feed on a dead sheep near his Trailer House. He had seen no Condor since that Time. Returning to Lake Ranch, via Pinole, I saw three Turkey Buzzards fly up from the carcass of a death Jackrabbit that lay fifteen feet east of the road as it cuts through the Pass one quarter mile southwest of Pinole Ranch House. At Lake Ranch, again, I found the Carcasses of three Sheep that were in good shape for Condor food, near the Camp site from where the old, fat, Shepherd had moved early this morning. At the Trailer House, inhabited by the Young Basque Shepherd who was camped at Pinole Ranch with sheep in summer of 1963, was [illegible] Temporarily vacant, but the Carcasses of Two Sheep were scattered about 200 feet from his Trailer. The leg bones of one of these sheep carcasses were pulled out much as I's the
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 June 1964 Case when condor feed on a sheep carcass. I feel quite sure that dogs pulled the bones out from the hide of this Sheep Carcass for it was so close to Trailer House that I doubt Condor would come feed out. A sick Sheep was standing in the canyon east of the Barnsdahl Well and about 300 yards north of the farm road that runs from Barnsdahl Well to the east. I drove around this sheep while it stood gasping for breath. I drove to Carissa Ranch where I ran into John Freeborn who was filling a Spray Tank with water at well 21 mile east of Carissa Ranch buildings. John, who is foreman at Carissa Ranch, said he had seen no Condor since last October, when he had driven on four, feeding on the carcass of a dead, Newborn Calf, down river from the Carissa Ranch about a mile. John said he drove to within 100 feet of the four Condor, and several Turkey vultures, as they fed. He said the birds paid him no heed as he sat watching them for about five minutes at this close range, the Condor would chase the Turkey vultures about now and then, and only took wing when he (John Freeborn) opened the Pickup Truck door closely. To step out and see if he could walk more [illegible]. The Condors flew from the area once they left the Carcass. I drove to Carissa Ranch buildings where I met Murphy Chaney who is attending to the Cattle, there, Murphy and I reviewed the conversation we had with him more than a year ago when we met him at the Dewey Werling ranch Near Soda Lake, on Carissaplains,-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 June 1964 when he told us of seeing, what he took to be the carcass of Condor, sometime before, when he and another fellow were riding the Telephone line that runs between the Buckhorn Ranch opposite side and the Avenales Ranch that is on the opposite side of the Range, west from the Buckhorn Ranch. Mr. Chaney told me today he was quite sure the carcass lay west of the ridge top on the Avenales Ranch side of the range and west of where the road that follows this Telephone line crosses a steep Canyon in a sharp one-half circle after coming over the ridge-top and running down the west side. He thought the bird Carcass to be not more than 100 feet from the Telephone line and lying in wild Oats among some Oak Trees that grow near the top of the ridge. Chaney is pressed for time right now and will continue to be so until after harvest is completed. He did not think time would be available for him to accompany us on a search for this Carcass. Murphy Chaney said the Condor was lying on its back when they saw it. He did not think it had been there over a year since it had died. He mentioned the bones showing. This would probably have been on the breast where the workings of maggots may have exposed the breastbones and perhaps some ribs. I drove to San Juan River Valley west of Carissa Ranch. Two adult Golden Eagle along, above, and through the Oaks that grow on east side of San Juan creek valley on road going from Carissa Ranch to the-
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 19 June 1464 Buckhorn Ranch. Both birds remained close together as they moved southward. An up-hill wind, blowing from the west made maneuvering among the trees quite easy for these birds. I paid particular attention to the wrist motion of these adult birds. It was not nearly so pronounced as it is in young eagles not long off the nest. At the crossroads in San Juan Valley bottom I met the foreman of the Buckhorn Ranch a Mr. who, in answer to my question regarding chances of getting atop Branch Mountain, by Cars informed me that Buckhorn Ranch kept the gates locked going there and that I would have to get permission from Mr. Beechnoir, who owns the property, before he could let me through the locked gates. I made arrangements to contact Mr. Beechnoir for I would like to go on Branch Mountain in order to chart the course taken by Condor in crossing the Santa Maria River- from the Sierra Madre Ridge on the west to the Santa Lucia on the east, or perhaps the Caliente Range. Meeting Bob Werling as he hoed thisist whistle Near his place on Soda Lake I was informed he had seen no condor for about a year. He was still much concerned regarding the amount of promiscuous shooting that goes on during the weekends that has developed since California Valley development came about. He does not feel that the influence of this unrestricted shooting will cause-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 19 June 1964 the wintering population of Sandhill Cranes that come to the Carrisa plains in October and remain until Spring, to leave the area. He thinks the reason for the early de parture of the Cranes in February this year was a result of lack of Rainfall. I stopped by and talked with the young Shepherd at Lake Ranch. He has seen no Condor since last summer when he was with the old, fat, Shepherd when the three Condor fed on a sheep carcass within 100 yards of their Trailer house when it was parked Near the Cow Camp on Piñole Ranch. It would go without saying that Condor have undoubtedly been over his trailer on numerous occasions since then, but unless Condor come down to feed and are within close range of most humans they are never noticed; excepting of course during deer hunting season when most Nimrods are searching both ground and sky for something to shoot at. This young Shepherd promised to keep a sharp eye for Condor and let me know should he see one. It was interesting to see the reaction of the young Basque Shepherd referred to above when I told him of seeing a Condor shot some weeks ago by a young fellow who was poisoning squirrels for a Ranch east of Alvin some weeks ago. This young Shepherd immediately asked me if it was a Spaniard that had shot the Condor. When he found this was not the case he appeared to be much relieved. This evening I called James Sinton who is a -
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california condor Eben McMILLAN 19 June 1964 member of the family who own the Avenales Ranch. He assured me we could get saddle horses at the Avenales with which we could ride the telephone line between Avenales and Buckhorn Ranches in search for the condor carcass Murphey ChaneY was to have seen. The man at the Buckhorn Ranch today, told me that out of 1205 cattle that had been shipped into the Buckhorn Ranch, the greater portion of which were herford or herford Durham crosses and considered standard to good grade cattle, he had lost 23 head from one cause or another. He thought about Twenty Percent of this number of cattle shipped in were Mexican, or mex-Brahma cross. Of these he lost only one. This seems to again bear out the thinking that the Mexican or mex-Brahma crossbred cattle are much hardier and less susceptible to disease than are the better grades of cattle. A letter from Mrs. Rutledge today - stated Jim Rutledge had observed 8 condor today 8 miles east of Porterville Calif. Just off reservation road. That was the extent of her message, I wrote for more particulars. Particulars stated he observed these condor at 12:00 noon today. They were feeding on the carcass of a dead fox.
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california Condor Eber McMullan 24 June 1964 At sunrise the sky was clear, it was calm, and warm. At 6:45 I left home, picked up Jan at 6:55 and we headed for Fillmore and Cow Springs via Santa Margarita-Santa Barbara and Fillmore. We arrived in Santa Barbara about 9:45 A.M., where we stopped at the Museum of Natural History to find Waldo Abbott and Cliff Smith had gone on a collecting trip to the Mt. Pinos region. We spent some time with Phil C. Orr, of the department of Paleontology, with whom we chatted regarding the remains of pre-historic Condor that has been uncovered on Santa Rosa Island by Mr. Orr and that has been described recently by Dr. Hildegard Howard. Mr. Orr re-told us stories of his recent trip with William Hansen of U.S. Forest Service. He said this outing is an annual affair that Mr. Hansen organizes and he (Mr. Orr) attended this year as a representative of the Museum of Natural History. Phil C. Orr presented us with copies of papers he had written on Arlington Springs Man, and, The Arlington Springs site, Santa Rosa Island, California. After a lively discussion of these matters that Mr. Orr is well versed in, we drove to Santa Barbara and had lunch. While at lunch we met Fred Eisslet of the Santa Barbara Audubon Society, who with other members of this Society were meeting to discuss recent activities on Sierra Madre Ridge and the projected road construction that is in the makings there. They, of course, wanted some idea or statement from us regarding condor activity over Big Pine Mountain and the Sierra Madre Ridge. Jan told them that we could not commit ourselves on information relative to the study. That we have-
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 24 June 1964 been Pressed by Numerous Interests, even from the Santa Barbara Office of the U.S. Forest Service, for information on Condor findings, but it must be understood that what information we Search Out in this study, Cannot be made Public, Not given to any individual until all information is in and Compiled. such information will then be made available to anyone who wishes it. Before continuing on South, we drove to Goleta, where we looked up Rex Kerr who works for Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and who is the person that AL MARTIN of Cuyama Fire Station told me had taken the Polaroid photos of the Condor Carcass that we picked up one mile south of Cuyama Pumper Station on 15 June 1964, when it hung on the fence. We found Mr. Kerr on duty. He promised to look through his pictures and see if he still had the Condor photo as well as the photo of an Eagle that Mr. Kerr said had been electrocuted on high power lines in the Cuyama Valley some years ago, and which measured 80 inches from tip to tip of its wings. We told Mr. Kerr we would stop by the next time we were through Goleta and see if he had found the pictures which we very much wanted. From Goleta we returned to Santa Barbara where Ian chatted with Mr. William Hansen while I drove about trying to find a parking place. We obtained a five-permit from Mr. Hansen and informed him, as we always have done some official of the Forest Service, when he intend going into the Condor Refuge to work. Ian said Mr. Hansen was in very good spirits.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 24 June 1964 From Santa Barbara we drove to Ojai, via Casitas Pass. In Ojai we stopped at Forest Service Office there to get our entry permit into the Condor Dr. Sespe Wildlife Refuge, renewed. Ranger Parkinson and his force were in the process of moving the office equipment from our building to another next door. Ranger Parkinson took time out to make out our permit and also to discuss topics of the day with us. Mr. Parkinson told us of being in Rose valley, in the upper Sespe yesterday when the temperature was 109 degrees. He thought we were in for some hot weather in the Sespe area about Cow Springs. Mr. Parkinson also told us about seeing five immature Condor near Casitas Pass about a week ago. These condor circled above a water well drilling operation for some time, that Mr. Parkinson had gone to inspect, that was being drilled for the Forest Service in Casitas Pass area. Ranger Parkinson said the size of the five Condor established that they were young birds and not yet fully grown. These birds could not have been more than eight feet from tip to tip of the wings at the most, he assured us. Mr. Parkinson said that Mr. Ed. Bennett, of Ojai Forest Service Office, also, had seen these same five young Condor feeding at a garbage dump towards Casitas Pass also. Ranger Parkinson also informed us that Ray Dalen had spent some time in his office about 30 minutes before he had arrived. He informed Mr. Parkinson that he had met Mr. Dalen on the Casitas Pass road, but had no opportunity to stop him and-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 24 June 1964 see what he had on his mind. Mr. Parkinson told us that he and Mr. Dalen had discussed Condor this afternoon and that he, Mr. Parkinson, had recommended a system of Condor observation reporting whereby Condor seen at any point in the Las Pudces National Forest would be recorded by the observer and turned into the Santa Barbara Office from where a master list of Condor observations would be made up and sent to each District Ranger Station whose personnel would all be availed of this information. As it is now, according to Ranger Parkinson, any Condor observations that take place at any of the other District Ranger districts are never seen by him. This seems strange and a statement that upsets all information I have gathered from the personnel at Chuchupate Ranger Station who told me last year, that their Condor observations all go into a box in Gai that are to be picked up there by Jack Gains. Parkinson's idea was to make it possible so that one could track Condor from one location to another by Lookouts and other Observers. In other words, he said, Condor that pass Nordoff Peak Lookout at 3:30 p.m. headed North-east could be considered to be the same bird that would be observed coming from the Southwest at Thorne Point Lookout at 3:05 p.m., this way Condor could be followed and timed Parkinson thought. Now, I wonder if Ranger Parkinson ever read the rules regarding the matter of Condor observation by Lookout Personnel.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 24 June 1964 The roles that were shown me by Lookout Calhoun, on Frazier Mountain last fall spelled out these very same features, excepting possibly, the matter of forwarding the observations to the different Ranger Districts. This may not have been done, in the past. But I feel sure the information, should it have been properly recorded and sent in to the Santa Barbara Office, would have been available to any District Ranger who would have cared enough about it to have gone to the trouble to seek it out. What may I ask here, function does the wildlife officer perform out of the Supervisory Office. Should not this be his responsibility to see that this sort of information should have been going out all along? We discussed the feasibility of such a program. One thing seems evident. First, Forest Service personnel must be educated, within the range of Condor, that being concerned regarding non-game wildlife must become a reality and not a joke. This, before condor observations, or any other condor welfare movements can be carried out. We drove to Fillmore and to the home of [illegible] Miller, the New Condor Warden who has replaced Jack Gains, [illegible] Warden Miller lives on road that passes up west side of Sespe River from Fillmore. His house sits near this road and is about 1/2 mile short of entering the Sespe Gorge, or the end of public travel on this road. Mr. Miller was washing his pickup truck belonging to U.S. Forest Service - I mentioned that he sure was -
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california condor Eben Inmhillan 24 June 1964 Taking good care of that pickup. To this, Warden Miller stated the cleaning of the pickup was for his trip to Ojai Tomorrow. He said he must attend a school in Ojai Tomorrow. a school in fire prevention, he continued. Condor warden Miller has two horses in the lot behind his home. He seems to be a person that admires horses and this over motorbikes. We mentioned not seeing any Toter-Gates or motorbikes about his place. He seemed quite proud in stating that Neither he nor his son, [illegible] who is a fine looking and well built lad of about 17 years, have fallen for the motorbike craze as yet. Warden Miller also told us of seeing 12 Condor, four of which were immature, in the Buckshot area some weeks ago. IAN has the exact date of this from the Report Miller sends in to Headquarters each month. Warden Miller admitted his lack of knowledge about Condor and said he identified the four young Condor, in the above flock of twelve, "by the Book", meaning Kofords report. He said that those without the pure white under the wings he took to be immature birds and entered them as such in his report. Otherwise he has not seen many Condor of late. Warden Miller also stated that he had had very little bother from people coming in on Cow Springs Road. He said that he did stop [illegible] Trail-bikes at the Oak Flat Station some time back and before to let them continue on towards Cow Springs. The reason for his refusal to allow them entry was the type of spark arrestor their machines had would not meet Forest Service,
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California Condor Eben McMillan 24 June 1964 specifications. Miller said these people left with no concern. Warden Miller also mentioned never seeing A State of California Game Warden in the Cow springs area. He said they go up as far as the Road to the Green Cubins which they take down into the Sespe River to check on fishermen, but that he has never seen a Game Warden above the Green Cabin Road turnoff. Warden Miller thought that to do the job of patrolling the Condor Sanctuary or Sespe Wildlife area properly, he should be allowed to give the greater part of his time to this job. He thought that a horseback Patrol should be maintained at intervals into the Agua Blanca Canyon as well as the trails leading into the Sespe from Cow springs and in the area of the Green Cubins. He thought it a full time job if properly done. Yulan Miller lives in an abode that is not a good testimonial to his ability to get things done on his own. Of course this may be due to his wife or possibly his philosophy of life, but in any event his house and yard are in a very unkept state. This is common among people from the mid-west states of Texas-Oklahoma and Arkansas who come from the lower level of economic livelihood and does not altogether mean that a person is shiftless and lazy. We drove up Sespe Canyon and took Cow springs road in late evening meeting two Trailbikes on which one adult rode one while two adults rode the other. It was rather unusual to see adult men riding on these machines so far away from town proving I would think that the -
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california condor Eben McMillan 24 June 1964 youngsters have become tired of them and left them to the parents, or adults, to play with. These Trailbikes were towards Fillmore from Oak Flat Ranger Camp. From Oak Flat Ranger Camp on towards Cow Springs we saw less sign of road use and abuse the farther we went. Arriving at Cow Springs Campground at dusk we soon had our evening meal and were prepared for the night. Poor-will commenced calling a few moments before dark. As happened when we were camping here before one Poor-will called within 100 feet of our camp. The jungle sound that ends the call notes could be heard very plainly. Also when this bird was not calling a series of low notes much like that of a mourning dove coo note sounded at spaced intervals for a period of 4 or five seconds. These short notes were very low and at time intervals of about two per second. I am not sure this was from the Poor-will, but if not I have no idea what it could have been from. Many large airplanes came over Cow Springs, and to the west, in late evening. At times one would be only a few minutes behind the preceding one. All were going to or from Los Angeles, probably most were passenger craft shuttling between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 JUNE 1964 Jan and I were up and on the trail by sunrise. The morning was warm, calm, and clear. We took the foottrail, Gr. Cowtrail, from Bucksport to the saddle south of the Bucksport Heliport and then proceeded to follow the Road- trail that goes up towards Whiteacre Peak and Oat Ridge. No tracks remained in this Road-trail from the Jeep in which Jack Gains climbed this ridge last February when he was shepherding the Purina Mills Photographer about this area. We saw no large birds of prey on the hike up. Great numbers of grasshoppers were hatching, and hopping about, on the Oat spur to the northwest, and below the top of Whiteacre Peak. We pushed on along the Whiteacre Peak trail that leaves the Oat spur in the saddle below the peak and arrived near site of Nest No. 5 at 10:10 A.M. After some casting about we finally came upon the Nest Cave. The situation inside the Nest Cave appeared to strongly support evidence that Condor had nested here within the last five years and probably raised a young. Much excement lined the walls of the Nest site to a good height and much of this material still carried an odor. The sand in the Nest was cupped and contained units surface many fragments of egg shell that were clear and stainless. Adult Condor feathers were picked up at the Nest and in the Nest Cave. Bone fragments, some as large as a hens egg were picked up in the Nest and about the cave bottom. These were all stained and appeared to be-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 JUNE 1964 quite old. On one boulder that stands at the entrance to Nest No. 5 Cave a print of the pad and two of the foes of a Condor were left here on the top surface of this boulder by a Condor having stepped in fresh excrement just before hopping onto this boulder. This white stain was easily scraped away so could not have been many months old. A pair of Canyon Wren had built their nest in a crevice in the top of the Condor Cave of Nest No. 5 and today this nest contained several well developed young. From all the evidence we could gather, after having spent 30 minutes in Nest No. 5 Cave, we concluded that very probably, a Condor egg was abandoned at this nest this spring. Woodrats, that had carried ample supplies of acorns into the back recesses of this cave, would in time, have cleaned up all fragments of egg shell remaining on the surface of the nest sand. Woodrats would probably break any large egg left unguarded in this cave for any length of time. We left the Cave of Nest No. 5 about 11:00 A.M. The sun had not at this time reached the entrance to Nest No. 5 Cave although it would probably do so about 2:30 P.M. No wind blew at the entrance to the cave although a good breeze was blowing when we arrived in the saddle below Whiteacre Peak to the Northwest. I would think afternoon temperatures in mid-summer, in the area where Nest No. 5 is located could get oppressively warm. Probably in the nest cave it would not get so warm. I think the sun would shine in-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 June 1969 on an egg in Nest No. 5 during early spring months in the mid afternoon hours and probably in late fall again. Oak and [illegible] Big Cone spruce trees grow in front of the Entrance to Cave of Nest No. 5. A Condor flying into this cave would have to come in from above and could not fly in from below. A Big Cone Spruce grows near the ledge on which the Condor perched with uplifted wings that Leoford photographed. No tree is in sight in Leoford's photograph while a photo could not be taken now without the tree-top being in the picture. I would think it possible that some Condor nest sites could become unusable for Condors due to growth of trees nearby. This location will probably never become totally unusable as a nest site for Condor so long as they inhabit the Sespe Valley. We were standing in rubble where Bat Spur commences below Whiteacre Peak when we spotted Condor a long distance to our east over West Cobblestone Mountain Complex. This bird, after circling a bit, came west and went out of sight into Agua Blanca Canyon and behind Whiteacre Peak. This was at 11:58 A.M. At 12:03 another Condor was observed coming from Cobblestone into Agua Blanca and dipped from sight behind the rock outcrop on which Nest No. 5 is located, but well towards the bottom of the Agua Blanca canyon. This Condor came into sight soon after disappearing and was last seen by me passing up Agua Blanca. As this bird circled below I could see well defined bars on the back of wings—
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California condor Eben McMillan 25 June 1964 and the bluish color, to me, established this as an adult bird. Thinking this bird may continue on up the Aqua Blanca and then turn west around Bucksnort and slip into west canyon of Whiteacire Peaks, I moved out on west face of Oat spur in order to guard this canyon. I am said later that what he was sure to be this same condor returned down Aqua Blanca and disappeared into outcrop in which West No.5 is located, only this nearer the bottom. The day was hot and calm. Probably this condor could be coming in to feed young in an area where he watched condor go into a hole last November. We hiked back down ridge towards Bucksnort. From the top of this ridge one can look down towards Dough Flat and Squaw Flat and see the formation that effects this scarp on the east side of Little Sespe complex. This formation leads to the striped growth of Chaparral that grows on the varied soil here. Heavy overgrazing by cattle on this area has created a situation very conducive to the protective effects it has as a fireguard. Even were a fire to be able to get through this formation, with its scattered vegetation, its speed would be checked, and intensity minimized, whereby control should be easy. The shrub mahogany, (Cercocarpus betuloides) makes it possible for cattle to remain in the Squaw Flat, Bucksnort, and cow springs area throughout the year. During the dry summer months cattle here browsed on this shrub heavily. The linear~
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California Condor Eban McMillan 25 June 1964 growth of the shubbery along the west scarp of the little sespe Complex creates a situation that enables these Cattle to move among this shrubbery freely to browse. The result of this open browse type shows well in the good condition of the Cattle that came to drink at Cow Springs, even though most herbaceous plants have long past been grazed away by these cattle. Good Numbers of Deer that frequent this same area, also appear in very good condition. We arrived back at Camp by 2:45 p.m. having seen no large bird of prey during the day, excepting the two Condor. At 3:30 p.m. a very black Red-tailed hawk with very light spots at outer quarter of its wings sailed high over Cow Springs to join another adult Red-tailed Hawk that circled above Buckshot Cabin. At 4:45 p.m. We hiked the Cow Springs--Sespe River trail towards the Sespe river. This trail shows a history of long usage, probably even in pre-Spanish times as in places this trail shows much wear and on one hillside, ditches angleing down from the ridge top show where many past trails have been abandoned due to erosion making them unusable, thus the changing from one trail to another. Some of these trails are now more than three feet deep. We Continued on to a point from which we could look down on the nearly right-angle turn that the Sespe river makes as it turns west after coming up from Fillmore northward. This angle turn is about ten miles above the mouth of the river gorge near Fillmore.
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california condor Eben McMillan 25 JUNE 1964 From where we stood looking into the Sespe gorge it was plain to see how critical to Condor welfare the proposed Topa Topa Dam on the Sespe river will become should this planned water impoundment become a reality. The Damsite itself is proposed for the area near this angle in the Sespe river that is like the hub of a wheel for the navigation of birds that travel the lower reaches of this river and its drainage canyons. Condor flying the Sespe river Canyon, the alder Creeks drainage or the Coldwater creek or its drainage, would have to pass over or to the sides of this Dam. There is simply no doubt but that the construction of this dam would seriously effect the remaining Condor population. Anything that would increase the human usage of this area from that which now exists could tip the balance against Condor that would crowd them out of our faunal picture. A newly repaired road that runs into the Sweetwater area of the Sespe river and was only opened in 1963, according to Ranger Parkinson in our discussion yesterday, to hunting and camping by automobile, for the general public, could have effected Condor numbers already. It is impossible shooting in this area would be very damaging to Condor movement through this vital flightway. A road way that was opened in 1961 to the hunting public, that allows them to travel from Chief Peak to Whines peak and Red Reef Trails, was a bad move. This opened an area that,
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 June 1964 Now puts the flight of Condor, that come out of the Santa Paula Canyon and Bear Heaven areas, directly over hunting camps of hunters that have already proven beyond any doubt that they will shoot at any large bird that comes within their range of fire. We returned to camp at sunset and dined as the last sunlight tipped the high ridges. The Poor-will called close to camp again just before darkness fell. Airplanes shuttled back and forth on the S.F.-L.A. run over our camp. It was warm again tonight. Mosquitoes were at work.
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California Condor Eben J. McMillan 26 June 1964 We were up and on our way towards Fillmore by sunrise. As we passed [illegible] Squaw Flat a doe and fawn, both in good condition jumped from the roadway into the brush. Seldom did we travel more than a quarter mile, along this roadway, without our seeing brush-rabbits. Mt. Quail also were seen on several occasions along this road. No young Mt. Quail were seen and only one young Valley Quail was seen out of many small coveys we saw. Both Mt. and Valley Quail were moulting heavily as was shown by the V in the center of their tails when they flew, or else the numbers of loose Quail feathers along the dusty trails and in the roadway where they had come to bathe in the dust. We turned from Main Sespe Road, below Maple Creek, and drove down towards The Green Cabins. At a lookout point about one-half mile above the river bottom and one from which we could command a view of the west side of Sespe River from San [illegible] Cayetano mountain to Topa Topa mountain. The morning was hot-Calm and some high cirrus clouds. We saw no large birds in the area during the two hours we held this area under observation. A newly oiled roadway going down from where we parked our car gave us some concern. We wondered what development was responsible for this improvement. We will have to wait for later word on this. Stopped at Goleta, Santa Barbara County Fire Office, and found Rex Keet had not yet looked up the Condor photos we were anxious to see. He promised to set this for us.
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California Condor Eben Millian 29 June 1964 Enroute to Yosemite Park I checked with the following people who live North of Fresno, in the foothills, close to highway 41, near where I saw 19 Condor in 1959. D.N. McDougald was not home, but his wife told me he had not seen Condor since I was here last summer. E.M. Shaubach who lives one-half mile north of where we saw the 19 Condor in 1959 had seen no Condor. Don Duncan at University of California experimental range of San Joaquin Valley Headquarters at Atwells, said that although he had been particularly watchful for Condor, none had been seen. I also got the same story from the personnel of the Calif. State Department of Forestry fire station near Coarsegold. No one there had seen Condor. [illegible]
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 July 1964 A Note in the mail today from Frank A. Stockton 4 Granite Station, via, Bakersfield, Kern Co. Calif. reveals the following, to wit. Saturday June 27, 1964 - 9 A.M. / Condor feeding on calf SW corner sect. 24 T 26 S R 29 E. Flew North when disturbed. May have landed on hill To North. [illegible].... 3:00 p.m. 4 Condor on hill south of calf circling and in trees. 4:15 p.m. one flew away to Southwest. [illegible] 4:23 p.m. 3 additional high - same locality - 2 still in trees. 4:45 p.m. all left to SE - minimum of 5, Possibly 8. 4:50 / still circling high - Had to ride field. Dead Calf south side of hill = 5:20 p.m. 2 Condor in trees + 1 circling June 29 — NO Condors Seen in this area, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Frank Stockton's place is situated about five miles north of Granite Station - Probably there were five Condor at his place on 27 June 1964. Or was the same flock of 8 Condor that Jim Rutledge saw 8 miles east of Porterville, Calif. on 19 June 1964?
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News clipping from S.L.O. County - North County Journal had July 1 - Covering this Event is filed. California Condor Ebert J. McMillan 2 July 1964 I drove to the area on the Carissa Ranch that had been used as an experimental ground, only the last two days, in spreading Poisoned grain from an aeroplane to kill squirrels. This area is on the San Juan river drainage about fifteen miles up-river, or S.E., from the La Panza Bridge on highway. I was present when this experiment went on. When the process of dropping the poison was worked out. That was on June 30, 1964. The actual poison was applied yesterday. I remained in this area for three hours, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. One Turkey Vulture wheeled by at 12:45 P.M. At no time did I see Raven or Magpie about the area although both can be found here. No Eagles were about. I doubt that many Poisoned Carrasses were about. It seemed to me this aerial scattering of poison will be very ineffective in controlling ground squirrels and could bring about the loss of livestock. On one area where a shower of this poison had been dropped the ground was bare and the dropped grain could be seen. This poison was flake enough so that where it fell in grass on which Cattle were grazing, there could be losses. Where falling in Grass, Ground squirrels and Kangaroo Rats would probably find few grains of the poisoned material. I would doubt this method of Poisoning Ground squirrels will ever prove successful. Compound 1080 was used to treat the grain used here.
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California Condor Eben McMullan July 3-1964 Word just now (6:15, A.M.) came over the Radio that a serious brush fire that is raging in the Saugus-Newhall area presently was started by a stray bullet severing a high-power line. The fire started yesterday afternoon. The Saugus-Newhall area is about ten miles south of the Sespe Wildlife area and is probably used by Condor. That firing of Guns goes on continually throughout the Southern California area is well documented. The prohibition of shooting guns in most of Los Angeles County is a result of this activity. This is a serious factor in Condor Welfare.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 9 July 1964 Gladys McMillan and I left for Glennville, Kern Co. Calif. at 6:30 A.M. A cool west wind was blowing- It was clear and dry. Passing down Bitterwater Valley we noted numbers of cattle still on the range on Ted Twisselmann lands near the mouth of the valley. What was amazing about this observation was that even though this range has been dry and forageless since early May, these cattle look remarkably good. Considerable vegetation, dry now, covers the foothills east of Famosa from Highway 65 to the Bakersfield-Woody road. East of the Bakersfield-Woody Road a tremendous carry-over of old feed is in evidence. I picked up a road-killed cottontail near Granite Station to use as bait should vultures or condor be in the Woody area today. We arrived at Farnsworth, Glennville Ranch at 8:45 A.M. After 30 minutes discussing Condor and Cattle with Mrs. Evalyn Farnsworth and obtaining the keys to the gates of their Woody Ranch property where the Rat Poisoning program went on yesterday, we drove over Bear Hollow Hill to Woody and then Northwest to Farnsworth Property that straddles both sides of the [illegible] Garces Highway and is about six miles Northwest of Woody, Kern Co. Calif. Passing Woody at 10:00 A.M., we saw a flock of seven Turkey vultures spiraling above the town. Arriving at the Garces Highway ranch of the Farnsworths we entered to the south via a locked gate. It appeared this field had been poisoned at least two days before. This property is in the exposed granite outcrop that lays along the foothills
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california condor. Eben Mcmillan 9 July 1964 of the Sierra Nevada Range throughout its southern end and is just below the Oak belt. Tall grasses cover most of this property with Wild Oats, (Avena sp.) predominating. Springs of water come to the surface in the shallow Canyons and the water will seep down the draws for a considerable distance creating a situation where Willow, Buttonwillow and Goose- berries grow. These such areas offer haven to many forms of wildlife - Cottontail Rabbit - California Quail - and Wood rats in particular. Kangaroo Rats live on the South Slopes of these Canyons and draws where the soil is weaker and the grasses less plentiful. We drove along a roadway that traverses this property from North to South. The property seems to be about a mile wide at this location. The Persons who had spread both Poison Compound 1080 treated Potted Oats from the left side of a Jeep and Strychnine Poisoned Rolled barley from the right side of this Jeep held mostly to the roadway or else traveled the ridges between the different Draws, or small Canyons. It appeared that a minimum of Potted Oats had been scattered while the Rolled barley was used more freely. Even though the Strychnine treated rolled barley was used more freely wherever we found dead poisoned rats in the roadway where both Poisons had been scattered we found only Potted Oats treated with Compound 1080
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California Condor Eben McMullan 9 July 1964 in their cheek Pouches. In one 100 foot Strip of roadway we found three dead Kangaroo Rats. Near the water draw where we first stopped I found the Carcasses of Two rats that appeared to have been exposed to the Sun for at least but full day, one of these two rats had 7 grains of Potted Oats in its Pouches. The other had No grain in its Pouches. Further along road we came upon one Kangaroo Rat with Potted Oats in its Pouches. This even though both Rolled Barley and Potted Oats were scattered on separate sides of the road. Three Kangaroo Rats that lay dead in the roadway within 100 feet of one another had No grain in their Pouches. Another Kangaroo Rat was found 200 feet further on the road. It had nothing in its Pouches. The area through which the above road runs did not appear to have a large Concentration of Kangaroo Rats. Rather tall grasses were growing along this roadway in most places and as do most roadways, it held to the Swales, and low places, and when passing over a ridge held to the saddles or low passes. This situation found the road holding to the areas of richer soil and therefore remaining away from the south slopes and open sunny ridges where the Rats were much more plentiful. Nevertheless, we found some dead rats along this roadway and it should be noted that even though Rolled Barley treated with strychnine and 1080 treated Potted Oats were both used what dead rats we found along this road that had grain in their cheek pouches without exception had 1080 treated potted oats even though both oats and barley were available. This would suggest that either [illegible] Potted oats are preferred by
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California Condor Eben McMillan 9 July 1964 Kangaroo Rats as food or else the 1080 Poison was Preferred over the Strychnine, or perhaps it could have been a combination of Strychnine Preferences for 1080 on Oats over Strychnine on Rolled barley, Or could it have been that the Rats that fed on the Strychnine Poisoned barley Could have made it into their holes and died? On a ridge 200 feet from the Roadway, and up which the Jeep had gone scattering the Poison at least two days ago we found a Cottontail Rabbit in a somewhat Paralyzed State evidently just expiring from having eaten Poisoned gain. This rabbit was still alive but unable to move other than to twist its body a bit and open its eyes when touched with my boot. This Comatose Condition of the rabbit led me to believe in had take Compound 1080 treated Oats. This fact would further add to evidence that either 1080 Oats, or a combination of both these is preferred as bait by Rats and Rabbits. In A field that lies North of Gavces Highway in the Rag Creek Drainage and about One mile farther West than the field formally entered we found 28 Kangaroo Rats dead along a plowed Fireguard that had been made within fifteen feet of the fence that follows the Northside of Gavces highway. The Jeep that had Scattered the Poison Barley - (no 1080 treated Oats had been thrown here As far as I could see) had followed this Fireguard. Considerable Rolled Painted barley was still on the ground here even though Not New as much as we found at the former field We inspected. Most of the death rats were Within ten feet of this Fireguard. A few were more than fifteen feet away and two were Were more than thirty feet away. Six dead rat, all in this plowed Fireguard strip -
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808 Lusby California Condor Eben Mcmillan 9 July 1964 were within twenty feet of one another and Two of these dead rats were within one foot of one another. Twelve of these dead rat carcasses had Painted Rolled barley in their pouches. The following is a list of the Pouch Contents of these 12 rats. 1 /- Rat - 15 grains of Painted Rolled barley in Pouches-(Green) 2 /- 11 - 1 grain 3 1- 11 - 4 4 1- 11 - 6 5 1- 11 - 25 6 1- 11 - 6 7 1- 11 - 28 8 1- 11 - 6 1 11 - 8 1 11 13 1 11 32 1 11 31 Even though one rat had 32 grains of Rolled barley in its Cheek Pouches the Pouches did not appear overly filled. I have seen dead, or trapped, rats in the past that had much more in their Pouches. The linear distance of the fireguard along which portion we found the 28 dead rats measured 200 long steps, or 200 yards. The last forty steps were at a right angle with the Others as this fireguard had been run into a fence Corner from where it turned at right angles with the road and proceeded due North up a 8% to 10% grade of a hill. Only four rat bodies were picked up on this last 40 steps. A pile of granite boulders were
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California Condor EbamcMillan 9 July 1969 In this corner area where the flueguard made the rightangle turn and another large pile of granite boulders, some more than 8 ft. high, were about 100 feet uphill and out from the angle of the Corner. I photographed these dead rats along with the contents of their pouches. I also hiked across road, and valley bottom where I climbed a hill on opposite side of the valley and photographed area where I found the 28 dead rats. Seven more death rats were observed while passing across Canyon to photograph. Much sign of rats was evident where the above 28 rat carcasses were found. Throughout this grassland area below the Oak belt, where the band of granite boulders occur all along the foothills of the Southern Sierra Nevada range on the west slopes, great concentrations of rats (Kangaroo) occur on the south slopes and ridges where the grass grows scanty growth. There remains little doubt in my mind but that Condor could pick up enough dead Kangaroo rats whereby they would take in more than 100 grains of oats poisoned with 1080. Were this the case I am sure the Condor would not be long for this world. I collected all contents of dead Rat Pouches today and have them segregated as to area and type. I visited with Ambrosia Billard who ranches in the foothills about 8 miles west of Woody, Kern Co. He told me of not seeing Condor this year. Three years ago he said he saw a flock of Condor Numbering 20 or 30 Condor that were feeding on the carcass of a still-born calf, in the Oak belt near Woody. He said he has seen Condor feeding on Cows and Sheep; and that he has seen them feeding on road kill Jackrabbits along the bands,
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California Condor Eban McDillman 9 July 1964 Ambrosia Villard described Condor as pretty birds. "Why would anybody want to shoot one of them?" he asked. Mr. Villard claims never to have seen Condor feed on squirrels or rats. Ambrosia Villard described to us the problem they have with Irresponsible Shooting. He said they have a watertank within Sight of the Ganges highway one mile above their home. He said it is a continual job to keep the bullet holes patched up in this watertank throughout the year. Were it not that water is vitally needed in this spot he thought it best to discontinue use of this watertank. But water is badly needed at this place, therefore the continual job of patching holes in this tank in order that water be available for livestock. "I would sure like to catch one of those shooters in the act of shooting bullets into my tank," stated Mr. Villard. He described to us how on one instance someone had shot off, near the ground, a 4" x 7" redwood post by continuing to shoot in at the butt of the post until it was severed in two. "They are nuts," Villard stated in analyzing the activities of these people who do this damage. He returned keys to Fawnsworth ranch in Glennville at 3:15 p.m. Mrs. Southern, the Fawnsworth daughter was at Fawnsworth home, She too shows a strong interest in natural things. We arrived home at 5:30 p.m. Talking to Kenny Lee, who works for state highway, on grade east of Woody, he told me of seeing 17 Condor about last week of August 1964 at a spot 4 miles east of Fulton Ranger Station. The Condor were there for 3 or 4 days, he said.
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811 Choice Valley California Condor Eben McMillan 12 July 1964 At 1:35 P.M. an adult condor was observed circling above my house while 7 or 8 Turkey vultures were concentrating about the hilltop 3/8th of a mile south of my house. This Condor was joined at 1:40 P.M. by another adult Condor that came in from the west and circled very high. Both these Condor drifted eastward, circling. At 1:43 P.M. a spot in the wing condor was observed circling above the same hill where the Turkey vultures were still dipping out of sight behind. This young Condor had the small dark spot in very white under-wing small feathers. It had 5th and 6th Primaries missing in right wing. The left wing also had a primary feather missing but I had no opportunity to record which feather was missing. The Imm. Bird had dark head. It moved eastward, circling and gaining altitude. At 1:49 P.M. it went into flat glide and when last sun at 1:50 P.M. was still flying East by Southeast down over the center of the Choice Valley. The dark spot of the immature bird, in the bright white of the underwing, matched that of the spot-in-the-wing bird I photographed at foot of Kerr Grade on 1 May 1964. Color slide just received from National Geographic Society show this bird of May 1-1964 to be a Ring-Neck also. Mrs. McMillan and I drove south of our home to see what the Turkey vultures had been interested in when the Condor came in and circled. We found no vultures there. No doubt the Turkey vultures were stopping at the water trough over Pass from water well for a drink.
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California Condor Eben McMillan - 12 July 1964 The following are condor records that have been mailed me that I have not yet entered in these notes. 12-Feb-1964-1230 p.m. Be: Condors = 2 certain 2 additional possible, 2 low circling 1/2 mi N.E. Granite Station moved slowly N.E., 2 additional ? High last seen, 12:30 moving S.E. Frank R. Stockton Feb 13, 1964 Condor on top of oak tree about 150 yards from house SE 1/4 Section 23, T.26S, R.29E. at 6:30 A.M. left tree at 7:15 as soon as son reached it. Soared down canyon to N.W. Could not observe that it left area. Undoubtedly a Condor. end letter. Letter postmarked Feb.12, 1964 p.m. in Porterville, Calif. records the following from Evelyn Farnsworth - 12: Feb. 1964 at 9:25 A.M. - One Condor - Pruitt Hill, Glennville-Cal. 10 Feb. 1964 - Blue Mt. Glennville, Kern Co. Cal. ? probable ? Two Card to Nat. Audubon Society, Berkeley, Cal. From John Rensberger, U.O. California Berkeley Cal. Cancelled Sept. 30-1963 p.m. I observed a young California Condor feeding on Carrion on the highway which connects Camp Creek Valley with the town of Brothers in central Oregon. The date was 29 July 1963. The location is approx. halfway between Logan Butte and Brothers. This is a high lava plains region, 10 to 15 miles south of the Mountains. It passed within 100 yds. as it flew up, so there is no doubt as to its identity. Its plumage was dark except for its tail, indicating a young individual. sincerely yours, John Rensberger
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California Condor Eben McMillan 12 July 1964 Postcard from Bette L. Moore, Postmarked June 15, 1964, Bakersfield. Calif. P.M. We spotted a condor last evening around 5:30 P.M. flying Due North just in front of our house. We're positive it was a condor as he was quite low and the "finger" wing tips was very distinct. Sincerely Bette L. Moore A postcard from Mrs. Evelyn Farnsworth Postmarked Feb. 29 PM 1964, Porterville, California reads as follows. I saw one condor just west of the forks of the Porterville, Jack Ranch road and the West Linn's Valley road. Circling with one Buzzard and two hawks, at 10:10 A.M., Feb. 29. Then at 10:20 I saw two for sure and possibly three circling over the rocky point west of the Blue Int. Lookout Tower. I am almost certain there were three, but could never see them all in sight at the same time. E. Farnsworth A postcard from Mrs. Evelyn Farnsworth Postmarked Feb. 26, 1964 P.M.-Bakersfield, Calif. reads as follows. We and the road crew both saw four condors circling between the fork of the Poso Flat & Granite Station Road and when the Williams Road leaves the Granite Station Road at 9:30 A.M. Feb. 26, 1964. They also said that they saw five about the first of the month at Rancheria. Sincerely Evelyn Farnsworth
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California Condor Eben McMillan 12 July 1964 A letter from Mrs. Jane McFellan, Rancho Avenales, Santa Margarita California Postmarked March 25, 1963 Santa Margarita, Calif, reads as follows. Re: to Condors seen by Jack McGovern Jan. 2, 1963 Two birds, Inachesa Pottero - Avenales Ranch - Jan. 15, 1963 - Two birds - Haystacks Canyon, La Panza area. March 8, 1963 - Two birds - 16 Canyon - Avenales Ranch. The following is from a letter dated July 10, 1964 - Santa Barbara Calif. and written in answer to request from me concerning the following information. [The two Condor we observed on the Sedgwick Ranch was in November 21-1954. They were seen over a period of 2-3 months around the area during that winter; And also we saw 2 which could have been the same ones soaring over the Paradise camp turn off road from the San Marcos Road. These were seen in January 1955] [By the way their place (Sedgwick's) is called Rancho La Laguna] [Ranch sits under Figueroa Mountain]. This is in Sespe River drainage, Santa Barbara County, Calif. The following is a list of Observations sent me by Mr. J. A. Whitney, who at that time lived in Coyuma Valley. The Note was mailed me about 1960. December 1, 1955 - 1 Condor over Alamar Saddle on Big Pine Mt. Dec. 9-55 - 2 Condor over North Padeva Trail (Trail) on Pine Mountain.
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Condor Notes California Condor Eben J. McMillan 13-July 1964 Jan. 3-1956 - 1 Condor over Bear Trap Trail Jan. 4-1956 - 2 Condors over Bear Trap Trail Feb. 10-56 - 4 Condors over on Rock Ledge near Reyes Creek Camp #2. April 14-56 - 2 Condor over Cottonwood Camp, Sisquoc River. May 22-1955 - 2 Condor near Santa Cruz Guard Station May 31-1955 - 2 Condor near Little Pine Guard Station July 22-1955 - 2 Condor near sheep camp on Sawmill Mountain. Aug. 14 - 2 Condor over Mcphearson Pick, Lookout. Aug. 27-1956 - 4 Condor over Bush Mt. on Bush Mt. Sept. 2-1956 - 1 Condor over Camp Marion on Bush Mt. Sept. 3-55 - 1 Condor over Grave Mt. An article from San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune dated Feb. 10, 1951 reads as follows: [Two rare California Condor were observed yesterday only four and one-half miles from San Luis Obispo, according to Jack Lowe, well known San Luis Obispo County Rancher. The Condors were seen by Lowe and two of his employees flying in circles and also on the ground feasting on the remains of a dead steer. They also were observed sitting on a limb in a nearby tree.] A letter from Bob Marshall of Taft Calif., written on 6/15/64 reads as follows - [Incidentally I saw three Condor in the Bitter Creek area about 3 weeks ago] Bob-
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California Condor Eban McMillan 13 July 1964 a letter in the mail today from Frank R. Stockton of Granite Station, Kern Co. Cal - dated July 10, 1964 reads as follows- Gary Snow and I saw three Condors on a newly born Calf, (born dead), in the NE 1/4 of sec. 23 T26S R29E, on July 5th, 1964. As we rode past they flew to trees about 50 yards away. They could have been immature birds but they were Condors. I did not see them as we came back as I indulged in a game of Cocomusture Billiards - Fell off a horse- bounced off a [illegible] - Cow - bounced off the ground and bounced off a tree. Gary was to call you because they were so gentle that I thought some good pictures could be obtained. The Condors we saw on June 27-1964 were feeding on Calves two months old. We found another on south side of the hill so that is the reason we could not get a good look at them. They went over the hill to the next banquet. There could have been some immature birds among them. We don't report them unless we are sure, and we see many (Possibly Buzzards) that might be immature birds. We argue about it, change sides, and argue again, but do not report any unless we are sure. I am making it a practice to slash the hides of Animals so your chickens can have easier access to lunch. Best of Luck Frank R. Stockton - This letter should give an idea of the Concern the people around Granite Station have for Condor - and the importance they place on Correct Observations.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 July 1964 Iam and I left his place at 7:15 A.m., heading for The Arenales Ranch east of Pozo, S.L.D., Co. Cal. We passed up Shell Creek to Highway 58-(The number of this highway has been changed recently from State Highway 178 to Highway 58.) The morning was clear, calm and moderately warm. We saw no deer until after passing up Salinas River to the area above American Canyon Public Camp. Borrowing Jim Sinton's Jeep we drove to east slope of Pilitas Mt. where we left Jeep and hiked towards top of Mt. following Forest Service Telephone line along which Murphey Chaney had told us of seeing what he took to be a Condor. Even though we searched this line from the top of Pilitas Mt. to within a mile of the Arenales Ranch House we found no sign of the carcass; Chaney must have seen the big bird carcass here about two years ago. I suppose many things could have destroyed, or carried it away, before now. We met Cliff Hudson who is working at Arenales Ranch, He is one of the Cuyama Valley Hudsons, but had no recent Condor observations worthy of putting down. We understand from Jim Sinton, Fred Took and Jack Sinton that deer are very scarce in the Arenales area. The Sintons are very dissatisfied with the way the U.S. Forest Service is managing, and promoting, deer hunting that brings an influx of undesirable hunters, into and over their private lands on Tote Gate and Teepees that disturb the Sinton Cattle and fear
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california condor Eben McMillan 15 July 1964 up trails and roads while hunting for deer. The California Division of Fish and Game are also held to blame for this hunting fiasco. It seems that some years ago the Sinton entered into an agreement with the Division of Fish and Game whereby hunting would be allowed on their lands providing it was done under strict regulation and a moderate amount of use was permitted. After the second season of deer hunting the Dept. of Fish and Game lost interest while the area became literally overrun with irresponsible hunters. They are now looking for a solution to the troublesome remaining problems caused by irresponsible hunters. Returning home I stopped at Pozo Guard Station of U.S. Forest Service and chatted with Tim Blake and Ray Barba. Blake knows Condor and mentioned observations that Ian already had turned in to him from the Forest Service office in San Luis Obispo. Blake also acknowledged that deer are scarce everywhere in the Pozo area. He thought were the Division of Fish & Game people to drop salt pellets that contained material to inhibit parasites in deer that it might increase the population. Mrs. Evalyn Farnsworth called at 11:00 A.M. stating that she had seen a Condor, in company with several Turkey vultures and crows, at 9:45 A.M. circling low over their property called the Fig Tree field that is on north side of Capeces Highway about 6 miles northwest by west of Woody- Kern G. Gul. That was today she saw this Condor. This place had been-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 15 July 1964 Poisoned with Compound 1080 baited oats and strychnine Rolled Barley within the last [illegible] Wednesday July 9, 1964, Mrs. Farnsworth said this is the first time she had observed Condor following squirrel poisoning operations and felt these birds were searching for Poisoned Rats.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 20 July 1964 At 3:20 P.M. Two doe deer that have been coming to the spring below the house for water, and to the apricot tree to feed on falling apricots, for the last six weeks were under the apricot tree to-day. Both these deer have marks in their ears that makes them identifiable. The lighter colored, of these two does, had two very small fawn, near Dove Spring, on my property, on June 9, 1964. This doe has a deep swallowtail in the left ear and a small upper-bit in the right ear. The darker colored doe has a deep slash in the upper edge of the left ear. When first coming to the apricot tree during last week of June this darker doe had one fawn that was some older than the twins. All came to water and [illegible] on apricots and would spend the warm days among willows below house. Today no fawn were to be seen nor have we seen fawn with these doe for the last four days. The single fawn was the first to [illegible]. We saw it last, about one week ago, as it left the spring in the evening, without its mother who had [illegible] earlier, passed up the hill, to the west of the spring, this fawn lay down three separate times. We were not surprised when it did not show up the next day nor any day thereafter. The [illegible] fawn weakened steadily the last ten days, becoming roughcoated roughcoated and wobbly on their legs as well as losing apparent fear of man, for on an occasion a week ago they both came and fed on -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 20 July 1964 Apricots while I hunted an English Sparrow, within 50 foot of where they fed, without their running away. I discharged a 32 caliber shot shell without frightening them. Neither of these fawn have been seen since last Thursday AM. Due to the dry season, with a lack of green summer annual plants that support deer through the dry seasons here, deer are in trouble. I would predict that before cool fall weather comes three out of four fawn in eastern S.L.O. Co. will die. This will furnish an ample supply of food for scavengers at a time of year when domestic livestock are producing a minimum of food for Condor. On Thursday evening, July 16, 1964 I placed the Carcass of a deer (Roadkill) on the hill South of the house. Turkey vultures, up to ten, came to feed on this Carcass on Saturday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. None on Monday. No Condor came to feed on this Carcass.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 July 1964 In totaling up Condor records from 1958 to the start of this study the following were recorded. Condor 14 May 1958 - 2 Condor feeding on dead steer in San Juan River Valley one mile north of La Panza bridge - San Luis Bispo County California. Observer - Don Lewis - verbal 1 Condor Em 23 February 1959 - 1 Condor over E. McMillan Ranch - 1 mi. South and 8 mi. E. of Shandon, San Luis Bispo County, Calif. By E. McMillan 3 Condor 3 April 1959 - 3 Condor flying over Navajo Canyon near Paso Robles- Carissa plains road. 17 miles South and 8 miles East of Shandon San Luis Bispo County, Calif. verbal. Bob Lewis. 27 April 1959 - 1 Condor over E. McMillan Ranch - one mile south and 8 miles East of Shandon S.L.O. Co. Calif. - E. McMillan 1 Condor 21 May 1959 - 1 Condor in Palo Prieta Canyon one mile North and seven miles East of Shandon, S.L.O. County Cal. - Gene Rambo Observer verbal 2 Condor 5 Sept. 1959 - 2 adult Condor over E. McMillan Ranch - 1 mi. S & 8 mi. E of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - E. McMillan 1 Condor 7 March 1960 - one Condor over Navajo Valley - 19 mi. S. and 7 mi. E. of Shandon S.L.O. Co. Calif. - Bethel Bros. verbal. 2 Condor 30 March 1960 - 2 Condor circling over Old La Panza Post Office 536 - T29S - R16E. San Luis Bispo County, Calif. - Bethel Bros. verbal
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823 California Condor Eben Mcmillan 22 July 1964 1 Condor 13 April 1960 - One Condor over E. Mcmillan Ranch - 1 mi. S. 8 mi. E. of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - Gregory Mcmillan - verbal 3 Condor 23 August 1960 - 3 Condor over E. Mcmillan Ranch - 1 mi. S. 8 mi. E. of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - E. Mcmillan 8 Condor 1 Sept. 1960 - 8 Condor over E. Mcmillan Ranch - 1 mi. S. 8 mi. E. of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - E. Mcmillan 4 Condor 1 Mar., 1961 - 4 Condor over Gene Rambo Ranch - 1 mi. E. 9 mi. North of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. adults - Gene Rambo & E. Mcmillan 3 Condor 3 May 1961 - 3 adult Condor over Cholame Flats. 3 mi. W. and 2 mi. North of Cholame, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - E. Mcmillan 1 Condor 7 July 1961 - 1 adult Condor over E. Mcmillan Ranch - 1 mi. S. 8 mi. E. of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - Gregory Mcmillan - verbal - 1 Condor 17 Sept., 1961 - 1 Condor over E. Mcmillan Ranch - 1 mi. S. 8 mi. E. of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - E. Mcmillan 7 or 8 Condor 27 January 1962 - 7 or 8 Condor flushed from dead calf, Henry Wreben Ranch - Carnaza Creek - S35-T28S-R17E. S.L.O. Co. Calif. Observer Henry Wreben -
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California Condor Eben Mcmillan 22 July 1964 Condor 12 March 1962 - 2 Condor - Gene Rambo Ranch - 1 mi. E. 9 mi. North of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Calif. - Remained Roosting in trees in Canyon behind Rambo Home for several days. During one period of Stormy weather one Condor remained perched in a Pine tree the afternoon of one day and all the following day without leaving this pine tree. - verbal - Gene Rambo. 11 Condor 13 May 1962 - 11 Condor seen on Strathern Ranch-5 miles Northwest of Simi-ventura County Calif. Observers- Bruce Strathern, John Taft Jr. Gregory Mcmillan and Eben Mcmillan - 1 Condor 4 Aug. 1962 - 1 Condor - Manzanita Canyon - Spring Ranch - 1 mi. W - 8 mi. N. of Shandon S.L.O. Co. Calif. - Gregory Mcmillan - verbal. 1 Condor adult, 10 Aug. 1962 - 1 adult Condor over E. Mcmillan Ranch - 1 mi. S. and 8 miles East of Shandon, S.L.O. Co. Cali. - Eben Mcmillan -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 22 July 1964 A Letter from Hal Seyden dated 20 July 1964 records the sighting of a condor as follows: To-day I finally saw my first condor not in captivity. It was apparently a young bird as it was quite white on the underside of the wings and sides of the breast. When I first observed the bird it was roosting in a Ponderosa Pine snag about one mile south of the Delilah Lookout on Pine Ridge in the White Deer burn of 1961. As Floyd Jennings and approached the tree, the bird flew off and began a slow climb to get up over the ridge and headed west. This was at 10:00 A.M. this day. About 2:00 p.m., I again saw a condor, probably the same bird, soaring over the ridge in the same area. Floyd Jennings and I discussed the presence of condor in this area and he stated that he has seen two or three birds in this area for many years. He lives just off State Highway 180 near Sierra Inn. His address, if you wish to write to him, is: Floyd Jennings - Star Route - Kings Canyon National Park, California. He stated that on Sunday, July 5, 1964 he and his wife watched three and possibly a fourth condor soaring to the north and east of his home approximately one mile west of where we saw the bird to-day. I hope that this information will be of use to you in your census, if it is not too late. I also hope this finds you and your wife in good health. If it can be of any further assistance to you please write or call me. My new address is: Hal Seyden - Pinehurst Ranger Station Minarete, California - phone Pinehurst #2 I first met Hal Seyden at Fulton Ranger Station, east of Glenville, Kern Co. Calif. on July 4-1963, he is a timber cruiser for U.S. Forest Service and impresses one with his appearance. Letter from Hal Seyden 8248.
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Letter from Waldo Abbott 825 California Condor Eben J. Millan 24 July 1964 A letter from Waldo Abbott, of Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara, in answer to queries concerning condor observations Mr. Abbott had made at Sedgwick Ranch, west slope of Figueroa Mt. in the Santa Ynez River drainage of Santa Barbara County, the following is recorded - Letter dated 10 July-1964 Condor The Two Condor we observed on the Sedgwick Ranch was in November 21, 1954. They were seen over a period of 2-3 months around that area, during that winter. And also we saw 2 which could have been the same ones soaring over the Paradise Camp turn off road from the San Marcos Rd. These were seen in January 1955. Also a letter from Mrs. Jim Rutledge of Porterville who [illegible] answered my question to her as to the time of day, and what the 8 Condor were feeding on, when Mr. Rutledge saw them on 19 June 1964, STATISTICS I entered these [illegible] on Page 783 to correspond with the first information I received of Mr. Rutledge seeing these birds. Mrs. Rutledge also stated that Jim Rutledge saw 2 (two) Condor at 8:30 A.M. the 22nd June, just west of Springville, Tulare Co. Calif.
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California Condor Eben McMullan 24 July 1964 This is to record a letter which has been hidden in my brief case for several months and thereby not having been entered where and when it should have been. It is from Wald0 abbott and dated Santa Barbara Cal. Mar. 22, 1963 Just a quick Note to report the sighting of 2 Condor, March 21, 1963. Cliff (Clifton Smith) and I took a trip into the Sierra Madre yesterday and while at Timber Peak had the pleasure of having one bird come by at 2:40pm, following the ridge in a easterly direction towards Sanctuary. Three miles down the ridge towards Miranda Pines was another Going in the same direction. I assume they had been feeding in the Cuyama and were taking advantage of the Stormy updrafts on the south side of the ridge to help them on their way. I imagine if a person were to spend some time up there he would see these birds quite often, sailing by. One was a real old bird with a very light line across the back and wings. They were about 50 ft. above us, but out about 100 Yards. Wonderful display of the primary feathers in action as they felt the draft. Waldo.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 July 1964 This is to record a letter from Don S. Roberts, Mt. Pinos Fire Control Office, that is in answer to inquiry I had made relative to information given me earlier that Mr. Roberts had observed Condor on Big Pine Mountain. The following is with: May 20, 1964 2620 Frazier Park, Calif. Mr. Eben McMillan Cholame, California Dear sir: In regard to your recent letter about our recent conversation on the Condor, hope I can answer a few of your questions. The Condor is a regular visitor to the Big Pine area at least during the spring months. Condor. At the times I observed the Condor on the West Big Pine Ridge, we were working trail about four or eight miles west of the lookout towards Mission Pines Basin. They were seen circling fairly high overhead, usually late morning hours and early afternoons. The time of year was May, it was clear weather, with warm days and cold nights. Condor. The birds that were seen sitting in trees were seen earlier in the year, late March or early April; I can't recall the time of day, but it was probably morning hours. They were sitting in the old dead snag along the Big Pine Road between Big Pine and Alamar Guard Station. Signed Don S. Roberts.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 25 July 1964 The following are records received in the past that were Not entered. Post Card from E. Farnsworth - Postmarked March 1964 - Glennville, Calif. States as follows: 12:25 pm Mar.4 One adult circling over center of Linn's Valley opposite road to Blue Mt. Tower. E. Farnsworth March 2-1964 June 24, 64 Frank Stockton saw Two Condor over his house, low, last Saturday (Feb.29) - Flew high towards Southeast - Edna Williams Porterville Calif. Saw two adult Condor 11:05 A.M. 1/3/64 sitting with their collars pulled up around their ears on a dead oak about 200 feet from the Woody Road about a mile above where the Blue Mt. Road leaves it - approximately 3 miles east of Woody - Mrs. Farnsworth continues that she saw Condor at other locations near Woody throughout the day but thought they all could have been these two same birds - end of letter has more about area, A letter dated June 22-1964, from Mrs. Evalyn Farnsworth, in which she describes squirrel poisoning in her area is also entered with material - Other Letters dated June 7,1964 - Feb.1,1964 - Aug.13,1963 - all entered with Condor material
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California Condor: Eben Mcmillan 27 Jul/1964 On 24 June 1964, while talking with Ken Millar in Santa Barbara, he was describing to me the number of bird species that had come to the bird feeder he and Mrs. Millar maintain at their home in the foothills behind Montecito and about three miles S.E. of Santa Barbara. He claimed to have recorded some 104 species of birds about or over his yard, one of which is the California Condor. Two Condors circled high above his home on one occasion. Last evening I put the carcass of a spike deer, which we picked up at roadside 100 yards west of Shinnon Canyon bridge on highway 46 about 6 miles west of Shandon this afternoon, on the hillside about 300 yards south of my grain tank, here at home. One Turkey Vulture fed on this carcass briefly at 3:00 p.m. Three Turkey Vultures circled my house and although drifting back above the deer carcass left without lighting near it at 3:30 p.m.
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California Condor Evan McMillan 28 July 1964 Turkey vultures came and went about the deer Carcass that I put out on hill south of Granada table during the day. At 9:30 a.m. one vulture was seen feeding on this carcass and at 3:00 p.m. Seven vultures were in the ground fighting and feeding but none stayed feeding for any length of time. At 3:30 p.m. several vultures were sailing about and soon after left the country. I checked the Carcass in late evening to find it had dried out considerably and most of the meat had been picked from the Paunch, Ribs and hind Quarters. But most of the front Quarters and neck remained. What remained was parched and dry and already well putrified. The above is ample evidence that animal Carcasses do not remain in an edible state for scavengers in the hot day Summer as long as is the case in colder weather. In winter a carcass can remain in very edible condition for a week or ten days while now, in mid-summer, two or three days is the most one can expect scavengers to feed on large Carcasses at least. At 4:45 p.m. Mr. M. Frank St. Clair of the Kern County District Attorneys Office in Bakersfield called me long distance to remind me of the forthcoming Howard Binkley Trial which he advised is to be held in Tehachapi Justice Court next Friday July 31, 1964 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. St. Clair asked if I could be present at 9:00 a.m. in order to discuss with main factors relative to the trial. I informed him I would be in Tehachapi at 9:00 a.m. Mr. St. Clair also wondered if I had any photos of Condor I could present at
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California Condor Eben Millan 28 July 1964 the trial as evidence that we know Condor and what they look like. I told Mr. St. Clair I would have photographs of Condor with me. I was also advised by Mr. St. Clair that Howard Binkley had moved to Sacramento, California and is employed in that area. Now, He said it is possible Mr. Binkley will not show up for the trial, in which case, the trial would again be postponed until Mr. Binkley could be brought before the Courts. He mentioned also that Mr. Binkley had either quit or been fired from the Ellsworth Ranch in Cummings Valley where he was employed when the Condor shooting incident took place. In the course of the telephone conversation I had with Mr. St. Clair I asked if other witnesses were being called. He said He doubted any would be usable as they had mentioned before, to the District Attorney's Office Special Investigator, who had gone to the Ellsworth Ranch to gather information, following the setting of a trial date by Judge Wood of Tehachapi, that they worked for the Ellsworth Ranch and were not sympathetic to enforcing the law in this case. I mentioned Dan Garcia to him and told him that Mr. Garcia would be a star witness and that he did not work for the Ellsworth Ranch, but that he had been at the Ellsworth Ranch as a representative of the Kern County Agricultural Commissioners Office the day of the shooting and had no reason to favor anyone. Mr. St. Clair said he would call Mr. Garcia immediately and find out if he would appear as a witness in favor of the People.
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California Condor Eben McMullan 30 July 1964 Even though good numbers of Turkey vultures came and fed on the two deer carcasses I put on the hill south of my grain Tank within the last two weeks, no Condor have shown up. It is probably worthy of note that during the hot, dry summer months the Carcass of an average sized deer is only available for two or three days at the most. Otherwise it dries up and putrifies. It now appears that Condors, if in need of food, Scout a large portion, if not their total range constantly. Should food be made available anywhere within the Condor range, that is available as food to Condors, they will find it providing they are in short supply. Even though only one Condor should find a usable source of food, and providing this source would supply more than the one Condor, others will come in within a day or two, to feed. Thus even for ranging probably check in at the Central roosting location, which is probably within the Sesepe Wildlife Preserve, each day or so. If Condor find a plentiful supply of food, even at the extremes of their range, and are seen only in small numbers, it would seem safe to postulate that other food is available in good quantity else more Condors would soon come. Therefore it is my thinking, that, in times of need, the total Condor range is hunted constantly and that communication is made between Condors when an ample supply of available food is found. Deer undoubtedly furnish a relatively constant food supply for Condors. Range Conditions over such a large area as the total Condor range, offers varied weather conditions throughout the seasons - A drought with corresponding die-off in deer could-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 30 July 1964 easily develop in one area and not necessarily affect other areas of the range. 1964, with a total drought in eastern San Luis Obispo County with heavy mortality in Cattle Sheep and deer occurred while ample rains and very satisfactory range conditions exist along the eastern foothills of the San Joaquin Valley. Heavy die-off in heifers and calves in the foothills of the southeastern San Joaquin Valley due to what is termed foothill abortion took a tremendous toll of these types of Cattle while little or no trouble with heifers calving was evidenced in other sections of the Condor Range. Deer season commences west of Highway 99 in early August running into mid-September that no doubt furnishes a plethora, even if dangerous, [illegible] of food for Condor. No sooner does the hold-over of food from this early deer season run out than the later, or East of Highway 99 deer season take place. This deer hunting in itself should furnish all Condor with ample food for three months (Aug-sept-Oct) of the year. We have now fairly established that except for a lull in late May, June and early July, Cows are Calving throughout the Condor range throughout the Year. The above are but a few of the factors that can be used to substantiate our thinking that food for Condor is of no consequence as a survival factor.
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California Condor Eben T. Millman 31 July 1964 Jan and I, with our wives along, left for Tehachapi at 6:03 A.m., arriving ahead of our 9:00 A.m. schedule by 30 minutes. Using the spare time we had at our disposal we questioned Mr. Fred Harris, who runs the Holiday Soaring School, in Tehachapi, for information that might lead to corresponding flight in both Condor and Glider. Mr. Harris described to us how air currents coming both sides of the San Joaquin Valley come together west of Tehachapi where a vortex is formed by currents that come down west tside of San Joaquin Valley then swing around lower end the Valley swing up through Cummings Valley meet to form this Cyclonic Situation where currents have come down east slope of San Joaquin Valley and sweep up Caliente Creek to meet with Southern Current near what is known to Mr. Harris as Black Mountain, west of Tehachapi. In this cyclonic circulation a Glider can be carried up at the rate of 2000 feet per minute and form a condition where at times the problem of a Glider pilot would not be how to stay up as much as how to get down. Harris told how near every updraft there is a down current. Glider Pilots have long recognized the ability of Soaring birds such as Hawks and Eagles as well as Condor and Turkey Vultures, and keep watch for birds circling to give them a clue where up currents can be found. Mr. Harris said the Glider pilots have the currents pretty well mapped in the Bear Mountain and Tehachapi area where they find these currents remain quite stable and can be found quite dependable from month to month and year to year.
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California Condor Eben Millman 21 July 1964 Mr. Harris also told us of gliding in one of these cyclonic winds with what he took to be a condor, some months ago. He thought the bird he was sharing this updraft with had a dark head that was feathered. Harris said he was 7 or 8 feet from the bird when it dove below him and was lost from his sight. Harris claims to have observed swallows at 12000 ft. hawking insects in the air. He claimed to have seen large hawk-like birds as high as [illegible] 16,000 feet. elevation. Mr. Harris stated that he has observed large birds flying at 60 plus miles per hour ground air speed. He claims it is not an unusual incident for a glider pilot to reach air speeds of 125 miles per hour or more in level flight. Mr. Harris feels that condor, with natural [illegible] characteristics that enable them to reach much higher perfection in soaring flight than is the case with a fixed wing glider, should have no problem in soaring 100 miles per hour or even faster when at high altitudes and with favorable air currents.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 31 July 1964 Ian and I met Frank St. Clare, of Kern County District Attorneys Office, in front of Justice Court in Tehachapi at 9:03 A.M. We retired to the ladies lounge where the forthcoming trial of Howard Binkley was to be held at 10:00 A.M. was discussed and some plans were made. Mr. St. Clare took my Condor photographs and Kofords monograph of the California Condor. At 10:00 A.M., he retired to the Judges Chambers. Mr. Howard Binkley was not present at 10:00 A.M. His Attorney stated that he had talked with him on the phone yesterday at which time Mr. Binkley stated he would be in Tehachapi at 10:00 A.M. today. Mr. Binkley's attorney asked for a delay in the time to start the proceedings of the trial for a few minutes. Judge Woods allowed Binkley's request to stand because, as the Judge stated, Mr. Binkley may have had a flat tire or something of the like. At 10:10 A.M., Mr. Howard Binkley arrived, was ushered into the Court, and the Trial commenced with Mr. Binkley's attorney asking that the trial be cancelled due to a technicality whereby the Judges calling for a renewal of the trial had exceeded his authority and that the trial in not being carried out before a certain date following arraignment of the defendant was not within the law. Mr. St. Clare argued this case and other unimportant features for about thirty minutes prior to The Judge ruling against the motion of Binkley's attorney. Mr. St. Clare then put me on the witness stand, the Judge swore me in, and Mr. St. Clare commenced questioning me. His first question was asking me to state my name and occupation - I testified that I was a Rancher. Mr. St. Clare then asked what experience, or qualification -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 31 July 1964 To be capable of recognizing large birds and identifying them as to species. I Answered by stating that from childhood I had been interested in wildlife and birds in particular, while I have been an active member of both the American Ornithologists Union and the Cooper Ornithological Society for many years. Do you think your experience would qualify you to be able to identify a condor in flight within reasonable distances, Mr. St. Clare asked me. I answered that at present I was one of a team of two persons who had been commissioned to make a general Census and Population Count of California Condor in their normal range which encompasses most of Kern, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties and portions of Santa Barbara, Monterey-Tulare and Fresno Counties with odd occurrences of Condor in Los Angeles, San Benito and Madera Counties. I thought this would offer evidence that I would know Condor- well enough to identify them under most conditions. Mr. St. Clare then asked me to relate the incidences that happened on May 28, 1964 on the Ellsworth Ranch that is on the Sheep Trail grade about 10 miles east of Arvin California. This I did repeating as near as I could the chain of events that led up to and followed the Condor Shooting incident on May 28, 1964. I was then cross-questioned by the defense attorney. He tried to draw me out whereby my testimony would make it appear that I had conspired to make a case whereby Binkley would be brought to trial and in so doing act as a [illegible] big to develop notariety whereby such would -
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California Condor Eben MacMillan 31 July 1964 bring in focus the need of preservation movements if condor are to be saved. He tried to get me to state that this was my motive. Following the cross-examination Binkley's attorney reminded the Judge that I was no doubt an honest and conscientious man, but had been [illegible] associated with condors while studying them, that my instincts overdeveloped regarding the protection of these birds and that I would be prone to see things in a light that would condemn anyone who might even act as though he would molest them. Howard Binkley was put on the witness stand. By this time, the hour was near 12:00 noon. The assistant district attorney had to be at three other cases in Mojave at 1:30 p.m. Both lawyers went outside for a brief consultation with the consent of the court and a statement from the court that he would continue the case on past 12:00 noon provided it did not drag on more than a few moments. Of course the assist. D.A. consented to this. The defense attorney must have felt guilty at having dismissed so much his own way. When the attorneys returned Binkley was asked to give his version of the shooting incident. He told how he and his wife's brother, Burney Harris had seen these two buzzards sitting in the tree, had hiked across the canyon and sat on some rocks waited until the buzzards came directly over them he shot towards the buzzard that only doubled its speed as far as he could say. Binkley at no time denied he shot at a bird. His defense testimony rested on the fact -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 31 July 1969 that he shot at a bird which he took to be a Buzzard. His attorney in questioning Mr. Binkley kept dwelling on this feature of the case. That there was a young fellow who was not trying to hide anything, did not hide nor try to run away when I approached him following the shootings, nor has he denied that he shot at a bird. Thus it stands as sound evidence that this man Binkley did not shoot at any Condor knowingly but rather shot at a Buzzard instead. Both attorneys tested their cases here. The Judge ruled for acquittal on the evidence presented. He said that the plaintiff did not prove beyond a reason of a doubt that the defendant had shot the Condor. That he had some experience and knows that large birds, when shot close to, will dip their wings and dive, and that without a corpus delicti, (the body of the bird) it was very difficult to attach the crime to the defendant. The judge also praised the defendant (Mr. Binkley) for his honesty in not leaving the Country when the judge waived his bail. He told the defendant "You said you would be here and you came!" "I must encourage you for your honesty". He made no mention of Mr. Binkley being ten minutes late for the trial. The trial was over and we left the Court at 12:15 P.M. On the sidewalk outside Judge Woods said to Warden Reed, Warden Tharp and I, that, this Case, (The Howard Binkley case) had been tried and finished several times in the press before the defendant was ever Arraigned. He -
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california Condor Eben McMillan 31 July 1964. Stated, "that boy was tried, drawn and quartered, before he ever entered this Court, by the Newspapers and Radio". Judge Woods seemed much disturbed at the Publicity this Case drew and should have continued, I think, and admitted that he had reached his decision not on the evidence presented in Court today, but rather opposing the evidence that he drew from the Press and Radio that prejudiced him in favor of the defendant in this Case and the subject of most of the News and Radio Stories or releases.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 4 Aug. 1964 At 6:50 p.m. Today I saw a Swainson's hawk circling above the roadway ¼ mile west of my house. Clouds obscured the sun making it somewhat difficult to see the coloration under this bird's wings, but it appeared to have been of the dark phase. I enter this observation as evidence that Swainson's hawks do pass through this area in August. This matter is important in assessing the observation of 60 plus Condor in Southwestern Kern County, in August, by Mr. Bert Snedden. Turkey vultures are still about although he saw a flock of 18 birds last Sunday, August 1, at 4:00 p.m., at mouth of Shell Creek, 6 miles S.E. of Shandon that indicated they might have been on migration -
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 5 aug-1964 Jim Ben Williams of Granite Station Phoned at 7:00 p.m. to Condor- tell that his Brother Eagle Williams had seen one Condor along with several Turkey vultures that were feeding on the Carcass of a steer that had died and been dragged out of sight of road about one mile south of his home and three miles north of Granite Station. Jim Ben said the steer had only been dragged off yesterday morning and thought the birds would be back again tomorrow in that it was 5:00 p.m. when Eagle Williams frightened the birds away, the Condor flying down Canyon to the west as it left and not returning. For Jim Ben's wife drove to Carcass later in evening to check only to find Nothing there at the Carcass. Tomorrow 9am and I go to Berkeley to work out Condor- problems from the notes. We will try to set back by Friday evening as I want to go to Frazier Mountain where I want to watch deer hunters on first day of deer shooting season to see what reaction they have towards Condor should any fly over the Mt. top. Good
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California Condor Eben McMillan Aug 6-7-1964 Dan and I drove to Berkeley the morning of Aug 6th, when we remained overnight at the home of Dr. Alden Miller and worked steadily on the Condor Report - returning home late the evening of August 7-1964 -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8-Aug.1964 Arriving at U.S. Forest Service Hunter Checking Station at 7:50 A.M. I found things comparatively quiet. Tom Hoots, whom I had met before at the Chuchopate Ranger Station, was in charge of this roadside service area that the Forest Service sets up the afternoon prior to the Opening day of Deer Season. Camp fire permits are issued here—maps of the main roads, trails and Campgrounds are issued to those who need such. Tom Hoots said some 2600 cars had been checked into the Mt. Pinos unit that includes Alamo Mt., Frazier Mt., Tecuya Mt., Mt. Pinos-Grade Valley and Mutah Flats. It was estimated that each car held an average of four people or 10,400 hunters in an area of approximately 216 square miles; or 48 hunters per section; or a hunter on each 18 acres of land. Considering that a good portion of the Mt. Pinos district is roadless and rough of terrain, into which only odd hunters ever penetrate, it is easy to see how the above area of 13 acres per hunter could shrink to several hunters on an acre. Tom Hoots estimated, after having spent the entire night checking them in, that 10 percent of the hunters knew where they were going and had been here before, 50 percent were lost and had no conception of where they wanted to hunt, or camp; and the other 40 percent were drunk and didn't give a damn if they camped, hunted, or went back to a bar and got drunker. He thought 20 percent of the hunters had been here before. A group of hunters who had
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844 Traging Hut. California Condor Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 Checked out a little buck deer even before I arrived at 7:50 A.M. told Hoots they had been coming to hunt on Frazier Mt. for Seven Years and this was the first time they had experienced Success. I drove to Chuchupate Ranger Station at 8:30 A.M. to find all forest service personnel on a standby emergency situation. A check station for the issuance of maps and Campfire permits was in force here also, and, the office at this station was buzzing with rumors and orders. I was told by the Secretary here that an estimate of hunter Numbers was to be compiled at 11:00 A.M. today and phoned into the main Office in Santa Barbara, who had given orders that such be done. We gained the impression here, after watching the feverish activities, that the working personnel of the U.S. Forest Service were completely bored with the whole affair and would rather be about their normal tasks, while the administrative personnel were gleefully anticipating the added revenue they could demand be spent in their district. Now substantiated that proof of so much use by the public was substantiated with this overflow crowd. While this was all going on the Secretary, at the office desk, was calling that a Game Warden be sent up Frazier Mountain to do something about a wounded doe deer that was dying near the roadway. At Chuchupate I met A.J. Reynolds, a Warden of the Calif. Fish and Game, who was employed as a Predator Trapper by the Calif. Fish and Game Commission in 1941 at the time Koford was doing research on Condor. A.J. Reynolds furnished Koford with many of his observations of Condor. He (Reynolds) told me of seeing-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 42 Condor feeding on the carcass of a cow near Lebec at the time Koford was making his study of Condor. Reynolds has not seen Condor for several years although he patrols the Santa Clara River Valley in Southern Ventura County and spoke of being into the Boy Scout Camp in the Sespe River. It seems strange that one who had seen Condor and been implicated in the research project on Condor that Koford had done, would decline in interest in the wildlife of his area whereby he would fail to see Condor for ten years even though he would be patrolling an area over which Condor welfare. Condor must fly at least once a week. It appears evident that Condor welfare is not now, nor has it ever been, a subject of concern among personnel of the Department of Fish and Game of California. At Lake of the Woods I also met Ed Green who is Unit Manager of the San Diego unit of the California Department of Fish and Game as Game Manager. He had been sent to Mt. Pinos district of U.S. Forest Service to take age, weight and condition checks of deer that were brought to the Check Station in Lake of the Woods. He told me of talking to a person in Pauma Valley, San Diego County, who runs a grocery store Near the post office in Pauma Valley, who said he had observed what he thought sure was a Condor feeding with Turkey Vultures near Pauma Valley about 1954. Green could not recall the name of this person but said he was an egg collector and as such, would probably know what Condor looked like and could identify one. I drove up Frazier Mountain to the upper Orcutt Flow hunters Camp seeing many hunters along the way most of whom were walking along the road or near it. At the upper hunter overflow
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 august 1964 a met Bud Doan who normally handles heavy equipment for the U.S. Forest Service but who had been pressed into Patrol duty and had spent last night guarding a barricade just past Upper Hunter Overflow Camp near where the road forks, one going to the right towards West Frazier and the Lookout Tower, while the other went left towards NE Frazier mountain. Bud Doan told me the barricade had been set up the afternoon of August 7 in order to prevent hunters from going on top of Frazier Mountain to sleep overnight, and in so doing, increase the chances of a forest fire setting started. Forest Service plans were to open the barricade at 5:30 A.M., but the pressure exerted by hunters who gathered after midnight to go atop Frazier Mountain, forced the Forest Service to open the Barricade at 4:30 A.M. Bud Doan had the carcass of a spike buck deer which had been shot near the road beyond Hunter Overflow Camp in the back of his pickup truck. He said the deer had been reported to him by a hunter early in the morning. When he went to set the spike deer, he found it propped up among rocks as though it was alive. Doan said he despised deer hunters. Their only interest in the outdoors, he thought, was to kill or destroy something alive. He thought that were hunting not allowed in the forest lands a much better class of people would come to share the pleasures of the outdoors, while their interests would cultivate the ignorant whereby a better type of people would develop who would guard and appreciate the forest lands and work to see
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California Condor Eben J. McMillan 8 August 1964 these lands managed for the best interests of all involved. Bud Doan said 341 cars had been lined up to pass on Top of Hunter Frazier Mountain at 4:30 AM. Doan also Told me of seeing 2 Condor at head of Lion Canyon on Steira Madre Ridge, on 5 May 1963. These Condor circled low above the road grader he was operating at the time. Doan thinks People are opposing the Steira Madre Ridge Road on the grounds that Automobiles will frighten the Condor. Doan thinks Condor have little fear of machinery or automobiles for in 1950 or 1951, when he was grading the roadaway from Rose valley out to Nordoff Peak, on three separate occasions Condor came and circled low over his Grader. I drove to top of Frazier Mountain and left my pickup in the shade of a Pine near the Lookout. Charles and Hazel Upham are manning the Lookout on Frazier, they coming here from Stutz Cafe in the Guayama Valley where they have been for three or four years. They have been seeing Condor nearly every day since they have been stationed here. They came to the Lookout on 23 July 1964 - Mrs. Upham gave me a listing of Condor observations that had been turned in from Frazier Mountain Lookout station since 29 May 1964. These are as follows - 5/29/64 - time 0830 - one - over Vic of Highway 99 6/1/64 - " 1300 - ONE - Flying E. over Piru Creek 6/23/64 - " 1105 - one - Soaring Cobblestone Int. area and N. Sespe 7/1/64 - " 1300 - one - Flying E. Edge of Forest - S. Flying N.E. towards Tahachapi. 7/4/64 - " 1220 - one - Attacking crashed oak labor 7/7/64 - " 1950 - two - Circling high E. of Lebec 1110
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848 Thibould Charles Hazel O'Kane California Condor Eben McMullan 8 Aug. 1964 7/7/64-- 13 35 -- one -- From Mt. Pinos N-E-& Grapevine area 7/8/64-- 1045 -- one -- Flying high over Pino Creek 7/9/64-- 1130 -- one -- Flying N.W. disappeared beyond Lebec 7/9/64-- 1310 -- one -- Circling high west of Lockwood Valley 7/10/64-- 1130 -- one -- Circling-then down west of Lockwood Valley 7/23/64-- 1605-- one -- over Mt. Pinos area circling low west of L.O. 7/24/64-- 1245-- one -- over Mt. Pinos area circling going N. of Grapevine Condor over Gorman area & back towards Frazier L.O. 7/24/64-- 1457-- one -- East a little north of Lookout. Lit in tree on summit. 7/25/64-- 1400-- one -- Circling over Cuddy Valley 7/31/64-- 1855-- Two -- Circling over Lebec area 8/3/64-- 1035-- one -- Circling over Gorman Circling south of east Frazier Mt. disappearing & south of Maxey Valley 8/4/64-- 1315-- one -- Circling over east end of Cuddy Valley 8/6/64-- 1510-- one -- Circling over east end of Cuddy Valley 8/7/64-- 0835-- one -- Flying over Lookout-Real low- I chatted with hunters who were about their cars that were parked on the Point 300 yards S.E. of the Lookout. Two fellows were eating a snack near their car. They had seen no legal deer to shoot at. They had seen no large black birds, stating that Buzzards are unlawful to Shoot. Two Negroes had hunted down S.E. face of Frazier in morning and had just returned to their car at 10:00 A.M. They knew nothing of big hawks, doubted they were protected- Thought it best not to go too far down mountainside due to everyone shooting downhill. Thought it safer to stay above. The fellow who had an 8 year old boy with him said he could take the boy hunting and all would be peaceful in the family- He hunts deer every weekend-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 Throughout both the Coastal and Inland Seasons. He said he has only killed one deer so far, but has missed several. He also hunts Doves and Quail, also Chuckars in season. This fellow said he had found out just this season, by reading the New hunting regulations, that all large hawks and Eagles are protected and cannot be shot. Deputy Sheriff Don, out of the Ventura office, was stationed at the Lookout on Frazier Mountain. Deputy Don did not know of Condor and wondered why they would be protected. He has only been on the Sheriffs squad for Eight Months. Says he plans to stay in Law enforcement. Sporadic shooting went on from 8:00 A.M., letting up a bit about 10:30 but still outbreaks occurring now and then. It seems that a sort of follow the leader situation seems to prevail. No sooner does shooting break out in one area that shots can be heard from many areas on the mountain. It appears all, or the greater portion, of this shooting is from hunters heavily shooting at targets. Most hunters have returned to their cars by 9:00 A.M., and only an odd hunter or so are still out in the woods by 10:30 A.M. Carl Lindquist of Calif. Fish and Game Los Angeles Office, came about 11:00 A.M. to Frazier Mt. Lookout. Lindquist is Game Manager II in the Los Angeles district and oversees all biological programs undertaken in his area. He knew little of Condor and had never seen one to fully acquaint himself with their characteristics. He had heard that Eben McMillan was doing some biological Research on Condor. Lindquist -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 Told me that the Calif. Fish and Game generally have Good relations with the U.S. Forest Service even though some differences of opinion do occur. When asked by me in which matters did their greatest differences occur he said in the matter of areas of Fire Closure which the Forest Service are continuing to deny hunter entry to while the Fish and Game are working continually to get these areas open for hunting. The Fish and Game philosophy is that the land belongs to the people so why not open these areas up and let them in. The Supervisor of the Angeles Forest Service who just died, was hard to work with on opening these fire closure areas Lindquest said. Carl Lindquest said there is no provision in the Los Angeles office of the Department of Fish and Game whereby a program of education regarding wildlife or game species can be carried on. He said that as far as he knew no effort is made by the State Department of Fish and Game to develop an educational program to acquaint the public, and hunters in particular, with ecological responsibility. He did not say if he thought it something that should be done. He did add that A Si Nathansen is in charge of Public Relations out of the Los Angeles office but knows little of his efforts or programs. At 11:45 A.M. I saw a Condor coming from the Southwest quite high. This bird remained high, drifting to the west of us about one-half mile and crossed the valley north of Frozier Mountain in the area of Lake of the Woods, and after—
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California condor. Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 Gaining the Tecuya Ridge turned east and went out of sight Traveling Northeastward behind Tecuya Mountain. This bird maintained a constant speed and kept to our west and north a good distance. Both Carl Lindquest, Deputy Sheriff Don and two Air National Guardsmen who were repairing a short wave Radio Transmitter that sets to the west of the Forest Service Lookout on Frazier Mt. about 200 feet. At 2:45 p.m. a condor was observed sailing low above the tree-tops on North Frazier Mountain. This bird was about one mile north of the Frazier Mt. Lookout when first observed. It made several passes over the top of the Yellow Pines that cover the top of North Frazier Ridge, circling back and forth as if [illegible]. After about two minutes of circling the tree-tops it then quickly gained altitude, sailed north across Cuddy Canyon, turned east when it came over Tecuya Ridge and was lost from sight while still sailing towards Lebec. A new Deputy Sheriff came to relieve Deputy Don at 1:30 p.m. The new Deputy told me the Sheriff's Officers do not attend to Game Violations, only reporting same to State Game Wardens should they find a game law being broken. Deputy Sheriffs confine their activities to the crimes to human beings and Search and Rescue. In the activities of Search and Rescue are why the Deputy Sheriffs are in the Mt. Pinos district of Ventura County and not to keep Law and Order.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 I left the top of Frazier Mt. at 3:55 p.m. driving to Chuchupate Ranger Station had Condor Observation Sheet Photo Copied, a copy of which I received, one to Santa Barbara Office and one to remain in Chuchupate Office. I was also told by the Office Personnel at Chuchupate that 12000 hunters were estimated to be in the Mt. Pinos District and that 65 Deer had been validated to this hour of 4:30 p.m. No flies had been reported nor had any of the hunters turned up as shot or missing. At Lake of the Woods Check Station Don Hoots told me that most hunters had been in good humor, only one car full of five hunters having become abusive. I checked the Stubs of 300 camp fire permit applicants and found only one name that did not have a Los Angeles address, or Los Angeles area. The one negative stub was the one I had filled out at 7:50 A.M. as I arrived this morning. Don Hoots would support a program that would demand more responsibility from all who come to the forest for recreation. He doubts that most hunters set any value from the experience they have while hunting deer in Mt. Pinos District. I stopped at Old Sandburg, on Old Ridge Route, as I drove to Antelope Valley to sleep. Philip Goodell had seen a Condor over Sandburg about 3:00 p.m. yesterday. We also sent in a report of sighting Five Condor over Tejon Peak some months ago. Ian has probably received this Report. One of the five -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 8 August 1964 Was a black bird according to Goodell. While at Philip Goodell's office I talked to Mary Stahl, Lookout on Liebre Mountain in Los Angeles County. The following are records of Condor sightings she gave me. Condor 12 July 1964 one Condor over Liebre Lookout 1 August 1964 June 4, 1964 one Condor over Warm Springs Lookout that is located about 2 miles east and 7 miles North of Castaic California, Los Angeles County. This is the furthest east record in L.A. County in Los Angeles County a have recent accurate record of Condor being seen. Mrs. Stahl knows Condor and is well aware of the White on Young Golden Eagles, having just described to me tonight of the White dollar marks in the wings of young Golden Eagles as well as the White in the tail. I drove to a barley stubble field west, or southwest of Nenach in West Antelope Valley Cooked supper and put my bed down for the Night.
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California Condor Eban McMillian 9 August 1964 was up and had breakfast as the sun arose. Even though last evening was a bit overcast and windy from the west quarter, it was clear, calm and mild at day- break. The dust columns of five separate flocks of Sheep could be seen on the stubble fields along Northwest Slope of West Antelope Valley. I drove to one flock that was tended by a young Basque who I had never met before. The sheep in his care belonged to a Joe Arellra. He knew of Corvus, or Raven and Buzzards; but never heard of Condor in the United States although he talked of something about big Condor in Spain. The next Shepherd I talked with turned out to be Frank Mendiarra the man who watched the Condor that [sque who watched appeared sick and remained in a small Oaks in Marajo Condor with Jan Valley overnight, at the same time Ian watched it in the spring spring 1962 of 1963. He said that even though he has spent considerable times time herding sheep in the Antelope Valley and the Kern area near Old River he had not seen other Condor than those he had seen in 1963 on Marajo Ranch. He is still herding sheep for Sam Rudnick. I stopped at Old Liebte Ranch at Tejon Ranch Co. after leaving the Sheep-Tack Abercrombie had seen no Condor on Antelope side of Tehachapi mountains since seeing the two near Quail Lake which he had informed me about last spring. He did say that he and an Indian Cowboy from Tejon Ranch saw 16 Condor pass out of House Canyon that is on west slope of Tehachapi Mts. and up-Canyon about 4 miles from Old Tejon Ranch headquarters. This
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california condor. Eben McMillan 9 August 1964 in February, March or April of 1964. He said the weather was cold and stormy when he saw these birds. I was at Lake of The Woods check station at 9:30 A.M. Don Hoots told me that good numbers of Deer. hunters had come since well before daylight this morning making up more in numbers than had left the area yesterday evening. He said the figure of 12,000 hunters and 2,600 cars was still considered a good estimate. Ed Green told me that 128 pounds, hog dressed, was the largest buck that had been brought in so far. He also said that most deer being killed were yearling bucks, most of which were in poor shape, the average weight of which were going at about 65 pounds field dressed. I drove to Top of West Mt. Pinos and took up a watch for condor there. Trail Bikes were working across North fork of Lockwood Creek on Sawmill and Grouse Mountain. Three Trail-bikes were seen [illegible] bouncing along the trail that leads from Mt. Pinos to [illegible] Cerro Nordeste Mountain. Four men on the three bikes were all dressed in red, carried guns, and when not traveling on the bikes, talked in loud voices to one another that could be heard across the wide deep canyon that separated me from them. Two young men from Los Angeles came, parked their small car at 12:45 P.M. and hiked about for one hour. Returning to their car they told me they were looking for condor. At 1:30 P.M. I saw a condor circle briefly above the point of east [illegible] Mt. Pinos. This bird was very vulnerable to shooting as it circled a bit above this rocky outcrop
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california Condor Eben Mcmillan 9 august 1964 and out about 100 to 300 yards from the outcrop, This situation kept the bird in sight to anyone Standing, or Seated, on any part of this rocky Outcrop that extends along the ridge for about 300 yards. The Pine forest on both Mt. Pinos, and Frazier Mountain, offer some protective shield for Condor flying over these areas, from hunters, who would have difficulty shooting As the birds flew over the tree-tops. Here at this location, and on much of the areas of the top of Mt. Pinos, rock outcrops such as was the Case where I saw this Condor circling, give ample opportunity to anyone who might Care to shoot at a Condor passing over these areas. This Condor gained some elevation and sailed out above Mill Potrero in the direction of Brush Mountain to the North and was soon lost from sight. I drove to Lake of the Woods Checking Station. Ed Green of Fish and Game told me hunters were leaving the area in large numbers by 3:00 p.m. at which time I arrived there. He said 105 deer had been validated and checked so far. He thought they would get about 150 deer checked in all. Using this estimate of 150 legal deer bagged the following figures now shape up. 12,000 hunters bagging 150 deer = 80 hunters for each deer bagged. 12,000 hunters on 225 sq. miles = one hunter to 12 acres. Considering that much of this 225 sq. miles is far removed from roads and very rough of terrain, both of which conspire to discourage hunters from using these areas, thus probably at least doubling the No. of hunters per 12 acres, or one hunter to every Six acres.
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california Condor. Eben McMillan 9 Aug. 1964 Tom Hoots with whom I chatted before leaving Cuddy Canyon, thought most of the people who come to hunt in the Mt. Pinios district would be of the sort that want most of what they get in the way of privileges to come to them with little affort. If this is the case how can one explain why these people will come and dodge one another's bullets, Camp in Campgrounds most of which are without Proper Sanitary facilities, are without water, have no cooking facilities, are dusty and dirty while the roads over which they must travel to get to these camps, after once leaving the payment, are rough, rocky, narrow and extremely dusty? One thing seems certain that being that a bad Situation is building up here which if not faced now will lead to disorder, problems, humiliation and embarrassment to the Forest Service who are doing so much to encourage these hordes to come without any provision for educating them as to their responsibilities. I stopped at San Emigdio Ranch enroute home. Neither Walter Slaytor or any one else on this property had seen Condor lately. Slaytor gave me the following figures of Cattle Losses on San Emigdio within the beef or breeding herd. It ran at 3.8 Percent for the season. This would not count Calves that had died at birth or had died before they had been branded. Of 3720 Cows 83 were lost throughout the year, or an average of one Cow dying every four days. Dec. and February were the months when most Cows died as this was in the middle of the Calving season. 34 Cows died-
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California Condor: Eben McMillan 9 August 1964 in December - 6 died in January and 15 in February - Consider that the 3720 Cows on San Emigdio Calve heaviest in Nov. Dec. Jan. and Feb.; and the Tejon Ranch Cows Commence Calving in Sept. Oct. Nov. and are mostly finished Calving by the end of January, it is easy to see the ample supply of food that would be available for Condor in this South end of the San Joaquin Valley during most of the Winter months, and this all within easy range of Condor that might be roosting in the Sespe Wildlife Area. Consider this source of food from only Two of the large Ranches within the range of Condor and you come up with an impressive situation regarding Condor food. Walter Slaytor Told me he is going to breeding Cattle entirely on San Emigdio Ranch Within the Next three years. He plans on working up to 6000 brood cows, 5500 Calves will offer a tremendous supply of food for Condor just in Placental Scales alone.
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coulterville mariposa 853 California Condor Eban McMILLAN 21 Aug. 1964 4+ State Forestry Station 2 miles north of Coulterville I could find no one who knew anything about Condor. In Coulterville I called Walter Mclean on phone. He lives 6 mi. E. of Coulterville. Is brother To Don Mclean of Calif. Fish and Game, retired. Walter Mclean said he had never observed Condor in the Coulterville area. Several other old prospectors who were on the sidewalk in Coulterville were questioned, even though some knew of the Condor Sanctuary in Ventura County, and one had been following the Sierra Madre Ridge Road Controversy, None had ever heard of Condor being in the Coulterville area. South of Coulterville I stopped at some Cattle Corrals where several ladies were preparing lunch for their men who were to come with a herd of cattle soon. One of these ladies, a leathery person of 80 years all of which had been spent in the Bear Valley-Coulterville area claimed to know all about the outdoors of this area. She nor any of the other ladies had ever heard of anyone seeing Condor in their area. At the U.S. Forest Service Station in Mariposa, where Ranger G.W. Liddicoatt was in charge I could find no one even mildly interested in my query for information about Condor. Upon stating the purpose of my visit to the young lady at the front desk, she immediately retired to a rear room from whence she soon returned with word that, "No Condor were seen". I then enquired, "Were there someone about that might furnish me some information regarding possibility of there ever being Condor in the Mariposa area. Actually I wanted to find out if anyone on the Rangers force knew what a Condor was. To my question-the young-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 21 Aug. 1964 Lady replied that they had no one who was interested in wildlife at that station who might help me and that it would be best that I go see the local Game Warden. Before leaving I tried to insist that my interest in Condor information was genuine and Official and that I still would like to talk with the Ranger or one of his aids. This effort was to no avail and I ended up by asking for, and getting, the name of the Ranger in charge to be entered thus in my notes—
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white mountains 861 California Condor Eben McMillan 23 aug. 1964 IN response to a letter I had received on august 18 from a Valmore C. LaMarche, Jr., White Mountain Research Station, Big Pine, California, I drove to this Research Station at 10:30 a.m. today and met Mr. LaMarche who showed me the 35mm color slides of a bird he took to be a Condor, and which had been the topic of the letter he wrote me. The object in the 35mm Color slide he showed was very small, having been taken with a 50 mm lens while the bird was at a considerable height. With the aid of a 20x magnifying glass it was nevertheless quite evident the bird in the photograph, at least, was an immature Golden Eagle. The long wedge shaped tail could be made out clearly and a large area of white could be seen on the tail also. In addition to the wedge shape of the tail and the white at its base, the wings were definitely those of a Golden Eagle positioned in a flat glide that of all flight characteristics of the Golden Eagle resemble the flat glide of a Condor, least of all. Upon questioning Mr. LaMarche, a student of age characteristics in the Bristlecone Pines of the area, it was evident to see he had little experience in observing birds. I left photos of Condors with him to put on the Bulletin Board at the Research Station in order to encourage further observation by the personnel here. All hands said they would keep their eyes open and should they see birds that matched my pictures they would get me immediate word.
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Glenmille 862 California Condor - Elan McMillan 28 August 1964 Mrs. Evelyn Farnsworth of Glenmille called at 5:30 p.m. to say three and maybe five condors were at her place this evening. Mrs. Farnsworth said Turkey Buzzards had been conspicuous by their absence about her Glenmille Ranch up until four or five days ago. She said They Came Buzzards came then and are now plentiful around her place.
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Phone to Glennville 863 California Condor Eben McMullan 30 aug. 1964 I telephoned Mrs. Farnsworth in Glennville at 6:30 p.m. She had seen 4 Condor today, two of which she was sure were immature. Mrs. Farnsworth said one of their heifers had died three days ago and today a Bull died. Their Herdsman Bill is cutting the carcasses open to make them available to condor.
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Telephone to Glennville California Condor Ebam McMillan 31 Aug. 1964 I telephoned the Farnsworths at 8:45 p.m.- SMTS, Farnsworth said she had condor all over her place. She saw 9 Condor in one group on a hillside south of the Rock Corral Camp that is south and east of her home. She later saw 3 Condor together. That could have been different birds. Visibility was very poor in the Glennville area and she could not age the birds she saw. Heavy wind blew and it rained lightly during the day in the Glennville area - Tomorrow I will leave for Glennville as soon as we get home from Jess Runsey funeral. Mrs. Farnsworth said she had seen Four Condor over her home in the morning - She felt there was a minimum of 13 Condor in her area today -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 1 sept. 1964 as we crossed the valley at 4:30 p.m. heading for Glennville the air was quite clear following the rain of yesterday, a cool west wind was blowing moderately. Signs still remained of the heavy sandstorm of yesterday or mostly the evening before last. A traffic problem developed at that time in TL Blackwells Corner and canyon areas. In fact highway 41 in canyon area was closed Sunday night. we arrived at Farnsworth ranch two miles south of Glennville at 5:45 p.m. After glassing the area for 30 minutes and only seeing Turkey Vultures in the air, the number of which would probably be above 70 birds, we drove to Rock Coral Camp and while the hill beyond 1/2 mile looking, but only saw two Vultures in that part of the Farnsworth Ranch. Driving back to the Knoll (while case of the Farnsworth home) we went into camp for the night. a cool gentle north wind blew and some low clouds moved away from a bank 1/2 mile higher up the mountains. At 6:36 p.m. I got a quick look at a Condor that, showed much white under wings, as it wheeled once and went into a thick group of Pines That stand on horizon from our Camp and about 250 yards east of the Beta Pine tree that stands atop the ridge 1/2 mile SW of Farnsworth home. Walking 100 yards East from Camp I could make out the Condor, perched on a long pine branch that bent with its birds weight. I walked up Canyon to spot where the Farnsworths drag all the livestock that die near their ranch buildings. No fresh carcasses were evident but several that had died within the last 3 weeks. meat was in a dried up state except one Cow that had
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866 California Condor Glen DeMullan 107. Sept. 1964 been opened on death to find out the Cause of death. She was still being used by scavengers, but well eaten out on the inside and quite dried up. In all there were 9 adult cattle that had died within the last 3 weeks lying at the dead pit and the carcasses of 5 calves scattered about the same area. The Turkey Vultures mostly all came into the Canyon South of our Camp at sunset and went to roost in the trees near the top of the north-facing slope of this canyon. The last flock of about 20 Turkey Vultures went to roost at 7:40 P.M. on north-facing slope of Canyon across from our Camp. This was at dusk. The Condor was still on his roost at dusk.
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California Condor Elkhorn Mill 2 Sept. 1964 At 6:15 A.M. Fifty Two Turkey Vultures flew from roosting place on north slope of Canyon 1/2 mile SW of Farnsworth Ranch Buildings. Crossed northward over our camp and lit in trees around knoll where a dead Bull lay 1/4 mile North of Farnsworth Barn, and about 3/4 mile North of our Camp. This was 35 minutes before sunrise. The morning was quite cool and damp, with little wind. At 7:35 A.M., 45 minutes after sunrise, the Condor left its roost perch, circled once, flew west along ridge then landed in a dead Pine 300 yards West of the Bear Pine. As this bird preened itself one could see the head was of a light Orange Color but some dark fuzz was evident on the forehead. There was also a [illegible] of some sort at the base of the upper mandible that stuck up about 1/2 inch at least. It could have been a tuft of feathers or a growth of some sort; thus it looked much like the top- KNOT of a turkey gobbler when not extended. Much white could be seen under this bird's wing as it would be raised in preening. From what I could see I close this bird as a sub-adult. "Mrs. Farnsworth Comment This Condor had well defined white bars on upper wing Coverts and the top surface of Primaries was ashy grey -
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861-B. California Condor Eben McMillan 2 September 1964 The following Notes are those of Evalyn Farnsworth which she handed to me today at her Ranch 2 miles south of Glennville, Kern B.Cal. All observations are from this Ranch property 8/29/64 8:30 A.M. one roosting on small pine limb SW of Carcass, one feeding as referred to (flaw across gulch, lit on ground, later Took off and lit in Oak SW of mile east of sworth Ranch home.) of Other bird. The latter a young bird with black head and smudgy White under wings. Also one adult sunning wings in dead pine east of tank on Morrison Ridge. 4:45 p.m. four adults circling over barn, continued circling for higher and further east until about over Cedar-Fulton Fork, then leveled off towards straight Towards Sunday Peak. 5:45 p.m. one young bird circling over barn with Buzzards, About 6:30 p.m. roosting on bent pine south of Carcass. 8/30/64 8:30 A.M. Two young (black heads and smudgy white) flew up from somewhere near Carcass. Both of those birds appear to have more white under wings than the one seen 8/29/ A.M. 7:00 p.m. one for sure roosting in pines- possibly both. 8/31/64 2:15 P.M. one circling over barn 2:30 A.M. one adult roosting in pine south of Carcass. Three circling barn area. Light Poor but think same two young birds and Two adults. 3:20 p.m. NINE feeding on dead calf on Bear Trap Ridge, Heavy clouds make light bad but think 8 adults and one Young. 4:00 P.M. Three roosting in dead Pine near Calf. Think the same family that appeared the first day. Two definitely adults and one black headed with very little white under wings.
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867-C California Condor Eben McMillan 2 September 1964 8/31/64 At dark at least one roosting in pines south of the barn. Low clouds and rain made it difficult to see if there were others. 9/1/64 11:00 a.m. Three on bent pine 11:15 a.m. One on pine on Beartrap Ridge 2:15 p.m. One adult flew [illegible] from S over barn towards hill where Buzzards feeding on Bull. all of these observations made within a distance of one and one-half miles from Turnsworth Ranch home
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California Condor Ellen McMillan 2 Sept, 1964 Mrs. Furnsworth came at 8:00 A.M. and took us south of Rock Coral Camp and on top of Bear Trapridge where she had seen 9 Condor feeding on the carcass of a stillborn Calf that lay in the pines on this ridge this day ago, or so. This Calf Carcass appeared as a typical leanings. It had been completely skinned even to the ears and legs down poor the muscles, all bones were held intact by the muscles and except for a broken 1/4th or two the spinal Column was in perfect shape except for its lack of meat. It had been completely cleaned. Mrs. Furnsworth said she figured her Cows were about 1/3 Calved out. She has not been having unusual trouble with the Cows in Calving even though deer in the area are being very poor. She had lost two Bulls within the last three week, one of which lay 1/4 mile north of her farm and was now furnishing food for the Condor & Buzzards. Returning to our Camp at 9:30 A.M. we saw that the Condor was still perched in the dead pine. This bird was still preening itself and the Carcassible trite prose was still visible. The morning was still cold and when not preening the bird would pull the black stuff of its neck up over its head where only that Part of the head from the ears forward could be seen, Except for this portion of the head all looked Black. See Margin.
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California Condor Elaine Millan 2 September 1964 The Sub-adult Condor left its perch in the dead Pine at 9:43 A.M. working its way west flagging and sailing until about ½ mile to the west when it hit 7 Carrion and circled out over valley, then working its way Northeast dropped down and landed atop an Oak near where the Dead Bull lay and where 50 Buzzards were gathered. This sub-adult shows a reddish- Orange head but it is not near as large as the head of a full adult nor does it have the wattles and wrinkles that the head of a full adult has. The legs of the sub- adult are not so long as those of the full adult and of course the white under the wings has no well defined edges nor is the white so bright as is the adult. The sub-adult has well defined white bars on the back of the wing, but still not as strong a line as with the adult. Glady and I hiked up hill from Farnsworth barn at 10:00 A.M. As we neared top of ridge a Condor in Sub-Adult plumage flew over high, heading northwest, without hesitating. When we reached the Bull Carcass no sign of the sub-adult that had lit near there earlier could be seen. Mrs. Farnsworth, with the aid of a razor blade, had cut a hole in this Bull's hide about the first square on the back of the left quarter and below the arms about 6 inches. The Buzzards and other scavengers were all feeding through this opening that was now -
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California Condor Elmer McMillan 2 Sept. 1964 opened into the Stomach Cavity. NO feeding had been done through the anus. The eyes had been picked out. I had carried to the Bull Carcass an axe that was reasonably sharp. In attempting to open the hide of this bull further I had much difficulty in getting an opening. Chopped through this hide, 50 or more heavy swings were needed before I wore an opening from which I could then cut with the hide and enlarge the cut quite easily. I am now sure that without scavenging animals such as Coyotes to open the hide of large Cattle, Condor can not obtain food from these sources until they become putrid and decomposed, which I am also sure, neither Condor nor Buzzards care too much about. When we took to the sub-adult Condor that had lit near the Bull Carcass earlier was seen circling with general Buzzards to the Southwest so through it had just flown from a perch in the area. This Condor circled the area and passed from sight heading Southwest at 10:30 AM. All seemed quiet at mid-day - at 3:10 P.M., a sub-adult Condor came in from the Northwest Passing low over Bull Carcass but continued on and after circling some went out of sight Southwest, high -
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California Condor Elen McMillan 2 September 1964 At 5:15 we hiked from campsite to where Bull Carcass lay to photograph a Black-headed Condor that Blodgy had been watching with the Glasses for some time. I got two shots 17 this bird perched in an Oak tree at 60 yards distance before it flew to another death Oak about 1/4 mile away. I got several shots of this bird as it left this last Oak - the evening light may work to a disadvantage in getting a good print here. This Condor turned out to be a Black Bird - Small Black Head- overall brown coloration with no wing bars alone and dark muddy white under the wings, and in perfect plumage. Leaving the last dead Oak, this Condor flew along with 100 plus Buzzards at 7:20 P.M. and lit in Pine on South facing hill to the Southeast of our camp 1/4 mile. At + 10 minutes after sunset the Black Condor flew from Pine and dropped down on Oaks in Canyon where the dead Cattle are hauled That die near the Farmsworth Ranch buildings. One of these Cattle, a Cow that had been hauled here within the last 3 or 4 days, and on which many Buzzards and probably some Condor had fed, was 60 feet from where the Black Condor lit. At 7:21 this Black Condor lowered down out of sight where the Cow Carcass was. At 7:40 P.M., after feeding for 19 minutes, this black Condor flew up from where the Cow Carcass was and easily flew, in the gathering dusk, along North facing hill to a pine on which it Perched on the very tip top. At 7:42 the Black Condor left this tree and flew 200 yards East and lit in the top of a -
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California Condor Edwin Millum 2 Sept. 1964 another pine where it seemed to have considerable trouble keeping balanced on the small limb it chose. Two minutes later I heard this young Condor fly a short distance and crash-land in some tree — which I could not tell due to the gathering darkness. Raven appeared from the hillside when all the Vultures and the Condor were roosting for some time after dark. I hear, on occasion, sounds of wings flapping but think it was Vultures flapping at one another.
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California Condor Glen McMillan 3 Sept./1964 creed and damps with a light frost in the low places at the Furnsworth Bench 2 miles south of Glenville, little or no wind. However an hour past sunrise the temperature climbed sharply. I hiked to the dead dull carcass. The Buzzards that passed over our bed at 6:25 A.m. this morning - 35 minutes prior to sunrise - were all grouped in the trees on the ridge near the Bull Carcass at 7:30 A.m. The greater portion of them were adults - perhaps 4 adults to one young bird. more would let me approach to within 60 or 70 feet of them before they would fly from their perch. Some remained when I walked past within 25 feet. The Black Condor That flew into the low pines on O'ablo late last night could not be sighted this morning. I hiked to Drop- calf Carcass that Inn.o.Furnsworth and I had hauled and left with stomach gnawed late last evening and hauled it to past the tall pine that stands in bottom of glade and about 150 yards east of our camp, to a location 100 feet from the two carcasses at the dead pit and to the west of them. Fifteen or Eighteen Turkey Vultures were in the trees above the dead pit and 6 or 7 were on the ground, they flying up in the trees as I dragged the Drop-Calf Carcass towards them. At 8:00 A.m. we drove to Rock Coral Camp one mile east by south of Furnsworth Home and photographed the tall hills with scattered Oaks, also the old Rock Coral and a Pigmy Owl that developed considerable concern with our minimizing its call. We returned to our camping place at 9:35 A.m.
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california condor Glen Millian 3 September 1964 At 9:35 A.M. the Black Bird was seen in the top of an Oak tree the carcass of the Drop Calf I had dropped near the dead pit. At 9:36 a sub-adult flew in from a high elevation and lit in the bent pine on ridge south of dead pit. The Black Bird showed considerable white under its wings as it raised them in changing position in top of the Oak - but it had no white bar of any sort on the upper side of its wings. Perhaps the white showing more in the bright light of morning than is the case in dimmer evening light. At least it seemed the white was more intense this morning. The sub-adult opened and sunned its wings at 9:55 A.M. At 9:57 A.M. the Black Bird flew out from where the drop-calf lay, jumped its way west along back of north-facing ridge and lit in pine across Canyon from our Camp and about 300 yards west of bent Pine. At 9:58 A.M. the sub-adult that was perched on bent pine flew out and circled three or four times over drop-calf carcass then sideslipped down and lit in Oak above this Calf carcass. At 10:00 A.M. another sub-adult (both these sub-adults are so identified by the same wing form the white under the wings takes and the small, but orange heads with a trace of fuzzy on the forehead; and lack of the intense ashy sheen of the upper parts of the primary feathers) flew out of the north-facing hillside about one-half-
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Glenmille 875 California Condor Glen McMillan 3 September 1964 Mile southwest of our Camp. Circled two or three times to get elevation, then crossed the valley north-east and lit in the top of a small Oak tree near where the Bull Condor lay on a ridge tops ¾ mile north of Fumsworth Pits. Several Turkey vultures were scattered in the tree-tops near where this bird lit. During the last hour and concurrent with the seeing of the three young Condors, guns could be heard firing down the valley. Dove season was in its 3rd day. The vultures or Condors seemed to pay no attention to these noises. The Sub-Adult Condor that lit in the Oak near where the Bull Condor lay is the same bird I saw yesterday that had the protrusion on its head near the base of the upper mandible (Lae margin) and the small spots in the secondary wing feathers. The Sub-Adult that came from East Pine and lit in Oak, now dropped down on ground near Cold Springs at 10:20 A.M. I left slowly to watch when this Condor completed feeding as well as to keep an eye on the Black Bird that had, at 10:22 flown from pine across from us and lit in another Pine that stands about ¾ of a mile due south of our Camp and in another draw from the one the dead pit is in. I hiked towards Bull Condor to see if I could get a color shot of the sub-adult Condor that had lit -
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California Condor Elmer McMillan 3 Sept. 1964 in the Oaks near the Bull Carcass but had now dropped down out of sight. Approaching the Bull Carcass from the west I picked a spot in the trees about 100 yards from the area where the birds were feeding in the bushes. The Condor wound circle as it came out. After a 20 minute wait several Buzzards came out and circled over me very low but the Condor that followed them about two minutes later remained near the tree-tops, passed within 30 feet of me at treetop height and flew on around the hillside to the north and passed from sight without circling once. I hiked to the Bull Carcass where 7 or 8 Buzzards were feeding. As I walked close they flew into nearby trees. This Bull Carcass was now 4 days old and no Maggots were infesting it as yet, probably due to the cold weather, as a light frost was about the barn as I hiked here earlier this morning. Returning towards our Camp I saw what I took as the Sub-Adult Condor that had just flown from the Bull Carcass sail up the valley high, from the northwest and land in the Bent Pine. Glady informed me the Sub-Adult that had dropped to feed on the Bull Carcass at 10:20, flew up from Drop-Calf at 10:35 (15 minutes feeding time), pumped Southwest to the same Pine in which the Blackbird was perched, remained there 20 minutes when it left Pine and the Blackbird-
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California condor E. McDmillan 3 September 1964 and circled high over the area, then dropped in on Bent Pine as the sub-adult had now left Bent Pine and dropped in to feed on drop-off at 11:12 A.M. Both sub-adults circled near Bent Pine, the one that had been feeding had flown up out of canyon and joined the other. They drifted Southwest and went out of sight sailing Southwest at 11:20 A.M. The Black Bird flew out and circling alone our camp, gained considerable altitude before sailing out of sight a bit South by due West. We left for home at 11:45 A.M.
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California Condor Elen McMillan 6 Sept. 1964 at 2:30 p.m. Today Gregory saw Two Condor in the Palo Prieta Canyon 1/2 mile Southeast of the Red Hatfield Choke. He said both birds showed white under the wings but they were beyond the distance where he could see the color of the heads. Gregory said the two Condor appeared to come up from a side canyon that comes in from the north side of the main canyon at this point. They circled getting considerable elevation and then left towards the Cholame Flats.
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California Condor Elen McMillan 7 Sept. 1964 At 12:30 p.m. Alden Miller, Jan and I drove to Palo Prieta Canyon to see if the condor Gregory McMillan had observed yesterday might have returned. We saw only Red-tailed Hawks. Mrs. Farnsworth phoned collect from Glennville stating that she had observed what she took to be an adult condor fly in from the southeast above her buildings and land in area where Bull Curcass is one- quarter mile Northwest of her barn. She also added that there were unusually large numbers of Turkey Vultures concentrating in the area of her Ranch Headquarters.
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California Condor Ebenezer McMillan 8 September 1964 Gilbert Davies of Cholame, who lives about two and one half miles Northeast of my home phoned today to tell me he had observed a Condor fly from the roadside as he passed between his home and Cholame. He also stated he had seen a Condor about two weeks ago in Kings Canyon that would be one mile on Northwest of his house. I knew that Gilbert Davies had seen Condors before and could identify them but somehow his description of this Condor he saw today did not seem to fit. After some discussion Gilbert Davies mentioned how the bird he saw today showed white in its wings and also some white in the Tail. He said the white in the tail was quite pronounced as the bird flew from the roadside allowing a good view of the upper portion of the Tail. He mentioned the white on the tail being in the form of a V. This was sufficient evidence that even though Gilbert Davies knows Condors and what they look like and could identify them, he does not know what a young Golden Eagle looks like and is mistaking Young Eagles to be Condors. I think one can use this statement as a rule most people who know Condors will recognize them when seen and not mistake them for other birds. On the other hand many people who see immature Golden Eagles will mistake them for Condors. Gilbert Davies gave me to understand that the Condor he saw today must have been a young one for it was not big as were others he had seen feeding on a dead Bull several years ago. He said this Condor would be little larger than an Eagle,
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california condor Edwin Medmillan 9 September 1964 A letter from H. Elliott McClure of Box 6119, Yamato, APO 323 - US Forces, Tokyo, Japan, with photographs of Condor he had taken on April 23 1949 at the Bofer Ranch at Rancheria about 15 miles East of Bakersfield, Kern Co., and also notes of Condor observations he had made in Kern County. 'The Condor records that I have are as follows: On April 10, Mr. Martin (I do not have his initials) who lived near Granite Station saw 20-25 condors on his ranch above Granite Station. He wrote to the "Californian" (Bakersfield) about it. The Editor of the "Californian" contacted me on April 13 and printed a story on April 14. Mr. Rofer in the Tehachapi area called me about 14 Condor on his place on April 15, we went up at 2 P.M., and saw two. We went again on April 16 but saw only one. On April 23 when the photos were taken there were six in the ranch area when we arrived about 9:00 A.M., and Mr. Rofer had seen 26 there the day before. On April 17 I met Mr. Martin at Edna Williams' place and we discussed the birds, the birds. His ranch is several miles north of the Rofer place. His largest count was 32 at 2:20 P.M., on his place on April 26. The birds were apparently feeding on dead animals at both ranches where people were watching but protecting them. After this date they moved away and I have no further reports of them. I must say that seeing these gigantic birds and marveling at their flight control by manipulating their primaries was the greatest thrill of my three years in Kern County. I did not see any sick or dead condors but there were reports of them in newspapers at this time and I remember that one was killed by making contact between highline wires as he soared through them. H. Elliott McClure -
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Squirrel Poison California Condor Eben McMillan 10 September 1964 I was instructed by telephone, today, by Earl Kalar, Agricultural Commissioner of San Luis Obispo County that the last squirrel poisoning was done in San Luis Obispo County in 1964 about mid-August and that it had started sometime in April. Mr. Kalar also informed me that Compound 1080 was first used extensively as a squirrel poison in S.L.O. County in 1947. That Thallium Sulfate had been used from 1929 to 1947. Mr. Kalar also told me that Compound 1080 is relatively tasteless and odorless while possessing a high rate of toxicity and that although there are antidotes for this poison, provided such is applied soon enough after the poison has been taken, success of counteragents are not predictable once a lethal dosage of 1080 has been ingested, Mr. Kalar also informed me that his field personnel have no orders from him to limit the application of Compound 1080 poison to active ground squirrel burrows and not apply it with the thought of its purpose to be killing kangaroo rats. He said that undoubtedly considerable 1080 poisoned grain is thrown where kangaroo rats can use it. He said this is not the policy of his office to encourage the use of Compound 1080 treated grain for rats but that Ground squirrels only are the target species. Mr. Kalar stated that both Compound 1080 and Thallium Sulfate are restricted for use by the general public. He thought that both poisons high degree of -
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california condor. Eben McMillan 10 september 1964 secondary poisoning and residual toxicity was the main reason that their use has been denied the public at large.
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California Condor 11 September 1964 Jan and I were in Taft, Kern County at 1:00 p.m. We chatted with Robert Marshall, Manager, Crocker Angelo National Bank who in the process of telling us of condor observations stated Bert Sheddern had seen 45 condors in years past and he had observed 25 condors some years back, himself. We met Bob Tays, of Taft, who is a Boy Scout Leader, and who told us of seeing a dead condor about 1961 that lay at the base of a small tree, near a hunter's camp in a canyon above Mill Potrero on the north side of Mt. Pinos in Kern County. Mr. Tays said that when he first saw this condor carcass it was not too old and that it showed a large bullet hole through the breast. He understood a hunter had reported this carcass to Game Warden Bob Fischer of Taft who had told Mr. Tays of its whereabouts. Tays also took us to the home of his parents and produced the feathers (lying secondaries) he had taken from this bird which he had planned to take with him when he went to the Mill Potrero location. His plans were to make an Indian costume from the feathers. The odor of putrification discouraged him from transporting the carcass. We drove to Apache Potrero and at the Ranch of Berttram Sheddern Jr., met Mr. Sheddern and his son Richard. Bert Sheddern Jr. told us of seeing 12 condors some time back the exact date of which he had furnished Jan some time ago. He mentioned this observation by telling us by coming upon three birds that were perched on fence posts and did not attract their attention, he and his son Richard, thus until they flushed these three condor—
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California Condor Eben McMillan 11 September 1964 from their respective fence posts and were it not that they saw the white under the wings of these three birds they would not have believed them to be condors, for they were small and Shedden Condors not nearly as large as the 9 Condor that flew from beyond, and around a hill, from where these birds were at. Mr. Shedden felt sure they must have been young birds due to not only to their small size, but also to the fact that two of them had black heads. Richard Shedden who is about 18 years old also commented on the small size of these three birds and even used the term little in their description. Both Bertram Jr. and his son Richard Shedden both told us of seeing Mexican Eagles commonly in the area of their ranch and mentioned that a neighbor of theirs had only lately observed one of these Eagles pick up a young fawn deer as it ran down a hill, Bertrand Shedden carry the fawn aloft and drop it. He also mentioned an incident of years past where a Mexican Eagle had picked up a dog belonging to his brother and carried it aloft before dropping it to the ground evidently unhurt. Bertram Shedden Jr. also told us he had never observed a Buzzard west of the San Emigdio Ranch and upon further discussion repeated he had never seen Buzzards on his ranch. He has seen crows, he said. The matter of his seeing the 60 plus Condor in Santiago canyon in November was brought up for review and after considerable discussion he was questioned about his —
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California Condor Eben McMILLIAN 11 September 1964 acceptance of a conclusion that there could have been some other species of bird involved in this observation and that this could be noted with his recognition. Mr. SheddEN flatly refused any such consideration and stated that he knew the declaration of such an observation would be considered most unusual and at the time, with this in mind, had counted the concentration of condor three time, each time coming up with a number between 60 and 65 birds that were in two separate flocks circling the area. His story was basically the same as he had given us previously and he again described how he had come upon this first flock that were at a cow carcass from which they flew and circled while he was doing the counting. Today he stated this first flock to be something over 20 birds. It was only after he had finished counting this first flock that he looked beyond about one quarter mile and saw the air literally filled with condor beyond. Mr. SheddEN mentioned counting this group but did not give the figures on its amount. He did state that even though other species of birds were in the air, anything he was not sure was a condor, were disregarded and not counted. He mentioned Counting the group three times. Mr. SheddEN stated he firmly believed the count of between 60 and 65 condor that were in these two flocks to be a conservative figure and that if wrong it would be under estimated and not over. At Ian's suggestion and description of Swainson's hawks that might have been seen and mistaken for condor, Mr. SheddEN said he knew of Swainson hawks.
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California Condor Eben McMillan 11 September 1964 There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that Bertram Snedden Jr. but saw a large group of birds and that he counted them conservatively, where I am differing with Mr. Snedden is in identifying his qualifications to identify condors. Today his mention of recognizing three of 12 condors as being young birds on the grounds that they were not near as large as the 9 other "big" condors he and his son saw a few moments later, that these three young condors were perched on fence posts which for condors would be very unlikely. While being shown a well worn primary wing feather that the Sneddens had picked up near the carcass of an aborted calf this fall the younger Snedden questioned whether a feather being that large having come from a bird as small as were the three young condors they had seen on the fence posts. He doubted those birds could have possessed feathers of its size. I feel sure Snedden saw birds other than condors here and was unable to recognize their not being condors. The fact that Snedden would not know the proper name of Golden Eagles and would harbor the thought that an Eagle could carry aloft a fawn or a dog. That he has never observed Buzzards on his ranch when Dan Garcia had told me last May, 28 that many Buzzards followed squirrel poisoning operations on the Hobson Ranch that is contiguous to the Snedden Ranch - That Crows are common in his place while Ravens are the Native Large Corvidae of this area. That neither Bert Snedden or his son knew of Red-Tailed Hawks, or other hawks other than -
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California Condor Eben Tschirnian 11 September 1964 Swainson's hawks, which he claims to have seen in large numbers sitting on the ground, for the first time, about 5 or 6 years ago, and that he admitted not knowing adult from Junvenile Condor until Jan acquainted him with the differences in these age groups last year; that the fact 20 plus Condor were counted first when he first saw the 60 plus Condor in November and that the remaining flock had to be made up of 40 plus Condor which with what experience a man had counting large flocks of wheeling and milling birds would be next to impossible especially if the two flocks were only one-quarter mile apart which distance could not well separate two large flocks of wheeling Condor creates a situation that prevents my accepting his observation of 60 plus Condor as correct. As Carl Koford stated when told of this observation "I wouldn't believe it if I had seen it myself!" Another sighting of Bertram Snedden Jr. where his sons Bertram Snedden III and Richard Snedden also were present and counted the birds was made in Santiago Canyon on when all three of the above observers agreed on the number of Condor that swung up out of the canyon as 33 Condor is acceptable on the grounds all three Observers agreed on this number and that this Count was made with members. The three observers scattered at separate locations within plain sight of this gathering of Condor. Shedden Condor sighting 888
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apache saddle 883 California Condor Eben McMullin 11 September 1964 Tom Ingersall, employee of U.S. Forest Service who is camped at Apache Saddle Saddle between Abel and Brush mountains Kern Co., described to us and showed us a photograph of, the flock of 20 Condor that he and aa his brother observed on the San Emidio Ridge that runs southeast from Brush Mountain. The black and white photo he showed us included 5 specks that undoubtedly were Condor. These Condor were seen on August 18, 1962. Two representatives of the U.S. Forest Service who had 8 Condor - gone on top of Mt. Abel on 18 August 1964 to check on lightning strikes of the previous night, Saw 8 Condor that circled low over them, I am will be getting this report from the Forest Service. Tom Ingersall mentioned that a new directive had just come to his attention that now makes it imperative that all Condor sightings be turned in immediately following the incident and not be held to the end of the year and be turned in with an annual report as has been the case in the past. Tom Ingersall had heard that Bert Shedden had seen 20 Condor sometime in the past several years. Even though Tom Ingersall is a well acquainted with Bob Fischer, Game warden from Tift, he had never been told of the Dead Condor Carcass behind hill Potvero, by him, Peter Nigh, employee of the U.S. Forest Service who is camped at Apache Saddle described how he had been—
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California Condor. Eben Inchillian. 11 September 1964 rushed to the sespe valley to a heliport on the sespe condor sanctuary corridor road on sunday afternoon, the fire in condor sanctuary came evening the fire broke out. At 8:00 A.M. the following morning he was landed inside the fire area by helicopter. a total of 100 plus men were already in and fighting this fire. 600 men were on the fire line before it was brought under control by Tuesday evening. All men and equipment were flown in by 6 helicopter. Several borate tanker planes dumped material on this fire. The fire, before controlled, burned 350 acres between Bear Heaven and the west fork of the Sespe River, all within the Sespe Wildlife area. when finally brought under control it had burned west to the border of the Condor refuge on ridge east of Santa Paula Canyon This evening—at Dusk, he stopped at the ceramic factory of Mr. & Mrs. [illegible] on Apache ridge between Apache saddle and Grocer Grade Highway. They have just returned from being in Bakersfield. Returning home about 6:15 P.M., they mentioned seeing an adult Condor that passed low over their cut on the ridge north of the head of Ballenger Canyon,
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Glennville 891 California Condor Eben McMillan 13 September 1964 Ian and I were enroute to Glennville, Kern County at 3:05 P.M. After I had received word from Evelyn Farnsworth at 2:00 p.m. that she had observed 15 Condor this afternoon feeding on the carcass of a drop calf near her home. We arrived at Farnsworths Ranch at 5:00 p.m. and were immediately on our way towards the back part of her ranch with her leading in her Trap. As we passed above her barn two Condor were noted circling with a flock of 200 plus Turkey Vultures above the "Bone Yard", the ditch where she hauls all of the cows or other cattle that die near her home. Stopping at the roadside east of Farnsworth home one mile we were in the act of loading our Cameras and Binoculars into her Jeep for a ride into rough country where she was to show us the exact spot where many Condor had fed on the drop calf. When we saw two adult Condor coming from the Southeast, high in flat glide as though they had been traveling thusly for a good distance. After these two adults had passed on Northwest we proceeded with Mrs. Farnsworth to within 100 yards of a dead pine (Pinus sabiniana) tree in which sat a sub-adult Condor, on a limb not larger than 1/2 inches in diameter while under this tree the grass was well trampled where Condors had fed on a drop calf. We did not go further as the sub-adult bird remained perched in the late evening light and allowed me to take many Extachrome X 35 mm. Photos of it, while it practically disregarded our presence, preening its feathers, raising and lowering its head, defecating, sitting down on the limb with its body next to the limb and its legs fully bent and biting at twigs which it would take in its beak and twist as if trying to break it. All this while -
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 September 1964 We continued Talking in moderate tones that the bird could have surely heard. We also moved about in the Jeep that made considerable noise when our feet scraped the tin floor of the body or our knees, or feet, banged against the tin side. The above sub-adult Condor was brownish of color and lacked the ashy Sheen of adult plumage on the back, especially on the upper parts of the wing secondaries and primaries. The head was a pinkish red with a dark band of furry fuzz across the forehead. The upper mandible did not appear to be as Ivory Colored as is the case with an adult and the head was not as broad as is that of the full adult. Also, the definite and clearly defined white line on the back of full adult Condor was missing on this bird and a mottled, ill defined line was evident — see below. [illegible] We left this bird perched on this limb at sunset — 200 plus Turkey Vultures roosting below bent pine in Canyon at dusk.
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Glennville 893 California Condor Eben McMillan 13 September 1964 Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth came to our camp at dusk and visited about condor. Mrs. Farnsworth gave us the following Notes she had taken of observations of the last few days, 9/11/64 3:00 p.m. one circling Edna's Int., south of Rock Corral. ... 3:15 p.m. one circling at barn, sure these were different birds. 9/12/64 8:40 a.m. two roosting in pine east of "Bone Yard" (Bone yard is dumping place for cattle that die near Farnsworth home and is about 1/4 mile east of the house.) ... 9:35 a.m. Two adults circling over Beat Trap Ridge (this is about 1 1/2 miles Southeast of Farnsworth home.) ... 3:30 p.m. three circling over burn at 10-20 minute intervals, one or two more appear until at 5:00 p.m. there were nine in sight. The one all black bird was here and possibly two sub-adults, one with a definite notch in 1/3 of right wing next to body. 9/13/64-9:25 a.m. Two circling with Buzzards over bent pine. ... 9:30 a.m. Three more circling over take off of road to water tank on Morrison Ridge. These joined by others from NE until nine in sight, but too high to identify. ... 9:40 a.m.- Six sitting in dead pine over Calf Carcass South of the Low Water Thorough. One Black headed bird with only suggestion of white under wings. One Sub-adult with more white and pinkish grey head. ... 9:45 a.m.- One more joined circling birds making-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 13 September 1964 9:45 A.M. Gnt. fifteen in sight in small area near Calf Carcass, 3:30 p.m.- Two circling Edna's mountain. 4:05 P.M.- Eight circling down Cedar Creek from Edna's Mt. 4:10 P.M.- Two over burn- Mrs. Farnsworth also gave us two secondary wing feathers that she had picked up near the Calf Carcass that lay under the dead pine south of Lower Trough and about one and one-half miles South- cast of Farnsworth Ranch home.
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Glennville 895 California Condor Eben McMillan 14 September 1964 The 200 plus Turkey vultures left their roosts at 6:25 A.M., at least 30 minutes before sunrise, and scattered about the area, some lighting near carcasses at "bone yard" while most settled in treetops within 1/4 mile of these carcasses while a few moved across valley and lit in treetops near where old Bull carcass lays 1/4 mile north of Furnsworth Burn. No Condors among them. I and I hiked to carcasses at bone yard- Six adult carcasses are there now that appear to have been dragged there this fall, while at least two young drop calves have been added to the lot since Gladys and I were here on September 1-1964. I photographed two black headed immature Turkey vultures and also two dirty reddish headed Turkey vultures that I took to be yearlings, also photo of red-headed adult. came at Mrs. Furnsworth 9:10 A.M. and took us in her Jeep Towards the east where the sub-adult was sitting in the dead pine when we left last night. As we turned off the public road and started up Morrison ridge, westward, one adult Condor came in from east and circled above us quite high. As I photographed this bird another Condor was noted circling south of us near the rocky SE slope of Morrison ridge below the lower water trough. I photographed this bird also as a means of identification later on. We then drove to dead pine and noted a Condor perched on the opposite side of the tree on a lowering limb, from where we left the sub-adult last evening. I attempted to photograph this bird as it flew-
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California Condor Ebendichmillan 14 September 1964 but it stayed so near the morning sun that I did not waste any film on it. We drove to area under bent pine and following a track where the drop calf carcass had been dragged down the steep hill southward from the position under the bent pine where Mrs. Farnsworth had noted it yesterday morning, we found this carcass, completely cleaned of all meat and turned inside out and left 200 yards from its original position in the canyon below. During the course of this dragging the condors had pulled it through a dead tree, under an oak bush thence down the bottom of a steep defile through tall dry wild oats to the bottom where it was found. While we were investigating the calf carcass another condor flew in making four birds in the air at once one of which was [illegible] a sub-adult, probably the bird he saw perched in the tree last evening. This sub-adult in flight had a strong gap in the center of the right wing. (Check this with photo-) Also the first bird we saw this morning had two moderate gaps in the left wing secondaries and a slight gap in right wing 2/3 way out from body - See below- 1st bird Sub-adult- 4th bird
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California Condor Eben McInilian 14 September 1969 2 more dead cows. Mrs. Farnsworth drove us east of Rock Corral where she pointed out two cow carcasses that had been dead less than two weeks, neither of which had been eaten on by Turkey vultures or condor. We returned to our Camp 300 yds. east of Farnsworth home at 10:20 A.M. Two adult Condor flew Northwest past "Bowe Yard" at 11:40 A.M., and continued onward, slowly, and high, until out of sight. The Turkey vultures were much thinned out at 12:00 noon, only 25 or 30 being seen about. We left for Springville at 12:15 P.M. Arrived in Springville at 1:45 P.M., where we visited with Mr. Frank Mires who works at County Hospital in Springville and who, with his wife, is a very ardent Condor watcher. From our conversation with Mr. Mires we found that his wife keeps records for Audubon field Notes and sends them in to Mr. Chase in Berkeley, for it was through these Notes and records Mrs. Mires sent in that Alden Miller had notified us of her whereabouts and that she had been observing Condor. We drove to the Mires home and meeting Mrs. Mires, a middle aged lady who was born and raised in the Springville area, received information on the Condor sighting records she had already mailed Jan. 7. The records record of 23 Condor that Jan received some time ago from warden Bob Fischer of Tuft whereby he had been a member of a group who had observed the 20 plus-
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California Condor Eben McMillan 14 september 1964 (23 reported by warden Fischer - 22 by the Jouterville Newspaper and 21 by another warden who was in the same car as was warden Fischer) is acceptable due to the fact that several people were present and made counts of 20 or more condor. Mrs. [illegible] told us of seeing two condor that flew from perches in Redwood trees on Solo Peak within the Tule River Indian Reservation and of seeing them circling about this area on separate occasions. This is not far from where the Condor nest was located in the Redwood tree in 1950. It is significant that these people always saw two condor together in this area -
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California condor Eben Mcmillan 18 September 1964 a letter from Mrs. Evalyn Farnsworth dated 9/17/64 reads as follows This is the condor Activity since you left 9/14/64 2:45 p.m. one circling with Buzzards over burn 9/14/64 9:50 A.M. one with a notch next to body on left wing came from SE over south slope of Big Hill, circled over carcass of cow east of Rock Corral 9/16/64 3:40 p.m. one circling over Edna Mountain. " 5:30 p.m. one circling with Buzzards over burn 9/17/64-2:20 p.m. one came up from back side of the peak high peak of the Morrison Ridge south of the Water Tank. you should see the way the birds cleaned the Bull carcass, apparently the "watch" a skinned on the ham was ideal for they cleaned the entire carcass, leaving the skin over the bones with only a few holes in it. The Buzzards have been leaving in small groups ever since you were here. Saw two interesting things today. At about 2 p.m., I saw a group of about 27 coming from up Linn's Valley sailing high and level going south. They passed quite close to a group of "resident Buzzards" that were circling pretty high but they didn't mix at all, Then just before sundown I saw about 50 some sailing straight from the west (traveling like the migrating groups do) and joined the local group in the pines. At the same time a group of around a hundred was spiraling off in the Puett Bridge area. They also leveled off and joined the group here and are roosting in the pines tonight. Probably most of them will leave tomorrow—Farnsworth
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Amount of S.L.O. Co. 1080 Poison used 899 California Condor Eben McMillan 30 September 1964 The following are figures I was given today over the Telephone by Mr. Earl Kalar, San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner, regarding the Amount of Compound 1080 poison bait placed out for Ground squirrels within the County. 1945, 16,000 pounds of 1080 poison used- 1946-75,196 " " " " 1947-61,086 " " " " 1948-32,000 " " " " 1958-16,148 Pounds 1959-26,310 " -611,177 acres treated 1960-29,480 " - 460,406 " " 1961-44,642 " - 855,151 " " 1962-38,192 " - 298,258 " " 1963-42,931 " - - - - - 1959-13,375 pounds of Compound 1080 Poison on plague area 1960- 330 " " " " " " 1961-18,120½ " " " " " " 1962- 105 " " " " " " 1963-15,758 " " " " " " 1945 was the first year Compound 1080 treated grain was put out for California Ground squirrels (Citellus beecheyi) in S.L.O. County. The plague area for which squirrels are Poisoned with 1080 treated grain is designated by the Public Health Service of California.
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Chuchupate 900 California Condor Eben McMillan October 1964 A dense smog filled the San Joaquin Valley as Gladys and I drove towards Frazier Mountain. The desert situation near Blackwells Corner is increasing in size. In the development of a desert there must first be a starting point. Blackwells Corner has now grown out of the desert starting stage - Hundreds of Buzzards Sunning their wings near Old River 200m of Bakersfield We climbed above the smog at Lebec. The cubby Canyon from Frazier Park upwards was clear and cool. At Chuchupate Ranger Station I met Ranger Gary Plisco in the main office, he was chatting with another Forest Service man and seemed disinterested in Condor. We did divert his attention my way for one moment and stated he had seen 21 Condor when he was on the Santa Barbara fire. When I asked him the date he said, "Let's see, it was one of those days of thick fog". He thought it was about 27 September, just past noon, on Romeropk behind Santa Barbara. The Condor circled above him for about 15 minutes before they left for the Ojai area. Plisco said he and two other men saw them. Obviously busy with other matters of more import Mr. Plisco remained disinterested so I took my leave of his Office and drove to Lookout on top of Frazier mountain, which is still manned by Mr., and Mrs. Upham. We had been at lookout on Frazier Mountain only about 10 minutes when a Condor circled up out of the deep canyon northeast of the Lookout, rising as much as 500 feet at each circle and was soon well above the east Frazier ridge where it remained in the area for 10 minutes
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Frazier Mt. California Condor Eden McMillan 1 October 1964 drifting along ridge to North Frazier and then returning to drop into deep canyon from whence it had come. Was last seen dropping into this Canyon at [illegible] 10:45 A.M. Mr. Upham is a svelte, big belted man, who professes to know much of Condor. He said they see Condor from their Tower, "most every day." No one has come to the top of Frazier Mountain Looking for Condor since the Uphams came there in mid July 1964. Mr. Upham, in answer to my question if conversation is ever carried on over their communication system regarding Condor, with other Lookouts I meant, stated that such trivial material is not allowed. "What if we were talking about Condor and a fire broke out; or what if some workman was hurt in a wreck and the line was busy with our talking about birds," he stated. He said neither he nor his wife particularly look for Condor. The only one's they see is if one happens to come by in full sight from within the tower. As Mr. Upham and I were watching the formally mentioned Condor as it was sailing along the North Slope of Frazier Mountain about one mile from the Lookout Tower, when he made an estimate of the Condor's distance that has a bearing on the degree of error these people are normally guilty of in assessing distances Condor are away, in their reports. He said the bird was about over the Town of Frazier Park which would have been 3½ miles distance while only a few seconds before I had noted this bird dip below dall trees on North Frazier Mt. [illegible] the bird being between us and the trees and not more than one mile away. Mr. Upham said they -
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Frazier Mt. 902 California Condor Eben J. Emillan 1 October 1964 had no need of talking to the Lookout on Thorn point about the presence of condor there for he could make out Condors over that Lookout Station from his Frazier Mt. Station with the aid of binoc- ulars. I could scarcely see the Thorn Point Lookout Station with my 9 power glasses from Frazier Mt. Lookout. The air line distance between Frazier Mt. Lookout and Thorn Point is about 12 miles. I Could Not see a Condor at that distance with the 20 power Scope. So most of the time when these lookout records mention a Condor over a certain area some distance away it is a good bet the bird is less than two miles away. Mr. Upham said a Mr. Vaughn who at one time manned the Lookout on Thorn Point and who now gets out a paper of some sort from the town of Frazier Park, told him, Mr. Upham, that Condor used to nest in the big white cliffs North and West of Thorn Point Lookout. Vaughn told him he used to see Condor go into the rocks in that area. Upham knows Condor when he sees them and also knows Golden Eagles and Red Tailed Hawks. Returning down from Top of Frazier Mountain we met two men from the Air National Guard who claim to have seen Condor on both Frazier Mountain where they have Radio Transmitter and Blue Ridge Lookout in Tulare County. They had Not heard of Condor from other Transmitter Stations they Service in the Mountains east of the Los Angeles Basin. Stopping at Chuchupate Ranger Station I found Ranger Gary Plisco Staunchly silent and reticent to re-discuss the Sighting in September 27 when he was to have seen
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Chuchupate 903 California Condor Eben McMillan 1 October 1964 21 Condor on Romero Peak during the Santa Barbara fire. What reason he would have given for falling silent on this observation I have no idea other than he realized he was lying and that if given further information he would become more deeply implicated. Instead he told me of an instance when he and supervisor Hanson had observed 7 Condor on 19 August 1964 near the parking space at the end of the Blacktop Road going on top of Mt. Pinos. He said these Condor appeared to come out from under the trees just north of this large parking area from where they had been feeding on a Deer. When asked if they had seen the Deer the Condor fed on he said no, but that it had to be a deer as they would be feeding on nothing else there. He said the Seven Condor flew low about their position for several minutes before they left... It was here that Mr. Plicico attempted to influence me into thinking the deer hunters on the Pinos district actually are a good thing for Condor in that they leave so many illegally shot deer in the woods that Condor have an ample supply of food. He said 8 illegal were killed and brought in to the Chuchupate Ranger Station the first weekend of the Deer Season in 1964. He thought many more would be left in the woods that were never recorded. I said that it would be nice if hunters would not shoot the Condor when they came to feed on the Deer. To this Mr. Plicico stated, "Oh!" "I don't think they would shoot a Condor!" This just after he had admitted hunters had shot 8 illegal deer.
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Chuchupate 904 California Condor Eben McMillan / October 1964 While I was in Plisco's Office he discussed promoting A ski lift on Mt. Pinos. He said they were trying to get someone interested in a ski lift there. Obviously a great part of the activities of officials of Las Padres National Forest is directed towards promoting more public use of this area. The defence of deer hunters by Plisco showed strong evidence of sympathy for anything that will bring more people into his area. Ranger Williams who preceded Plisco as Ranger at Chuchupate was the only district ranger we have met that felt people should be held from using the public lands as much as possible unless their attitude of destructiveness improves. Condor 22 September 1964 Tomboots of U.S. Forest Service saw 2 Condor on Tecuya Ridge. Condor 21 August 1964 Tomboots saw six Condor above Mill Potrero, on north side of Mt. Pinos. Three bird watching ladies from Los Angeles whom Boots told, later in the day, of seeing the six Condor went to the top of Mt. Pinos and claimed to have seen 11 Condor in one flock and 8 Condor in another flock. I would be very much inclined to think these ladies saw the same Condor on the second sighting Following is the list of Observation of Condor the uphams have made since 6 September 1964 - 9/6/64 - 12:10 --- 1 --- Flying directly over lookout 9/7/64 - 09:35 --- 1 --- Circling over east Frazier Mt. 9/8/64 -- 13:20 --- 1 --- Flying over Mutch Flats -
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chuchupate Bakersfield California condor Eben McMillan 1 october 1964 ir Mt.-Cont. 9/8/64 --- 16:30 --- 1 -- Low over Frazier L.O. 9/10/64 -- 1000 -- 1 -- Over Sycamore Canyon 9/12/64 - 1000 -- 1 -- Over Frazier L.O. 9/14/64 -- 1550 -- 1 -- heading west - over [illegible] area - 9/16/64 --- 1640 -- 1 -- Over East Frazier Mt. Southward 9/23/64 --- 1400-2 --- Over Tecora Mt. Westward 9/23/64 --- 1420 - 6 --- Flying over Matey Canyon 9/25/64 --- 1050 - 1 --- Over Lebec 9/25/64 --- 1415 - 1 --- Over East Frazier 9/26/64 --- 1045 - 1 --- Over Mt. Pinos (9/29/64 --- 1250 -- 20 Group Circling over Piru Creek. 8 Condor On this observation both Mr. and Mrs. Upham admitted they could have counted the same birds several times. Mr. Upham thought there could have been only 8 Condor. At the Agricultural Commissioner's Office in Bakersfield I was told that Kern County contributes to a fund that is used by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Predator Control - 4 fulltime trappers are on hand year around, one at Cantil, one at Arvin, one at Taft and one at Lost Hills. The lady at the front desk in Agricultural Commissioner's Office said squirrel poisoning was still going on in the Bear Mountain area. This lady also said she would see the Commissioner, Mr. Seldon Broley, and if only by them she would mail me the Poundsage of 1080 Heated Poison Put out in Kern County during the first two years Compound 1080 -
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Frazier Int. Bakersfield Tejon Ranch CALIFORNIA CONDOR Eben McMillan 1 october 1964 was used and also the poundage used in 1958-59-60-61-62 and 1963. In evening we drove to old Tejon Ranch headquarters and rechecked condor observations with Gib McKenzie. I commenced my questioning with McKenzie by informing him that I had not made specific notations on the observation he had made of 31 condor in 1962 near the Tejon Ranch. I did not mention the number of 31 condor he had reported to me but rather mentioned his having told me of somewhere 28 or 30 condor having been seen. To this question Mr. McKenzie said, "No it was 31 condor I saw that time". "They were feeding on a carcass down behind the Gum Tree grove," and he pointed to this area from where we were standing. Mr. McKenzie could not recall the name of the fellow who was with him at the time but the man is no longer at Tejon Ranch. Gib McKenzie also reviewed the information he had previously given me regarding his sighting of Two dead condor that lay near the water of Tunis Canyon. One of these condor carcasses was found since 1960. Gib McKenzie also told me of having come suddenly upon 7 or 8 condor in the foothills, that had gorged themselves on the putrid carcass of a cow that had died. As he approached these condor, quickly they all dashed about and, while leaving the ground and before getting well into the air, regurgitated up large amounts of the meat they had consumed. He said the meat was falling in good sized chunks on the ground.
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Farnsworth Letter 967 California condor Eben McMillan Oct. 7, 1964 Letter received in mail today from Mrs. Eulyn Farnsworth of Glennville dated Oct. 6, 1964, reads as follows. Condor traffic (observed that is) has been almost non-existent but I am becoming more convinced that if a person were at a good vantage point for all the daylight hours, hardly a day would pass without one or more passing by. 9/8/64 2:25 p.m. Six circled over barn briefly. Wasn't able to see which direction they headed out. 9/24/64 8:00 a.m. One perched in bent pine. 9/24/64 5:30 p.m. One circling that ridge (Ridge by bent pine) & 9/30/64 9:50 a.m. Two adults sailing high and level over Rock Corral headed just slightly North of West. (Probably leaving Country because of heavy private plane activity on Pioche Fire). Buzzards are still leaving at about one week intervals, although all the resident group has gone. 9/19/64 one flight stayed overnight in Jack Lavers Flat on Poco Creek. Then, 9/28 another group stayed overnight in the trees Northwest of our house. They left the next morning without visiting the boneyard. sincerely Evelyn
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Kern County Agricultural Commissioners Office 908 California Condor Eben McMillan October 7, 1964 The following is a letter on file, dated October 6, 1964 in which is submitted information which I requested of Agricultural Commissioner of Kern County regarding amounts of 1080 poison grain put out since 1945 Year Plague area Rodent Control pounds acres pounds acres 1945 22,223 38,954 none none 1946 63,745 258,104 8,568 38,051 1947 58,708 249,757 10,156 87,062 1948 37,580 407,481 7,284 108,065 1949 61,799 354,143 14,868 96,635 1950 28,786 155,115 2,415 90,519 1951 30,218 348,256 7,050 181,740 1952 17,264 246,028 932 32,285 1953 26,167 389,136 8,688 61,058 1954 6,906 62,090 38,838 359,049 1955 12,981 68,431 47,770 374,639 1956 5,135 59,119 33,710 408,424 1957 6,269 68,448 40,070 525,003 1958 5,203 95,450 20,860 303,724 1959 6,536 58,061 36,201 589,879 1960 3,292 44,891 24,357 516,831 1961 4,205 47,889 23,323 363,331 1962 3,950 40,678 23,797 443,014 1963 2,905 43,492 27,231 384,697 I hope this information will be helpful to you in your Condor research project. Very truly yours Alice B. Cook Senior Secretary
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