September 27, 2008
From The Ashes; Condor Chick Survives The Basin Complex Fire
Good news. A California Condor chick survived the Basin Complex Fire unharmed. Members of Ventana Wilderness Society hiked into the blackened forest to check on the well being of the chick.
Watch the video.
What directed my attention back to the plight of the Ventana condors was a "birding spectacle" in our own backyard here in Central California this evening. My youngest came in from the backyard and alerted the family there were hundreds of giant vultures overhead and landing in the trees.
Dozens of turkey vultures were soaring at roof level, circling the yard and taking turns landing in a couple of our taller cedar trees. While the turkey vulture is not the most visually appealing bird it is one of the largest and watching them skim the rooftops in number was something to see.
More vultures appeared and at one point at least 150 were soaring overhead circling, waiting for a chance to get a spot in a tree.
Numerous neighbors caught this as well and we all agreed this was special occurance. In all my time in the woods and observing nature this event finds a way near the top.
What I found out is we are on the migratory path of the giant bird here in the Valley.
In fact the Audubon Society's Kern River Preserve holds their Autumn "Nature & Vulture Festival" on this weekend every year. In 2004 the group counted over 6,000 turkey vultures near Weldon.
I recorded our informal count on their blog.
Between politics and world financial news getting in touch with something so awesome was much needed.
Watch the video.
What directed my attention back to the plight of the Ventana condors was a "birding spectacle" in our own backyard here in Central California this evening. My youngest came in from the backyard and alerted the family there were hundreds of giant vultures overhead and landing in the trees.
Dozens of turkey vultures were soaring at roof level, circling the yard and taking turns landing in a couple of our taller cedar trees. While the turkey vulture is not the most visually appealing bird it is one of the largest and watching them skim the rooftops in number was something to see.
More vultures appeared and at one point at least 150 were soaring overhead circling, waiting for a chance to get a spot in a tree.
Numerous neighbors caught this as well and we all agreed this was special occurance. In all my time in the woods and observing nature this event finds a way near the top.
What I found out is we are on the migratory path of the giant bird here in the Valley.
In fact the Audubon Society's Kern River Preserve holds their Autumn "Nature & Vulture Festival" on this weekend every year. In 2004 the group counted over 6,000 turkey vultures near Weldon.
I recorded our informal count on their blog.
Between politics and world financial news getting in touch with something so awesome was much needed.
Labels: Basin Complex
Comments:
<< Home
Mike -- Thanks for posting this information. The California condor is a very important species and needs public support. The fires in Big Sur, California where far more devasting than people who do not live there can image. Visit the Web site www.cacondoconservation.org to see video of the devastation and to see the condor field biologists discuss how they saved this species.
Post a Comment
# posted by 
: September 29, 2008 5:18 PM
: September 29, 2008 5:18 PM<< Home
