Hi Notes

This first observation is actually from Atascadero, not Hi Mountain. FINALLY I got to actually see the object of my tracking efforts! The day after Paul saw the ‘Atascadero Crew’ on Mon Dec 9th, I was driving West on Hwy 41 into Atascadero. I looked over to the North and saw three BIG black birds in the dead upper branches of an oak tree behind the Bank of America. Like Paul,...

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Atascadero Condors (again)

Hi all, While driving north last monday on my way to work in Tahoe, I encountered several Ventana birds as they soared low over downtown Atascadero. It was about 1320hrs and I was driving N on the 101, just entering Atascadero. Heavy, low clouds and scattered sprinkles. Making my usual scan of the skies and sorting through the kettles of TV’s, I spotted an yellow tagged CA condor...

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Observations from Hi Mountain

Notes from ‘On Hi’: I drove up to the lookout to check for any rain damage Sat Dec 7. There had been very little rain, so all was well. I picked up signals from the following Condors that evening (all in Atascadero): B170 (male), Y192 (female), OR209 (male), and B168 (male). I arrived at the lookout at 3:30 PM, so only tracked them for a couple of hours. I stayed overnight, along with a Cal Poly...

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Lookout History

I received a phone call several weeks ago from Avice Nolan. She wasexcited to have seen the newspaper article in the Tribune about HiMountain Lookout, telling me that her stepfather and mother had staffedthe lookout station in 1942, and she had found some old photos of HiMountain lookout and the surrounding viewpoints in her photo album (theyare probably from the 1970’s, because Lopez Lake is...

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Condors fly over the Lookout!!

On Sunday, October 20, at about 2:50pm Condors Y-194 & OR-208 passed directly over the Lookout on their way to the Southeast. Tracking had been slow Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. The only bird we were picking up for the past two days was Y-194 possibly flying somewhere east of the Santa Lucias maybe over the Paso Robles/Atascadero area. When we went to check signals...

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28-Sept-2002 Field Notes

The thickest, most dense shroud of fog has engulfed and drenched the Lookout. Gusty winds to 20mph and visibility to less than 6′ at times. It is drizzling and muddy, I’m discovering many leaks and drafts in the Lokout today, which should help us get her ready for winter. Have heard that the fog stops about a mile down the mountain. Radio telemetry in this kind of fog is surreal, like doing it with...

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23-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Another hot and gusty day on Hi Mt. Winds hard from the SE to 32mph and temps in high 80’s by 0730! First signals were at 0807, when I had Y-125 strong and directly off of Black Mt. He continued to soar in this area until about 0930, when I lost his signal. At 0807 I also had some strong and close signals from Y-190, Y-194, and Y-192 at 320ºNW. I felt like they could be down near Atascadero and at...

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Still more Atascadero Condors

Hi all, It was a busy weekend for California Condors in SLO, with at least 5 confirmed sightings that I know of since friday. A few of the Hopper birds have been hanging around the Castle Crags/Queen Bee area and have been seen by Gretchen/ USFWS (since Neil’s reported sighting of B-155 and Y-213) over the Carrizo Plain and La Panza and Machesna wilderness areas. Seems that a few of the Ventana...

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Adventures in Condor County

Greetings everybody, Its been an exciting and adventurous weekend on the Lookout, with lots of condor movement in all directions. For the past few days, Gretchen from Hopper has been mobile tracking around the Carrizo, Black Mt., Castle Crags, and the Calientes. We’ve spent a bit of time overworking our cell phones and attempting to triangulate on birds along the La Panzas, north...

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22-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Windy and HOT on the mountain today, with temps in the mid 80’s by 0900! Gusty winds to 30mph. Began tracking at 0730, and Y-190 and Or-212 were still strong and consistent at 280º NW. They had certainly overnighted on the back of the Cuesta ridge. By 1041 they were up and moving around and Y-194 had apparently joined them. About that time I started picking up a strong, soaring signal from Y-213 out...

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21-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Woke up early to 25+mph winds and clear skys. Lots of action around the Lookout today, as the Cal Poly field crew is staying the weekend working on surveys. First signals were at 0856 when I picked up Or-212 very strong to my immediate north (just off Black Mt.). She stayed on or near Black Mt until 1040, when it seemed like she was heading north west again, toward Creston. At 1040 I also began picking...

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20-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Left the lookout at 0730 and drove over Pozo Rd toward Castle Crags with David Harpe. We were hoping to get a look at 155 or 213. Spotted a huge badger and several tule elk along the road west of Turkey Flat. Met up with USFWS/Hopper staffer Gretchen, who we spent the afternoon tracking birds through the oven-like La Panza mountains with. We made many stops, hitting Black Mt, Queen Bee, Parkfield...

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19-Sept-2002 Field Notes

A clear, breezy day at the Lookout. Moderately hazy to north. No signals until 1143, when I began picking up B-168 strong at 320º NW. the signals were definately close and I was thinking maybe Atascadero again….At the same time, I briefly picked up Y-213 to my east (100º E) and I also had an inconsistent soaring signals from B-155 at 60º N. B-155 waslikely soaring out over Castle Crags or the Carrizo...

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17-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Following up on Roger Zachary’s sighting of a perched condor in Atascadero this morning (Tues 18), I headed up Hwy 41E accompanied by Amy Armstrong and Mike Tyner. We stopped just west of the Salinas River bridge off of Cemetary Rrd. atappx. 1010 and immediately had strong signals for the three Ventana condors Roger saw yesterday. At 1015 we stared in total awe as condors Or-212 andY-190 soared over...

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Update from the Lookout 31-Aug to 17-Sept-2002

Greetings everyone, Its been a while since I last posted and so much has happened I’m not sure what I should relay. I’m sure by now you’ve read of my north county adventures this week, getting good looks at Or-212, Y-190, and Or-209 on Tues Sept 16 in Atascadero. I must say, its about time I finally got to see these guys over SLO Co. I spent this afternoon uploading my telemetry notes to the website,...

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16-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Awoke to fog as far as the eye could see to every direction but SW. A thick blanket of fog rested below winds gusting to 30 mph and the view was breathtaking. By 1030 the fog had surrendered to the winds, reforming itself as a coastal marine layer. First signals were at 1024, and I had a good strong one from Y-213 out over Machesna. Y-194 was likely out on the Santa Lucias again,giving strong signals...

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Atascadero Condors

Hi all, In response to Roger’s great condor email…….First of all, I must say I’m very jealous, I’ve spent most of the last few afternoons tracking Ventana condors Y-190, Or-212, and Or-209 from the Hi Mt. Lookout. They were among several birds that I’ve had very strong and broad (indicating close proximity) signals for during the past weeks. Several Ventana birds seem to spread out over Shandon and...

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15-Sept-2002 Field Notes

First signals of the day were at 0630 from, you guessed it, Y-194 at 360°N. Evidently she had a nice stay near Castle Crags and was up and soaring by 0830. The early morning was wrought with gusty, warm winds and a thin layer of high clouds stretched S from the upper Salinas Valley. Y-194 seemed to be exploring the locale, and I had her at 0945 off the Cuesta ridge,then at 1030 back off Black Mt,...

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14-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Spoke to Hopper crew at 0830 and they say W-100 made it home safely. No signals until 1200, when R-111 again popped up at 100° E. By 1300 I also had B-155 at 100° E as well as Y-192, B-171, Or-209, Or-204, Or-212,Or-199, and Y-190 at 320° NW. All signals were strong and consistent and I dusted off the lens on the old spotting scope. B-155 remained consistent and of moderate strength until I lost her...

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13-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Made it up to the Lookout by mid day and got my first round of signals done by 1320. From 1320 to 1640, I tracked Y-190, Or-212, B-171, Or-199, and Or-209 between 280° W/NW and 320° NW, signals varying from very strong to weak. At 1517, R-111 made her presence known with strong signalsdirectly out over Piney ridge, appx 80° E. Its likely that she was between the Garcias and La Panzas, though I never...

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9-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Nick Todd took the first round of signals this morning at 0830, picking up Y-194, Or-208, and B-164 between 100° E and 120° SE. These three birds stayed localized down there for most of the afternoon. At 1047 we began picking up B-155 again, near Machesna Pk. At 1157, we had strong signals from R-111, also near Machesna Pk. By 1600, I only had Y-192, weak and inconsistent to my NW. It was time to...

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8-Sept-2002 Field Notes

The haze has moved back in and I’m not feeling that spotting a condor is likely today. Fall is here, though, and the heat and flies have tapered off nicely. Joined at the Lookout today by several Cal Poly students who are doing field work around the Lookout site. A few of the students tried their hand at radio telemetry, and Y-192, Or-212, and Y-194 obliged by heading S toward Hi Mt. Until 1213, we...

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7-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Another day of tracking Y-192, Or-212, and B-171. First contact was at 0844 when I had all three birds again off the Santa Lucias. The signals were definitely from W of Atascadero and could have been right off Cerro Alto. Signals ranged from consistent to inconsistent between 320° NW and 260°W. By 1248, B-171 had headed back up N and I lost her around 320° NW.Y-192 and Or-212 continued to give me...

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6-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Breezy and mild, storm seems to be clearing out. First signals of the day were between 0930 and 1100, when I began picking up Y-190 and Or-212 to my NW. A visit by Ventura condor staffers Bronwyn Davies, Dinese Stockton, Mike Stockton and Mike Barth made for some much needed excitement and condor talk at the Lookout today. Mike Barth and I ran signals off and on throughout the day. Beginning at 1100,...

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5-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Another morning of heavy skies and tropical temps. Around 0800, showers along the S Sierra and Temblors were strikingly visible. Feels like more showers are imminent and I wonder about lightening rods….. My first set of signals were at 0917 and several Ventana birds were already directly off the La Panzas. Could they have spent the night?? Between 0917 and 1145, I had Y-192,Or-212, B-164, and B-171...

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4-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Woke to heavy skies and forecasts for light sprinkles and scattered showers. Feeling like SEEING condors for a change, I headed out to the Carrizo Plain in search of W-100, Y-213, and B-155. Between 1041 and 1105, had strong signals for B-155 and W-100 from Hwy 58, appx 5 mi. N of Ca. Valley.The birds seemed to be to my SE, likely S of Castle Crags by that time. Drove out Poza Rd toward Castle Crags,...

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3-Sept-2002 Field Notes

No wind or clouds today. HOT and the best visibility in at least 2 weeks.Cone Pk looming clearly in the NW and the Sierra Madres clear to the S. Started the day at 0937 with signals from Y-192 at 320° NW and B-155 at 130°SE. Spoke to Genie, then on McPherson Pk, and she was also getting signals from B-155, somewhere on the Sierra Madre. By 1030, Or-212 was very near the Lookout, giving signals that...

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2-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Another hot and sultry day on the Lookout. Visibility diminished since yesterday and wind only in light gusts. Strong and consistent signals from B-167, Y-190, B-164, B-161, B-171, and Or-212 to my NW all day long. Again,it felt like they were out over Shandon. Somewhere around 1600, B-164 began moving RAPIDLY down the La Panzas. Between 1600 and 1720, this bird had moved from 320° NW to 120° SE....

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1-Sept-2002 Field Notes

Moderately breezy and the best visibility in many days from the Lookout. Signals started early (0900) as Y-190 began to soar out of the Ventana wilderness. By 1110, I was also tracking Y-194, Or-209, and Or-212 to my NW. At times it felt like they had fanned out over Chalome Hills or Shandon, and I continued to strain for a visual. By 1315, I had also picked up B-168,B-164, B-167,and Or-204 to my...

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31-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Still,hazy and warm on the Lookout today. Thick haze to 4000′. Genie from the Hopper crew made a brief appearance at the Lookout while out mobile tracking.Strong, broad signals from Or-212, Y-190, B-167, and B-170 between 1110 and 1610. At one point, these birds were very close to the Lookout, likely on the Santa Lucias. They seemed to move back and forth across the Santa Margarita valley all afternoon....

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30-Aug-2002 Field Notes

No signals throughout the morning. At 1203, I began picking up a group of Ventana birds to my distant NW. Spoke to Hopper and Ventana crews, and determined that most of this group likely headed N from Hopper yesterday,when I was away. Between 1203 and 1517, I had signals from Y-192, Y-190, B-164,Y-194, W-231, B-167, and B-168. Most were strong and consistent between 320° NW and 350° NW. By 1600, all...

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27-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Only signals today were from W-231, beginning at 1034 at 320° NW. She must have snuck past me yesterday (possibly on the east side of the La Panzas?),assuming she spent the night near Machesna. At any rate, she was headed south again today, and for a few hours it felt like she was following the Santa Lucias down. At times I was getting only a weak signal in the direction of San Luis Obispo. Between...

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Update from the Lookout 20-Aug to 27-Aug-2002

Greetings all, The last week on the Lookout was mild (mid 80’s), windy, and somewhat clearer than the past few weeks. Last Saturday and Sunday were by far the two most exciting days, punctuated by signals from both Hopper and Ventana birds. A few of Hopper’s R series birds have been popping up mid-day around 120°SE of the Lookout, which I am assuming is over Cuyama and Lion Canyon. On Sunday, a...

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26-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Not surprisingly, today was a rather slow day for condor movement. A few signals from R-112 at 110° SE and 120° SE, which I am now assuming to be Lion Canyon or some where over Cuyama Valley. Interestingly, Hopper’s R birds have been frequenting this area of late and I hear there is alot of hunting going on in those parts right now. Last signals for R-112 wereat 1415. No other signals to report. -...

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25-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Conditions (especially wind and visibility) have changed significantly over the last few days. The wind has picked up tremendously (averaging 25 mph from the N/NW) and I’ve noticed the TV’s seem to be working the thermals along the Santa Lucias more than normal. Seems to be great soaring weather. Quite a bit of Condor activity to report today, as well as a few more confirmed sightings from the Lookout....

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24-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Looks like several Ventana birds made a brief trip to the south today, eventually returning back up north by late afternoon. Between 1255 and 1456 I had moderate to strong signals from B-168, Y-190, and Or-212. All signals were at 320° NW. At one point, appx 1330, signals for Y-190and B-168 became significantly stronger and it felt like the had moved in pretty close. By 1456 they had weakened again....

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23-Aug-2002 Field Notes

While at the Lookout delivering materials, USFS Biologist Kevin Cooper was lucky enough to watch a white tagged condor (likely W-222 or W-231) soar directly over the Lookout appx 200 feet above. According to Kevin, the bird soared off toward the Santa Lucias and San Luis Obispo. Am I jealous…..of course, but I’m extremely happy for Kevin (the lucky dog). Kevin worked out here as an intern a few decades...

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16-Aug to 20-Aug-2002 Field notes

Four extremely hot, hazy, windless and buggy days with no Condor activity to report. No signals at all. - Paul Andre...

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Update from the Lookout Aug 10 to Aug 17, 2002

Greetings all, I apologize for the lack of updates to the website during this past week. The wireless web connection has proved to be a bit troublesome and I still have not been able to successfully upload anything to the servers at school. I will be up here until Weds of next week, when I will get caught up on the website from home. Two major themes pretty well sum up the last 8...

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14-Aug-2002 Field Notes

At 1235 I began picking up signals from birds to both my north and south. Between 1230 and 1301 I had strong, soaring type signals from AC-8 and AC-9 in the vacinity of 120° SE. As for Ventana birds, I had consistent signals of varying strength from Y-190 and W-219 between 1230 and 1742. The birds seemed to be hanging around the Ventana back country, moving between 340°NW and 320° NW over the 5 hours...

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13-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Had brief and intermittent signals for a few birds today. Most were in and out, often strong for several minutes, then dropping off completely.Likely a few of these birds were heading north behind ridge lines (like the La Panzas) and in and out of my range. Weak signal from B-161 at appx 110°SE between 0945 and 0958. Between 0958 and 1135 I had moderate and consistent signals from AC-9, Y-125, Y-190,...

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12-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Today was the hottest day yet for me on this Lookout. High temp was 106°F,with a whopping 5%RH. It was 90° F by 0700. Only a few scattered and sparse signals to report. I had B-167, B-171, and Y-214 at appx 120°SE, at 1230 and 1245. Faint signals from R-112, Y-190, and B-161 from 1345 to 1657 in the same direction. Incidentally, 120° SE is roughly in the direction of Lion Canyon, where several birds...

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11-Aug-2002 Field Notes

A group from Cal Poly Biology was up for the weekend and I was able to give a telemetry demonstration using more than just the Pozo Beacon. We tracked B-164, Y-194, and B-168 between 1045 and 1310. They remained north of here,at appx 320-340°, apparently somewhere south of Ventana and then back up again. Between 1230 and 1245 I had moderate and inconsistent signals from AC-9 and R-112 (a first time...

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10-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Got good signals from a group of three Ventana birds moving north today. B-168,Y-194, and Or-208 stayed close together as I tracked them from 120°SEto 320° NW. I had signals for a good 5 hrs, from 1254 to 1759, and I’m guessing that they could easily make a Ventana to Sespe trip in that time. Still no visuals since the last, but I am getting very strong signals along the La Panza range. I had been...

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6-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Another hazy day and my optimism for seeing condors today is rapidly melting in this heat, only to be lapped up and hauled away by the millions of Bot Flies swarming around my head. Had a few weak to moderate signals from W-98 and Or-209 between 1123 and 1254. They seemed to be quite distant and in the direction of Cuyama (appx 120-130° E) of the Lookout. - Paul Andre...

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5-Aug-2002 Field Notes

The last few days have been exceptionally hazy and today was no different. I’m assuming the haze is mostly smoke from the many fires currently burning in California at the moment. However, the visibility (especially to the north and south) has steadily declined since I first came up in June. Today I could hardly make out Black Mt. to my immediate north. Only signals for today were for W-219, moderate...

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4-Aug-2002 Field Notes

Not much activity and a thick, low haze has reduced the visibility to less than half of what I usually enjoy. Tracked Y-192 beginning at 0936 at appx320°NW and continuing until 1325 when I lost her at appx 135°SEof me. I would estimate that it took her roughly 2.5 hrs. to pass between Hi Mt and Black Mt. She headed south along the La Panzas, as seems to be acommon flyway for these Ventana birds. Also...

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3-Aug-2002 Field Notes

First signals from AC-9 received today between 0955 and 1015. Although weak and varying in consistancy, the signals were audible at appx 110° SEof the Lookout. These were also the first signals from a Hopper bird that I’ve recorded this summer. - Paul Andre...

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Lookout Update 19-July to 31-July-2002

Hi folks, Sorry for the lag in updates last week. I’ve been really busy and have only a small window of time each week for online duties. This email should get you all up to speed on the last two weeks of progress. The weather out in Pozo has been sweltering, still, often hazy, and always buggy. My schedule, for the time being, has settled into a Friday through Weds. shift up...

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29-July-2002 Field Notes

The morning began at 1000 with strong signals from Y-192 and Y-190 at appx86° NE. By 1010, I was also picking up a weak signal from Or-212 at 320° NW (in the vacinity of Cone Peak by my strained-eye estimation). By about 1100, I was getting very strong and consistent signals from Y-192,Y-190, and B-167, all of which were moving steadily north and seemingly close. Signal strengths and compass bearings...

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28-July-2002 Field Notes

Several more Ventana birds moving north today. First signals were at 1140 from B-171 (at appx 125° SE). By 1302, I was picking up B-164, who seemed hot on B-171’s tail. Signals for the two birds remained strong and constant throughout the day. My last signals of the day were at 1555, when I had B-171, B-164, and Or-212 at appx 320° NW. - Paul Andre...

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27-July-2002 Field Notes

Tracked Or-212 for most of the afternoon, moving north. First signals were around 1345 at 139° SE. By 1545, she was already at 320°NW. For about an hour (around 1600), I was getting strong signals for this bird near 290° NW. This is the western most area I have recorded signals from to date, and could be the east side of Cuesta Ridge. - Paul Andre...

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Update from the Lookout 7-8 to 7-13-02

Greetings all, Just a quick update on my activities up on the mountain from 7-8 to 7-13-02…. Last week was a very hot, buggy, yet productive week on Hi Mountain. Several ofthe big chores were tackled and I’ve often felt more like a laborer than a biologist. The Lookout now has windows and a new propane line. The existing propane tank was moved by crane to a new, safer location closer...

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12-July-2002 Field Notes

Had signals for several birds today, from 0935 (at appx 320° NW) until 1617 (at appx 110° SE). Moderate to strong signals were recorded for B-167, B-164, B-170, Or-199, and Y-194 as they moved south from Ventana. - Paul Andre...

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