Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project 6th Annual Open House/ Campout Saturday, October 6th, 2007
Schedule of Activities:
Birding Field Trip 7:30am-11:30am Hi Mountain to Hi Valley, Santa Lucia Wilderness Area, Los Padres National Forest Meet at Hi Mountain Lookout. Habitats: chaparral, blue oak woodland, riparian woodland, rocky outcrops Strenuous hiking conditions and steep slopes in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Bring water and snacks. Some poison oak along the trail. Advanced registration requested: contact Steve at s_schub@webtv.net or #805 528-6138 Leader: Alan Schmierer, Morro Coast Audubon Society field trip chairperson (for more details and information, contact field trip leader at aaschmierer@yahoo.com)
Bird Watching Field Trip 9:00am - 11:30am Pozo Valley to Hi Mountain, 3,199 ft. elev. Meet at Pozo Ranger Station. Habitats: grassland, riparian woodland at Salinas River crossing, valley oak, blue oak and coast-live oak woodlands, chaparral Easy hiking conditions and car pooling. Advanced registration requested: contact Steve at s_schub@webtv.net or #805 528-6138
Picnic lunch 11:30am - 12 noon
-Hi Mountain Lookout Interpretive Center open - please sign guest register
-Raffle tickets for sale
-Hi Mountain Lookout Interpretive Center open - please sign guest register
-Raffle tickets for sale
Welcoming comments and introductions 12 noon
-Morning birding field trip reports by trip leaders
-Hi Mountain Lookout Project year in review and recognition of staff and volunteers Steve Schubert, Volunteer Coordinator, Morro Coast Audubon Society
-Updates on the California Condor Recovery Program Condor staff
-Raffle drawing for donated prizes- annual fundraiser Afternoon activities and field trips
-Geographical landmarks- a 360 degree view from the Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada Kevin Cooper, USFS Wildlife Biologist
-Condor radio tracking demonstrations by condor staff and volunteers
-New volunteers training session - practicing with radio telemetry, facilities use, and scheduling Meet with Hi Mountain Lookout staff
-Native plant identification walk Leader: Dr. Dirk Walters, San Luis Obispo Chapter, California Native Plant Society
-Geology overview and walk Leader: Dr. David Chipping, Geology Professor, Cal Poly, SLO
-Animal vocalizations workshop Speaker: Kevin Cooper, USFS, Los Padres National Forest Wildlife Biologist
-Late afternoon sit down chat with condor biologists and staff, reminiscing about experiences in ‘Condor Country’
-Morning birding field trip reports by trip leaders
-Hi Mountain Lookout Project year in review and recognition of staff and volunteers Steve Schubert, Volunteer Coordinator, Morro Coast Audubon Society
-Updates on the California Condor Recovery Program Condor staff
-Raffle drawing for donated prizes- annual fundraiser Afternoon activities and field trips
-Geographical landmarks- a 360 degree view from the Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada Kevin Cooper, USFS Wildlife Biologist
-Condor radio tracking demonstrations by condor staff and volunteers
-New volunteers training session - practicing with radio telemetry, facilities use, and scheduling Meet with Hi Mountain Lookout staff
-Native plant identification walk Leader: Dr. Dirk Walters, San Luis Obispo Chapter, California Native Plant Society
-Geology overview and walk Leader: Dr. David Chipping, Geology Professor, Cal Poly, SLO
-Animal vocalizations workshop Speaker: Kevin Cooper, USFS, Los Padres National Forest Wildlife Biologist
-Late afternoon sit down chat with condor biologists and staff, reminiscing about experiences in ‘Condor Country’
Sunset watch and dinner A gas stove and oven in the lookout staffing facilities are available for cooking and heating food. Participants are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share with their friends and guests. Note: no campfires are permitted for cooking or during the overnight campout.Evening guest speakers 7pm
California Condor and Raptor Research powerpoint slide talks
-Estelle Sandhaus, Conservation and Research Coordinator, Santa Barbara Zoo “Condor nest guarding and monitoring efforts in Southern California”
-Estelle Sandhaus, Conservation and Research Coordinator, Santa Barbara Zoo “Condor nest guarding and monitoring efforts in Southern California”
-Paul Andreano, Santa Cruz Predatory Predatory Bird Research Group and past Hi Mtn. Lookout Intern “Trapping and banding birds of prey and life among the nomads in Mongolia, Summer 2007″
Astronomy -Telescopic observations of the evening skies
Optional Hi Mountain Campout Camping sites are available for Friday and/or Saturday nights for staff and volunteers at ‘Cypress Hill’ near the lookout. Other vehicle camping sites are located on the ridgeline near the entrance gate - with a view overlooking the mountains and coast - and at the USFS Hi Mountain Campground, located one mile down the road from the lookout. There are picnic tables and outhouses at the campground- bring your own potable water.
Optional Hi Mountain Campout Camping sites are available for Friday and/or Saturday nights for staff and volunteers at ‘Cypress Hill’ near the lookout. Other vehicle camping sites are located on the ridgeline near the entrance gate - with a view overlooking the mountains and coast - and at the USFS Hi Mountain Campground, located one mile down the road from the lookout. There are picnic tables and outhouses at the campground- bring your own potable water.
Driving directions are here. Please contact Steve Schubert at s_schub@webtv.net or at # (805) 528-6138 to RSVP if you are planning to attend the open house event and the number of people in your group. Thank-you.
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