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 bird from the Lookout). Interesting that I’ve been picking up Hopper birds lately, though always weaker signals and in the same south easterly direction. - Paul Andreano

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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 expecting to see the birds soaring high above this ridge line. It seems, though, that they prefer to soar below the ridge, maybe working thermals off the extensive canyons on the south facing slopes. Was getting weak signals for Or-208 until the evening(1827), possibly off of Cone Peak. - Paul Andreano

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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 Andreano

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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 and inconsistent at 320° NW, at 1011 and 1131. - Paul Andreano

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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 had brief signals from AC-9 again today, at 1410 and 1416, in the direction of 135°SE as well. - Paul Andreano

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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 Andreano

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