Monday, May 28, 2007

Lookout visit 27-28 May 2007


Hi all,
Amy and I finally made it up to the Lookout for an overnight visit this weekend. The Lookout itself was in great shape, clean as a whistle and no leaks or insect infestations. We had great Hi Mt. weather- ranging from cool and windy to warm and hazy to calm and balmy in the eves. The campground was full and we had several walk-in visitors on both days. Had the pleasure of meeting Peter and Melissa from La Purisima Audubon yesterday, and they may be the newest additions to out volunteer staff. Welcome aboard Peter and Melissa!

Bird activity on the mountain was relatively low, just the usual suspects enjoying the feeders and bird bath, or soaring past the Lookout. At about 1900 on Sunday evening we were watching a grey fox walk up the road through the scope. I happened to scan past the Huff’s Hole rocks (we’d been checking Huff’s and Hi Valley all day and seen only TVs) and found an adult female peregrine falcon perched atop the Huff’s formation. We watched her there for the better part of an hour, preening up a storm, before she dove down onto the south side of the rock and disappeared.
We got signals for several condors throughout the weekend, as you would expect, a few Pinnacles and VWS birds to the N/NW and some weak signals for a few Hopper birds to the SE (Sunday only). Of note were: Sunday evening signals from Pinnacles bird 313 who’s signals remained strong until 1900 and seemed to be west of the Salinas Valley on or near the Santa Lucia; Monday afternoon signals on Pinnacles bird 336 who’s signals remained east/southeast of the Lookout between 1435 and 1616, gradually diminishing in strength, as if the bird were headed south; Monday afternoon “soaring type” signals from Ventana bird 194 in the general direction of Cone Peak (which was visible all weekend, even through the haze) between 1115 and 1530.
Thanks again to Mike Baird for hig generous donation of a Dell 7500 laptop to the Lookout Project. Its perfect!
I hope the first two months of summer are fun and productive on Hi Mt., and even though I won’t be around, my thoughts will often soar toward the Lookout. The apricot tree is setting fruit again this year, and as we enter into another season of condor tracking and outreach on the mountain, may the Lookout Project continue to ripen and feed us, just like that tough old tree!
Best to all
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Saturday, May 12, 2007

Volunteer Workday May 12, 2007

Hello all, The event today at Hi Mountain Lookout was attended by 22 persons. Another 12 - who were attending the annual Pozo to Hi Mtn. wildflower field trip - arrived at noon to join the group for a picnic lunch. The lookout project planning session was attended by staff, interns, and volunteers represeting USFWS Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, Ventana Wildlife Society, U.S. Forest Service, Morro Coast Audubon Society, and the Santa Barbara Zoo.
A number of hard workers put in time trimming and reducing the height of the tall chaparral brush growing near the lookout, necessary to reduce the fire fuels. Thank-you to all who attended and helped out!
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Sunday, March 25, 2007

Lookout Report


Greetings!
I just wanted to let everyone know that the wildflowers have begun!  The bush lupines and madrone are blossoming so the Lookout area is abuzz  with bees, & hummingbirds…
Last week, after a brief Condor talk around their campfire at Hi  Mtn. Campground, the Lookout was visited by a group of Boy Scouts from Paso Robles. (Along with mountain bikers, runners (this one pushing a baby in a jogging stroller from Rinconada Trailhead), off-roaders picnicing at our picnic table and a Cal Poly student who hadn’t been back since 1978!) Tracked several Pinnacle birds & a Ventana bird over at the
Pinnacles area - the Coast was socked in w/ fog but the view was still spectacular w/ several peaks sticking up from the white, soft blanket. Sincerely hoping that some of you will attend the VOLUNTEER TRAINING
(or send someone you know who will LOVE being in that magical place - we’re really SHORT on volunteers these days…)
*May 12th* - Contact Steve Schubert, Hi Mtn Volunteeer Coordinator.

Marcelle
Volunteer, Hi Mtn Lookout
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Saturday, February 17, 2007

Hi Mountain Report


Another BEAUTIFUL day at the Lookout!  67 degrees and the breezes were very comfortable…(t-shirt weather!)  The southern Sierra showed its snow-capped peaks and the beaches down to Oceano were sparkling. Dozens and dozens of turkey vultures enjoyed the updrafts today. 10 visitors to the Lookout between 10 AM & 4 PM (including Joel Weiss, Hi Mtn Volunteer w/ two friends). Tracked birds from “P” “V” and “H” today  (strongest from 206)
Regards to all,
Marcelle
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Sunday, November 12, 2006

2006 VWS Bald Eagle Survey Results


Hello Everyone: I would first like to THANK all of the volunteers who spend hours each year monitoring the Bald Eagle nestsites in your area. Many of you are recipiants of this e-mail. If I missed anyone, please forward. A heartfelt thanks for your continued dedication and support.
This Survey includes confirmed bald eagle nestsites along the Calfornia Central Coast Region, excluding Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County. This covers an area from just North of San Francisco Bay Area, East to Interstate 5 and South to Santa Barbara County.
Locations given are intentional VAGUE in order to protect them. Many, if not all of these nestsites are from first, second, even third generation REINTRODUCTION efforts of bald eagles from either Ventana Wildllife Society, at their Big Sur fieldstation http://www.ventanaws.org/ , or Institute for Wildlife Studies restoration efforts on Catalina Island, http://www.iws.org/ . Please checkout their websites for more information on their bald eagle restoration efforts and other exciting programs. The number of nestsite territories and eaglets that actually fledge each year is probably higher than given, for in some cases the nests have been in existance and productive longer than reported to me AND let’s face it………… this is a HUGE area to monitor . Helicopter surveys would give a more accurate accounting of what is actually taking place each season, but the overall trend of continued expansion is apparent and a credit to the two non-profits listed above , and all the collaborators of the CA. Bald Eagle Working Team. As you read below…………… a lot can be said for the obvious benefits of man-made reservoirs for the successful restoration efforts of Bald Eagles.
I Alemeda County:
1) Del Valle Territory: Two eaglets on private ranch in Grey/Foothill Pine. Adult female, Ventana Wildlife Society (4G) legband, 1991 release (Canadian bald eagle). Male unbanded.
Between 1996 and 2002, this pair has fledged 7 eaglets. I need data for 2003. Please e-mail me. In 2004 they fledged two eaglets. In 2005 they fledged one eaglet. They have built two known nests, both Grey/Foothill Pines.
Between 1996 and 2006, this pair has fledged * Twelve (12) eaglets.
*(this may change once status is given on 2003 nesting season).
Total known eaglets for Alemeda County is Twelve(12), commencing 1996.
II Contra Costa County:
1) San Pablo Territory: NEW NESTING TERRITORY
Two eaglets in Pine tree (Grey/Foothill ?) . I am looking forward to meeting with biologist in the area next Spring in order to get more details and see if adults have leg bands, etc.
Please e-mail, and/or call me in Spring 2007 to arrange.
Total known eaglets for Contra Costa County is Two (2), commencing 2006.
III Monterey County:
1) Fort Hunter Liggett : El Piejo Territory: The 2004 Valley Oak nest tree is back in production ! One eaglet has fledged. The 2005 Foothill Pine nest tree died and collapsed over this past winter. I suspect, but can not confirm until 2007, that the adult female is the
original Ventana Wildlife Society (4 A) legband, 1991 release (Canadian eagle). Male unbanded. This pair has built at least four (4) nests.
This pair has fledged fourteen (14) eaglets , commencing 1997.
2) Fort Hunter Liggett: San Antonio Territory: NEW NESTING TERRITORY
Two eaglets in a Valley Oak. Unknown if adults are banded.
This pair has fledged two (2) eaglets commencing 2006.
3) Lake San Antonio: Two eaglets in Blue Oak. Initially, both Adult bald eagles were 1993
Ventana Wildlife Society released Alaskan birds. This nesting pair has built at least four (4) nests. This pair has fledged nine (9) eaglets, commencing 2000.
Total production in 2006 for Monterey County is five (5).
Total known eaglets for Monterey County is twenty-five (25), commencing 1997.
IV San Benito County:
1)Paicines Territory: Two eaglets in Valley Oak located on private property where access is an issue……….. therefore, nothing is known about this adult pair.
Total production in 2006 for San Benito County is two (2).
Total known eaglets for San Benito County is eight (8), commencing 2003.
V Santa Clara County:
1) Calaveras Territory: NEW NESTING TERRITORY
Two eaglets hatched, but both died. One at 4 1/2 weeks of age and the second at 7-8 weeks of age. This territory may have been used ultilized for several years. There are two nesting trees close by, both are in Coast Live Oaks. Looking forward to meeting with local biologist in the area next Spring to get more details and see if adults have any leg bands.
2) Isabella Territory: Status unknown. Will hopefully be able to confirm it’s existance in Spring 2007. Rumored to be active a number of years now.
Currently, no known confirmed fledging of eaglets in Santa Clara County.
VI San Luis Obispo County :
1) Tierra Redonda Territory: No reported change for the past 6 years, site remains unoccupied. Adult pair are/were Ventana Wildlife Society (1 N) and (1 K) 1988 release (Canadian eagles). They are known to have fledged twelve (12) eaglets from five (5) nests.
First successful in 1993. All nests in Foothill pines on private property where accesss became an issue.
2) Las Tablas, Lake Nacimiento (Irving): Two eaglets in Foothill Pine. Adult female is Ventana Wildlife Society (3N), 1990 Canadian eagle release. Male is unbanded. First nest built in 1995, success began in 1996. All three nests were built in immediate area in Foothill Pines, two of which in the same tree.
This pair has fledged sixteen (16) eaglets, commencing 1996.
3) Dip Creek @ Oakshores Pair #1, Lake Nacimiento: Two eaglets in Foothill Pine on the Shoreline of this very busy recreational lake. Initially, both adult eagles were Ventana Wildlife Society (5E & 5P) 1993 Alaskan released eagles. Have built two nests, both in Foothill Pines.
This pair has fledged twelve (12) eaglets commencing in 1998.
4) Dip Creek Pair #2, Lake Nacimiento: Status unknown, for unable to locate new nest which must be inland on private property. This pair has produced three (3) eaglets, commencing in 2004.
5) Bee Rock, Lake Nacimiento: Two eaglets in Foothill Pine. Both adults are unbanded.
This pair has fledged seven (7) eaglets, commencing 2003.
6) Camp Roberts: No production. This is the fourth year in the same Sycamore tree. They have yet to produce offspring.
7) Lopez Lake: Two eaglets in Sycamore Tree on private property. Unknown if adults are banded.
This pair has fledged four (4) eaglets commencing 2005.
Total production in 2006 for San Luis Obispo County is eight (8).
Total known eaglets for San Luis Obispo County is fifty-four (54), commencing 1993.
Therefore, Total number of Bald eaglets fledging in 2006 on the CA Central Coast Region (excluding Lake Cachuma) is nineteen (19).
Total number since 1993, (excluding Lake Cachuma) is One hundred one (101).
(this includes 3 previously un-reported eaglets from Del Valle in 2004/2005).
Respectly submitted,
Sal & Ada Lucido
Bald Eagle Survey Coordinators
Co-founders & Advisors
Ventana Wildlife Society
831-659-4667
http://www.ventanaws.org/
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Friday, November 10, 2006

Condors on KSBY TV


Tonight on the news Anchorwoman Wendy Thies aired her onsite interviews
and reported on the recent California Condor release at Bitter Creek
National Wildlife Refuge. The 5 minute news ‘exclusive’ was well-done
with a very good overview of the history of the condor recovery program
and the efforts there at Bitter Creek refuge. Our own Hi Mtn. volunteer
Marcelle Bakula also attended the release that day and made a written
report previously to this listserv.
This condor news segment will be repeating on KSBY-tv news airing
tonight -Nov. 10th - at 11pm. Wendy Thies also interviewed staff and
volunteers covering the Hi Mountain Lookout Project on KSBY-tv news in
June of 2005. We appreciate the news coverage.
Steve Schubert
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