Intern Update

Hello All,

My name is Hannah Tillmann and I am one of the Hi Mountain summer interns. 

Our teams have been working hard for the past couple of weeks on small mammal
trapping, vegetation analysis and telemetry. We have been focusing our
mammal/vegetation efforts on 30 GPS locations situated in three major
ecosystems: oak woodland, riparian and chaparral. Finding the GPS points has
really let us get a feel for the land, and we have been enjoying finding new
trails, seeing wildlife and exploring. 

Our main focus for the mammal research is to document the species of small
mammals in the area and also to document the existence of a few species that are
not supposed to occur there (according to literature). We have already been
successful in one of these attempts, 5 specimens of Peromyscus boylii(brush
mouse) have been collected, this species has not previously been documented in
the area. These specimens (upon further genetic identification by Dr. V) will
prove that Peromyscus boylii does occur at Hi Mountain. When the summer is over,
we plan on adding all of our mammal data to the CNDDB (California Natural
Diversity Database) which is currently lacking in the Pozo/Lopez Lake/Santa
Margarita Lake small mammal department.

For those interested: here is a list of other mammals that we have trapped so
far: Peromyscus truei (Pinyon mouse), Peromyscus californicus (California
mouse) , Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse), Neotoma fuscepes (dusky-footed
woodrat), Neotoma lepida (desert woodrat), Neotoma macrotis (big-eared
woodrat), Chaetodipus californicus (spiney pocket mouse), Reithrodontomys
megalotis (Western Harvest Mouse), Thomomys sp. (Gopher), Microrus sp.
(Vole). We are hoping to get our hands on a few species of Dipodomes (kangaroo
rats) as well. 

We are also working on adding camera stations around the mountain in the hopes
to catch a glimpse of Bassariscus astutus (Ring-tailed cat), which historically
occurs in the area but has not been seen for quite some time. With in the next
few weeks the cameras should be up and if we find anything fun, the pictures
will be attached to future emails.

I have been keeping track of our "weekly highlights" in the Journal at the
lookout, but I wanted to add them to this page so everyone could hear them:

(1) First week of work: Grace Mannell (one of our interns) was sprayed by a
Coastal Horney Toad. FYI - Horney Toads spray blood out of their eyes and this
was quite a comical event (and no, this does not harm the animal).
(2) Second week of work: possible bobcat sighting on Hi Mountain road about 2
miles up the hill from the fire station.
(3) Third week of work: Humming bird seen on nest along Trout Creek Trail.

Stay posted for the feature issue of "A day in the life of Hi Mountain Interns
2011" to see what exactly we do all day.

Sincerely,

Hannah

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ield trip to Hi Mtn. Lookout

Hello all,
Photos from the 'Condor Country' field trip to the lookout May 21st are posted
at the Hi Mountain Lookout facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hi-Mountain-Lookout/133314096701332#!/pages/Hi-Mo\
untain-Lookout/133314096701332<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hi-Mountain-Lookou\
t/133314096701332#!/pages/Hi-Mountain-Lookout/133314096701332>

10 participants, including much appreciated assistance from volunteers Joel
Weiss, Marcelle Bakula and Carolina Van Stone...thank-you!

eBird report:
Location: Hi Mountain-- Hi Mountain Lookout
Observation date: 5/21/11
Notes: Cuesta College Community Programs 'Condor Country' van field trip to
Hi Mountain Lookout; S. Schubert, instructor. Light to moderate N winds, high
scattered cirrus-cirrostratus clouds, afternoon temp. upper 60's.
Birding observations from the lookout vicinity and Hi Mtn. Lookout Rd to the
gate; observer: S. Schubert
Number of species: 11

Mountain Quail X 'whook' calls
Turkey Vulture X
Band-tailed Pigeon 1 in flight near lookout
Mourning Dove X
Ash-throated Flycatcher X vocalizing, flying and perching among shrubs
near lookout
Western Scrub-Jay X
Bewick's Wren X vocalizing
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X vocalizing
Wrentit X vocalizing
California Thrasher X vocalizing
Spotted Towhee X vocalizing

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Hi Mtn. workday summary, 2-12-11

Hello all,

I was a passenger yesterday with Dave Berry driving his vintage 1966 Toyota Land
Cruiser - the high clearance and 4-wheel drive was necessary on the rough road
and many stream crossings along Hi Mountain Rd. driving in from the Arroyo
Grande side. At the lookout we met up with meteorologist John Lindsey, with
SanLuisObispo.com at The Tribune newspaper, and Chris Arndt, with
SLOweather.com, who reinstalled the improved and better working WeatherElements
station. View the online weather station at
www.condorlookout.org<http://www.condorlookout.org/> . During the day Dave
removed the damaged storm door for repairs and installed the new 12-volt lights
in the glass display case. I photo documented and evaluated a number of future
maintenance and improvement projects for the next upcoming workday event.

The skies were sunny and clear, afternoon temperature was comfortable in the
mid-60's, light SW wind throughout the day, and good visibility. The inland view
of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada was impressive.

A new mammal sighting for the Hi Mountain checklist was a black-tailed
jackrabbit running along the lookout road between the two gates. On the return
drive coming around a curve a startled black bear bolted off the road, crossed
Trout Creek and could be heard moving through the understory beneath the oaks on
the opposite hillside. That was fun.

Photos of the views and workday activities are posted at the Hi Mountain Lookout
Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Hi-Mountain-Lookout/133314096701332<htt\
p://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Hi-Mountain-Lookout/133314096701332>


Steve Schubert

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Open House 2010 Schedule

Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project
9th Annual Open House/ Campout
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
Schedule of Activities:

Bird Watching Field Trip 9:00am - 11:30am Pozo to Hi Mountain (elev. 3,199 ft.)
Meet at Pozo Ranger Station. Habitats: grassland, riparian woodland at Salinas River crossing, oak woodlands & chaparral Car pooling recommended. Easy hiking conditions.
Field trip leaders: Peter Dullea, Hi Mtn. Lookout Project Volunteer and Jeremy Pohlman, Cal Poly Student Intern NOTE: advanced registration required for the field trip; contact Steve at s_schub1 AT msn.com or phone #805 528-6138

Lookout Service Project: repair and repaint the kiosk- Girl Scout Troop 40146

Kids activities 11:00am - 12 noon Condor biology/radio tracking, making plaster animal track casts

Picnic lunch 12 noon - 1pm

-visit the Hi Mountain Lookout Interpretive Center - sign guest register

-Auction bidding

Welcoming comments 1pm

Introductions

Morning birding field trip reports by trip leaders

Hi Mountain Lookout Project year in review and recognition of staff , interns, and volunteers Steve Schubert, Volunteer Coordinator, Morro Coast Audubon Society

Auction of donation items - 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 staff and volunteers

Kids nature hike along Hi Mountain Lookout Road

Native plant identification walk along Hi Mountain Lookout Road on the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains

Geology overview and walk - the Coast Range

Live music - The Booker Tease band

Saucelito Canyon wine serving and cheese tasting

Sunset watch and dinner (wear layered clothing)

Gas stove and oven are available for cooking and heating food at the lookout facilities. 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 program: Astronomy observations 7pm

Optional Hi Mountain Campout
Camping sites are available Saturday night 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.

For additional information about the open house event and driving directions to Hi Mountain Lookout, see our website at www.condorlookout.org and photos of past open house events at our Facebook page

Please contact Steve Schubert at s_schub1 AT msn.com or at phone # (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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A memoriam for Don Parham

Hello all,
A memoriam for Don Parham can be read at
www.morrocoastaudubon.org/pdf/mar10.pdf<about:blank> Don was involved with the
early years of the peregrine falcon monitoring and management efforts at Morro
Rock and Huff's Hole in SLO CO. He was instrumental in the establishment of the
Audubon Overlook and Sweet Springs Nature Preserve and the protection of the
Carrizo Plain, now a National Monument.

Don Parham was one of the founders of the peregrine falcon nest watch conducted
by Morro Coast Audubon Society volunteers from Hi Mountain Lookout, for several
years in the late 1970's. Don was President of MCAS when he recommended me for
the Forest Service position of peregrine falcon nest guard at Huff's Hole, below
Hi Mountain Lookout, in 1978.

Don attended our 10-year Hi Mountain Lookout Project anniversary event, among
family and friends, and we enjoyed listening to his recollections of days gone
by. He will be greatly missed.

Steve Schubert

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Hi Mtn. gate installations

Hello all,

This past summer and fall culminated four years of planning, obtaining approval,
purchasing and installation of the two new security gates located near the
lookout on Hi Mountain Road. Generous donations from several individuals, the
Morro Coast Audubon Society Board of Directors, and the recent fundraising
'Condor Benefit' event at Saucelito Canyon Winery made possible the $4,800 in
costs for purchases of the two gates, backhoe rental fee for two days,
contractor labor, concrete mix and other supplies used in construction and
installation. Time and labor on the project were also provided by Dave Berry,
Tom Murphey, Kevin Cooper, and Steve Schubert.

Following are excerpts from a message by Dave Berry, whose energetic and
enthusiastic volunteer efforts made the final stages of the gate installations
possible:

Steve,Dennis Byrnes and I worked on the lower gate horse step over and side panel. Weare both members of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association(T.L.C.A.)Dennis bought a 5 or 6 ft piece of pipe.... the rest of the pipe came from theForest Service. At his shop he used his wire feed welder and a lot ofwelding wire. The pipe was cut with his plasma cutter. Dennis also loaned usthe cement mixer for the upper gate. I took a total of six trips to Hi Mtn.,1st with Tom Murphey to plan the gate and two days to install the lower gate. Itook three trips up to Hi Mtn. with my 1 1/2 ton flatbed truck. Once totake measurements with the pipe panels mocked up, second to haul and install thecompleted panels for the lower gate, the third time tocarry the gate, water, gravel and cement for the upper gate.Dave

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