4 Mar 2000 at Pfieffer-Big Sur SP, MTY
The CALIFORNIA CONDOR was once a widespread top-of-the-pyramid scavenger but was severly declining by the late 19th century and was almost extirpated by the end of the 20th century. All remaining condors were captured in 1987 for a captive breeding project. This effort has shown promise and condors began to be re-introduced into wild California by 1992. In spring 2001 a pair in Santa Barbara Co. laid an egg in the wild. There is a reintroduction project in the Big Sur area of Monterey County; I have a page on-line devoted to Monterey County condors. I have seen these birds a half-dozen times in recent years. There is a favored roost over the Pfieffer-Big Sur State Park lodge from time to time, and this photo is of one of the wing-tagged young condors at that roost.
My California records before 1987 are listed below. These are my personal wild California Condor records:
8/19/72 Mt. Pinos VEN 3 adultsSee the family page for county abbreviations. All photos & text © 2001 Don Roberson; all rights reserved.
3/5/77 Hwy 138 W of Gorman LA adult
3/23/77 Edmonton pump station KER adult
4/24/78 Lake Piru VEN imm.; story & details in my notes
11/27/82 Hwy 33 in n. foothills of Mt. Pinos VEN 3-4 adults
8/16/86 Hwy 33 in n. foothills of Mt. Pinos VEN adult