Ventana Wildlife Society Federal Permit (Expiration 02-03-2012) 2007 Annual Report --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prepared for United States Fish and Wildlife Service December 2007 19045 Portola Drive, Suite F-1 Salinas, CA 93908 www.ventanaws.org 831-455-9514
INTRODUCTION Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), a 501(c) 3 non-profit, was founded in 1977 and first became involved in species recovery with the reintroduction of Bald Eagles to central California. VWS released 70 Bald Eagles from 1986-2000 in central California. In 1993, VWS located a nesting pair of Bald Eagles (both of which were reintroduced by VWS) in central California, the first nest since 1936. In 1996, Ventana Wildlife Society established their first condor release site in Big Sur, California in collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2002, VWS partnered with National Parks Service to establish a second condor release site at Pinnacles National Monument. VWS and NPS currently comanage a wild population of 43 condors in central California. Our current recovery goal is to establish a self-sustaining population of 55 condors in Big Sur, CA. by 2010. Please note that we have officially changed our name to Ventana Wildlife Society and also broadened our mission statement to: Conserving Native Wildlife and their Habitats. Ventana Wildlife Society s Programs: Species Recovery- Condors Conservation & Ecology Education & Outreach Habitat Restoration 1
BALD EAGLE PROGRAM SUMMARY 2007 PROGRAM OVERVIEW The recovery goal for the California Central Coast was four breeding pairs (Bald Eagle Recovery Plan, Pacific States, 1986). VWS released 70 Bald Eagles (66 in Big Sur and 4 at Lake San Antonio) from 1986-1994, 1999-2000 in Monterey County. In 1993, VWS recorded the first successful Bald Eagle nest in Central California, the first in this area since 1934. Staff and volunteers visited nest sites between one and four times per year, if possible, and also relied on observations from other qualified individuals to determine nest success per territory and to locate and document new territories, the results of which are found in Table 1. Table 1. 2007 Bald Eagle Breeding Results Territory County # Of Total Nests 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Chicks Tierra Redonda San Luis Obispo 5 2 0 2 2 1 2 2 OF NO NO NO NO NO NO NO 11 Las Tablas Creek San Luis Obispo 3 OF 2 OF 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 20 El Piojo / FHL Monterey 4 OF 2 2 OF 2 OF 2 1 2 1 1 1 14 Del Valle Alameda 2 1 OF 2 1 OF 1 2 OU 2 1 2 UN 12 Dip Creek San Luis Obispo 2 OF 1 1 1 NO NO NO 1 UN UN 1 5 Oak Shores San Luis Obispo 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 11 San Antonio Lake Monterey 4 OF OF 2 2 OU OU 1 2 2 2 11 Santa Margarita Lake San Luis Obispo 1 OF OF NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO 0 Hernandez San Benito? UN UN UN UN UN 0 Bee Rock San Luis Obispo 1 1 2 2 2 2 9 Camp Roberts San Luis Obispo 1 OF NO OU OU 1 1 Paicines San Benito 1 2 2 2 2 8 Lopez Lake San Luis Obispo 1 2 2 3 7 Calaveras Santa Clara 2 OF 2 2 San Antonio / FHL Monterey 1 2 1 3 San Pablo Contra Costa 1 2 2 4 Total 2 0 2 5 3 8 6 6 8 6 5 14 13 19 21 120 Key: UN = Unknown OU = Occupied, Success Unknown NO = Not Occupied OF = Occupied, Failed 1,2,3 = Number of Young Fledged 2
CALIFORNIA CONDOR PROGRAM SUMMARY 2007 PROGRAM OVERVIEW The first release facility for the Big Sur site was built in 1996 and the first cohort of condors were released in January of 1997. The first release pen was a small hack-box (16 x 8 x 4 tall) constructed of plywood. The small size did not facilitate normal behavior in the release group and these condors were subsequently recaptured and returned to captivity within a few months of release. During the summer of 1997 VWS constructed a Rearing & Release Pen (Fig 1) that would help facilitate normal social behavior and better acclimate young condors to the release site. The pen consisted of an observation blind (12 x 30 x 7 tall) and a large netted aviary (25 x 45 x 30 tall). VWS incorporated the mock power-pole and other natural perching into the aviary as well as an adult mentor condor to help teach young condor chicks how to behave. This was the first use of adult condor mentors and mock power-poles at a release site. Once chicks exhibited normal behavior as a group they were released out of the pen by lifting one side of the netting. Figure 1. Big Sur Release Pen In 1999, a double-door trap (6 x 6 x 6 tall) was built on the side of the release pen s aviary. The double-doors were opened or closed remotely from inside the observation blind. The double-door trap is 3
primarily used to soft release condors. The double-door trap also serves as an efficient and passive capturing device for free-flying condors that return to the release pen. RELEASE SITE EXPANSION In 2002, VWS constructed a second release pen at Pinnacles National Monument. This continues to be the primary release structure used by the National Parks Service and this release facility was also equipped with a double-door trap, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2. Pinnacles Release pen NEW FACILITY EXPANSION In 2007, VWS completed construction of the Consolidated Rearing Pen (CRP) at our private wilderness sanctuary in Big Sur. The CRP will serve the needs of the Condor Program and house an increasing number of captive-hatched chicks prior to release as well as holding wild condors temporarily. The CRP will serve as a holding area for up to 25 condors and located in a very isolated wilderness setting. The pen consists of a netted aviary (60 x 60 x 25 tall) that is supported by large conifers and a camouflaged observation blind (8 x 20 x 8 tall) and catch pen (16 x 16 x 12 tall). See Figures 3a-d. 4
Figure 3a. Consolidated Rearing Pen (Exterior) Figure 3b. Interior Catch pen Figure 3c. Aviary and Mock Power-Poles 5
POPULATION MONITORING Staffing: Ventana Wildlife Society monitored the Big Sur condor population with a staff consisting of 2 full-time Wildlife Biologists, a Seasonal Wildlife Biologist (9 month term), and 3 Field Intern/Volunteers. The National Park Service (NPS) monitored condors at Pinnacles National Monument with a staff consisting of a Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, 2 Field Crew Leaders, 1 NPS Field Crew Member, and 2 SCA Interns. Data Collection: VWS and NPS attempted to locate each condor by visual and/or by radio signal each day of the 2007 calendar year. When a visual or radio signal could not be attained, we used GPS data when it applied. Daily records are kept on the movements and feeding events for the flock as well as breeding/nesting in the Spring/Summer months. Data is entered into Palm Pilots daily and then promptly downloaded (synched) into our Microsoft Access Master Condor Database. Recaptures/Transfers: Recaptures were conducted at the Big Sur and Pinnacles release sites for routine, medical, or behavioral purposes (Table 2). Routine transmitter replacements and lead testing were conducted throughout the year and medical/behavioral recaptures were performed as an emergency response to a serious condor condition. Recapture methods include the use of a baited double-door trap or the use of a portable Coda net gun. Transfers of condors to/from Big Sur and Pinnacles are listed in Table 3. Table 2. Recaptures 2007 Date Studbook Trap Location Reason/Comments Date Re-released 1/16/07 168, 190, 171, 208, 222 Big Sur Lead Test 1/17/07 2/18/07 307 Pinnacles Lead Test 3/8/07 3/6/07 330 Big Sur Lead test 3/12/07 3/26/07 265* Pinnacles Behavior *Awaiting re-release in Arizona 4/15/07 340 332 Pinnacles Lead Test 332 Damaged Patagium/ LA Zoo 340-4/17/07 332-8/19/07 6/19/07 400 Pinnacles Lead Test 7/3/07 6/26/07 313 Pinnacles Lead Test 7/3/07 6/28/07 310 Pinnacles Lead Test 7/3/07 6/29/07 306 Pinnacles Lead Test 8/19/07 7/11/07 312, 317 345 Big Sur Lead Test 345 held at Big Sur 312, 317-7/17/07 345-8/3/07 7/12/07 278, 310, 313 242 Big Sur Lead Test 242 treatment at LA Zoo 7/17/07 330 Big Sur Lead Test/ held at Big Sur 8/2/07 7/25/07 351 Pinnacles Lead Test 8/19/07 7/30/07 340 Big Sur Lead Test 8/3/07 7/31/07 335 401 278, 310, 313-7/17/07 242-9/11/07 Pinnacles Lead Test 335-8/19/07 401-8/3/07 6
10/16/07 236 Big Sur Lead Test 236-10/19/07 351 351-11/2/07 10/22/07 204 Big Sur Lead Test 11/3/07 10/23/07 194, 219, 286 Big Sur Lead Test 194, 219, 286-11/3/07 312 312-11/2/07 Table 3. Condor Transfers 2007 Studbook ID# Date Purpose of Transfer 400, 401, 402, 405, 411 1/11/07 Transfer from Boise to Pinnacles for 1 st release 402 1/16/07 Transfer to LA Zoo for medical treatment on wing 417 1/18/07 Transfer from USFWS to Pinnacles for 1 st release 155 1/18/07 Moved from Bittercreek to Pinnacles for mentoring 36 3/1/07 Moved from Oregon Zoo to Pinnacles for mentoring 332 4/17/07 Sent to LA Zoo for wing patagium repair procedure 155 5/30/07 Sent back to Bittercreek, mentoring complete 36 5/30/07 Sent back to Oregon Zoo, mentoring complete 242 7/13/07 Sent to LA Zoo for chelation treatment 332 7/16/07 Returned to Pinnacles 242 9/10/07 Returned to Big Sur Radio Tracking: VWS and NPS staff tracked the condors using radio telemetry receivers (ATS, Telonics, and Communication Specialist) and Yagi antennas. Condors are currently fitted with radio tags, either patagial or tail-mounts (Holohil or ATS). GPS Tracking: Beginning in 2003, Argos solar-powered PTT-100 GPS transceivers (Microwave Telemetry) were utilized to augment tracking efforts. We selected condors to receive GPS based on their age and sex to better represent the wild flock overall and did so randomly based on when condors were trapped. In 2006, we modified the methods in Big Sur and switched tags to breeding age adults and based our selection on their likelihood to breed. In 2007, three to five adult condors from the Big Sur flock carried GPS tags, as well as five condors from the Pinnacles flock. We currently have 3 breeding adults168, 190, and 231 wearing GPS tags, each tag represents one mate from each pair. Figure 4 shows a map of condor GPS relocations for 2007 and Figure 5 shows GPS locations from 2003 to 2006. From 2003 to 2006 movements between Hopper and Big Sur occurred yearround and in 2007 that trend changed to a more seasonal pattern with less movement. The majority of those movements continue to be Big Sur condors flying south to join the Hopper flock as opposed to the other way around. Condors moved between Pinnacles and Big Sur more freely in 2007 as to compared to 2003-2006 (Figures 4 and 5). 7
Figure 4. GPS locations for 2007 Figure 5. GPS locations from 2003-2007 8
CONDOR POPULATION SUMMARY The current population status for condors released in Big Sur and Pinnacles combined is shown in Table 4, a list of all condors translocated in Table 5, and a list of all condors returned to captivity in Table 6. Between 1997 and 2007, a total of 69 condors were released in central California and two wild-fledged juveniles entered the population. By the end of 2007, a total of 16 fatalities have occurred, 7 individuals were returned permanently to captivity, and 5 were translocated to Arizona, leaving 43 free-flying in California from central California releases. The current survival rate for the central California wild flock is 62% (43 of 69) and 50% (1 of 2) survival for wild fledglings. Table 4. Free-flying Condor Population for Big Sur and Pinnacles Studbook Sex Hatch Date Sire Dam Rearing Release Date Release Site Current Status 161* F 4/10/1997 25 37 Parent 12/12/1997 Big Sur Wild- Hopper 167 M 5/6/1997 27 31 Parent 12/12/1997 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 168 M 5/9/1997 20 29 Foster 1/19/1999 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 171 F 5/26/1997 46 11 Parent 12/12/1997 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 190 F 5/11/1998 5 36 Parent 1/19/1999 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 192* F 5/27/1998 21 40 Parent 1/19/1999 Big Sur Wild- Hopper 194 M 6/29/1998 46 11 Parent 1/19/1999 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 199 M 4/8/1999 20 29 Puppet 3/4/2000 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 204 M 4/28/1999 6 35 Parent 3/4/2000 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 208 F 5/14/1999 1 43 Parent 3/4/2000 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 209 M 5/15/1999 20 29 Foster 3/4/2000 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 219 M 4/8/2000 44 45 Parent 4/5/2001 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 222 F 4/17/2000 25 37 Parent 4/5/2001 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 231 F 4/30/2000 55 84 Parent 4/5/2001 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 236 F 3/22/2001 23 32 Puppet 12/12/2002 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 242 M 4/20/2001 44 45 Parent 12/12/2002 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 251 M 5/10/2001 21 40 Foster 12/12/2002 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 278 M 5/24/2002 7 31 Parent 12/20/2003 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 286 M 5/16/2002 23 32 Parent 1/5/2004 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 294 F 4/7/2003 44 32 Puppet 10/14/2004 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 298 F 4/11/2003 7 31 Puppet 9/25/2004 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 303 F 4/22/2003 25 45 Puppet 10/7/2004 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 306 F 5/4/2003 44 32 Foster 10/28/2004 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 310 F 5/11/2003 120 95 Parent 10/29/2004 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 311 F 5/12/2003 7 31 Puppet 9/25/2004 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 312 F 5/14/2003 33 79 Foster 10/29/2004 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 313 M 5/15/2003 42 39 Foster 10/29/2004 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 317 F 5/26/2003 25 45 Foster 11/28/2004 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 318 M 6/9/2003 44 32 Foster 9/25/2004 Big Sur Wild- Big Sur 330 M 4/19/2004 25 45 Puppet 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 332 M 4/21/2004 42 39 Foster 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 335 M 4/23/2004 44 32 Foster 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 9
336 F 4/28/2004 20 157 Parent 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 340 M 5/9/2004 46 11 Parent 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 345 M 5/16/2004 135 52 Foster 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 351 M 5/28/2004 1 43 Foster 9/17/2005 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 375 F 5/2/20051 44 32 Parent 6/4/2006 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 377 F 5/4/2005 120 95 Parent 6/4/2006 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur 400 F 4/11/2006 50 99 Parent 4/24/2007 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 401 M 4/13/2006 71 56 Parent 4/24/2007 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 405 M 4/18/2006 27 139 Foster 8/21/2007 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 411 M 4/26/2007 90 224 Parent 8/22/2007 Pinnacles Wild- Pinnacles 444 F 5/7/2007 33 68 Wild Pair 10/22/2007 Big Sur Wild-Big Sur *Integrated into Southern California Flock Table 5. Translocations Studbook Sex Hatch Date Sire Dam Rearing Release Date Release Site Current Status 134 M 4/2/1996 25 37 Puppet 1/18/1997 Big Sur Translocated Wild- Arizona 265 M 3/9/2002 44 45 Puppet 1/5/2004 Pinnacles Translocated- Wild Arizona 266 M 3/28/2002 7 31 Puppet 1/5/2004 Pinnacles Translocated Wild-Arizona 270 M 4/10/2002 44 45 Parent 1/5/2004 Pinnacles Translocated Wild-Arizona 278 M 5/24/2002 7 31 Parent 12/20/2003 Pinnacles Translocated- Big Sur 286 M 5/16/2002 23 32 Parent 1/5/2004 Pinnacles Translocated- Big Sur 287 M 5/17/2002 28 54 Parent 12/20/2003 Pinnacles Translocated Wild-Arizona Table 6. Returned to Captivity Studbook Sex Hatch Date Sire Dam Rearing Release Release Site Reason 137 F 5/4/1996 20 29 Puppet 1/19/1997 Big Sur Behavior 145 M 6/15/1996 42 39 Puppet 1/20/1997 Big Sur Behavior 147 F 4/26/1996 23 32 Puppet 1/21/1997 Big Sur Behavior 180 F 4/1/1998 44 45 Puppet 1/19/1999 Big Sur Behavior 189 M 5/7/1998 23 32 Puppet 1/19/1999 Big Sur Behavior 200 F 4/10/1999 72 52 Puppet 3/4/2000 Big Sur Behavior 357 F 3/26/2005 1 43 Parent 6/4/2006 Big Sur Wing Injury MORTALITY SUMMARY As of 2007, the current total for deaths in the wild in Central California is 16 birds, which include the first condor deaths for the Pinnacles Flock (#307 and #417) in 2007, as well as the loss of two Big Sur condors (#301 and 356) and the wild-fledged chick #429. A summary of mortalities in Central California is provided in Table 7. 10
Table 7. Mortality in the Wild 2001-2007 Ventana Wildlife Society 2007Annual Report Date of death Studbook Mortality 5/9/2001 230 Electrocution: mid-span collision in Big Sur 5/17/2002 233 Unknown (Bird disappeared near Whale Rock Reservoir, east of Cayucos, CA. Body never recovered) 10/30/2002 212 Electrocution: mid-span collision near Hwy 41 in Atascadero, CA 2/19/2003 254 Electrocution: mid-span collision in Big Sur. 5/20/2003 260 Malnutrition: Bird found dead near release pen 2 weeks after second re-release. 6/15/2003 170 Severe Visceral Gout complicated by Lead Poisoning: 10/17/2003 256 Unknown: Bird recovered in desiccated state east of Cone Peak. 12/20/2003 179 Unknown: Bird disappeared at Hopper after massive fire burned through refuge 9/30/2005 164 Unknown: Bird recovered at Hopper in desiccated state, suspect lead poisoning. 7/2/2006 376 Electrocution: mid-span collision in Big Sur. 7/14/2006 363 Malnutrition: Bird recaptured in weak, emaciated state and died while undergoing treatment in Monterey. 5/12/2007 417 Unknown: Found dead after release, first condor death at Pinnacles 5/15/2007 301 Electrocution: Mid-span collision in Big Sur 5/16/2007 307 Unknown: Found dead below roost tree in Big Sur, necropsy inconclusive 10/2/2007 356 Unknown: Found dead near release site, body scavenged, necropsy inconclusive 12/4/2007 429 Unknown: disappeared near nest site after Golden Eagle attack MONITORING MORTALITY THREATS Lead Poisoning Sampling Methods: VWS monitored condor blood-lead levels in the field using the Lead Care Portable Lead Analyzer and sent blood samples to Louisiana Animal Diagnostic Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA for lab testing. Dr. Mike Murray, DVM and Dr. Amy Wells, DVM consulted with Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, DVM (Recovery Team Member) to provide medical support related to lead treatments. Treatment Criteria: Condors with low-level field lead exposures (.30-.49 ppm) were treated at the release pen while high-level exposures (.50+ ppm) were conducted at the Los Angeles Zoo. If lab results determined field levels were lower, we would treat condor based on lab score. The field analyzer was consistently lower than lab values and condors that field tested in the.30-.55 ppm range were held until lab scores were obtained. Results: In 2007, we obtained 32 blood samples from the Big Sur and Pinnacles flock. Two condors, 318 and 242, required treatment at Los Angeles Zoo. Condor 318 had a lead level of.93 ppm and an x-ray of this condor revealed lead in the digestive tract. A lead fragment was later recovered in 318 s holding pen at Los Angeles Zoo. Condor 242 had a lead level of 610 ppm, one of the highest ever recorded in a living condor, and subsequent x-rays on this bird were negative for lead. Both condors were successfully treated and returned to the wild in the weeks following. Lab results also found that five condors were exposed to lead levels between.20-.64 ppm in 2007. These condors were given on-site treatment with a 11
one-time chelation shot and a temporary hold of one to two weeks in the release pen. In summary, 22% of the 32 lead samples obtained in 2007 were greater than.20 ppm and 9% were greater than.50 ppm Power-lines Power-line Retrofitting: In collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Ventana Wildlife Society, Pacific Gas and Electric initiated a Condor Protection Project in Big Sur in August 2007 following the death of Condor 301 on the Anderson Tap line and the subsequent nesting of condors 167 and 190 in a redwood in lower Anderson Canyon. The project entailed replacing the 3 phase bare wire with insulated tree wire and attaching a combination of fire flies and swan diverters to the tree wire. The tree wire eliminates the risk of electrocution and the combination of firefly and bird diverters provide the condors with a visual marker to locate the lines more readily when flying. The Anderson tap line has contributed to 3 condors deaths and each of those mortalities was caused by a mid-span electrocution. BIG SUR REPRODUCTION: Big Sur-Hopper Condor Pairings: Two adult females, 161 and 192, from the Big Sur flock relocated to southern California in 2003/2004 and later paired up with males from the southern California flock. Condor 161 successfully fledged the first chick in California with condor 107 in 2005. Condor 192 has paired up with her biological father, AC9, and fledged her first offspring in 2007. Big Sur Nest History: The first condor pairing was observed in Big Sur in spring 2003. Condor 164 and 171 demonstrated copulations that year and established a territory in Anderson Canyon, Big Sur, CA. Condor 164, the dominant Big Sur male, was found dead at Hopper in September 2005 and that appeared to change the structure of the Big Sur hierarchy. Soon after 164 s death, condor 167 paired with condor 190 and they appeared to take over 164 and 171 s territory in Anderson Canyon. In 2006, Condors 167 and 190 attempted to nest in a redwood tree, but failed. A follow-up nest inspection was conducted in the redwood and condor eggshell fragments were found, indicating that nesting was previously attempted by one of the two pairs (164/171 or 167/190). Big Sur Nesting 2007: 2007 was a productive year and the breeding was attempted by 33% of 12 adults (six years of age or older) in central California. Two wild eggs were laid in central California and were transplanted with foster eggs. The cliff nest pair, condors 168 and 208, produced a fertile egg (Studbook# 431), which was hatched at LA Zoo. A foster egg from Los Angeles (Studbook #429) was placed with this pair and became the first condor wild raised condor in central California in 100 years! The redwood nest pair, 167 and 190, fostered an egg from Los Angeles Zoo, 444, the first condor to be documented hatching in a coastal Redwood tree. During the egg stage, there were 4 entries performed on Big Sur nests in collaboration with USFWS and LA Zoo. In all, 5 entries were performed on the two Big Sur nests during the chick stage. We utilized a helicopter to enter the cliff nest site and the climb to this nest was by rope only. This nest was deemed too risky for 12
late stage nest entries and thus this chick was not radio-tagged as a result of that decision. The redwood nest was a ground level climb up a fixed line and we were safely able to enter this nest late into the chick stage and attach a radio tag. 168/208 Nest: Condors 168 (male) and 208 (female) were found in a nest cave on February 23, 2007. This pair laid a fertile wild egg (431) that was switched out with a foster egg (429), which they subsequently hatched. The egg hatched on April 8 th and 429 received a West Nile Vaccination on May 11 th when she was 33 days old. She weighed 4.25 lbs at 33 days and no trash was found in the nest. Condor 429 fledged at 172 days old and demonstrated normal progress post-fledge until an encounter with a Golden Eagle, at which time she disappeared and was last seen 69 days post-fledge on Dec. 4 th, 2007. Figure 6a. 168-208 nest with egg (J.Brandt) Figure 6b. 168-208 nest with chick (J.Burnett) 13
167/190 Nest: Condors 167 (male) and 190 (female) nested in a redwood tree cavity this year, which was the same tree we observed them using in 2006 (see Figure 7). This pair s wild egg was not fertile and slightly asymmetrical in shape (see Figure 8). This egg was replaced with a foster egg, which hatched shortly after the switch on May 7. Post-hatch, we conducted 4 nest checks. The chick received its West Nile Virus vaccination at 31 days old at which time we also discovered a handful of manmade objects that included broken PVC fragments, a small piece of plastic, and a small piece of glass (See Figure 9). The nest trash found during the one-month chick check was quickly removed. The source of the trash was located along highway one in Big Sur, 2 miles north of the nest location after matching GPS data from the adults and similar material found on site. The area was promptly and thoroughly cleaned of debris. The trash consisted mostly of broken PVC pipe that closely resembled broken mammal bones both in shape and color. After the trash clean up, we observed no trash in subsequent nest entries. The second visit was conducted at 72 days and only a one piece of trash was found in the nest and the chick s weighed a healthy 13.0 lbs. On the last nest check at 124 days old we attached a single radio transmitter and ID tag to 444 s right wing. Both of the Big Sur Chicks fledged at close to the same age, Chick 444 at 170 days old and Chick 429 at 172 days in age. After fledging, 444 started to explore the area surrounding the nest and eventually flew the ½ mile distance up the canyon to the release area. Once there, she began to feed with her parents and other wild condors on the proffered food. Figure 7. Condor 190 at Redwood Nest (J.Brandt) 14
Figure 9. Infertile wild egg removed from the redwood nest Figure 8. Man-made debris removed from Redwood nest 15
We collected both wild eggs from condor females 190 and 208 this year. These eggs were analyzed and measured (as were the eggshell fragments from 2006 redwood nest) for abnormalities and DDE residues at CA Fish and Game s contaminants lab in Rancho Cordova by Robert Risebrough and David Crane. Three Big Sur females (171, 190, 208) were tested for p p DDE blood levels prior to 2007 nesting, see appendix one for results. All three had been exposed to DDE at different levels and it is unknown whether these levels are a threat to condors. A complete analysis on these eggs is still pending. FUTURE PLANS FOR 2008 Field Management - VWS and National Parks Service (NPS) will continue our collaborative effort and NPS has now taken a lead role in management and releases at Pinnacles National Monument. In addition, NPS received a major base funding increase 2007-2008 to support their program. VWS continues to provide scientific guidance and logistical support to NPS condor staff, but no longer has VWS staff onsite. NPS and VWS continue to meet on a regular basis for quarterly steering committee meetings. 2008 Nesting Preseason Update- The Big Sur flock has 4 distinct pairings. These include (Male/female): 194/171, 168/208, 199/231, and 204/222. One additional female, 236, is breeding age and we suspect she has paired up with condor 209. We currently have GPS tags on condors SB# 168, 190, and 231 and we will be ordering 3-5 additional GPS tags for 2008. We have made tentative plans to manipulate wild eggs in 2008 to increase pair success. We also plan to collect data related to possible eggshell thinning due to high Organo-chlorines (DDE) levels in active pairs. The redwood pair is currently tending to their chick and that nest site should remain dormant this year. In response to the micro-trash issue, we have organized a bi-annual volunteer clean up along Big Sur s coastal Highway One. Consolidated Rearing Pen- A batch of seven chicks and a mentor will be arriving to our new Big Sur holding pen in January 2008. This pen will be available to all our program partners to use for holding condors awaiting release, or those birds recovering from lead treatment, injury, or being held for a behavior timeout. Releases for 2008- VWS and NPS hope to receive 4-6 condors for release at Pinnacles in Fall 2008. 16