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Phoenix (477) was the best surprise we ever had! We knew that his parents, The Great One (199) and Wild 1 (231), were spending a lot of time in the remote Big Sur backcountry, but we were unable to confirm that an egg had been laid for many months. The Great One (199) and Wild One (231) did an awesome job and chose a pristine nest site in one of Big Sur's unique redwood trees. We entered the nest only once: a biologist peered into the nest cavity and was surprised to find a half-grown chick! That makes Phoenix (477) a part of the first nest in Big Sur where his biological parents raised their own egg, rather than fostering a replacement egg from a zoo. In the years following his hatch, we have been able to take a more ‘hands off’ approach for all of our nests. Our flock has continued to demonstrate more life skills, and we have been able to intervene less and less as the condor flock size has grown and allowed them to reproduce independently.
In June of 2008, the gigantic Basin Complex wildfire scorched the forest surrounding the nest so severely that there was nothing left but ash for miles. The grove of trees that The Great One (199) and Wild 1 (231)'s nest was in burned about halfway up, but the crowns were not damaged. Phoenix (477) survived and his nickname was inspired by his trial by fire and also because of the hope his parents inspired by raising their first chick so perfectly. Phoenix (477) successfully raised his first chick, Madeline (936), with Condor 547 in 2018, but has since paired with Redwood Queen (190). Video of Phoenix (477) and Redwood Queen (190)'s 2022 nest location can be viewed live via our VWS/explore.org nest cam. Enjoy a short video of the hike and installation of this nest cam below.
In June of 2008, the gigantic Basin Complex wildfire scorched the forest surrounding the nest so severely that there was nothing left but ash for miles. The grove of trees that The Great One (199) and Wild 1 (231)'s nest was in burned about halfway up, but the crowns were not damaged. Phoenix (477) survived and his nickname was inspired by his trial by fire and also because of the hope his parents inspired by raising their first chick so perfectly. Phoenix (477) successfully raised his first chick, Madeline (936), with Condor 547 in 2018, but has since paired with Redwood Queen (190). Video of Phoenix (477) and Redwood Queen (190)'s 2022 nest location can be viewed live via our VWS/explore.org nest cam. Enjoy a short video of the hike and installation of this nest cam below.
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