An important milestone in the recovery of condors on the central California coast was the first nesting attempt in 2006. The last known attempt in the region had been more than 100 years prior. Ever since the first successful fledging of a chick from a nest in 2007, the productivity of the population has been gaining momentum. Each year, more and more young condors reach the minimum breeding age of 6-8 years, and establish pair bonds that can last a lifetime. Now the central California population includes more than a dozen pairs.
Keeping up with all of these pairs each year is a welcome challenge for our small crew. With the help of radio telemetry, and even satellite GPS tracking for some birds, we are able to locate nest sites. These are often in burned out hollows in large redwood trees, or on ledges and crevices along mountain sides. The actual nest might be a challenge to find, because of the rough terrain, and the fact that condors do not build a stick structure like we typically associate with large birds. But once we find the nest, we can breathe a little easier knowing that the pair will usually reuse the site in future years.
We monitor all accessible nests to document hatching and the health and growth of chicks. Sometimes, we do more than observe. For example, if we find that an egg is inviable, we might replace that egg with a viable one laid by condors in captivity. The wild pair will accept the replacement egg and care for the chick after it hatches, so that their investment in that first failed egg will not be lost. In a couple of cases, we have evacuated chicks for treatment upon finding an injury or symptoms of micro-trash ingestion or lead poisoning. These efforts help boost productivity. We look forward to productivity continuing that upward trend, and in time, supporting a population that does not depend on captive-bred releases and nest management.
Keeping up with all of these pairs each year is a welcome challenge for our small crew. With the help of radio telemetry, and even satellite GPS tracking for some birds, we are able to locate nest sites. These are often in burned out hollows in large redwood trees, or on ledges and crevices along mountain sides. The actual nest might be a challenge to find, because of the rough terrain, and the fact that condors do not build a stick structure like we typically associate with large birds. But once we find the nest, we can breathe a little easier knowing that the pair will usually reuse the site in future years.
We monitor all accessible nests to document hatching and the health and growth of chicks. Sometimes, we do more than observe. For example, if we find that an egg is inviable, we might replace that egg with a viable one laid by condors in captivity. The wild pair will accept the replacement egg and care for the chick after it hatches, so that their investment in that first failed egg will not be lost. In a couple of cases, we have evacuated chicks for treatment upon finding an injury or symptoms of micro-trash ingestion or lead poisoning. These efforts help boost productivity. We look forward to productivity continuing that upward trend, and in time, supporting a population that does not depend on captive-bred releases and nest management.
Central California Nesting News
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Current Wild Population
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2018 Wild Chicks
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