MISC BIRDS ~ 2016-2024

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Redwood Queen was seen at the Big Sur sanctuary early this afternoon. Phoenix seemed fidgety today taking 3 breaks (1 about an hour), but I noticed he kept looking out the door and it turns out the last one was actually a nest exchange. Redwood Queen returned to the nest later in the day than normal and remained on egg duty as night fell. I think we will be on pip watch here in approximately one week or thereabouts. No word on #943.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Condor #943 rescued this past weekend! See update by VWS below! :dancingegg:

Can had been lodged on lower beak for approximately 3 weeks!

Ventana Wildlife Soc Mod • 31 minutes ago
Featured by Explore Org
Condor Update- 4/19/2021 @9am

Great news! 943 was recaptured this weekend and is currently recovering at the Pinnacles flight pen after a thorough health exam. The can is now off his lower beak and we are happy to report that he suffered no long-term damage. He will be released after he has sufficiently recovered. Big kudos to our partners at Pinnacles for a successful capture. Find out more about 943, and other news, including the current nesting status of our wild pairs and the latest update on the San Simeon birds at the next zoom chat on 4/29/2021 at 4 pm, with special guest, Alacia Welch, the Condor Program Manager at Pinnacles National Park.

Nesting update- Redwood Queen and Phoenix are cruising right along and we are hoping for their egg to hatch on or about April 24th (we estimate the egg was laid on 2/26). Stay tuned to the nest cam and try to spot the pip site around that time. The 7 other nests in central California are also doing well and we expect to have more eggs hatching over the next couple weeks.

Next zoom chat is April 29th at 4 pm, sign up at http://www.ventanaws.org

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

See above post for the wonderful news of condor #943's rescue!! Redwood Queen remained on duty as the cam powered up today. She took a break real early afternoon. She remained on duty as night fell.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Redwood Queen left sometime in the noon hour approximately and Phoenix came in several minutes later to start his egg duty and he remained there as night fell.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

We are on Pip Watch!!

:eggthumb:

Phoenix remained on egg duty through out the day and as night fell. He did take at least 1 break early afternoon. Today became the 54th day since the egg was ESTIMATED to have been laid. I have read at Cornell site it takes condor eggs about 54-58 days to hatch. As the date laid is an estimate, time will tell.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

It's difficult being on pip watch when the solar cam is unable to power up. No views of the nest today, but possibly Redwood Queen is on egg duty now as she was seen at the sanctuary late this morning and Phoenix was seen early afternoon. I may be wrong, but I think one time Phoenix did sneak to the sanctuary to eat once when he was on egg duty and they had fresh food over there. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day for the cam.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

When the cam came up today, Phoenix was on egg duty. Redwood Queen was at the sanctuary late this morning. Phoenix had a break mid afternoon. No pips seen on egg, but egg has a lot of staining and debris on it including feathers adhered to it. Later in the day, Phoenix rolled the egg out of view to the right.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

When the cam powered up today, Redwood Queen was on duty. She rolled the egg so far to the right that it was out of our view for the day. She left early this evening and Phoenix was in eventually to take over egg duty. The last I saw him from his position, he may have rolled the egg back during one of the cam highlights, so IF we have a cam view tomorrow, we may be able to see the egg again. Tomorrow's forecast is showing to be cloudy, so we may not have the cam.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

The cam only powered up for about 4 minutes late this morning and that was it for the day. The egg was not in view during this period. I thought it might be Phoenix on egg duty at that time, but can not be sure. Neither Phoenix nor Redwood Queen was seen at the sanctuary today.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Redwood Queen was on nest duty as the cam powered up this morning. She took about a half hour break in the noon hour. Moved the egg out of view in the middle of the afternoon. And then late afternoon she came out in the doorway and chewed on the bark of the redwood tree and eventually climbed upward and out of our view still nibbling. Wonder if that is how she keeps her beak in shape. She flew in from the right minutes later and back into the nest. She remained on egg duty as darkness fell. No pips seen today. Update from VWS:

Ventana Wildlife Soc Mod • 5 hours ago • edited
Condor Update- 4/26/2021 @ 4pm

Redwood Queen and Phoenix are still incubating and we are hoping their egg will start hatching any day now. The hatch date of 4/24 was our best "guesstimate", we could be off by as many as 2-4 days. We first observed the egg on March 3rd and estimated the egg was laid on 2/26. This was based on radio telemetry data and movements of the pair from the week prior. If Redwood Queen actually laid closer to March 2nd, which is possible, then the egg wouldn't start hatching until April 28. So we have a 3-4 day hatch window.

How will we know hatching has started?

Look for the pip site (small black area) at the larger end of the egg. Quick note- There are some small pieces bark stuck to the small end of the egg, and have been there since it was laid, those are not the pip site. The camera angle is different this year, so the egg details are not as clear as the interior nest cam, which was disabled in the wildfire last year.

The pip site will start small, about the size of a dime, and grow larger over the course of hatching to the size of quarter. The chick will then start rotating inside the egg and start cracking open the top until it falls off. From start to finish it should take about 2-3 days to completely hatch.

Once the chick starts the pip site, he/she will make an audible grunt to alert the parents, "I'm here!". The pair will visibly become more fidgety, almost as if they are being tickled by the egg and stand up suddenly. We are hoping for a safe and successful hatch! Please keep posting your observations, they are incredibly helpful.

Also, be sure to tune in to our next Condor Zoom Chat this Thursday 4/29 at 4pm to to find out more about 943's recovery, and other exciting news, including the current nesting status of our wild pairs and the latest update on the San Simeon birds. We also have a very special guest-Alacia Welch, the Condor Program Manager at Pinnacles National Park, will be joining us to share some exciting condors news from Pinnacles.

Sign up here- www.ventanaws.org

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

When the cam powered up this morning, Redwood Queen remained on duty. She took a break early afternoon and late afternoon. Then a little bit later, she left and was gone a very long time and who shows up ... Phoenix. I wonder if she went and looked him up? Phoenix remained on egg duty as night fell, but he got up and was very interested in the egg just prior as you can see in the screen capture below by stilling. No confirmed pip as yet.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

When the cam came up this morning, Phoenix was on duty. He left shortly afterwards and after awhile Redwood Queen showed up to do egg duty. She left mid afternoon and surprisingly was gone somewhere around 3 hours. Phoenix was at the sanctuary earlier today. Redwood Queen remained on egg duty as night fell. No confirmed pip.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Well, this has not been a good day. When the cam came up this morning, Redwood Queen remained on duty. She left shortly afterwards for a quick break. But then she left again about mid afternoon and had not returned when darkness fell. About 6 hours had passed at this time. So as darkness fell the egg was alone. From reports of the zoom meeting from earlier today per chat, it is being said that the hatch window will close in 1-2 days for Redwood Queen and Phoenix's egg. Previously, VWS has said it can take 2-3 days for the egg to hatch and with Redwood Queens increasing time spent away from the egg while she is on egg duty ... it is not looking good that this egg will hatch to me. They did not announce a pip in this egg at the zoom meeting today. Below is a video of the zoom meeting by Ventana Wildlife Society's Condor Program. I have not viewed it as yet, but will later tonight or tomorrow.

Zoom meeting on the condors.

:eggthumb:

Some interesting things being reported with slides taken from the zoom meeting are:

Iniko and Eva are doing great at the zoo and a fall 2021 release is expected in central California.

When the Pinnacles crew transported condor #943 to his health exam, the can fell off his beak during transport. He was treated for a small cut on his lower beak and given antibiotics. A blood level draw for lead came back very high and he was taken to Oakland Zoo for chelation treatment and is expected to be released possibly in a couple weeks after completion of the chelation.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

The nesting season comes to a sad end. When the cam powered up this morning, the egg was alone, although in a slightly different place than when Redwood Queen abandoned it yesterday afternoon. Possibly one of them moved it this morning before the cam came on, but unknown. Very interestingly early this afternoon, Phoenix arrived to the nest and stood in the doorway a few minutes, then went into the nest. Next Redwood Queen arrived to the doorway and stood, then she went into the nest. They spent just under 30 minutes inside and at times were out of sight to the right and other times they seemed to be doing something with their beaks along the floor, but at no time did they interact with the egg. Then just as in the order they arrived they departed, Phoenix to the doorway and stood, then he flew, followed by Redwood Queen to the doorway and stood, then she flew. The egg remained behind and there were no further visits to the nest today. Below is a video by Cali Condor that starts with Redwood Queen just before she left yesterday and then a shortened view of their time spent at the nest today.

Music: Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

Update from VWS Mod on egg:

Ventana Wildlife Soc Mod • 12 hours ago
Condor Update- 4/30/2021
Hi viewers,

Unfortunately it appears that Phoenix and Redwood Queen's egg is not viable this year. It is not unusual for a new pair to fail when nesting together the first time. In terms of experience, Phoenix has only successfully reared one chick in the wild, whereas Redwood Queen has reared multiple chicks. We are probably too late in the nesting season for these two to recycle and lay another egg. However, we can surely look forward to another attempt next year.

In terms of inspecting the failed egg or possibly swapping it out. The Dolan fire seriously compromised the base of the Redwood tree and the status of the climbing anchor is very questionable, it's definitely not safe for us to climb, the risks far outweigh the benefit at this stage. We are optimistic that the redwood tree will add new growth and refortify itself over the next few years. Condors and redwoods are similarly resilient!

Thank you all for tuning in and following this nest so closely! We still have 8 nests going strong in central California- 3 with chicks, 5 still incubating eggs. The chicks are #1077, #1078, and #1089. We will assign names to the chicks later in the nest season, so stay tuned!

The wildflowers are really cranking on the Sanctuary cam right now, so enjoy the purple lupines and California poppies in their full splendor.

If you missed last night's Condor Zoom Chat, you can watch here:
https://youtu.be/U-d2DSuB9JU

Next Condor zoom Chat is scheduled for 5/27/2021 at 4pm (PST). Sign up at www.ventanaws.org

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Redwood Queen and Phoenix made another joint visit to the nest early this afternoon. It's great to see them hanging out together now! The condor "Kodama" that VWS mentions below is the daughter of Redwood Queen and Kingpin and the new chick is RQ's grandchild! From VWS on Redwood Queen and Phoenix:

Ventana Wildlife Society
https://www.facebook.com/Ve...
Saturday, May 1, 2021 @ 10:32 am

"Update on Redwood Queen (190) and Phoenix (477):

Yesterday marked the first day beyond the typical range for condor eggs to hatch and we now suspect the egg failed or was infertile. Like many birds, not all eggs successfully hatch. Condor eggs typically hatch about 50-60% of the time. Time is running short for the pair to lay a second egg this season, however, we strongly anticipate they will try again next year.

Keep up with us here to find out more about the three eggs that have already hatched this year and for notifications about the upcoming expected hatches. Remember Kodama and Amigo? They have a new chick!

Stay tuned to all three condor cams this Spring for more condor action." (*The nest cam, the Big Sur Sanctuary Cam and the San Simeon Sanctuary Cam are all on and streaming. *from email)

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

No visits to the nest cavity today by Redwood Queen nor Phoenix. Will only report in future if one or both of them are seen here or maybe the Big Sur Sanctuary and for new info or updates on the condors.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Both Redwood Queen and Phoenix were at the Big Sur Sanctuary this morning somewhere within the 10 and 11 hours Pacific time. At one point you can see Phoenix clearing the area of the other condors from the watering hole for Redwood Queen and himself to enjoy. The condor with the #14 on its wing just happens to be Redwood Queens son Pasquale that he chases off last, but of course Phoenix doesn't know that.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Redwood Queen and Phoenix were at the Big Sur Sanctuary today in the real early afternoon.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

Kingpins birthday is today 5/6/21!

Ventana Wildlife Society
13 hrs ·
This May 6th, we remember our beloved Kingpin (167) who would have been 24 years old today! Last year, we lost Kingpin along with nine other condors and two chicks in the devastating Dolan Fire.
Kingpin, a dominant male in the flock, and his mate Redwood Queen hatched the famous Iniko (1031) four months before his untimely death. His legacy will live on through his three foster chicks and his six biological chicks, one of whom (#646 Kodama!) just hatched a chick this spring. Enjoy some of our favorite pics of Kingpin from photographer Tim Huntington - webnectar photography
Just look at that handsome guy!

With his "Queen"!!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12717

From VWS on condor #943:

Injured Condor #943 Finally Captured

#943 taking advantage of the cooling misters at the Oakland Zoo's Kane Condor Recovery Center. Photo courtesy of Oakland Zoo. 2021

Edit to add: Both Redwood Queen and Phoenix were at the sanctuary in the early evening.

Bird Cams Around the World

MISC BIRDS ~ 2016-2024

Who is online