Sat., Oct. 15, 2005, Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project, 4th Annual Open House/ Campout

Schedule of Activities:

Birding field trip   7am-11:30am  Hi Mountain to Hi Valley, Santa Lucia Wilderness Area, Los Padres National Forest

Meet at Hi Mountain Lookout.

Habitats: chaparral, blue oak woodland, riparian woodland, rocky outcrops

Strenuous hiking conditions and steep slopes. Bring water and snacks. Some poison oak along the trail.

Advanced registration requested: contact Steve at s_schub@[remove]webtv.net or #805 528-6138

Co-leaders: Alan Schmierer, Morro Coast Audubon Society field trip chairperson, Greg Wagner, 2005 student intern and Aaron Formella, Cal Poly student volunteer

Birding field trip   9:30am -12 noon  Pozo to Hi Mountain

Meet at Pozo Ranger Station.

Habitats: grassland, riparian woodland, valley oak, blue oak and coast-live oak woodlands, chaparral

Easy hiking conditions and car pooling.

Advanced registration requested: contact Steve at s_schub@[remove]webtv.net or #805 528-6138

Co-leaders: Jamie Miller and Julie Messer, 2005 student interns

Picnic lunch   12 noon - 1pm

Hi Mountain Lookout Interpretive Center open - please sign guest register.

Raffle tickets for sale.

Welcoming comments and introductions   1pm

Morning birding field trip reports by trip leaders

Hi Mountain Lookout Project year in review and recognition of staff and volunteers, by Steve Schubert, Volunteer Coordinator, Morro Coast Audubon Society

Update on the California Condor Recovery Program, by U.S.F.W.S. staff, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge

Student field research projects and Summer 2005 internship, by Dr. Francis Villablanca, Biology Professor, and student interns, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Geographical landmarks- a 360* view from the Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada, by Kevin Cooper, U.S.F.S. Wildlife Biologist

Raffle drawing- donated prizes for the Hi Mountain Lookout Project fundraiser

Afternoon activities and field trips

Condor radio tracking demonstration, by Jamie Miller and Julie Messer, 2005 student interns and Aaron Formella, student volunteer

New volunteers training session - practicing with radio telemetry, by Hi Mountain Lookout staff

Animal vocalizations workshop, by Kevin Cooper, U.S.F.S. Wildlife Biologist

Field botany and native plant identification walk, by co-leaders Dr. David Keil, Botany Professor and Julie Messer, 2005 student intern, Cal Poly, SLO

Geology overview and walk, by Dr. David Chipping, Geology Professor, Cal Poly, SLO

Late afternoon sit down chat with condor biologists and staff… reminiscing about experiences in ‘Condor Country’

Sunset watch and dinner

Stove and oven heating are available at the lookout facilities. Participants are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share.

Note: no campfires are permitted for cooking or during the overnight campout.

Evening guest speakers   7pm  The California Condor Recovery Program - a Historical Perspective

Dr. Sanford Wilbur, retired, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Condor Biologist

John Borneman, retired, National Audubon Society Condor Biologist

Astronomy observations

Telescope observations of the evening skies

Optional Hi Mountain Campout

Camping sites are available for Friday and/or Saturday nights for staff and volunteers at ‘Cypress Hill’ near the lookout. Other vehicle camping sites are located on the ridgeline near the entrance gate - with a view overlooking the mountains and coast - and at the U.S.F.S. Hi Mountain Campground, located one mile down the road from the lookout. Picnic tables and outhouses are at the campground- bring your own potable water.

For additional information about the open house event and driving directions to Hi Mountain Lookout, see our website at www.condorlookout.org

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