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