Birds of California - The Vulture Family

"The Vulture family is represented in our Sate by the Californian Vulture and the Turkey Buzzard, and perhaps by Burrough's Vulture (Cathartes Burrovianus) which last bird is found in lower California, and probably crosses over into our State, at least occasionally.

"The California Vulture (Cathartes Californianus) sometimes improperly called 'Condor," the largest bird on the continent, and next to the Condor the largest flying bird of the world, is found in all parts of the State, though it is not abundant in any place. It is as prominent and peculiar a feature among the birds of California as the grizzly bear among the quadrupeds. It is very shy and is rarely killed. The total length of the Californian Vulture is about four feet; and its width from tip to tip of the out-stretched wings, ten feet or more. Its color is brownish black, with a white stripe across the wings. The head and neck are bare, and red and yellow in color. The bill is yellowish white and the iris carmine. Dr. Newberry says 'A portion of every day's experience in our march through the Sacramento valley, was a pleasure in watching the graceful evolutions of this splendid bird. Its flight is easy and effortless, almost beyond that of any other bird. As I sometimes recall the characteristic scenery of California, those interminable stretches of waving grain, with here and there, between the rounded hills, orchard-like clumps of oak, a scene so solitary and yet so homelike, over these oat-covered plains and slopes, golden yellow in the sunshine, always floats the shadow of the vulture.'

"A fine living specimen of this bird, and the only capture of its kind that we know of, may be seen in the Pacific Museum in this city; and there is a fine, colored, life-like plate (No. 426) of it, in Audubon's Ornithology, which may be seen in the Mercantile Library."

[Continues...]

June 2, 1859. Birds of California - No. 1. Daily Alta California 11(152): 1.

Vulture Caves in the Sespe Mountains, California

"A correspondent of the Ventura Free Press tells the following strange story:

'The writer has for the last few years offered a liberal reward for a set of vulture eggs, and numerous have been the attempts of both hunter and urchin to procure them with the common result, they were unable to find where they nest. Believing that the Pacific condor nests somewhere in the Sespe mountains, I determined to make the grand effort if possible to obtain the eggs. After considerable search I finally discovered the locality where three birds bring forth their young. High up in one of the deep dark gorges that put into the turbulent Sespe, a few miles above Devil's Gate, on the west side of the stream, at an altitude of over four thousand feet, the home of the vulture was discovered with all its strange and peculiar features. Climbing up the rocky gorge to a point where a perpendicular wall of rock fifty feet high stopped my further progress, and following along the base of the rocky cliff a few yards, I observed a cluster of pine trees that grew near the base of the cliff; and, seeing one that shot above the projecting rock some sixty feet, being full of limbs that projected at right angles from the trunk, I determined to climb the tree and, if possible, get on top of the great rocky shelf that, like a terrace, extended for hundreds of feet around the rocky bluff. With but little exertion I climbed to a point parallel to the rocky shelf, and by careful attention walked out on one of the projecting limbs six or eight feet and stepped upon the terrace. Here I found a rocky shelf some ten feet wide, and extending far along the bluff and back to an overhanging wall, arranged in something after the manner of the Cliff Dwellers of Arizona, to which were excavated chambers, large enough for a person to comfortably pass in, being on an average ten feet deep. On the floor of the caverns lie scattered around a very Golgatha of bones, while near the back I observed a pile of sticks, grass and other debris resembling a wood rat's nest, about three feet high, culminating in an uniformly pointed hillock. Taking a dry stick that lay near by, I proceeded to tear down this pile, believing that I had found at last a vulture's nest, and that the birds had covered up the eggs before departing in the morning. Having denuded the pile a few inches I came to the heads of half decomposed carcasses of numerous small animals, in which I recognized the head of a pig, sheep, several jack rabbits, and other small varmints. The stench was so great that I was compelled to retreat. I entered a second chamber, where I found a similar pile, and pursuing my further investigations, I entered a fourth one, containing one of these peculiar nests, in which I observed a hole at the base, about six inches in diameter, and at the point of thrusting a stick into the hole, out came a most miserable looking creature remaining for a moment and then darting back again, it once more appeared at the hole, completely filing it up, and this time I discovered that I was gazing upon a young Vulture and that these piles were in reality Vultures' nests, the sole object of my perilous adventures. Stepping 'round into the second chamber, I began to tear down one of these heaps believing that I would find the eggs somewhere within the ghastly pile. Just them casting my eyes upward, I beheld far to the northward the old bird sailing high in the cloudless vault, and with renewed vigor I hastily demolished the pile, and when about one-third of the top had been torn off, consisting of partially decomposed carcasses of small animals, to my horror and surprise, there lay, half buried in the heap, protruding from beneath, torn and lacerated, the hand and forearm of some human being, sufficiently intact, not to be mistaken as to its identity. Appalled at this ghastly sight, and again looking to the northward I beheld the old birds approaching the caverns. Knowing as I did that they would swoop down in a few minutes, I sprang to the edge of the rock, seized a protruding limb, and rapidly descended to the foot of the tree, just in time, for that moment, like a great avalanche, with the velocity of lightning they came, shaking the very earth I stood upon. Simultaneously they alighted upon the projecting shelf, where with their great wings still out-stretched, they seemed to know at once that some daring intruder had ventured to enter their hone of death and desolation. Quickly wending my way down the mountain side I finally reached my gun and outfit, an casting a look in the direction of the cave, I beheld that there were unmistakable indications of turmoil in the camp. The great birds attacking each other for a moment in their imperial altitude, them alighting upon the over-hanging rock, but too far distant for the range of my rifle. Hurriedly retracing my steps down the dismal and rocky stream, with the horrible and strange discoveries ever vividly before my eyes, it was not until I was past the Devil's Gate, where I halted, that I once more regained my normal condition of mind, determining that at some future day I would again visit the Vulture Caves of the Sespe."

May 20, 1886. Vulture caves in the Sespe. Los Angeles Herald 25(66): 6.

Corps Comments on Availability of Public Works Restoration Plan

This the email response received 14 October 2014 from Martha S. Chieply of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory office in downtown Omaha, in regards to my comments regarding the availability of the wetland restoration plan proposed for the extent of wetlands filled — without a required permit — by the Omaha Public Works department.

"Below is an update regarding the violation that you reported near Carter Lake, Iowa, and a brief overview of our processes for investigating and resolving alleged violations, and then notifying the public of the outcome.

"The Nebraska Regulatory Office received your report of a Clean Water Act violation near Carter Lake on April 17, 2014. The Nebraska State Office confirmed that approximately .066 acres of wetlands had been impacted. An evaluation of the violation and determination of its outcome has not been finalized at this time, as we are working with the responsible party to resolve the violation.

"Typically, when coordinating with the responsible party, the Omaha District's state regulatory office initially will seek ways to restore the wetlands/waters of the United States that have been impacted. Depending on the severity of the violation, as well as the type of aquatic resource impacted, the Omaha District may seek assistance from resource agencies as we assess the requirements for suitable restoration or mitigation of the aquatic resource impacts, if necessary. The Commander of the Omaha District has discretionary authority to pursue violations and/or conduct more rigorous reviews, to include requesting public input, of activities where potential adverse effects on the aquatic environment are more than minimal or where there are other concerns in the public interest.

"The circumstances of every violation must be considered on a case by case basis. While it may be a relevant consideration as to whether or not the impacted property is publicly held, or if the unauthorized activities may have been conducted by a public entity, it does not necessitate public notification. There are instances where the impacts to wetlands/waters of the United States do occur on public lands. However, the protection of wetlands and regulated waters of the United States always are of public interest and value, wherever they are located. Public notification of violations and the public release of pre-decisional information typically is not made unless the potential adverse effects on the aquatic environment are more than minimal.

"Therefore, due to the ongoing coordination efforts and the facts of the case, we are not able to release the details surrounding the violation near Carter Lake at this time. Once our evaluation is finalized, interested persons may request information from the Omaha District, under the Freedom of Information Act."

Note: One acre equals 43,560 square feet, so 0.066 of an acre equals about 2874.96 square feet.

Screech-owl Prevalence in East-central Omaha

It has been a fine autumn to hear the calls of the Eastern Screech-owl in several neighborhoods of east-central Omaha. They have been especially prevalent as reported in the greater Dundee area.

During September, the call of the owl was heard during nocturnal hours at several neighborhoods in the area.

In the Carthage neighborhood, on the north side of the Dundee place, there were heard five times throughout the month. It was especially vocal in the early morning hours. In the previous five years, they were heard, but less often, only two or three times during the season.

On Washington Hill, in the vicinity of Harrison school at 53rd and Hamilton Street, they were heard during the week prior to September 20.

At Dundee Place, they were prevalent at two localities, and heard multiple times southeast of Dundee School and near 51st and Burt Street, notably on September 26th.

Near Dundee school during latter summer, two fledglings were readily observed by residents. Adult birds were also seen a time or two, according to available reports, although dates were not recorded.

The only October record available to mid-month was one heard predawn on October 2nd at Washington Hill, Harrison Neighborhood. Thus far, they have not been noted vocalizing at Carthage, though records are known for at least once during four of the past five years.

There are previous autumn records for the vicinity, which contribute to indications of its distribution:

• 04 Oct 2012: Mercer Woods (40th and Cuming Streets)
  
• 01 Nov 2012: picture of one taken in the Memorial Park area and printed in the Nebraska Bird Review
  
• 11 Oct 2013: Metcalfe Park (picture taken of a small owl at the roundup southeast of the park at 50th and Happy Hollow Boulevard)

For November, there is on average only one record per year for the area. Additional occurrences can be expected, based upon their having previously been reported.

September's Significance

The basis for an apparent increase in vocalizations of the little owls may be related to ensuring territoriality claims. Perhaps, for example considering this year, once the fledglings departed the habitat used by their parents near Dundee school, they would roam elsewhere to find their own place to dwell. As they moved further from their home territory, they arrived within the domain of other screech owls, which made certain to convey their place by issuing calls within the boundaries.

An increase in calls might be due to the increased attention being given by resident owls to firmly establish their claim to a territory for this winter and the next breeding season. Whatever the rationale, the night calls have definitively indicated the presence of multiple owls in this region of the urban-scape of one area of Omaha.

Thanks to Julie, Jo and Marjie for providing details on owl occurrence.

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There were two Eastern Screech-Owls heard the morning of October 25th in the Carthage neighborhood (at 1:45 a.m.) and at the Izard Industrial Zone (near 42nd and Nicholas Streets at 7:20 a.m.).

CSO! Project Construction at Adams Park

Construction of CSO! Project features has started at Adams Park, in north Omaha. Nearly all of the former features at the low-lying area on the west side of the park, including the overlook, sidewalks, vegetation, etc. have been removed or demolished.

Construction crews are currently placing massive water conduits along the west side of the trees, on the east side of the low-lying area.

All features associated with the former Gabrielle Union Pond, have or will soon be completely removed.

Photographs taken October 8, 2014.

The pipestand in the foreground is the only remnant of the former ballfields.

The barren area where there was formerly a ballfield and parking for park visitors.

The remaining cement structure of the former bridge over the water area on the west side of the Gabrielle Union Pond.

Another view of the former ballfield area.

This is a view of the current mud, with a relict sign which once said no swimming. All of the vegetation, including trees, has been removed.

This is the site of the demolished overlook on the east side of the former Gabrielle Union Pond.

The current condition of the former pond, and the pump being operated to remove the remaining water. There will be no wetland remaining and all wetland vegetation and other features will be removed. A roadway is proposed for construction through this area.

Another view of the wetland removal underway.

A graphic of the final project design is available online in association with CSO! project information. This is an optimized rendition of the project features as proposed upon its completion.

Information on the park project, as presented in December 2012.

Corps Prevents Public Input on Wetland Plan

A wetland restoration plan being prepared the city of Omaha Public Works Department will not be available for public review, until the document is finalized.

The Army Corps of Engineers is requiring that this public agency be required to prepare the plan as the result of fill being placed in a very small extent of wetlands in association with a holding facility located at 13th and Locust Streets. The procedures of the ACE do not allow any public review, according to staff of this federal agency.

There are several reasons that the public should be allowed to review the restoration plan, prior to it being finalized. They include, but are not limited to:

1) the fill activity was originally reported by the public

2) the wetlands filled are "public waters" as designated by the Clean Water Act; and though the extent is very small, it still did occur and was not permitted

3) the fill activity occurred on public property

4) the fill was done by a city of Omaha agency

5) a restoration project will be paid for by public funds

6) this is the second instance of fill being placed or getting into a protected wetland, in association with Public Works in 2014

7) public input should be an essential aspect of any city of Omaha project

The office of the Mayor of Omaha has been asked to respond to these items (with the list delivered to the mayor's office and public works on October 6th), along with the Corps.

The restoration plan would be available once finalized, through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Sapsucker Disabled at CenturyLink Center Omaha

A disabled yellow-bellied sapsucker was found disabled Monday, October 6, at the west side of the CenturyLink Center in north downtown, Omaha. The bird was obviously in distress when found about 1:30 p.m. It was shaking its head wildly and erratically, and could scarcely retain its grasp on the concrete base of the window expanse near the northmost entrance to the facility.

The bird was quickly caught and moved to the base of the row of trees just to the west. The bird seemed to recover satisfactorily as it was soon climbing along the tree bark.

Here, the sapsucker is looking much livelier after it had been moved to this tree, and recovered sufficiently to climb up the trunk.

This is the fourth record of a sapsucker window-bird strike in Omaha. The three other occurrences have all be fatalities. This is the first instance of this occurring at the CenturyLink Center, but is one more of the more than 500 bird-window strikes documented to have occurred at this building.

On this same date, a juvenile Yellow-bellied sapsucker was found dead at the front door glass of the Mercer mansion at 40th and Cuming Streets, as reported on NEbirds.