For a century, they were gone. But California Condors are making a comeback in these parts of the Bay Area

"The elusive and illustrious California Condor is making a major comeback in the Bay Area, stretching its wings in areas where the continent's largest bird has not been seen for more than a century. In total, the Ventana Wildlife Society - a group that traps, breeds and rehabilitates the vultures for release into the wild - has tracked 30 different condors that took multiple trips to parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties sometime in the past two years."

"A 6-year-old male condor, known as #996, appears to be leading the flock's exploration into new territory, taking over 60 trips into the East Bay since 2023 as he reaches breeding age and starts looking for grounds to potentially mate in, said Sorenson, who called him a "pioneer." The deepest documented trip into the East Bay happened in 2021, when a female condor, #828, flew from Pinnacles National Park east of the Salinas Valley, passed Livermore and made it near Mount Diablo before returning home."

Thirty condors tracked by the Ventana Wildlife Society have made multiple trips into Alameda and Contra Costa counties over the past two years, marking renewed presence in the East Bay. A 6-year-old male, #996, has made over 60 trips since 2023 and appears to lead exploratory movements as he approaches breeding age. Historical movements include a 2021 flight by female #828 near Mount Diablo. Two condors were observed near San Antonio Reservoir in Sunol. Ventana traps, breeds and rehabilitates condors for release. Condors once ranged to British Columbia, declined from poisons, and fell to 23 birds in 1982 before captive recovery efforts.

Read at The Mercury News