[EBB Sightings] Condor over Livermore !?!

Jaan, The best field mark for free flying condors in California is a sizable tag on the wing with a number on it.  If you were able to see white patches on the wing without a tag, I believe your first impression of a Golden Eagle is the more likely impression. That being said, it's your sighting, and I'm only suggesting an alternative.

Best regards,

Bob Power
Oakland, CA


--- On Tue, 1/27/09, Jaan Lepson  wrote:

> From: Jaan Lepson 
> Subject: [EBB Sightings] Condor over Livermore !?!
> To: sightings at diabloaudubon.com
> Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 3:58 PM
> I just stepped out of the house and a large raptor passing
> by caught my
> eye.  I grabbed the binos, thinking it would be a Golden
> Eagle, but I had
> to conclude that it was a California Condor.  It had that
> steady,
> airplane-like flight, a heavy body and a slight dihedral
> wing form that
> was distinctive as it soared away to the east.  I did not
> see the white
> patches under the wing, but as it tilted, I did catch sight
> of obvious
> white patches on the top  surface of the secondaries.  If I
> was at the
> Grand Canyon, I'd have no hesitation in calling this a
> condor.
> 
> Any other ideas out there or did I just get one heck of a
> yard bird?
> 
> good birding,
> 
> Jaan Lepson
> Livermore
> 
> 
> 
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