Let the Trap-Up Begin!

So yesterday, a whole bunch of birds (including baby 560) randomly showed up at the flight pen, so that night, I got orders to trap as many birds as I could (breeders and new releases excluded). Every spring and fall we trap up all the condors to replace missing transmitters and GPS units, sample feathers, check general health and appearance, and very importantly, take blood samples for potential lead poisoning.

Condors mill around, snacking and socializing in the double-door trap of the flight pen.

By the end of the day (some 50 hours later) I had trapped 12 birds. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.