AREA Number 477 007 



Pierdas Blancas Rock 



Description of Colony 



DATE 6/26 & 8/2/79 



Access Excellent landing beach (see map), unless S.W. swell at Pierdas Blancas lighthouse. 

 Mainland adjacent property currently USFWS - seaotter research station, phone (408J 375 - 

 ?27R. T.anrHng nn island would he difficult, but not recomended due to disturbance 

 problem with sealitms. 



Vegetation 1 Physiographic Characteristics This large island has a large bowl on the S.W. side 

 were most of the Brandt's Cormorants are nesting. A rock stack is at the north end. 

 Nr. vogPi-aMnn nr snil JK evident hut soil may be covered by guano. See photographs. 



una.". Activity Probably boats from San Simeon fish off shore and the people at Pierdas 

 Blancas they have seen airplanes buzz the island disturb ing the Stallone. This area 

 is within the California Seaotter Game Reserve - flying below 1000 ft. is prohibited . 



Xannaliar. Predators, Livestock, etc. prnhahly nnnp. 



:ensus methods l Data status Island passed by in zodiac on 6/25, 6/26 Island was zodiaced 

 on the N.,W. & S. sides - E. side could be seen well also. Distance was kept larger 

 than usual so as not to disturb sealions. August 2, 1979 the island was photographed 

 through the npen window of a Cessna 182. Aerial photos used for counts of Brandt's Cor . 



jeraiaaaafflExinaaHogcx* For futiirp snrvpys it is rer.onjpnded the island be watched from 

 mainland for a long period when Tufted Puffins should be feeding chicks. _ Aerial - 

 photos work well for Brandt's & boating is necessary for Western Gulls & for Pelagic 

 Cormorants. Island should be landed on if disturbance to sealions & birds is avoided. 

 Photo Covers-- Aerial rnlor slides & B+W's taken from 500-800 ft. w/ a 70-210 zoom & 

 a 'WO mm Ten 3 1/1000 nf a sec. _ Photos through open window of Cessna 182. Permission 

 t-n fly h 



_ 

 1000 ft-- must he obtained from CDF&G prior to flight. 



Overall Evaluation of color;, p^^aiiy * large colony and a ma.jor hauling_area for sealions, 

 At present this may be the southernmost breeding point of the Tufted Puffin on the 

 WRt roast. - 



Supolerer.tal Material i :ata Attaches (list! Photographs attached. 



MAP: tracing f rom U.S.G.S . 1:24,00 

 Rlanras. CaHf 



Figure 5 (continued). Colony Status Record, back. 



353 



