RMERF counts, March 8

Thursday, March 8 Mount Lorette [Day 7] 0745-1810 (Blake Weis, assisted by Alan Hingston). The starting temperature was -14C that rose to a high of 4C at 1500 and 1600 and was 2C at the end of observation. Ground winds were S-SW all day, 0-5 km/h in the morning and 5-10 gusting 20 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were SW light to moderate in the morning and moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, altostratus and altocumulus to 1300 after which it was 80-90% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus which gave excellent observing conditions. The eastern ridges were 10% obscured between 1100 and 1300 and the west was 10-20% obscured after 1100. A season-high total of 6 adult Golden Eagles were counted between 1245 and 1657, 4 of which were seen between 1300 and 1400. The first five birds moved from the northern end of the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette and the last was initially located over Mount Lorette. A resident Golden Eagle also soared over Mount Collembola to the west. Other birds present were 5 Canada Geese, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers (male and female), 1 Pileated Woodpecker that called east of the river, 7 Grey Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 2 American Dippers, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire and 2 Common Redpolls. There were no visitors today.

10.42 hours (65.92) GOEA 6 (14) TOTAL 6 (24)

Thursday, March 8 Beaver Mines [Day 12] 0730-1700 (Peter Sherrington). At 0730 the temperature was -9C which rose to a high of 7C at 1700. Winds were WSW-W all day, light (<10 km/h) to 1030 after which the velocity increased to 20-35 gusting 50 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% uniform stratus to 1100 after which it was 70-80% cumulus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus which provided periods of sunshine and excellent observing conditions. The first migrant was not seen until 1138 but subsequently there was a fairly steady flow of raptors with a season-high total of 31 birds moving to 1646, 8 of which were seen during the last hour of observation. The count comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark) and a season-high 25 adult Golden Eagles. Two Golden Eagles, 1 adult and 1 juvenile, were considered to be residents.

Thursday, March 8 Steeples (Vance Mattson) NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Snow fell until noon, but heavy low cloud persisted and all mountains were obscured.