RMERF counts, October 29

Monday, October 29 Mount Lorette [Day 36] 0740-1830 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The starting temperature was 0C the high was 5.5C at 1600 and it was 3.5C at the end of observation. Ground winds were SW mainly light but gusted to 15 km/h between 1000 and 1200, and ridge winds were SW also light and occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Cloud cover was mainly cumulus all day, 30% to 1200 and 90-70% in the afternoon which provided good observing conditions, and the ridges were all clear. A total of 36 migrants of 3 species were seen between 0932 and 1742 of which 32 were Golden Eagles (21a, 1sa, 3j, 7u): the other birds were 1 juvenile Bald Eagle and 3 Northern Goshawks (2a, 1u). The maximum hourly count was 1600-1700 which saw the passage of 7 Golden Eagles. All movement was along the Fisher Range mainly at ridge level and only the last 5 eagles after 1700 glided high above the ridge. Other birds included 3 Ruffed Grouse, 50 Bohemian Waxwings in 2 flocks, 52 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 11 White-winged Crossbills, 2 Evening Grosbeaks and 31 Pine Siskins. The highlight of the day, however, was a Bobcat that was seen and photographed early in the morning near the site. The animal is rare in the Kananaskis Valley. The 5 visitors today were particularly welcome as they brought baked goods for the observers!

11 hours (379.1) BAEA 1 (154), NOGO 3 (34), GOEA 32 (2478) TOTAL 36 (2866)

Monday, October 29 Vicki Ridge [Day 33] 0815-1840 (Peter Sherrington, observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite and Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1340-1745). The temperature at 0815 was 2C the high at 1600 was 6C and it was 4C at 1815. Winds were W-WSW all day, 15-20 km/h to 1100 then 25-35 gusting to 45 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, altocumulus, cumulus and cirrus all day that provided a spectacular sunrise and sunset and excellent viewing conditions throughout. There was a fairly strong and persistent raptor movement throughout the day with 126 migrants of 8 species seen between 0825 and 1806. The count was the highest since October 20 and the diversity was highest since October 18. The count comprised a season-high 32 Bald Eagles (19a, 5sa, 6j, 2u), 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 4 Northern Goshawks (3a, 1j), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 42 Rough-legged Hawks (32 light, 7 dark, 3u) and 41 Golden Eagles (36a, 3j, 2u). The total includes 35 migrants seen by Gord Petersen between 1340 and 1745 at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge near the Waterton 68 wellsite that comprised 9 Bald Eagles (5a, 4sa), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks (2a, 1j), 16 Rough-legged Hawks (9 light, 5 dark, 2u) and 5 adult Golden Eagles. Twenty-two migrants were seen before 1200 and the hours 1400-1500, 1500-1600, 1600-1700 and 1700-1800 yielded 17, 20, 19 and 21 birds respectively. Non-raptor birds were dominated by finches that comprised 970 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches in 14 flocks, 12 Red Crossbills and 137 Pine Siskins in 5 flocks.

10 hours (298.1) BAEA 32 (274), NOHA 1 (15), SSHA 4 (624), COHA 1 (73), NOGO 4 (85), RTHA 1 (172), RLHA 42 (379), GOEA 41 (2437) TOTAL 126 (4193)

Sunday, October 29 Steeples [Day 35] 1530-1730 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 10C, winds were variable and light, and cloud cover was 80 cumulus and stratus. The ridges were partially shrouded by cloud throughout. No migrants were seen but 2 resident Golden Eagles (1a, and 1j) were seen hunting and soaring over the ridges.

2 hours (153) TOTAL 0 (425)