RMERF counts, November 06

Tuesday, November 06 Mount Lorette [Day 44] 0805-1630 (Blake Weis). The temperature at the start was -9C, the high was -7C (1100-1400) and it was -6C at 1630. Ground winds were N-NE 0-5 gusting 10-18 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate N. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, stratocumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day with the exception of 1200 and 1300 when it reduced to 90%. Light snow fell to 1100 when it ceased until 1600 when light to moderate snow started falling again. The eastern ridges were only 10% obscured to 1100 that gave the possibility of raptor movement, but they then became 90-100% obscured for the rest of the day. The west was 80-90% obscured to 0900 that subsequently became 100%. No migrant raptors were seen, but 2 non-migrant Bald Eagles (1a, 1 late sa) were noted. There was a strong southward migration of waterfowl that included 455 Canada Geese and 665 Mallards.

8.42 hours (456.1) TOTAL 0 (2987)

Tuesday, November 06 Vicki Ridge [Day 41] 1130-1430 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson mainly observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature was initially –9C but rose to -8C at 1300. Winds were light E-SE and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus. There was 14 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow continued to fall all day. The ridges were obscured by low cloud to 1100 but then almost completely cleared until 1430 when they again became shrouded. No migrant raptors were seen, but a resident adult Golden Eagle flew to the north at 1244. Other birds seen included 1a Northern Shrike and a flock of 100 Bohemian Waxwings.

3 hours (357.9) TOTAL 0 (4435)

Tuesday, November 06 Steeples [Day 43] 1215-1700 (Vance Mattson). The weather was better west of the Rockies where the temperature was 5C, winds were light W to calm and cloud cover was initially 40% stratus and cumulus that was concentrated around the mountains, but by 1600 it had increased to 100% although the ridges remained clear. A total of 10 migrants of 3 species moved between 1405 and 1453 coinciding with the lifting of clouds that had hitherto covered the ridges. The count was 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 1u Northern Goshawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. A resident Golden eagle was also seen at 1535.

4.75 hours (186.3) BAEA 4 (107), NOGO 1 (8), GOEA 5 (160) TOTAL 10 (459)