RMERF counts, March 10

NOTE: TIME CHANGE FROM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME TO MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME (+ 1 HOUR)

Sunday, March 10 Mount Lorette [Day 9] 0755-1935 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Lori Anderson). The temperature at 0755 was -19C, the high was 3C at 1600 and 1700 and it was -1C at 1935. Ground winds were light (0-5 km/h) and variable to 1100, then 0-6 gusting 20 km/h to 1400 after which they were SW 5-20 gusting to 36 km/h. Ridge winds were SW moderate to strong after 1500 but could not be assessed earlier as it was completely cloudless, but after 1500 cirrostratus cloud appeared that gradually increased to 100% after 1800. A season high total of 11 migrants were recorded between 1446 and 1733 comprising 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j) and 7 adult Golden Eagles. Eight eagles moved between 1600 and 1800 and all birds glided high to the NW from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette. Other birds seen were 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 52 Common Ravens, most of which moved over Mount Lorette to roost in the late afternoon, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 American Dipper, 6 Common Redpolls and 30 White-winged Crossbills. The highest count of the day, however, was a season high total of 64 visitors at the site.

11.5 hours (82.91) BAEA 4 (10), GOEA 7 (8) TOTAL 11 (18)

Sunday, March 10 Beaver Mines [Day 9] 0800-1900 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0800 was -6C, the high was 2C at 1600 and it was -1C at 1900. Winds were W-WSW all day 30-40 gusting to 60 km/h and it was completely cloudless all day with a trace of cirrus only appearing at 1900. A disappointing total of 6 raptors were recorded between 1026 and 1713, 4 of which occurred before 1138. The count was 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1u Rough-legged Hawk and 4 adult Golden Eagles. A non-migrant subadult Bald Eagle also hunted low above the ridge at 1843. Numbers of other birds were also down and comprised 13 Rock Pigeons, 5 Downy Woodpeckers, 10 Blue Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 15 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 10 Evening Grosbeaks, 15 Common Redpolls, 39 Pine Siskins and 10 Dark-eyed Juncos (6 hyamelis and 4 montanus).

11 hours (100) BAEA 1 (14), RLHA 1 (5), GOEA 4 (25) TOTAL 6 (44)

Sunday, March 10 Steeples [Day 7] 1200-1830 (Vance Mattson). The temperature reached a high of 3C from a low of -4C at 1200 and it was calm and cloudless all day. A total of 8 migrants were seen between 1345 and 1751 and, with the exception of a single adult Bald Eagle at 1538, all were adult Golden Eagles. Three resident Golden Eagles (2a, 1j) were seen on 3 occasions, and a non-migrant adult Bald Eagle moved south along the ridge at 1531.

6.5 hours (30.75) BAEA 1 (12), GOEA 7 (12) TOTAL 8 (24)