Vicki Ridge and Steeples, October 25

Friday, October 25 Vicki Ridge [Day 33] 0830-1630 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson, observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge). The temperature at 0830 was 8C, the high at 1300 and 1400 was 14C and it was 11C when the count was ended at 1630. Winds were strong W-WSW all day 50-60 gusting 90 km/h to 1100 that peaked at 70-90 gusting 115 km/h at 1200 and 1300 after which it diminished to 40-50 gusting 60-75 km/h. Cloud cover was 20-50% cumulus and altostratus that was mainly to the west to 1430 and gave sunny conditions, but for the rest of the day dark stratocumulus quickly developed that brought light rain after 1500 and moderate rain and hail at 1630 that brought observation to an end for the day. A total of 28 migrant raptors of 5 species were seen between 0855 and 1614 that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j, 1u), 1a Northern Goshawk, 2a Red-tailed Hawks (1 light calurus and 1 dark harlani), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 20 Golden Eagles (19a, 1sa). Ten of the Golden Eagles were seen between 1008 and 1050 and only 4 migrants moved after 1300. The juvenile light morph harlani Red-tailed Hawk that was observed yesterday was again seen hunting in the area on four occasions between 0921 and 1256. Other birds were scarce and comprised 1u Northern Shrike, 1 Steller’s Jay, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 17 Common Ravens, and 1 female Pine Grosbeak.

8 hours (316.2) BAEA 4 (208), NOGO 1 (60), RTHA 2 (134), RLHA 1 (367), GOEA 20 (2480) TOTAL 28 (3959)

Friday, October 25 Steeples [Day 24] 1300-1730 (Vance Mattson). At 1300 the temperature was 14C, winds were strong S and cloud cover was 100% cumulus, altostratus and lenticular which reduced to 80% altostratus and cumulus by 1500 and thickened again with rain between 1600 and 1615. At 1700 heavy dark stratocumulus cloud arrived from the north that mostly obscured the ridges. A total of 5 migrant eagles moved between 1341 and 1544 that comprised 1a Bald Eagle and 4a Golden Eagles that flew south into the strong headwind. Resident Golden Eagles were seen on three occasions and a non-migrant adult Bald Eagle glided to the NW into the valley.

4.5 hours (105) BAEA 1 (148), GOEA 4 (176) TOTAL 5 (423)