Vicki Ridge and Steeples, November 1

Friday, November 01 Vicki Ridge [Day 40] 0815-1815 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge). The temperature at 0815 was -4C, the high from 1400 to 1500 was 3C and it was 1C at 1815. Winds were WNW 20 km/h to 1000 after which they were moderate to strong W for the rest of the day that gradually increased in velocity to 50 gusting 60 km/h after 1500. It was cloudless to 1140 when 20% thin cirrostratus developed after which cloud cover was 40-100% cirrostratus with an increasing percentage of altostratus and lenticular cloud as the day progressed. Observing conditions were excellent throughout and produced the highest Golden Eagle and combined species count since October 21. A total of 69 raptors of 5 species moved between 0841 and 1745 that comprised 15 Bald Eagles (10a, 1sa2, 2j, 2u), 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks (2a, 1j), 1a light morph Broad-winged Hawk and 49 Golden Eagles (45a, 4j). Movement was steady all day with 49 of the birds moving after 1300 and peaking at 13 between 1400 and 1500. The only other birds seen were 2 Black-billed Magpies, 41 Common Ravens, 12 Bohemian Waxwings and 37 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches.

10 hours (375.8) BAEA 15 (279), SSHA 1 (508), NOGO 3 (75), BWHA 1 (20), GOEA 49 (2643) TOTAL 69 (4259)

Friday, November 01 Steeples [Day 28] 1345-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was -1C at 1345 and rose to a high of 1C, it was calm and 50% very thin altostratus cloud cover gave sunny conditions. A total of 5a Golden Eagles was counted between 1425 and 1555 with migrating pairs occurring at 1501 and 1555. Non-migrants were 1a Northern Goshawk that soared above and behind the ridge and 1j Golden Eagle that glided to the NW into the valley.

3.25 hours (122) GOEA 5 (191) TOTAL 5 (440)