Vicki Ridge and Steeples, November 2

Saturday, November 02 Vicki Ridge [Day 41] 0830-1830 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson, assisted by Phil Nicholas observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge). The temperature at 0830 was 1C, the high from 1300 to 1500 was 6C and it was 5C for the rest of the day. Winds were generally strong W all day 40-50 gusting 60 km/h except at 1800 when they gusted to 70 km/h. Cloud cover was 80-90% cirrostratus, altocumulus, lenticular and cumulus to 1100, it was mainly sunny with 30-70% altocumulus and cirrostratus to 1445 and then 90-100% altostratus, altocumulus, cirrostratus and dark cumulus gave gloomy conditions for the rest of the day. Observing conditions were good throughout the day. There was a fairly strong raptor movement of 45 birds of 5 species between 0905 and 1749 that comprised 11 Bald Eagles (9a, 1sa2, 1j), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 6 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 23 Golden Eagles (16a, 2sa, 5j), 1 unidentified eagle and 1j female Peregrine Falcon. With the exception of 1200-1300 and 1500-1600 when 1 and 2 raptors were counted respectively, movement was fairly steady and peaked at 12 birds between 1400 and 1500. The only other birds seen were 1 Black-billed Magpie, 46 Common Ravens, a flock of 50 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches that were put up above the ridge by a passing Sharp-shinned hawk at 0945, and 3 Dark-eyed [hyemalis] Juncos.

10 hours (385.8) BAEA 11 (290), SSHA 3 (511), RLHA 6 (410), GOEA 23 (2666), UE 1 (19), PEFA 1 (11) TOTAL 45 (4304)

Saturday, November 02 Steeples [Day 29] 1515-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature rose from 1C to 4C, it was calm throughout and an initial cloud cover of 50-70% thin altostratus that gave sunny conditions became 100% grey altostratus by 1600. The count was similar to that of yesterday but the migrants today were 5 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa, 1j) that moved between 1520 and 1545, and again migrant pairs were seen twice. The only non-migrant was again an adult Northern Goshawk, which again soared above the ridge.

3.75 hours (126.8) BAEA 5 (154) TOTAL 5 (445)