Vicki Ridge and Steeples, Nov 8

Friday, November 08 Vicki Ridge [Day 47] 0730-1730 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson,  observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge, and Gord Petersen  (1413-1700) observing at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature at 0730 was 4C, the high at 1300 was 12.5C and it was still 10C at 1730. Winds were strong WSW-W, consistent 30-40 gusting 50-60 km/h all day, and cloud cover was 80-100% cirrostratus, altocumulus, altostratus, lenticular and cirrus with dark cumulus to the west throughout the day. There was hazy sunshine for most of the day and observing conditions were very good. The count from the Waterton 61 wellsite was 45 birds of 4 species between 0828 and 1641 that comprised 21 Bald Eagles (11a, 2sa2, 1sa, 7j), 5 adult Northern Goshawks, 3 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark, 1u) and 16 Golden Eagles (14a, 1sa, 1j). At the western edge of Kyllo Ridge Gord counted 19 birds of 3 species between 1420 and 1656 that comprised 15 Bald Eagles (12a, 1sa, 2j), 1a Northern Goshawk, 1u Golden Eagle and 2 unidentified eagles. The total movement observed across the ridge system between 0828 and 1656 was 64 migrants of 4 species that comprised a season-high 36 Bald Eagles (23a, 2sa2, 2sa, 9j, 6a Northern Goshawks, 3 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark, 1u), 17 Golden Eagles (14a, 1sa, 1j, 1u) and 2 unidentified eagles. The highest combined-site hourly count was 13 between 1600 and 1700 all of which were Bald Eagles. The only other birds seen were 6 Black-billed Magpies, 106 Common Ravens which were conspicuous in the air throughout the day, 11 Bohemian Waxwings and 41 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches in 2 flocks.

10 hours (427.5) BAEA 36 (358), NOGO 6 (87), RLHA 3 (435), GOEA 17 (2732) UE 2 (23) TOTAL 64 (4482)

Friday, November 08 Steeples (Vance Mattson). ). No observation because of a prior commitment.