Vicki Ridge and Steeples, November 11

Monday, November 11 Vicki Ridge [Day 50] 0745-1715 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson,  observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge, and Gord Petersen  (1242-1650) observing at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature at 0745 was -7C and from 1100 to the end of observation it was 0C with the exceptions of 1300 and 1700 when it reached the day’s highs of 0.5C. Winds were strong WNW all day 30-50 gusting to 70 km/h. It was cloudless to 1000 when 50% thin cirrostratus developed that became 100% between 1100 and 1430, after which the cloud thickened to 100-70% mainly altostratus and altocumulus that gave gloomy late afternoon light but finally a spectacular sunset. The count from the Waterton 61 wellsite was 20 birds of 4 species between 0811 and 1647 that comprised 9 Bald Eagles (8a, 1j), 1a Northern Goshawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 9 Golden Eagles (8a, 1j). At the western edge of Kyllo Ridge Gord counted 30 birds of 5 species between 1245 and 1650 that comprised 21 Bald Eagles (16a, 1sa, 2j, 2u), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2a Northern Goshawks, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 4 Golden Eagles (1a, 2j, 1u) and 1 unidentified eagle. The total movement observed across the ridge system between 0811 and 1647 was 50 migrants of 5 species that comprised 30 Bald Eagles (24a, 1sa, 3j, 1u), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3a Northern Goshawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), 13 Golden Eagles (9a, 1sa, 2j, 1u) and 1 unidentified eagle. The highest combined-site hourly count was 17, that included 13 Bald Eagles, between 1400 and 1500. The only other birds seen were 1 Black-billed Magpie, 62 Common Ravens and 1 male Dark-eyed [hyemalis] Junco.

9.5 hours (443) BAEA 30 (390), SSHA 1 (513), NOGO 3 (90), RLHA 2 (438), GOEA 13 (2745), UE 1 (24) TOTAL 50 (4535)

Monday, November 11 Steeples [Day 34] 1345-1600 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was -4C, it was calm and cloud cover was 100% thin altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus. The ridges were shrouded until 1400 after which they cleared fairly quickly, but no migrant or resident raptors were seen.

2.25 (143.5) TOTAL 0 (448)