Beaver Mines and Steeples, November 14

Saturday, November 14 Vicki Ridge [Day 51] 0725-1730 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge, and Gord Petersen assisted by Cathy Scrimshaw (1212-1655) at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature at 0725 was -2C the high at 1000, 1200 and 1300 was 1C and it was -3C at 1730. Winds were WSW-W all day 25-40 gusting 50-60 km/h, and cloud cover was 100-70% stratocumulus, cumulus and altostratus to 1400 that produced flurries or periods of light snow that then gave way to 40-10% cumulus for the rest of the day. Observing conditions were very good all day. At Waterton 61 a total of 34 migrants of 5 species were seen between 0757 and 1652 that comprised 11 Bald Eagles (5a, 1 transitional sa2/3, 2sa2, 3j), 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1a Northern Goshawk, 4 Rough-legged Hawks (2 light, 1 dark, 1u) and 17 Golden Eagles (13a, 1sa, 3j). Twenty-eight birds moved before 1300 and the highest hourly count was 9 between 0900 and 1000.  At Waterton 68 the count was 22 birds of 5 species between 1218 and 1644 that comprised 9 Bald Eagles (5a, 1sa, 3j), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1u), 1a dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 4 Rough-legged Hawks (3 light, 1 dark) and 6 Golden Eagles (4a, 2j). Ten of the birds moved between 1300 and 1400. The combined sites count of 56 birds of 6 species between 0757 and 1652 was the highest since November 01 and comprised 20 Bald Eagles (10a, 1 transitional sa2/3, 2sa2, 1 undifferentiated sa, 6j), 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks (2a, 1u), 1a dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 8 Rough-legged Hawks (5 light, 2 dark, 1u) and 23 Golden Eagles (17a, 1sa, 5j). The combined species count to date of 4808 is a new high total for the site exceeding the previous high of 4755 in 2018. Other birds seen were 2 Canada Jays, 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 231 Common Ravens (127 at Waterton 68 and 104 at Waterton 61), 25 Bohemian Waxwings and 82 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches.

10.08 hours (504.9) BAEA 20 (349), SSHA 1 (958), NOGO 3 (104), RTHA 1 (215), RLHA 8 (295), GOEA 23 (2567) TOTAL 56 (4808)

Saturday, November 14 Mount Lorette [Day 53] 0815-1640 (Blake Weis assisted by Cliff Hansen). Despite mainly clear ridges and favourable observing conditions only 5 Golden Eagles (4a, 1sa) were seen between 1014 and 1540.

8.42 hours (549.1) GOEA 5 (2615), TOTAL 5 (3207)

Saturday, November 14 Steeples [Day 22] 1300-1630 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 2C, winds were moderate SW and cloud cover was 60-80% cumulus. Despite finally getting a clear sunny day no migrant raptors were seen and only the resident pair of Golden Eagles were present.

3.5 hours (69) TOTAL 0 (125)