Beaver Mines and Steeples, October 18

Sunday, October 18 Vicki Ridge [Day 28] 1500-1730 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge). The temperature at 1500 was -8C that dropped to -9C at 1600 where it remained until 1730. Winds were SE-E 5-10 gusting 15 km/h and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus throughout. Light snow fell to 1415 when the ridges cleared, and we arrived at the site at 1500 where there was 16 cm of snow on the ground. A total of 5 raptors of 3 species moved between 1555 and 1635, all either above or adjacent to Kyllo Ridge, which comprised 1a Bald Eagle, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 3j Golden Eagles.  At 1645 light snow resumed and the ridges began to cloud over and they were mainly obscured when we left at 1730. The only other bird species seen were 1 male Northern [Red-shafted] Flicker, 2 Black-billed Magpies and 2 Common Ravens.

2.5 hours (289) BAEA 1 (86), RLHA 1 (159), GOEA 3 (1695) TOTAL 5 (3323)

Sunday, October 18 Mount Lorette [Day 29] 0800-1800 (Lori Anderson assisted by Patrick Farley). Light snow began to fall at 0810 and persisted to 1700 when it became heavy. The Fisher Range was mainly obscured but periodically cleared. A total of 10 migrants of 4 species moved between 1219 and 1535 and comprised 1j Bald Eagle, 2 unidentified Buteos (1 dark, 1u), 6 Golden Eagles (2a, 4u) and 1 female grey morph Gyrfalcon.

10 hours (326.6) BAEA 1 (93), UB 2 (3), GOEA 6 (2072), GYRF 1 (2) TOTAL 10 (2496)

Sunday, October 18 Steeples (Vance Mattson). No observation (weather). Snow then rain and overcast all day with the ridges completely obscured.