Thursday, November 15 Mount Lorette [Day 53] 0800-1900 (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Rick Robb). The temperature at 0800 was -1C, the high was 4C (1200-1400) and it was 3C at 1700. Ground winds were S 0-8 gusting to 25 km/h at 1600 and ridge winds were moderate SSW. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus at the start and then 70-90% stratus, cumulus and stratocumulus for the rest of the day. The east ridges were clear all day and the west was clear to 1200 when it was 10% obscured and gradually increased to 50% by 1700. The only migrant raptors seen were 2 Golden Eagles gliding above the Fisher Range ridge: an adult at 1038 and an unaged bird at 1528. The path to the site early in the morning revealed the tracks of 3 Grey Wolves, 1 Red Fox and 1 Coyote that led to the carcass of a freshly killed White-tailed Deer on a gravel bar in the river south of the Hay Meadow site. Perched in adjacent trees were 3 adult Bald Eagles and a juvenile Bald Eagle was perched on the gravel bar, while 2 more Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa) were perched in trees farther south along the river. Ten ravens and 2 magpies were also in attendance. By 1600 the carcass had been entirely consumed. Other birds seen were 1 Belted Kingfisher, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Pacific Wren, 15 Lapland Longspurs and 6 White-winged Crossbills. Seven visitors were at the site today. The spring 2019 count at Mount Lorette will start on March 1.

9 hours (536.3) GOEA 2 (2688) TOTAL 2 (3154)

Mount Lorette November Summary (November 1-15), with variances to 1993-2017 averages (excluding 1997, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008). 15 days (+5.9%), 137.1 hours (+6.4%), Turkey Vulture 0, Osprey 0, Bald Eagle 55 (-26.5%), Northern Harrier 0, Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 (+39%), Cooper’s Hawk 0, Northern Goshawk 3 (-52.1%), UA 0, Broad-winged Hawk 0, Swainson’s Hawk 0, Red-tailed Hawk 0, Ferruginous Hawk 0, Rough-legged Hawk 1 (-83.6%), UB 0, Golden Eagle 172 (-24.5%), UE 2 (+90%), American Kestrel 0, Merlin 1 (+137.5%), Gyrfalcon 0, Peregrine Falcon 0, Prairie Falcon 0, UF 0, UU 0 TOTAL 237 (-26.8%).

Mount Lorette Final Count Summary (November 1-15), with variances to 1993-2017 averages (excluding 1997, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008). 53 days (-2.7%), 536.3 hours (-4.5%), Turkey Vulture 0, Osprey 3 (+11.1%), Bald Eagle 216 (-8.7%), Northern Harrier 7 (-32.0%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 68 (-49.6%), Cooper’s Hawk 7 (-68.8%), Northern Goshawk 37 (-15.2%), UA 8 (+19.4%), Broad-winged Hawk 1 (-83.3%), Swainson’s Hawk 1 (+185.7%), Red-tailed Hawk 27 (-18.9%), Ferruginous Hawk 0 (-100%), Rough-legged Hawk 36 (-28.8%), UB 5 (+31.6%), Golden Eagle 2688 (-21.6%), UE 31 (+705.2%), American Kestrel 0 (-100%), Merlin 4 (-47.7%), Gyrfalcon 2 (-29.8%), Peregrine Falcon 2 (-66.7%), Prairie Falcon 3 (+36.4%), UF 4 (+158.1%), UU 4 (+1.3%) TOTAL 3154 (-21.4%).

Thursday, November 15 Vicki Ridge [Day 50] 0800-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson and Troy Malish observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite, and Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1235-1635). The temperature at 0800 was 1C, the high at 1200 was 5C and it was 3C at 1700. Winds were W-WSW all day 40-50 gusting 70 km/h and were sustained 60-70 km/h for the last 2 hours. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day that provided mainly gloomy conditions. There was a fairly strong raptor movement for the last day of the count with 38 birds of 4 species moving between 0823 and 1617 comprising 14 Bald Eagles (8a, 2sa, 4j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 22 Golden Eagles (17a, 1sa, 2j, 2u). The total includes 18 raptors seen by Gord Petersen between 1244 and 1617 at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge near the Waterton 68 wellsite, that comprised 7 Bald Eagles (8a, 1sa), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 9 Golden Eagles (6a, 1j, 2u). During the same period , that coincided with the strongest winds of the day, only 5 migrants were seen from the Waterton 61 site. Movement was slow and sporadic throughout the day and the highest hourly count was 9 between 1500 and 1600. The resident Golden Eagle family group (2a and 1j) were seen throughout the day and other birds seen were 1 female Hairy Woodpecker, 95 Common Ravens, 4 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 40 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 18 Red Crossbills and 32 Common Redpolls.

9 hours (434.9) BAEA 14 (445), NOGO 1 (103), RLHA 1 (436) GOEA 22 (2735) TOTAL 38 (4755)

Vicki Ridge November Summary (November 1-15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 15 days, (12 days), 117.1 hours (86.1 hours) Turkey Vulture 0 (0), Osprey 0 (0), Bald Eagle 131 (153), Northern Harrier 0 (0), Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (1), Cooper’s Hawk 0 (0), Northern Goshawk 10 (11), UA 0 (0), Broad-winged Hawk 0 (0), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (0), Red-tailed Hawk 3 (0), Ferruginous Hawk 0 (0), Rough-legged Hawk 34 (28), UB 0 (1), Golden Eagle 245 (195), UE 2 (4), American Kestrel 0 (0), Merlin 1 (0), Gyrfalcon 1 (2), Peregrine Falcon 0 (0), Prairie Falcon 5 (1), UF 0 (0), UU 0 (0) TOTAL 433 (396)

Vicki Ridge Final Count Summary (September 20-November 15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 50 days (52 days), 434.9 hours, (418.9 hours) Turkey Vulture 0 (0), Osprey 8 (11), Bald Eagle 445 (350), Northern Harrier 15 (19), Sharp-shinned Hawk 627 (751), Cooper’s Hawk 74 (94), Northern Goshawk 103 (109), UA 7 (6), Broad-winged Hawk 24 (33), Swainson’s Hawk 2 (1), Red-tailed Hawk 176 (234), Ferruginous Hawk 8 (6) , Rough-legged Hawk 436 (515), UB 25 (19), Golden Eagle 2735 (2001), UE 7 (18), American Kestrel 12 (21), Merlin 21 (20), Gyrfalcon 5 (5), Peregrine Falcon 9 (17), Prairie Falcon 10 (5) , UF 2 (2), UU 4 (0) TOTAL 4755 (4237)

Thursday, November 15 Steeples [Day 50] 1315-1615 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 6C, winds were strong S-SW, cloud cover was 100% stratus, altostratus and cumulus and the ridges were clear. No migrants were seen but at 1315 an adult resident Golden Eagle soared in the high winds above the ridge.

3 hours (212.5) TOTAL 0 (486)

Steeples November Summary (November 1-15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 13 days (9 days), 52.75 hours (37 hours), Turkey Vulture 0 (0), Osprey 0 (1), Bald Eagle 25 (67) , Northern Harrier 0 (3), Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 (0), Cooper’s Hawk 0 (0), Northern Goshawk 2 (1), UA 0 (0) , Broad-winged Hawk 0 (0), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (0), Red-tailed Hawk 0 (1) , Ferruginous Hawk 0 (0), Rough-legged Hawk 0 (5) , UB 0 (0), Golden Eagle 33 (36), UE 0 (2), American Kestrel 0 (0), Merlin 1 (0), Gyrfalcon 0 (0), Peregrine Falcon 0 (0), Prairie Falcon 0 (0), UF 0 (0) TOTAL 61 (116)

Steeples Final Count Summary (September 20-November 15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 50 days (41 days), 212.5 hours (185 hours) Turkey Vulture 1 (1) , Osprey 2 (7) , Bald Eagle 116 (276), Northern Harrier 14 (16), Sharp-shinned Hawk 72 (78), Cooper’s Hawk 4 (1), Northern Goshawk 8 (13), UA 0 (0), Broad-winged Hawk 3 (5), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (0), Red-tailed Hawk 75 (51) , Ferruginous Hawk 0 (0), Rough-legged Hawk 3 (15), UB 0 (1), Golden Eagle 177 (146), UE 2 (3), American Kestrel 3 (8), Merlin 3 (2), Gyrfalcon 1 (0), Peregrine Falcon 1 (2), Prairie Falcon 0 (0), UF 0 (0) UU 1 (0) TOTAL 486 (625).

Wednesday, November 14 Mount Lorette [Day 52] Hay Meadow 0815-1500, Lusk Creek 1615-1650 (Blake Weis, assisted by Heinz Unger). The temperature at 0815 was 2C, the high was 4C (1100-1300) and it was 1C when heavy snow ended observation at Hay Meadow, and when Blake resumed the count at Lusk Creek. Ground winds to 1100 were variable 0-10 gusting 15 km/h and then were W-SW 5-10 gusting 20 and occasionally 50 km/h. Ridge winds were moderate to strong W-NW to 1200 and then W-SW. Cloud cover was initially 50% altocumulus, altostratus, cumulus, cirrus and cirrostratus that increased to 100% from 1200 to 1300 when 100% stratocumulus developed that obscured all ridges and brought moderate snow that became heavy at 1500 when the Hay Meadow count ended for the day. A total of 11 migrant raptors of 3 species were counted between 0924 and 1212 comprising 3 Bald Eagles (2a and 1 undifferentiated immature), 1u Northern Goshawk and 7 Golden Eagles (4a, 3u). All the eagles moved at varying heights along the Fisher Range and maximum hourly counts were 4 between 1000 and 1100 and again between 1100 and 1200. Around 1600 the snow stopped and Blake went to the Lusk Creek site between 1615 and 1650 where the highest foothills ridge was clear and recorded a further 3 migrants: 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1u Northern Goshawk and 1u Golden Eagle. An adult resident Northern Goshawk soared near the Hay Meadow site at 1310, and other birds near the site were a pair of Mallards that flew low to the south above the river, 1u Northern Shrike, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers that flew low to the south, 6 Common Ravens, 3 Black-capped, 3 Mountain and 1 Boreal Chickadee, 12 Bohemian Waxwings, 520 Common Redpolls, most of which were south-bound migrants, 112 White-winged Crossbills, 11 Pine Siskins and 3u Dark-eyed Juncos. Six visitors arrived at the site before the snow started to fall. Tomorrow will be the last day of the fall 2018 count.

7.33 hours (527.3) BAEA 4 (216), NOGO 2 (37), GOEA 8 (2686) TOTAL 14 (3152)

Wednesday, November 14 Vicki Ridge [Day 49] 0745-1645 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite, and Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1415-1600). The temperature at 0745 was 3C, the high was 5.5C at 1300 and it was 0C at 1645. Winds were strong W all day 40-50 gusting 60-70 km/h apart from 1400 and 1500 when they were WSW 60 gusting 80-90 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 20% altocumulus and cirrus to 0900 when it increased to 50% altostratus, altocumulus, cumulus and cirrus that reached 100% at 1100. Between 1200 and 1410 cloud cover was 60-80% cirrostratus, altostratus and altocumulus, but at 1410 stratus cloud quickly moved from the west that brought snow until 1630 when the sky quickly cleared to 30% cumulus. The ridges were partially obscured between 1410 and 1540 and then completely obscured to 1630. There was another fairly strong late-season raptor movement of 30 birds of 3 species between 0804 and 1525 that comprised 7 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 21 Golden Eagles (15a, 2sa, 1j, 3u) and 1 unidentified eagle. The total includes 4 Golden Eagles (2a, 2u) seen by Gord Petersen between 1429 and 1525 at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge near the Waterton 68 wellsite. The maximum hourly count was 8 between 1000 and 1100 and the last 8 birds moved through steady light snow before heavy snow at 1530 brought all movement to an end. Other birds were scarce apart from about 70 Common Ravens which were continuously in the air until the snow arrived, attracted to the area by gut-piles from recently hunted deer. Tomorrow will be the last day of the fall 2018 count.

9 hours (425.9) BAEA 7 (431), RLHA 1 (435), GOEA 21 (2713), UE 1 (7) TOTAL 30 (4717)

Wednesday, November 14 Steeples [NO OBSERVATION] (Vance Mattson). It was consistently overcast with periodic rain all day. Tomorrow will be the last day of the fall 2018 count.

Tuesday, November 13 Mount Lorette [Day 51] 0815-1630 (Blake Weis, assisted by Katherine Peterson). The temperature at 0815 was -2C and the high was 3C from 1400 to 1630. Ground winds were variable 0-10 km/h all day that gusted 15-20 km/h to 1600, and ridge winds were W-SW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was initially 100% cirrostratus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus that diminished to 40% cirrus and altocumulus at 1100 before increasing again to 100% cirrostratus, altostratus, cirrus and altocumulus from 1400 to 1630. All ridges were clear, but only 5 migrant eagles were seen: 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) and 3 Golden Eagles (1sa, 2u), that moved between 0947 and 1509. The 2 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle moved to the west of the site, and the other 2 Golden Eagles used the Fisher Range to the east. An adult Bald Eagle and an adult Northern Goshawk were non-migrants. Other birds identified were 1 female Common Merganser on the river, 1u Northern Shrike, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 12 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 3 Brown Creepers, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 47 Common Redpolls, 1 White-winged Crossbill and 5 Pine Siskins. There were only 2 visitors today.

8.25 hours (520) BAEA 2 (212), GOEA 3 (2678) TOTAL 5 (3138)

Tuesday, November 13 Vicki Ridge [Day 48] 0800-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0800 was 1C the high at 1300 and 1400 was 6C and it was 3C at 1700. Winds were W 30-40 gusting to 65 km/h in the morning and WSW 40-60 gusting to 90 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and lenticular to 1130, 70-80% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrostratus to 1300 and then 100% altostratus and altocumulus for the rest of the day. A total of 19 migrant raptors of 4 species moved between 0816 and 1623 comprising 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult female Northern Goshawk, 15 Golden Eagles (13a, 2u) and 1 male Prairie Falcon. Twelve birds were seen before 1200 but afternoon movement was light and sporadic as the wind velocity increased. The resident Golden Eagle family group (2a and 1j) were still present and other birds seen were 3 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 25 Common Ravens, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 25 Red Crossbills and 55 Common Redpolls.

9 hours (416.9) BAEA 2 (424), NOGO 1 (102), GOEA 15 (2692), PRFA 1 (10) TOTAL 19 (4687)

Tuesday, November 13 Steeples [Day 49] 1315-1615 (Vance Mattson, observing from Diorite Creek). The mountains at the Bill Nye site were again heavily shrouded but it was clear to the north so Vance observed from a new site, “Diorite Creek”, which is 27 km to the north along the same range and just north of Premier Lake. The temperature reached 4C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 50% altostratus, cumulus and stratus that gave periods of sunshine. The only migrant seen was a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1408. Non-migrant birds were a juvenile Bald Eagle, and an adult Golden Eagle that soared and hunted over the flank of Diorite Mountain.

3 hours (209.5) GOEA 1 (177) TOTAL 1 (486)

Monday, November 12 Mount Lorette [Day 50] 0720-1640 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The starting temperature was -7C, the high was -2C (1400-1600) and it was -3C at 1640. Ground winds were W 1-3 km/h to 1400, then NW 5-15 km/h to 1600 and finally SE 5-15 km/h. Ridge winds were difficult to assess but were probably SW light to moderate. Cloud cover was initially 70% altostratus that reached 100% from 0900 to 1100 and rapidly cleared to 10% cirrus to 1400 after which the rest of the afternoon saw up to 60% altostratus and lenticular cloud. The ridges were clear all day. The count of 12 eagles was 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) and 10 Golden Eagles (8a, 1sa, 1u) that glided along the Fisher Range ridge or flapped against the face of the ridge between 1158 and 1604. The maximum hourly count was 5 adult Golden Eagles between 1500 and 1600. The usual non-migrant adult Bald Eagle was still present and other birds seen were 1 Ruffed Grouse 1 Canada Jay, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee and 6 White-winged Crossbills. Fifteen visitors came to the site today.

9.33 hours (511.7) BAEA 2 (210), GOEA 10 (2675) TOTAL 12 (3133)

Monday, November 12 Vicki Ridge [Day 47] 0745-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0745 was -3C, the high was 2C at 1400 and 1500 and it was 0C at 1700. Winds were W all day, 30-40 gusting 50-70 km/h that made observing somewhat uncomfortable. Cloud cover was altocumulus and cirrus all day generally between 30 and 80% but only 10% around 1400, that gave excellent observing conditions throughout. There was a strong and persistent late-season raptor movement involving 70 birds of 5 species that migrated mainly high above Vicki Ridge between 0755 and 1612. The count was 14 Bald Eagles (8a, 3sa, 2j, 1u), 4 adult Northern Goshawks, 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks (1 light calurus and 1 dark harlani), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 49 Golden Eagles (42a, 4sa, 3j). The combined-species total of 70 was the highest at the site since October 30, and the Golden Eagle total of 49 was the highest since October 25. The highest hourly count was 14 between 0800 and 0900 and 41 birds had been counted by noon. Resident raptors were the Golden Eagle family group (2a and 1j) and other birds seen were 4 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 30 Common Ravens, 16 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 20 Red Crossbills and 32 Common Redpolls.

9.25 hours (407.9) BAEA 14 (422), NOGO 4 (101), RTHA 2 (176), RLHA 1 (434), GOEA 49 (2677) TOTAL 70 (4668)

Monday, November 12 Steeples [Day 48] 1230-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature ranged from 1C to -1C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 100% altostratus, stratus and altocumulus that obscured the ridges all day. The only migrant seen was 1u columbarius Merlin that flew south in powered flight at 1357, and no resident birds were seen.

4.5 hours (206.5) MERL 1 (3) TOTAL 1 (485)

Sunday, November 11 Mount Lorette [Day 49] 0855-1700 (Blake Weis, assisted by Lori Anderson). The temperature at the start was -7C, the high was -2C (1400-1600) and it was -3C at 1700. Ground winds were 0-5 km/h all day, mainly WSW to 1300 and then N, and ridge winds were moderate NW all day. Cloud cover was 100-80% stratocumulus to 1200 that produced heavy to light snow, quickly cleared between 1200 and 1300 to 40% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus before returning to 100% stratocumulus and moderate snow between 1300 and 1400; the rest of the day was 30% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus. Both the eastern and western ridges were 100% obscured to 1200. The east was 40% obscured to 1300, 100% to 1400 and 30-0% thereafter, while the west was 90% obscured to 1300, 100% to 1400 and 20-0% thereafter. Despite the weather there was a fairly strong late-season count of 33 birds of 4 species between 1148 and 1550 that comprised 10 Bald Eagles (6a, 3sa, 1j), 1u Rough-legged Hawk, 21 Golden Eagles (16a, 3sa, 2u) and 1u columbarius Merlin. All the eagles moved in the face of the Fisher Range or at ridge level and there was much flapping and soaring flight. The maximum hourly count was 13 (2 Bald and 11 Golden Eagles) between 1400 and 1500. A non-migrant adult Bald Eagle perched by the river for 2 hours and an adult resident Golden Eagle traversed the Fisher Range from north to south before crossing the valley to Mount Lorette. Other birds identified were 1 male Hairy Woodpecker, 1 female American Three-toed Woodpecker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 5 Canada Jays, 7 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped and 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 50 Common Redpolls, 3 White-winged Crossbills, 2 Pine Siskins and 1u Dark-eyed Junco. A total of 18 visitors made it to the site after the snow stopped falling.

8.08 hours (502.4) BAEA 10 (208), RLHA 1 (36), GOEA 21 (2665), MERL 1 (4) TOTAL 33 (3121)

Sunday, November 11 Vicki Ridge [Day 46] 0945-1645 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson and Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). Snow started to fall at dawn and quickly obscured the ridges but at 0930 it became light so we went to the site and found both Vicki Ridge and Kyllo Ridge essentially clear. The ridges remained visible but partially obscured until 1100 when heavier snow returned and the ridges again disappeared. At 1300 the snow abruptly stopped and within minutes both ridges were clear and by 1310 cloud cover was 40% cumulus and there was hazy sunshine. The temperature at 0945 was -4C, the high was -3C at 1400 and 1500 and it was -6C at 1645 under a completely cloudless sky. Winds were variable light to calm all day. The first migrant was an adult female columbarius Merlin that flew low and rapidly to the south on the western flank of Vicki Ridge at 1326 but the main movement of 25 of the day’s 27 migrants occurred between 1339 and 1524 and involved 19 Bald Eagles (10a, 2sa, 7j), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. Most of the birds soared high above the valley between the two ridges and drifted and glided slowly to the south and up to 7 birds were seen at one time. The only other migrant was an unidentified eagle that flew south at 1608 against the face of the setting sun. Four geese that flew high from NE to SW over Kyllo Ridge at 1611 were probably Greater White-fronted Geese, and other birds seen were 1 Canada Jay, 10 Common Ravens, 1 American Robin that flew high to the NW, 14 Bohemian Waxwings, 12 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 4 Red Crossbills.

7 hours (398.7) BAEA 19 (408), RLHA 1 (433), GOEA 5 (2628), UE 1 (6), MERL 1 (21) TOTAL 27 (4598)

Sunday, November 11 Steeples [Day 47] 1200-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 1C, conditions were calm, cloud cover was 60-40% stratus and cumulus and once again the ridge was obscured although it was otherwise a sunny day. A total of 7 adult eagles, 1 Bald Eagle and 6 Golden Eagles, moved sporadically low to the south in front of the ridge and beneath the cloud between 1322 and 1548. Soaring birds at times disappeared into the base of the cloud before gliding south in front of the shrouded ridge.

5 hours (202) BAEA 1 (116), GOEA 6 (176) TOTAL 7 (484)