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RMERF counts, November 08

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Thursday, November 08 Mount Lorette [Day 46] 0745-1725 (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Rick Robb). The temperature at 0745 was -14C, the high was -1C at 1500 and it was -4C at 1725. Ground winds were S-SW all day, 0-5 km/h to 1300 then 5-10 occasionally gusting 15 km/h, while ridge winds were light to moderate SW. It was cloudless all day. A total of 14 Golden Eagles (9a, 1j, 4u) migrated along the Fisher Range between 1223 and 1708 but the first bird that glided above the ridge was not seen until 1615. Movement was slow but steady and the maximum hourly count was 4 birds between 1300 and 1400. Two non-migrant adult Bald Eagles perched by the river, and other birds seen were 3 Canada Geese, 3 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 4 Common Ravens and 1 American Dipper. Thirty-nine young people and helpers from the Central Alberta Refugee program (CARE) in Red Deer visited the site today.

9.67 hours (475) GOEA 14 (2598) TOTAL 14 (3018)

 

Thursday, November 08 Vicki Ridge [Day 43] 0845-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0845 was -4C, the high at 1400 was 1C and it was -3C at 1700. Winds were steady W-WNW 20-30 gusting 40 km/h and it was cloudless all day. After 3 days with almost no movement today produced a fairly strong late-season count of 45 migrants of 4 species between 0858 and 1613. The count comprised 9 Bald Eagles (7a, 2sa), 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 32 Golden Eagles (27a, 2sa, 3j) which is the highest count since October 29, and 1 Prairie Falcon. Movement was fairly steady throughout with maximum hourly counts of 10 (1100-1200) and 9 (1500-1600). A non-migrant adult Northern Goshawk was also seen. Other birds seen included about 60 Common Ravens with up to 30 birds seen soaring at one time above a gut-piles from a recently hunted Elk that also attracted the attention of several of the migrant eagles, 107 Bohemian Waxwings and 45 Common Redpolls.

8.25 hours (373.2) BAEA 9 (353), RLHA 3 (429), GOEA 32 (2576) PRFA 1 (8) TOTAL 45 (4482)

 

Thursday, November 08 Steeples [Day 45] 1230-1700 (Vance Mattson, observing from the South Lakit site). The temperature was 1C conditions were calm and cloud cover was 60-30% stratus and cumulus that gave plenty of sunshine. The ridges remained obscured most of the afternoon and only cleared between 1608 and 1630 but, like yesterday, migrants soared low and at length in front of the shrouded ridges. Eleven migrant eagles were counted between 1348 and 1631 comprising 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) and 9 Golden Eagles (8a, 1j). At 1458 an adult Golden Eagle and a juvenile Bald Eagle soared together in front of the ridge, with the Bald Eagle being the higher of the two. The juvenile bird could not resist diving on the Golden Eagle, and as its second attempt was underway the Golden pumped its wings to meet it half-way and backed it off while simultaneously scolding it. This succeeded in separating the two birds as they continued gliding south at a respectful distance from each other.

4.5 hours (192.5) BAEA 2 (115), GOEA 9 (170) TOTAL 11 (477)

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY COUNTS, FALL 2018
MOUNT LORETTE September 20-November 15 VICKI RIDGE September 20-November 15 STEEPLES September 20-November 15
DAYS 46 43 45
HOURS 475 373.2 192.5
TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 0 1
OSPREY (OSPR) 3 8 2
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 174 353 115
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 7 15 14
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 68 627 72
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 7 74 4
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 35 95 8
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8 7 0
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 24 3
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 1 2 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 27 174 75
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 8 0
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 35 429 3
Buteo sp. (UB) 5 25 0
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2598 2576 170
Eagle sp. (UE) 31 5 2
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 12 3
MERLIN (MERL) 3 20 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 5 1
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 9 1
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 3 8 0
Falco sp. (UF) 4 2 0
Unidentified Raptor (UU) 4 4 1
   
TOTALS 3018 4482 477

 


RMERF counts November 06 (with expanded Lorette report) and November 07

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Tuesday, November 06 Mount Lorette [Day 44] 0805-1630 (Blake Weis). The temperature at the start was -9C, the high was -7C (1100-1400) and it was -6C at 1630. Ground winds were N-NE 0-5 gusting 10-18 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate N. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, stratocumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day with the exception of 1200 and 1300 when it reduced to 90%. Light snow fell to 1100 when it ceased until 1600 when light to moderate snow started falling again. The eastern ridges were only 10% obscured to 1100 that gave the possibility of raptor movement, but they then became 90-100% obscured for the rest of the day. The west was 80-90% obscured to 0900 that subsequently became 100%. No migrant raptors were seen, but 2 non-migrant Bald Eagles (1a, 1 late sa) were noted. There was a strong southward migration of waterfowl that included 2 unidentified swans, 455 Canada Geese, 665 Mallards, 25 Common Goldeneye and 40 Common Mergansers. Birds seen near the Hay Meadow site included 1 Brown Creeper, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 43 Common Redpolls, 16 White-winged Crossbills, 20 Pine Siskins, 1 Lapland Longspur and 10 Dark-eyed Juncos. There were no visitors today.

8.42 hours (456.1) TOTAL 0 (2987)

 

Tuesday, November 06 Vicki Ridge [Day 41] 1130-1430 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson mainly observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature was initially –9C but rose to -8C at 1300. Winds were light E-SE and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus. There was 14 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow continued to fall all day. The ridges were obscured by low cloud to 1100 but then almost completely cleared until 1430 when they again became shrouded. No migrant raptors were seen, but a resident adult Golden Eagle flew to the north at 1244. Other birds seen included 1a Northern Shrike and a flock of 100 Bohemian Waxwings.

3 hours (357.9) TOTAL 0 (4435)

 

Tuesday, November 06 Steeples [Day 43] 1215-1700 (Vance Mattson). The weather was better west of the Rockies where the temperature was 5C, winds were light W to calm and cloud cover was initially 40% stratus and cumulus that was concentrated around the mountains, but by 1600 it had increased to 100% although the ridges remained clear. A total of 10 migrants of 3 species moved between 1405 and 1453 coinciding with the lifting of clouds that had hitherto covered the ridges. The count was 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 1u Northern Goshawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. A resident Golden eagle was also seen at 1535.

4.75 hours (186.3) BAEA 4 (107), NOGO 1 (8), GOEA 5 (160) TOTAL 10 (459)

 

Wednesday, November 07 Mount Lorette [Day 45] 0815-1725 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Rachael Mackay and Blake Weis). The temperature at 0815 was -14C, the high was -4C (1400-1600) and it was -6C at 1725. It was calm to 1400 after which ground winds were N 0-5 km/h with a single gust of 15 km/h, and ridge winds were NW all day, light to 1500 then moderate. Cloud cover was 70% cirrus to 1200 that reduced to 10-20% cirrus with scattered cumulus to 1600 after which it was cloudless. Apart from occasional cloud drape on the eastern ridges the mountains were clear all day. After 3 days of poor movement today saw 17 eagles, 9 Bald Eagles (7a, 1sa, 1u), 7 adult Golden Eagles and 1 unidentified eagle that migrated steadily between 1342 and 1646. With the exception of 1 Bald Eagle that was seen to the west over Olympic Summit all birds were seen on the Fisher Range where they mainly flapped slowly or soared without gaining any significant altitude. Other birds were a single flock of 57 Canada Geese, 1a Northern Shrike, 2 Canada Jays, 3 Common Ravens, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 2 White-winged Crossbills and 2 Pine Siskins. The tracks of 2 Grey Wolves were seen in the 0.5 cm of fresh snow that was on the ground in the morning, but no human visitors made it to the site.

9.16 hours (465.3) BAEA 9 (174), GOEA 7 (2584), UE 1 (31) TOTAL 17 (3004)

 

Wednesday, November 07 Vicki Ridge [Day 42] 0945-1645 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). There was another 9 cm of fresh snow on the ground and the ridges were partially obscured by an ice-crystal haze until 1000. The starting temperature was -11C, the high at 1500 was -4.5C and it was again -11C at 1645. Conditions were essentially calm all day with occasional brief breezes (<5 km/h) from S-WSW. Cloud cover was initially 10% cumulus with 70-80% cirrostratus, cirrus and cumulus at 1200 and 1300 that dwindled to 10% at 1500 and it was then cloudless for the rest of the day. It was a beautiful sunny day but the air was inert and the only raptors seen were 2 Golden Eagles: a juvenile that soared high over Kyllo Ridge and flew south at 1227 and an adult that soared high, occasionally into the base of a cumulus cloud, and glided south at 1235. A mixed flock of 24 Trumpeter and 3 Tundra Swans flew high to the SW at 1120 and a smaller flock of 6 Trumpeter and 1 Tundra Swan flew high to the south at 1530, 156 Canada Geese in 3 flocks flew to the west and other birds seen were 1 male and 1 female Hairy Woodpeckers, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 18 Common Ravens, 60 Bohemian Waxwings, 36 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches, 46 Red Crossbills and 5 Common Redpolls.

7 hours (364.9) GOEA 2 (2544) TOTAL 2 (4437)

 

Wednesday, November 07 Steeples [Day 44] 1500-1645 (Vance Mattson, assisted by Caryn Kilback observing from the South Lakit site). The temperature was 1C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 60% stratus and cumulus that gave periods of sunshine but also shrouded the ridges. Six Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa, 4j) and 1 adult Golden Eagle migrated slowly between 1545 and 1554 with much low soaring below the clouds on the ridge.

1.75 hours (188) BAEA 6 (113), GOEA 1 (161) TOTAL 7 (466)

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY COUNTS, FALL 2018
MOUNT LORETTE September 20-November 15 VICKI RIDGE September 20-November 15 STEEPLES September 20-November 15
DAYS 45 42 44
HOURS 465.3 364.9 188
TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 0 1
OSPREY (OSPR) 3 8 2
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 174 344 113
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 7 15 14
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 68 627 72
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 7 74 4
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 35 95 8
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8 7 0
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 24 3
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 1 2 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 27 174 75
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 8 0
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 35 426 3
Buteo sp. (UB) 5 25 0
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2584 2544 161
Eagle sp. (UE) 31 5 2
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 12 3
MERLIN (MERL) 3 20 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 5 1
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 9 1
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 3 7 0
Falco sp. (UF) 4 2 0
Unidentified Raptor (UU) 4 4 1
   
TOTALS 3004 4437 466

 


RMERF counts, November 06

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Tuesday, November 06 Mount Lorette [Day 44] 0805-1630 (Blake Weis). The temperature at the start was -9C, the high was -7C (1100-1400) and it was -6C at 1630. Ground winds were N-NE 0-5 gusting 10-18 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate N. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, stratocumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day with the exception of 1200 and 1300 when it reduced to 90%. Light snow fell to 1100 when it ceased until 1600 when light to moderate snow started falling again. The eastern ridges were only 10% obscured to 1100 that gave the possibility of raptor movement, but they then became 90-100% obscured for the rest of the day. The west was 80-90% obscured to 0900 that subsequently became 100%. No migrant raptors were seen, but 2 non-migrant Bald Eagles (1a, 1 late sa) were noted. There was a strong southward migration of waterfowl that included 455 Canada Geese and 665 Mallards.

8.42 hours (456.1) TOTAL 0 (2987)

 

Tuesday, November 06 Vicki Ridge [Day 41] 1130-1430 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson mainly observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature was initially –9C but rose to -8C at 1300. Winds were light E-SE and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus. There was 14 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow continued to fall all day. The ridges were obscured by low cloud to 1100 but then almost completely cleared until 1430 when they again became shrouded. No migrant raptors were seen, but a resident adult Golden Eagle flew to the north at 1244. Other birds seen included 1a Northern Shrike and a flock of 100 Bohemian Waxwings.

3 hours (357.9) TOTAL 0 (4435)

 

Tuesday, November 06 Steeples [Day 43] 1215-1700 (Vance Mattson). The weather was better west of the Rockies where the temperature was 5C, winds were light W to calm and cloud cover was initially 40% stratus and cumulus that was concentrated around the mountains, but by 1600 it had increased to 100% although the ridges remained clear. A total of 10 migrants of 3 species moved between 1405 and 1453 coinciding with the lifting of clouds that had hitherto covered the ridges. The count was 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 1u Northern Goshawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. A resident Golden eagle was also seen at 1535.

4.75 hours (186.3) BAEA 4 (107), NOGO 1 (8), GOEA 5 (160) TOTAL 10 (459)

 

 

SUMMARY COUNTS, FALL 2018
MOUNT LORETTE September 20-November 15 VICKI RIDGE September 20-November 15 STEEPLES September 20-November 15
DAYS 44 41 43
HOURS 456.1 357.9 186.3
TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 0 1
OSPREY (OSPR) 3 8 2
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 165 344 107
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 7 15 14
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 68 627 72
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 7 74 4
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 35 95 8
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8 7 0
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 24 3
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 1 2 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 27 174 75
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 8 0
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 35 426 3
Buteo sp. (UB) 5 25 0
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2577 2542 160
Eagle sp. (UE) 30 5 2
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 12 3
MERLIN (MERL) 3 20 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 5 1
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 9 1
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 3 7 0
Falco sp. (UF) 4 2 0
Unidentified Raptor (UU) 4 4 1
   
TOTALS 2987 4435 459

 


RMERF counts, November 5

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Monday, November 05 Mount Lorette [Day 43] 0720-1630 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The temperature was -4C to 0900, the high was -3C from 1000 to 1300 and it was then -4C again for the rest of the day. Ground winds were N all day, light to 1300 then 10-25 km/h to the end of observation, while ridge winds appeared to be light NW-NE. Cloud cover was 80-100% cumulus and stratus all day that produced snow between 1000 and 1230 and very light snow for the rest of the afternoon. The east ridges were 50% obscured to 1000 and were then not then seen again, and the west was 10% obscured to 1000 and then 90% obscured for the rest of the day. The only migrant raptor was 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew low to the south above the river at 1044. Other birds were more abundant, however, and comprised 3080 Canada Geese that flew south in 35 flocks, 265 Mallards in 4 flocks, 67 Common Mergansers in 4 flocks, 7 large unidentified gulls also flying south, 1 American Three-toed Woodpecker, 1a Northern Shrike, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 5 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 2 American Dippers, 16 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 European Starling, 2 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 9 White-winged Crossbills, 120 Common Redpolls in 3 flocks and 2 cismontanus Dark-eyed Juncos. Barrier Lake also yielded a flock of 31 Hooded Mergansers. There were no visitors today.

9.16 hours (447.7) SSHA 1 (68) TOTAL 1 (2987)

 

Monday, November 05 Vicki Ridge [Day 40] 1345-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). Low fog obscured all ridges until 1330 when it began to lift. We arrived at the site at 1345 when the temperature was -4C, the wind was ESE 10 km/h and the southern end of Vicki Ridge was just visible through the fog. The lower part of the ridge was clear at 1445 and the ridge completely cleared at 1615 and Kyllo Ridge followed 5 minutes later. Cloud cover was revealed to be 100% stratus and the temperature fell to -6C with light snow at 1700 with winds after 1500 E 10-15 km/h. No migrant raptors were seen, but other birds were a flock of 52 Canada Geese that flew high to the west at 1643, 200 Mallards that flew even higher to the west at 1646, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 30 Common Ravens including a tight flock of 37 that flew to the west at 1606, 290 Bohemian Waxwings, a single flock of 150 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flying south and 2 Pine Siskins.

3.25 hours (354.9) TOTAL 0 (4435)

 

Monday, November 05 Steeples [Day 42] 1515-1645 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 8C that dropped to 6C at 1645, winds were moderate E and cloud cover was 100% stratus, cumulus and altostratus. The ridges became shrouded from the east at 1630 as light rain began to fall. Three migrants were seen: 1u Golden Eagle at 1515 and 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) at 1551. A resident Golden Eagle was also seen briefly.

1.5 hours (181.5) BAEA 2 (103), GOEA 1 (155) TOTAL 3 (449)

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY COUNTS, FALL 2018
MOUNT LORETTE September 20-November 15 VICKI RIDGE September 20-November 15 STEEPLES September 20-November 15
DAYS 43 40 42
HOURS 447.7 354.9 181.5
TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 0 1
OSPREY (OSPR) 3 8 2
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 165 344 103
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 7 15 14
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 68 627 72
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 7 74 4
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 35 95 7
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8 7 0
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 24 3
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 1 2 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 27 174 75
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 8 0
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 35 426 3
Buteo sp. (UB) 5 25 0
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2577 2542 155
Eagle sp. (UE) 30 5 2
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 12 3
MERLIN (MERL) 3 20 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 5 1
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 9 1
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 3 7 0
Falco sp. (UF) 4 2 0
Unidentified Raptor (UU) 4 4 1
   
TOTALS 2987 4435 449

 

 


RMERF counts, November 4

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Sunday, November 04 Mount Lorette [Day 42] 0655-1725 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Lori Anderson). Both the starting and finishing temperatures were 6C and the high was 9C at 1300. Ground winds were SW all day, 2-15 km/h that gusted up to 36 km/h at 1100, and ridge winds were strong WSW to 0900 and then moderate to strong W for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 40% cumulus and stratus, was then 70-90% cumulus to 1330 and was 80-100% cumulus and stratus for the rest of the day. The eastern ridges were clear all day and the west was 0-20% obscured apart from 1400 when it was 70% obscured and generated light snow flurries. Although migration conditions appeared to be reasonable only 6 migrants were seen between 0912 and 1539 that comprised 1 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk and 5 Golden Eagles (4a, 1u). One or two adult Bald Eagles and an adult Northern Goshawk were considered to be resident or non-migrant birds. Other birds seen were a flock of 44 Canada Geese that flew high to the south at 1706, 3 female Common Mergansers on the river, 4 Canada Jays, 38 Common Ravens, 2 American Robins that flew to the south, 1 American Dipper and 20 Bohemian Waxwings. Nineteen visitors were at the site today.

10.5 hours (438.6) SSHA 1 (67), GOEA 5 (2577) TOTAL 6 (2986)

 

Sunday, November 04 Vicki Ridge [Day 39] 0730-1645 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The day started dramatically with rain and sleet driven by 80 km/h WNW winds which stopped at 0800 and there was no further significant precipitation. The temperature at 0800 was 3C, the high was 7C at 1100, 1300 and 1500 that coincided with sunny periods with moderate cumulus cloud cover that alternated with bands of dark thick stratocumulus cloud that periodically moved from the west. After 1500 there was only 10% cumulus cloud cover until the end of observation when the temperature was 3C and cloud thickened to 60% and produced spectacular sunset colours. After 0800 winds were strong W-WSW 40-50 gusting to 60-80 km/h all day. Raptor movement was sparse and very sporadic with 17 migrants of 6 species seen between 0812 and 1620 that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1u), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 8 Golden Eagles (7a, 1j), 1 white morph adult Gyrfalcon and 2 male Prairie Falcons. The maximum hourly count was only 4 birds between 1400 and 1500. Other birds seen included 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 130 Bohemian Waxwings, 200 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 36 Pine Siskins.

9.25 hours (351.7) BAEA 3 (344), NOGO 2 (95), RLHA 1 (426), GOEA 8 (2542), GYRF 1 (5), PRFA 2 (7) TOTAL 17 (4435)

 

Sunday, November 04 Steeples [Day 41] 1130-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 8C and winds were initially moderate SW but became calm by 1500. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus, stratus and cumulus that produced light rain between 1330 and 1430, after which it gradually cleared and by 1600 it was 20% cumulus and sunny. The day produced 8 migrants of 3 species between 1158 and 1656 which is the highest count at the site since October 19. The flight comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 3j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Five of the birds were seen before 1217. A resident Golden Eagle soared above the ridge before gliding to the northwest into the valley at 1150.

5.5 hours (180) BAEA 5 (101), NOGO 1 (7), GOEA 2 (154) TOTAL 8 (446)

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY COUNTS, FALL 2018
MOUNT LORETTE September 20-November 15 VICKI RIDGE September 20-November 15 STEEPLES September 20-November 15
DAYS 42 39 41
HOURS 438.6 351.7 180
TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 0 1
OSPREY (OSPR) 3 8 2
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 165 344 101
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 7 15 14
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 67 627 72
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 7 74 4
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 35 95 7
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8 7 0
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 24 3
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 1 2 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 27 174 75
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 8 0
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 35 426 3
Buteo sp. (UB) 5 25 0
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2577 2542 154
Eagle sp. (UE) 30 5 2
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 12 3
MERLIN (MERL) 3 20 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 5 1
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 9 1
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 3 7 0
Falco sp. (UF) 4 2 0
Unidentified Raptor (UU) 4 4 1
   
TOTALS 2986 4435 446

 


RMERF counts, November 3

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Saturday, November 03 Mount Lorette [Day 41] 0835-1800 (Blake Weis, assisted by Cliff Hansen). The temperature was 0C at the start but rose to 7C between 1400 and 1700 and was 6C at 1800. Ground winds were SW all day, 0-5 gusting 10-18 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate SW all day. Cloud cover was 100% altocumulus, altostratus, cirrostratus, cirrus and cumulus for most of the day except between 1400 and 1700 when it was 80% of the same cloud mix without the cirrostratus. The ridges were clear all day. A total of 29 migrant raptors of 3 species were seen between 1015 and 1642 that comprised 1j Bald Eagle, 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk and 27 Golden Eagles (16a, 1sa, 10u). Eight of the Golden Eagles were seen between 1015 and 1100 and a further 7 between 1300 and 1400. Most eagles were seen gliding probably from Mount Lorette into the upper face of the northern end of the Fisher Range from where they rapidly kited high before gliding high to the SE above the Fisher Range ridge. Other birds noted were 1 Canada Goose heard calling, 20 Mallards flying south above the Fisher Range, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 4 Canada Jays, 8 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 2 Brown Creepers, 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 15 Bohemian Waxwings, 22 White-winged Crossbills, 55 Common Redpolls, 14 Pine Siskins and 9 Dark-eyed Juncos. Thirty-two visitors came to the site today.

9.58 hours (428.1) BAEA 1 (165), SSHA 1 (66), GOEA 29 (2572) TOTAL 29 (2980)

 

Saturday, November 03 Vicki Ridge [Day 38] 0845-1745 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson after 1500, observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0900 was 3C, the high at 1200 was 7C and it was 4C at 1745. Winds were W-WSW all day 30-50 gusting 60 km/h, and cloud cover was 100-60% altostratus, altocumulus and lenticular in the morning and 100-80% altostratus and cumulus in the afternoon that produced occasional very light rain showers. A total of 42 migrants of 5 species moved between 1015 and 1730 comprising 11 Bald Eagles (2a, 2sa, 5j, 2u), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult dark morph harlani Red-tailed Hawk, 7 Rough-legged Hawks (5 light, 2 dark) and 22 Golden Eagles (19a, 2sa, 1u). The highest hourly count was 13 (1300-1400). I was joined between 1100 and 1330 by 12 members of the Lethbridge College Chapter of the Wildlife Society who were able to see 22 of the day’s migrants under excellent observing conditions. Other birds seen included 1 male Hairy Woodpecker, 1a Northern Shrike, 3 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 55 Bohemian Waxwings, 275 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 3 Cassin’s Finches and 84 Pine Siskins.

9 hours (342.4) BAEA 11 (341), SSHA 1 (627), RTHA 1 (174), RLHA 7 (425), GOEA 22 (2534) TOTAL 42 (4418)

 

Saturday, November 03 Steeples [Day 40] 1330-1800 (Vance Mattson, assisted by Virginia Rasch). Cloud cover on the ridges was clearing by 1330 when Vance arrived at the site at 1330 when the temperature was 5C with strong S winds. By 1600, however, the temperature was 9C, it was calm and cloud cover was 60% altostratus and altocumulus that gave intermittent sunny periods, but increased to 100% altostratus and dark cumulus at 1800. Seven migrants, 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j) and 3 adult Golden Eagles, were counted between 1358 and 1624 although 6 of these moved between 1542 and 1624. A resident Golden Eagle hunted along the ridges from 1335-1400.

4.5 hours (174.5) BAEA 4 (96), GOEA 3 (152) TOTAL 7 (438)

 

 

SUMMARY COUNTS, FALL 2018
MOUNT LORETTE September 20-November 15 VICKI RIDGE September 20-November 15 STEEPLES September 20-November 15
DAYS 41 38 40
HOURS 428.1 342.4 174.5
TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 0 1
OSPREY (OSPR) 3 8 2
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 165 341 96
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 7 15 14
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 66 627 72
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 7 74 4
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 35 93 6
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8 7 0
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 24 3
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 1 2 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 27 174 75
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 8 0
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 35 425 3
Buteo sp. (UB) 5 25 0
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2572 2534 152
Eagle sp. (UE) 30 5 2
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 12 3
MERLIN (MERL) 3 20 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 4 1
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 9 1
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 3 5 0
Falco sp. (UF) 4 2 0
Unidentified Raptor (UU) 4 4 1
   
TOTALS 2980 4418 438

 


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