Tuesday, April 17 Mount Lorette [Day 43] 0655-2030 (Blake Weis, assisted by Brian McBride). The temperature at 0700 was 0C, the high was 5C from 1500 to1700 and again at 1800 and 1900, and it was 4C at 2039. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 15 km/h except between 1100 and 1900 when they gusted to 30 km/h, and ridge winds were SW light to moderate to 0900 then were moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1400, then 80-90% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and stratocumulus to 1700 that reduced to 40% at the end of observation. There were brief light to moderate snow flurries between 1200 and 1800 but the eastern ridges were clear all day although the west was variably 20-70% obscured to 1500 after which they cleared. There was a moderate raptor movement involving 5 species between 0927 and 1940 that comprised 2 Ospreys, 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1u), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified Buteo, 11 Golden Eagles (2a, 2sa, 3j, 4u) and 1u American Kestrel. One Golden Eagle used the western route, most of the non-eagles moved above the valley and the other migrants were either located at the northern end of the Fisher Range or at Mount Lorette. Movement was slow and sporadic and the maximum hourly count was 5 birds between 1400 and 1500. The resident pair of goshawks soared and vocalised south of the site, single resident Red-tailed Hawks were seen hunting over Hummingbird Hill and the Fisher Range, and a resident adult Golden Eagle flew south from Mount Lorette. Non-raptor bird species recorded were 8 Canada Geese, 1 female Common Goldeneye, 3 Killdeer, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 adult Northern Shrikes, 2 American Crows, 16 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 male Mountain Bluebird, 1 Varied Thrush, 155 American Robins, 1 European Starling, 6 American Pipits, 170 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 male hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco and 3 Common Redpolls. There were no visitors today.

13.58 hours (487.1) OSPR 2 (3), BAEA 2 (166), RLHA 1 (14), UB 1 (2), GOEA 11 (2220), AMKE 1 (2) TOTAL 18 (2498)

Tuesday, April 17 Beaver Mines [Day 50] 0700-1815 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0700 was 0C, the high at 1600 was 6C and it was 3C at 2015. Winds were moderate to strong W-WSW all day 35-45 gusting up to 60 km/h. Cloud cover was 30-50% altocumulus and cumulus that gave sunny conditions to 1000 after which it was 80-100% altostratus, altocumulus and cumulus that gave hazy sunshine to 1800, and then 40-50% altostratus and altocumulus which again allowed sunshine, and it was finally cloudless at 2000. Occasional brief snow flurries moved from the southwest after 1500 and there was one extended snow shower between 1608 and 1640 that obscured the ridge. In general migration and observing conditions were very good and a total of 35 migrant raptors of 10 species were counted between 0911 and 1952. The count was the season’s first Turkey Vulture, an adult at 1655, 1 Osprey, 2 Bald Eagles (1 late subadult and 1 juvenile), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, the season’s first 2 Swainson’s Hawks (a dark adult at 1429 and a light adult at 1552), 9 calurus Red-tailed Hawks ( 6a and 1u light morphs and 2a rufous morphs), 1 unidentified dark Buteo, 13 Golden Eagles (4a, 1sa, 8j), 1 adult female columbarius Merlin and 1 adult probable female Peregrine Falcon. All 18 species of regularly-occurring diurnal raptors have now been seen this season. Only 2 juvenile Golden Eagles were seen in the morning, but afternoon movement was steady to 1718 with a peak hour of 9 birds between 1500 and 1600. No birds were seen between 1718 and 1920 probably owing to snow to the south blocking movement, but there was then a late migration of 4 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Golden Eagle up to 1952. A single Common Loon flying high to the SW at 1527 was a first for the season, but it had little prospect of finding open water on lakes in this part of the world, and may have had to continue over the mountains to BC. Maybe Vance will see it tomorrow!

13.25 (518.5) TUVU 1 (1), OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 2 (339), SSHA 3 (35), NOGO 1 (22), SWHA 2 (2), RTHA 9 (126), UB 1 (12), GOEA 13 (1471), MERL 1 (13), PEFA 1 (8) TOTAL 35 (2182)

Tuesday, April 17 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION. The mountains cleared in the afternoon after a morning of rain and overcast conditions, but unfortunately Vance had a work commitment and was unable to observe.

Monday, April 16 Mount Lorette (Dan and Cindy Parliament). NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Dan and Cindy were at the site and at Lorette Ponds from 0730 to 1100 where the temperature was -3C winds were calm or very light and cloud cover was 100% low stratus with heavy snow that obscured all ridges. No observation was possible and the count was abandoned at 1100 when the forecast gave no indication that conditions would change. Birds seen were 7 Canada Geese, 6 Mallards 2 Northern Shovelers, 1 Common Goldeneye, 1 Common Merganser, 3 Killdeer, 2 California Gulls, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Northern Shrike, 3 Common Ravens, 1 Varied Thrush, 21 American Robins, 20 European Starlings, 1 American Pipit and 4 Dark-eyed Juncos.

Monday, April 16 Beaver Mines [Day 50] 0900-1800 (Peter Sherrington). Heavy snow was forecast for the whole day but at 0900 the lower two-thirds of the ridge became visible and by 1015 the snow stopped leaving 15 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The ridge was completely clear to 1045 when the top again was obscured by cloud, but at 1230 it cleared again and remained clear for the rest of the day. The temperature at 0900 was 0C that rose to a high of 3.5C at 1600 and was still 3C when observation ceased at 1800. Winds were light and very variable in direction throughout, and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day with some cumulus developing between 1300 and 1500. A total of 5 migrant raptors were seen between 1245 and 1621 comprising 1 Osprey, 1 juvenile Bald Eagle and 3 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 2 dark). All birds moved low with much flapping flight. The resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks was in evidence after 1506.

9 hours (505.2) OSPR 1 (2), BAEA 1 (339), RLHA 3 (100) TOTAL 5 (2147)

Monday, April 16 Steeples [Day 35] 1630-1800 (Vance Mattson). Rain fell most of the day but it began to slightly clear at 1530 and the mountains became visible. Vance arrived at the site at 1630 when the temperature was 8C, which dropped to 7C by 1800, winds were strong S-SE and cloud cover was 90% stratus, altostratus and cumulus that partially obscured the ridges. Alternating light hail and rain fell throughout. No migrant raptors were seen and the only resident was a Turkey Vulture that soared high and headed to the west.

1.5 hours (150.5) TOTAL 0 (793)

Sunday, April 15 Mount Lorette [Day 42] 0600-2015 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Cliff Hansen). The temperature at 0600 was -1C, the high was 9C at 1700 and it was 2C at the end of observation. Ground winds were SW 0-3 km/h to 1100 then SSW-SSE 0-10 gusting to 22 km/h to 1800 when the arrival of a cold front switched winds to N-NE 5-15 gusting to 37 km/h that brought light to moderate snow until the end of observation. Ridge winds were difficult to assess but were probably calm or light NNE to 1400 after which they were light and moderate after 1800. Light snow also fell to 0800 and all ridges were obscured to 0900. The east was 60-90% obscured to 1300 and was then clear to 1800 after which it was 60-100% obscured again. The west was 70-100% obscured to 1300, clear to 1800 and up to 90% obscured thereafter. Despite these unpromising conditions there was a fairly strong raptor movement, probably in anticipation of the passage of the cold front, with 74 migrants of 4 species moving between 1020 and 1855. The count was 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 3j), 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 63 Golden Eagles (13a, 10sa, 22j, 18u) and 1 unidentified eagle. Only eight birds used the western route and the rest mainly moved low with much soaring against the face of the Fisher Range, or were initially located around Mount Lorette. Some birds also soared high above the centre of the valley before gliding to Mount Lorette. Only 6 birds moved before 1300 but then the pace gradually quickened and peaked at 24 between 1700 and 1800 just ahead of the passage of the front, and 7 more Golden Eagles migrated under deteriorating weather conditions between 1800 and 1855. Non-migrant or resident raptors were 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 2 or 3 Red-tailed Hawks. Non-raptor bird species recorded were a single flock of 70 Snow Geese that flew from behind Mount Lorette to the NE above the valley at 1102, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 female goldeneye sp., 11 Common Mergansers, 2 Killdeer, the first Wilson’s Snipe of the season that was heard calling, 32 (probable) California Gulls that flew very high to the NE, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 adult Northern Shrikes that, as yesterday, often noisily interacted, 2 American Crows, 24 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 American Dipper, 2 Mountain Bluebirds (male and female), 1 Varied Thrush, 75 American Robins, 4 European Starlings, 4 Bohemian Waxwings and 4 Common Redpolls. Twenty visitors made it to the site before the snow arrived.

14.25 hours (473.6) BAEA 5 (164), SSHA 2 (16), RTHA 1 (21), GOEA 63 (2209), UE 1 (25) TOTAL 74 (2480)

Sunday, April 15 Beaver Mines [Day 49] 0715-2015 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Denise Cocciolone-Amatto and Monica Bartha). The temperature reached a high of 12C at 1300 from a morning low of 2C, and it was still 7C at 2015. Winds were very variable and light to 1330 after which they were mainly W-SW, 20-30 km/h to 1700 and then 5-15 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 79-100% mainly cumulus and stratus all day which gave hazy sunshine and brief sunny periods and provided good observing conditions. Migration was slow and sporadic with only 33 migrants of 5 species seen between 0957 and 1848 that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 2 adult Northern Harriers (1 male and 1 female), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light adult and 1u dark morph) and 24 Golden Eagles (14a, 3sa, 3j, 5u). The pace of movement quickened after 1500 under moderate W-SW winds when 24 birds were counted. Eleven occurred between 1700 and 1800 when Golden Eagles soared very high above the ridge before gliding to the north. The spring-like conditions finally produced the first swallows of the year: a Tree Swallow at 1723 and 2 Violet-green Swallows at 1845. With more snow forecast for tomorrow they might well regret their arrival!

13 hours (496.2) BAEA 4 (336), NOHA 2 (8), SSHA 1 (32), RTHA 2 (117), GOEA 24 (1458) TOTAL 33 (2142)

Sunday, April 15 Steeples [Day 34] 1300-1930 (Vance Mattson). The temperature reached a high of 11C, winds were moderate SW and cloud cover was 50-80% mainly cumulus cloud which provided excellent viewing conditions. Migration conditions were also good and a total of 30 migrants of 6 species moved between 1455 and 1905, 26 of which were seen after 1700. The count was 3 Turkey Vultures, 11 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa, 8j), 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (4 light morphs (3a, 1j) and 1 rufous adult), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 9 Golden Eagles (3a, 1sa, 5j). The high hourly counts were 12 (1700-1800) and 13 (1800-1900), and notable was the high percentage of juvenile birds of both eagle species. Once again non-migrant raptors were dominated by Turkey Vultures with soaring groups of 4 and 5 birds seen, and also present were 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, an adult Northern Goshawk, 1 hunting Red-tailed Hawk and the resident pair of Golden Eagles.

6.5 hours (149) TUVU 3 (12), BAEA 11 (159), SSHA 2 (5), RTHA 4 (25), RLHA 1 (4), GOEA 9 (584) TOTAL 30 (793)

Saturday, April 14 Mount Lorette [Day 41] 0715-1200 and 1300-1800 (Jim Davis, assisted by Ruth Morrow). The temperature at 0715 was 1C, the high was 5C at 1500 and it was 3C at the end of observation. Ground winds were SW 5-15 gusting 20 km/h and ridge winds were strong SW all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus with minor cumulus all day with the exception of 0900-0930 when it briefly reduced to 80%. Heavy snow fell in the valley all day, the western ridges were completely obscured, but the east was 30% clear between 1100 and 1200. Remarkably 7 migrant raptors were seen in the Hay Meadow vicinity, all low over the valley, between 0808 and 1100 that comprised 1 adult Northern Harrier, 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles (1a, 1u). A resident pair of goshawks and a non-migrant Red-tailed Hawk were also present. The observers took a break between 1200 and 1300 before returning to the Hay Meadow where conditions had not improved, and between 1500 and 1800 moved to the Lusk Creek site where the foothills ridge was clear, cloud cover was 50% that became 90% after 1730 that brought rain which finally ended the day’s count. Lusk Creek produced a further 23 migrants that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3 adults and 1 late subadult), 5 Red-tailed Hawks (4 calurus: 3 adult light and 1 juvenile dark, and 1 juvenile “Krider’s Hawk”), 13 Golden Eagles (5a, 3j, 1u) and 1 large unidentified raptor. Thirteen migrants moved between 1600 and 1700. The final combined count was 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 2u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 6 Red-tailed Hawks, 15 Golden Eagles (6a, 3j, 6u) and 1 large unidentified raptor. Other birds seen near the Hay Meadow site were 2 Canada Geese, a pair of Barrow’s Goldeneye on the river, 7 Common Mergansers, 5 Killdeer, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 female Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Northern Shrike, 22 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 American Dipper, 1 male Mountain Bluebird, 1 Varied Thrush, 30 American Robins, 1 cismontanus Dark-eyed Junco, 1 Western Meadowlark (the first of the season: a still-warm dead bird that had apparently flown into a tree!), 1 singing male Pine Grosbeak and 1 Pine Siskin. There were 10 visitors to the Hay Meadow site and 2 at Lusk Creek.

9.75 hours (459.3) BAEA 4 (159), NOHA 1 (1), SSHA 2 (12), NOGO 1 (11), RTHA 6 (20), GOEA 15 (2146), UU 1 (3) TOTAL 30 (2406)

Saturday, April 14 Beaver Mines [Day 47] 0700-2015 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Connie Simmons and Phil Hazelton). It was a warm day with a starting temperature of 3C, a high of 10C between 1200 and 1600 and 6C at 2015. Winds were mainly W-WSW all day 30-50 gusting to 70 km/h that dropped to 20-35 km/h after 1700. It was cloudless to 0915 after which it was variable 30-90% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus to 1600 and then 0-20% cumulus and cirrostratus for the rest of the day. Both migration and observing conditions were excellent and produced a total of 102 migrants of 13 species between 0920 and 2006. The count was 16 Bald Eagles (11a, 1sa, 4j), 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1j, 4u), 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 2 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (1a, 1j), 11 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (10 light, 1 dark), 4 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 1 unidentified dark morph Buteo, 52 Golden Eagles (33a, 4sa, 15j), 2 columbarius Merlins (1 adult female and 1u male), 1 adult female grey morph Gyrfalcon, 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon, 1 Prairie Falcon and 1 small unidentified raptor. Only 2 birds were seen before 1100 but then movement was steady for the rest of the day with a maximum hourly count of 25 between 1200 and 1300. A pair of Greater Sandhill Cranes finally arrived back in the valley, about a month later than average.

13.25 (483.2) BAEA 16 (332), NOHA 1 (6), SSHA 7 (31), COHA 1 (4), NOGO 1 (21), BWHA 2 (10), RTHA 11 (115), RLHA 4 (97), UB 1 (11), GOEA 52 (1434), MERL 2 (12), GYRF 1 (8), PEFA 1 (7), PRFA 1 (3), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 102 (2109)

Saturday, April 14 Steeples [Day 33] 1300-1830 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 10C, winds were mainly strong SE and cloud cover was 70% cumulus that thickened to 100% dark cumulus and altostratus. Light rain fell between 1300 and 1315 and again between 1630 and 1635. The total of 10 migrants that moved between 1435 and 1745 comprised 5 Turkey Vultures that moved north at 1525, 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Non-migrant Turkey Vultures were widespread and 2 adult Bald Eagles were seen separately later in the day.

5.5 hours (142.5), TUVU 5 (9). BAEA 1 (148), RTHA 2 (21), GOEA 2 (575) TOTAL 10 (763)

Friday, April 13 Mount Lorette [Day 40] 0720-2045 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Rick Robb). The starting temperature was -3C, the high was 6C (1600-1800) and it was 4C at the end of observation. Ground winds were variable and light to 1100 after which they were constantly SW 5-10 gusting 30 km/h to 1800 after which they were 10-15 gusting 45 km/h; ridge winds were moderate to strong SW all day. Cloud cover was initially 40% cumulus, stratus and cirrostratus that became 100% at 1000 and 20% at 1200, after which it gradually thickened to 80% cumulus to 1800 and was then 100% cumulus stratus and cirrostratus for the rest of the day. The east ridges were clear all day, and the west was 20% obscured to 1200, clear to 1500 and then obscured by blowing snow as the velocity of the SW winds increased. A total of 38 migrant raptors of 7 species were recorded between 0810 and 1945 that comprised the season’s first Osprey at 1310, 2 subadult Bald Eagles, 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 30 Golden Eagles (8a, 2sa, 8j, 12u) and the season’s first American Kestrel. The first 3 Golden Eagles (0810-0900) were located over Olympic Summit and moved NW over Skogan Pass but the rest of the eagles glided very high above the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette with 7 eagles being initially located above Mount Lorette. Movement was very sporadic in the morning when only 6 migrants were seen, but became more persistent in the afternoon and peaked at 15 birds between 1500 and 1600. Only 2 eagles moved after 1800. Resident or non-migrant birds were 4 Bald Eagles (1 resident pair, and 1 adult and 1 subadult that flew to the south), 1 adult Northern Goshawk that was seen hunting north of the meadow, 2 apparent resident pairs of calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light pair and 1 rufous pair) and the resident pair of Golden Eagles that were mainly seen in the vicinity of Olympic Summit). Other birds recorded in the area were 8 Canada Geese, a pair of Northern Shovelers on the river (the first of the season), 3 Common Goldeneyes, 1 pair of Common Mergansers, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 4 Killdeer, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Northern Shrikes, 2 Grey Jays, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 5 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 Varied Thrushes, 20 American Robins, 1 American Dipper, 12 European Starlings, 1 American Pipit and 4 Dark-eyed Juncos. Four visitors were at the site today.

13.42 hours (449.6) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 2 (155), SSHA 2 (10), RTHA 1 (14), RLHA 1 (13), GOEA 30 (2131), AMKE 1 (1) TOTAL 38 (2376)

Friday, April 13 Beaver Mines [Day 46] 0645-2015 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Fred Calverley). The morning saw 12 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The temperature at 0645 was 0C, the high was 7C (1100-1300) and it was 2C at 2015. Winds were W all day 30-40 gusting 50 km/h and gusting to 70 km/h late in the day. Cloud cover was initially 70% altocumulus and cirrus which quickly dissipated leaving cloudless skies to 1230, after which 40-80% cumulus, altocumulus and altostratus persisted to 1800 and the last 2 hours was 100% cirrostratus and altocumulus. Observing conditions were excellent throughout the afternoon and contributed to a strong count of 75 migrant raptors of a season-high 13 species between 0758 and 1943. The count comprised the season’s first Osprey at 1438, 12 Bald Eagles (9a, 1sa, 2j), 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 3 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (3a, 1j), 9 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (5 adult light morphs and 4 dark morphs (3a and 1j)), 1 adult dark morph Ferruginous Hawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 2 light morph unidentified Buteos, 37 Golden Eagles (19a, 2sa, 15j, 1u), 1u American Kestrel and 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon. Only 2 migrants were seen before 1000 but then movement was generally steady with maximum hourly counts of 12 between 1200 and 1300, and again between 1800 and 1900. A Spotted Towhee and a Cabbage White butterfly were both firsts for the season.

13.5 hours (470) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 12 (316), NOHA 1 (5), SSHA 3 (24), COHA 1 (3), NOGO 1 (20), BWHA 4 (8), RTHA 9 (104), FEHA 1 (6), RLHA 1 (93), UB 2 (10), GOEA 37 (1382), AMKE 1 (5), PEFA 1 (6) TOTAL 75 (2007)

Friday, April 13 Steeples [Day 32] 1200-1730 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 8C at 1200 and was 7C after 1500. Winds were strong S to SE which made it feel much colder, and cloud cover was 50% altostratus and cumulus that became 100% altostratus after 1500 that slightly obscured the ridges. Only 3 migrants were seen between 1254 and 1351: 1 subadult Bald Eagle and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Non-migrants were Turkey Vultures, seen throughout including a kettle of 7 birds at 1345, 3 Bald Eagles (1 adult pair and 1 juvenile), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and the resident pair of Golden Eagles. Vance summed up the day as: “Overall, a cold and miserable spring day!”

5.5 hours (137) BAEA 1 (147), GOEA 2 (573) TOTAL 3 (753)