Friday, March 9 Mount Lorette [Day 8] 0710-1835 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Rick Robb and Alan Hingston). It was 0C at 0710, the high was 5C at 1500 and it was still 3C at 1835. Ground winds were W mainly 0-10 km/h but occasionally gusting to 30 km/h, and ridge winds were also W, moderate in the morning and light to moderate in the afternoon. Cloud cover was mainly variable altostratus and altocumulus, 20-80% in the morning and 40-100% in the afternoon. The east ridges were up to 20% obscured to 0900 and the west 40-60% obscured to 0900, but subsequently both routes were clear for the rest of the day. A season-high total of 16 raptors moved between 0943 and 1710 comprising 2 adult Bald Eagles and a season-high total of 14 Golden Eagles (6a, 2sa, 1j, 5u). All birds moved high to very high above the Fisher Range or the eastern side of the valley and most appeared to continue to the north above the valley: none were seen at Mount Lorette. A resident adult Golden Eagle was seen hunting the slopes of Mount McDougall and 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1j) flying low were also considered to be residents. Other birds seen were 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 4 Grey Jays, 12 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 American Dipper, 20 Bohemian Waxwings and 4 Common Redpolls. The highlight of the day, however, was when the Kananaskis pack of 4 Grey Wolves (3 grey and 1 black morph) crossed the Kananaskis River just north of the site traveling to the east. Six visitors were at the site today.

11.42 hours (77.34) BAEA 2 (10), GOEA 14 (28) TOTAL 16 (40)

Friday, March 9 Beaver Mines [Day 13] 0730-1700 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0730 was 1C, rose to a high of 6C from 1100 to 1300 and was -1C at 1700. Winds were WSW-W 25-35 gusting to 60 km/h to 1600 when the winds shifted to NNE-NE 18-25 gusting 40 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 100% very thin altostratus to 0830 that quickly burned off leaving cloudless skies or up to 10% cumulus cover to 1400 when it rapidly began to cloud over and reached 100% stratus at 1500 and at 1600 low stratocumulus cloud rolled in from the NE bringing steady snow that completely obscured the ridge; at 1700 the count was abandoned for the day. Only one raptor was seen in the morning, an adult Golden Eagle at 0954, but the afternoon saw a steady movement with a further 20 birds mainly gliding high to the NW between 1230 and 1524. The flight comprised 9 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 11 adult Golden Eagles.

9.5 hours (114) BAEA 9 (50), RLHA 1 (7), GOEA 11 (74) TOTAL 21 (136)

Friday, March 9 Steeples [Day 6] 1430-1730 (Vance Mattson). Rain started at 1100 that turned to wet snow that fell to 1330, after which the mountains slowly cleared. Vance arrived at the site at 1430 and by 1530 the ridges were mainly clear although the higher peaks remained cloud-covered. The temperature was 3C, it was calm and cloud cover ranged from 100% stratus to 80% altostratus, cumulus and altocumulus and, at 1700, reduced to 40% cumulus as the valley finally cleared. Despite the clearing not a single migrant or resident raptor was seen.

3 hours (20.75) TOTAL 0 (29)

Thursday, March 8 Mount Lorette [Day 7] 0745-1810 (Blake Weis, assisted by Alan Hingston). The starting temperature was -14C that rose to a high of 4C at 1500 and 1600 and was 2C at the end of observation. Ground winds were S-SW all day, 0-5 km/h in the morning and 5-10 gusting 20 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were SW light to moderate in the morning and moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, altostratus and altocumulus to 1300 after which it was 80-90% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus which gave excellent observing conditions. The eastern ridges were 10% obscured between 1100 and 1300 and the west was 10-20% obscured after 1100. A season-high total of 6 adult Golden Eagles were counted between 1245 and 1657, 4 of which were seen between 1300 and 1400. The first five birds moved from the northern end of the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette and the last was initially located over Mount Lorette. A resident Golden Eagle also soared over Mount Collembola to the west. Other birds present were 5 Canada Geese, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers (male and female), 1 Pileated Woodpecker that called east of the river, 7 Grey Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 2 American Dippers, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire and 2 Common Redpolls. There were no visitors today.

10.42 hours (65.92) GOEA 6 (14) TOTAL 6 (24)

Thursday, March 8 Beaver Mines [Day 12] 0730-1700 (Peter Sherrington). At 0730 the temperature was -9C which rose to a high of 7C at 1700. Winds were WSW-W all day, light (<10 km/h) to 1030 after which the velocity increased to 20-35 gusting 50 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% uniform stratus to 1100 after which it was 70-80% cumulus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus which provided periods of sunshine and excellent observing conditions. The first migrant was not seen until 1138 but subsequently there was a fairly steady flow of raptors with a season-high total of 31 birds moving to 1646, 8 of which were seen during the last hour of observation. The count comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark) and a season-high 25 adult Golden Eagles. Two Golden Eagles, 1 adult and 1 juvenile, were considered to be residents.

Thursday, March 8 Steeples (Vance Mattson) NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Snow fell until noon, but heavy low cloud persisted and all mountains were obscured.

Wednesday, March 7 Mount Lorette [Day 6] 0740-1805 (Blake Weis). The starting temperature was -17C but reached a high of 2C between 1600 and 1800 and was -1C at 1800. Ground winds were variable 0-5 km/h to 1200 and S-SW 0-10 gusting 15-35 km/h in the afternoon, while ridge winds were SW all day, light to 1100 and then moderate. It was cloudless to 1200 after which cloud cover was 10% variable altocumulus, cumulus and cirrus for the rest of the day. All ridges were clear. Despite the apparently favourable migration conditions the only migrants seen were 2 adult Golden Eagles that soared in the face of Mount Lorette at 1640 before gliding to the NW. Resident or non-migrant birds were 2 adult Bald Eagles that hunted along the river, a pair of resident Northern Goshawks and an adult Golden Eagle that flew to the south along the Fisher Range. Other birds seen were 1 male Hairy Woodpecker, 5 Grey Jays, 16 Common Ravens, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 American Dipper, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 1 White-winged Crossbill and 5 Common Redpolls. The pleasant weather enticed 7 visitors to the site.

10.42 hours (55.5) GOEA 2 (8) TOTAL 2 (18)

Wednesday, March 7 Beaver Mines [Day 11] 0745-1745 (Peter Sherrington). The starting temperature was -2C, the season-high at 1500 was 7C and it was still 3C at 1745. Winds were W-WSW all day 10-20 gusting 30 km/h, and it was cloudless to 1500 after which 20-60% thin altostratus and altocumulus developed. A season-high total of 20 migrant raptors of 4 species moved to the N or NW between 0954 and 1720 that comprised a season-high 12 Bald Eagles (6a, 2sa, 3j, 1u), the season’s first migrant Northern Goshawk (an adult), 6 adult Golden Eagles and the first Gyrfalcon of the season, a grey morph of unknown age. Ten of the birds migrated between 1404 and 1453 raising hopes of a significant movement, but no further birds were seen until 1720 when the last 2 Bald Eagles soared and glided to the north.

10 hours (95) BAEA 12 (39), NOGO 1 (1), GOEA 6 (38), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 20 (88)

Wednesday, March 7 Steeples [Day 5] 1500-1745 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 4C at 1500 and fell to 2C at 1745, it was calm and cloudless to 1600 after which 50% thin altostratus developed for the rest of the observation period. A total of 11 raptors moved between 1518 and 1643 that comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 3j) and 6 adult Golden Eagles. Movement was slow and combined soaring and gliding flight. Non-migrants were 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles (1a, 1j).

2.75 (17.75) BAEA 5 (10), GOEA 6 (19) TOTAL 11 (29)

Tuesday, March 6 Mount Lorette [Day 5] 0745-1825 (Blake Weis, assisted by Brian McBride). The starting temperature was -16C, the high at 1300-1700 was -2C and it was -3C when observation ceased. Ground winds were W-SW 0-3 km/h to 1000 and variable SW-SE for the rest of the day, 0-5 gusting 15 km/h to 1200 and 5-10 gusting 20 km/h throughout the afternoon; ridge winds were moderate SW all day. Cloud cover was 70-90% cumulus, altocumulus and altostratus to 1600 after which it gradually reduced to 20% cumulus and altocumulus by the end of the day. The eastern ridges were clear all day and the western ridges were only 10-20% obscured between 1100 and 1300. A season-high total of 7 raptors moved between 1150 and 1588 that comprised 5 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Golden Eagle and the season’s first Gyrfalcon at 1445, an adult grey morph bird. This is the earliest record of the species at the site. Other birds were scarce and comprised 1 Grey Jay, 13 Common Ravens and 1 American Dipper, and there were fresh Canada Lynx tracks in the snow at the site. There were only 2 visitors at the site today.

10.67 hours (45.08) BAEA 5 (8), GOEA 1 (6), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 7 (16)

Tuesday, March 6 Beaver Mines [Day 10] 0800-1800 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature was -13C at 0800, reached a high of 1.5C at 1300 and was -3C at 1800. Winds were light NW in the morning and WSW-W 15-20 gusting 30 km/h in the afternoon, and cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1200 and 90-50% cumulus and altocumulus in the afternoon. Very light snow fell between 1400 and 1520, but observing conditions were good throughout. A season high total of 19 migrants were recorded between 1203 and 1718, as yesterday coincident with the onset of moderate WSW winds. The count was 7 adult Bald Eagles and a season-high 12 Golden Eagles (9a, 1sa, 2j), with an hourly high count of 2 Bald Eagles and 4 Golden Eagles between 1600 and 1700. It appears that the migration is finally gathering momentum. A skein of 38 Canada Geese migrated high to the NE at 1613.

10 hours (85) BAEA 7 (27), GOEA 12 (32) TOTAL 19 (63)

Tuesday, March 6 Steeples [Day 4] 1515-1800 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 2C, winds were light S and cloud cover was 50-40% cumulus. No migrant were counted, but there were two sightings of resident Golden Eagles, and 1 non-migratory Bald Eagle.

2.75 hours (15) TOTAL 0 (18)

Monday, March 5 Mount Lorette [Day 4] 0640-1810 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The temperature at 0640 was -19C, rose to a high of -2C at 1500 and 1600 and fell to -4C at 1800. Ground winds were very light SW and occasionally N for most of the day with the exception of 1300-1700 when they were SW 5-20 gusting 25 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate SW all day. Cloud cover was 40-70% cumulus to 1500 and 80-60% cumulus and cirrus for the rest of the day. The east ridges were clear all day while the west was 10-20% obscured that rose to 80% at 1600 and 1700. Despite the good observing and migration conditions only 3 migrants were seen between 1436 and 1613: 2 adult Golden Eagles that glided from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette and 1 adult Bald Eagle that flew to the north from the Fisher Range. Non-migrant or resident raptors were 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult female Northern Goshawk and 1 adult Golden Eagle. A Great Horned Owl sang near the river at 0652 and other birds seen were 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Grey Jays and 17 Common Ravens. Five visitors came to the site today.

11.5 hours (34.41) BAEA 1 (3), GOEA 2 (5) TOTAL 3 (9)

Monday, March 5 Beaver Mines [Day 9] 0800-1815 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0800 was -10C, the high at 1300 was 1C (which is the first time this season the temperature has risen above freezing) and it was -13C at 1815. Winds were light W-NW to 1100, then WSW 15-30 km/h to 1550 after which they were E-ESE 11-22 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 10-20% cumulus to 1000 with stratus cloud periodically sweeping from the SW that brought brief snow showers. For the rest of the day cloud cover was mainly cumulus varying between 30 and 70% that gave sunny conditions and good observing conditions. A total of 9 migrant raptors occurred between 1135 and 1540 coincident with the WSW winds, with 8 of the birds moving between 1332 and 1540. Movement abruptly stopped when the wind changed to E-ESE. The count was 2 adult Bald Eagles and 7 adult Golden Eagles, and 1 or 2 resident adult Golden Eagles were also present.

10.25 hours (75) BAEA 2 (20), GOEA 7 (20) TOTAL 9 (44)

Monday, March 5 Steeples [Day 3] 1515-1730 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 1C, it was calm, cloud cover was 50% cumulus and the ridges were clear. A total of 4 adult eagles migrated between 1545 and 1714: 1 Bald Eagle and 3 Golden Eagles. More interesting was the non-migrant activity between 2 adult and 3 juvenile Golden Eagles.  Originally there was some high-spirited dueling between an adult and a juvenile, with the adult being the aggressor (stooping at high speed on the young bird), which was probably the adult pushing the juvenile (likely its offspring from last season) out of the territory; eventually the intensity quieted and the birds soared together rather amiably.  Later, two juvenile Golden Eagles were engaged in high spirited aerial duels, though this appeared to be more simply play.  These 2 additional juveniles may have been migrant birds though they were not seen moving to the north.  A juvenile non-migrant Bald Eagle was also seen at 1657 and, somewhat surprisingly, an adult light morph Red-tailed Hawk at 1612 that may have been a returning resident bird as it also showed no tendency to move north.

2.25 (12.25) BAEA 1 (5), GOEA 3 (13) TOTAL 4 (18)