Thursday, October 22 Vicki Ridge [Day 31] 1130-1830 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge. Steady snow fell to 1130 when the count started with 35 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The temperature at 1130 was -10C, the high at 1500 was -9C and it was -12C at 1830, and winds were generally light ESE-SSE with regular gusts to 15 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 80% cumulus and stratocumulus that reduced to 60% at 1300 and produced an hour of hazy sunshine before it thickened again to 100% stratocumulus and cumulus that became 80% cumulus after 1800. Light snow fell throughout the count but the ridges, although on occasion hazy, remained clear. The only migrant raptors seen were 3 adult Golden Eagles that moved south at 1240, 1347 and 1503. Other birds seen were 51 Canada Geese that flew south in 2 flocks: 26 at 1339 and 25 at 1655, 7 Canada Jays, 8 Black-billed Magpies, 21 Common Ravens, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 2 American Robins, 80 Bohemian Waxwings in 2 flocks that were the first of the season, 50 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches that fed on bare rock surfaces on the western flank of Vicki Ridge, 6 American Tree Sparrows and 7 Dark-eyed [hyemalis] Juncos. Persistent snow is forecast to fall over the next two days so observation opportunities may be limited.

7 hours (317.6) GOEA 3 (2021) TOTAL 3 (3777)

Thursday, October 22 Mount Lorette [Day 32] 0815-1800 (Graeme Dunlop). Because of the high wind-chill values and light snow that fell all day Graeme decided to watch from the Wasootch Creek site on highway 40 between Mount Lorette and the northern end of the Fisher range. This proved to be a good decision as the tops of the mountains and the ridges were often shrouded with cloud and raptor movement was low from Mount Lorette with some birds moving SE along Wasootch Creek and the rest moving low against the lower slopes of the Fisher Range. A total of 21 raptors of 6 species moved in this fashion between 0930 and 1750 with all but 6 of the birds seen before 1200. The count was 5a Bald Eagles, 1a female Northern Harrier, 2a Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1j Northern Goshawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 11 Golden Eagles (7a, 2sa, 2j). Graeme believes that most if not all of these birds could not have been seen if he had observed from the usual Hay Meadow site.

9.75 hours (357.3) BAEA 5 (108), NOHA 1 (10), SSHA 2 (99), NOGO 1 (55), RLHA 1 (26), GOEA 11 (2329) TOTAL 21 (2783)

Thursday, October 22 Steeples [Day 11] 1615-1745 (Vance Mattson). The cloud cleared from the ridges in the afternoon but no migrants were seen. The temperature was 1C, it was calm and 60% cumulus and altocumulus cloud gave sunny conditions. A resident adult and a juvenile Golden Eagle soared together over the first truly snow–covered landscape seen this season. The forecast calls for 5-10 cm of snow tomorrow so observation is unlikely.

1.5 hours (32.5) TOTAL 0 (83)

Wednesday, October 21 Vicki Ridge. No observation (weather). Snow started around midnight and persisted for most of the day and by 1800 24 cm had fallen. The ridge suddenly cleared around 1300 and we considered going to the site but before we set out fog had formed and steady snow recommenced so we were saved the trouble!

Wednesday, October 21 Mount Lorette. No observation possible because of weather. Bill Wilson and Cliff Hansen watched from 0810 to 1600 during which time the ridges were completely obscured.

Wednesday, October 21 Steeples No observation as Vance had teaching commitments. The ridges were partially clear but snow began to fall at 1630.

Tuesday, October 20 Vicki Ridge [Day 30] 0815-1900 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson assisted by Pat Lucas (1210-1845) and Phil Nicholas (1345-1845) observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge; and Gord Petersen (0940-1830) at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature was -5C at 0815, the high was 6C at 1300 and it was 0C at 1900. It was calm or light E-SSE winds to 1232 when the winds became moderate WSW gusting to 30 km/h, and WSW-W winds prevailed for the rest of the day, generally 20-30 gusting 40 km/h but gusting to 40-50km/h at 1700 and 1800 before becoming light again at the end of observation. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratus that broke to 80-20% altocumulus, cumulus and cirrus to 1200 and throughout the afternoon it was 70-10% cumulus which gave mainly sunny conditions. At Waterton 61 a total of 148 migrant raptors of 9 species was counted between 1114 and 1830 that comprised 23 Bald Eagles (13a, 2sa2, 1 undifferentiated sa, 5j, 1u), 1a female Northern Harrier, 11 Sharp-shinned Hawks (7a, 4u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a, 1u), 8 Northern Goshawks (6a, 1j, 1u), 4 dark morph harlani Red-tailed Hawks (3a, 1j), 9 Rough-legged Hawks (7 light, 2 dark), 89 Golden Eagles (81a, 1sa, 3j, 4u) and 1 male American Kestrel. The highest hourly count was 28 between 1700 and 1800 and 24 moved between 1800 and 1830. Movement was also steady throughout the afternoon at Waterton 68 where 100 migrants of 7 species were seen between 1118 and 1828 that comprised 8 Bald Eagles (4a, 2sa3 and 2 undifferentiated sa), 1j male Northern Harrier, 9 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a, 2j, 4u), 2u Cooper’s Hawks, 3 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1j, 1u), 3 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark, 1u) and 73 Golden Eagles (42a, 10j, 21u). The highest hourly counts were 19 between 1600 and 1700, and also between 1700 and 1800. The combined sites count was 248 migrants of 9 species counted between 1114 and 1830 that comprised a season-high 31 Bald Eagles (17a, 2sa3, 3sa2, 3 undifferentiated sa, 5j, 1u), 2 Northern Harriers (1a female, 1j male), 20 Sharp-shinned Hawks (10a, 2j, 8u), 4 Cooper’s Hawks (1a, 3u), 11 Northern Goshawks (7a, 2j, 2u), 4 dark morph harlani Red-tailed Hawks (3a, 1j), 12 Rough-legged Hawks (8 light, 3 dark, 1u), 162 Golden Eagles (123a, 1sa, 13j, 25u) and 1 male American Kestrel. The highest hourly combined sites count was 47 between 1700 and 1800 and 31 moved between 1800 and 1830. The high count resulted from birds moving ahead of another northern front that is forecast to bring heavy snow to the area tomorrow. Other birds noted were a flock of 35 Snow Geese that flew high to the east at 1730, 1 Bonaparte’s Gull that for some reason was vigorously mobbed by 5 ravens at 1710, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 3 Canada Jays, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 3 Black-billed Magpies, 75 Common Ravens, 16 American Robins, a flock of 15 American Pipits, 1410 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches (a total of 700 at Waterton 68 and 710 that moved in 8 flocks between 1957 and 1836 at Waterton 61), and 20 Pine Siskins.

10.75 hours (310.6) BAEA 31 (135), NOHA 2 (26), SSHA 20 (901), COHA 4 (140), NOGO 11 (56), RTHA 4 (210), RLHA 12 (179), GOEA 162 (2018), UE 1 (9), AMKE 1 (15) TOTAL 248 (3774)

Tuesday, October 20 Mount Lorette [Day 31] 0830-1910 (Dan Parliament assisted by Rick Robb). A total of 166 migrant raptors of 5 species was counted that comprised 2a Bald Eagles, 1u Northern Goshawk, 2 undifferentiated dark morph Red-tailed Hawks, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 160 Golden Eagles (104a, 9sa, 31j, 16u). Birds moved continuously between 1034 and 1839 from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range and the highest hourly count was 27 Golden Eagles between 1300 and 1400.

10.67 hours (347.6) BAEA 2 (103), NOGO 1 (54), RTHA 2 (62), RLHA 1 (25), GOEA 160 (2318) TOTAL 166 (2762)

Tuesday, October 20 Steeples [Day 10] 1615-1730 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 8C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 80% cumulus. The mountains cleared about noon but Vance could only observe from 1615 to 1730 during which time no migrants or residents were seen.

1.25 hours (83) TOTAL 0 (83)

Monday, October 19 Vicki Ridge [Day 29] 0800-1850 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge); and Gord Petersen (1320-1830) at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature at 0800 was -7C that quickly rose to 1C at 0950 as the westerly flow aloft touched down and reached a high of 7C at 1200 and 1300. The temperature was then 6C to 1700 and was 4C at the end of observation. Winds were W-WSW all day, very light to 0950 then 15-20 gusting 30 km/h to 1400 after which they were 30-40 gusting 50-60 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100-80% stratocumulus, cumulus and altostratus to 1400 after which it gradually reduced and was 30% altocumulus and cumulus at 1850. There were occasional very light rain showers but observation conditions were good all day. There was a fairly strong and persistent raptor movement at the Waterton 61 site where 129 migrants of 6 species were seen between 0834 and 1825 that comprised 13 Bald Eagles (9a, 2sa2, 2j), 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 4u), 1a Northern Goshawk, 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 5 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light, 1 dark) and 104 Golden Eagles (94a, 5sa, 4j, 1u). The highest single-hour count was 23 between 1700 and 1800, and three other hours after 1200 saw passage of at least 20 birds. At the Waterton 68 site the count was 74 birds of 6 species between 1322 and 1819 that comprised 5 Bald Eagles (3a, 2j), 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 5u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1j, 1u), 1j light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 57 Golden Eagles (41a, 4sa, 5j, 7u). The highest hourly count was 22 between 1500 and 1600. The combined site count was 203 migrants of 8 species that moved between 0834 and 1825 and comprised a season-high 18 Bald Eagles (12a, 2sa2, 4j), 11 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 9u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1j, 1u), 1a Northern Goshawk, 1j light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 8 Rough-legged Hawks (7 light, 1 dark) and 161 Golden Eagles (135a, 9sa, 9j, 8u).  The highest combined site hourly count was 38 between 1600 and 1700 and the previous and subsequent hours saw counts of 34 and 36 birds respectively. Other birds species were a flock of 65 Snow Geese that flew high to the SE at 1321, a flock of 44 Canada Geese that flew high to the W at 1221, 10 unidentified ducks that flew south at 1335, 2u Northern Flickers (1 Yellow-shafted and 1 Red-shafted), 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 5 Black-billed Magpies, 26 American Crows that flew W at 1233, 96 Common Ravens, 44 American Robins and 759 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches (200 at Waterton 68 and flocks of 250 and 300 flying south at 1420 and 1615 respectively at Waterton 61).

10.83 (299.8) BAEA 18 (104), SSHA 11 (881), COHA 2 (136), N0GO 1 (45), BWHA 1 (19), RTHA 1 (206), RLHA 8 (167), GOEA 161 (1856) TOTAL 203 (3526)

Monday, October 19 Mount Lorette [Day 30] 0820-1840 Caroline Lambert assisted by Graeme Dunlop). The observers counted 100 migrant raptors of 5 species between 0935 and 1758 that comprised 8 Bald Eagles (4a, 2sa, 2j), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2u Northern Goshawks, 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 86 Golden eagles (56a, 9sa, 4j, 17u).

10.33 (336.9), BAEA 8 (101), SSHA 1 (97), NOGO 2 (53), RLHA 3 (24), GOEA 86 (2158) TOTAL 100 (2596)

Monday, October 19 Steeples (Vance Mattson). No observation (weather). Work commitments prevented Vance from observing, but low overcast conditions would have rendered that impossible anyway.

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.

Saturday, October 17 Vicki Ridge. No observation. The temperature was -8C to a high of -6C, winds were light E-SSE and light snow fell all day obscuring the ridges to 1700 when there was 8 cm on the ground. It partially cleared after 1700 but with very light upslope winds there was little prospect of migration and we didn’t go to the site.

Saturday, October 17 Mount Lorette [Day 28] 0820-1840 (Blake Weis). The Fisher Range was obscured to 1030 and was partially clear to 1300 after which it remained clear for the rest of the day. Only 9 migrant raptors were seen between 1327 and 1657 that comprised 5 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j and 1 undifferentiated immature), 1u Rough-legged Hawk and 3 Golden Eagles (1a, 1sa, 1u).

10.33 hours (316.6) BAEA 5 (92), RLHA 1 (2066), GOEA 3 (2066) TOTAL 9 (2486)

Saturday, October 17 Steeples [Day 9] 1200-1600 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 7C, winds were light N and cloud cover was 70-100% stratus and altostratus that obscured the ridges throughout. Only 1 migrant, a juvenile Golden Eagle, was seen, and a resident adult Golden Eagle hunted, stooped and eventually perched on the ridge.

4 hours (29.75) GOEA 1 (24) TOTAL 1 (83)