Monday, April 06 Beaver Mines [Day 42] 0645-2030 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0645 was 0C, the high from 1500 to 1900 was 6C and it was still 5C at 2030. Winds were WSW-SW all day, light to 0830 then 20-30 gusting to 45 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 90-100% cumulus to 0900 that brought snow between 0745 and 0800 (1 cm) and then a few flurries but subsequently it cleared and 30-50% cumulus and altostratus reduced to 10% cumulus and cloudless skies to 1730 after which 70-100% altostratus developed for the rest of the day. Migration conditions were ideal and produced a count of 122 raptors of 7 species that moved steadily at generally high altitudes between 0835 and 1959. The count comprised 26 Bald Eagles (22a, 2sa2, 1sa1, 1j), a season-high 6 Northern Harriers (3 males (2a, 1j) and 3 adult females), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, a season-high 34 adult Red-tailed Hawks (28 calurus (25 light 3 dark) and 6 dark morph harlani), 1 unidentified dark morph Buteo, 52 Golden Eagles (23a, 5sa, 24j) and the season’s first American Kestrel, a female bird that flew high to the north at 0923. The highest hourly counts were 18 between 1500 and 1600 and again between 1600 and 1700. A resident pair of Northern Harriers was also present with the male seen vigorously displaying over the ridge on a number of occasions, and a resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks was seen hunting.  At Mount Lorette Blake Weis reported 23 migrants in 12.83 hours of observation that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa1), 1u Northern Goshawk, 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks (1 light morph calurus and 1 intermediate morph harlani), 16 Golden Eagles (4a, 6sa, 6u) and 2 unidentified raptors (1 large and 1 medium). Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 9 Canada Geese, 8 Mallards, 1 Green-winged Teal, 33 Rock Pigeons, 3 Blue Jays, 34 American Crows, 24 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 6 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire that was the first of the year, 1 American Robin, 10 European Starlings, 4 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 male Evening Grosbeak,  8 Pine Grosbeaks, 174 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flying in 3 flocks, 1 female House Finch that was the first of the year  and 25 Dark-eyed [montanus] Juncos.   A single male Sharp-shinned Hawk made 4 rapid unsuccessful sweeps through the site at 0817 and was not seen again.

13.75 hours (506) BAEA 26 (264), NOHA 6 (13), SSHA 1 (31), NOGO 1 (35), RTHA 34 (82), UB 1 (3), GOEA 52 (998), AMKE 1 (1) TOTAL 122 (1500)

Monday, April 06 Steeples [Day 31] 1200-1830 (Vance Mattson). The temperature reached a high of 9C from a low of 5C, winds were light to moderate SW and 20% cumulus to 60% thin altostratus cloud cover gave sunny conditions. A total of 14 migrants of 4 species moved between 1216 and 1234 that comprised 3 juvenile Bald Eagles, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and 9 Golden Eagles (5a, 3j, 1u). Nine of the migrants moved before 1300. Non-migrant birds were 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1j) that were seen several times including a display flight, 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2sa), many sightings of Red-tailed Hawks that hovered and hunted above the ridges, and 5 sightings of Turkey Vultures which were the first of the year at the site although a single bird was seen over the Kootenay River last week.

6.5 hours (162.3) BAEA 3 (108), RTHA 1 (5), RLHA 1 (2), GOEA 9 (317) TOTAL 14 (436)

Sunday, April 05 Beaver Mines [Day 41] 0645-2015 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0645 was -7C, the high at 1500 and 1600 was 0C and it was -2C at 2015. Winds were ENE-NE 3-15 km/h to 1600 when they switched to WSW 10 km/h that gusted to 25 km/h at 2000. The day started with dense fog that persisted to 0725 then a cloud cover of 100% stratus, cumulus and stratocumulus produced light to very light snow that mainly obscured the ridge to 1300 but left only 0.5 cm on the ground. The sky began to clear at 1300 and cloud cover was 70-90% cumulus and stratocumulus to 1800 when cirrus cloud started to develop with the cumulus and at 2015 increased to 100% cirrostratus. There was hazy sunshine for much of the afternoon and observation conditions were very good once the snow stopped. A total of 40 migrant raptors of 6 species were seen between 1221 and 1906 which is our highest count since March 29. The flight was 8 Bald Eagles (6a, 1sa2, 1j), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, a season-high 13 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (10 light, 1 rufous, 2 dark), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 16 Golden Eagles (13a, 1sa, 2u). Movement was very sporadic and exclusively to the east of the ridge to 1600 when the wind change switched the movement to the west of the ridge which peaked at 10 birds between 1700 and 1800 and 14 birds between 1800 and 1900. Many of the late-moving birds glided very high. At Mount Lorette Lori Anderson reported 25 migrants in 11 hours of observation that was shortened by heavy snow. The total comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa), 1u Northern Goshawk, 1 adult rufous morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 20 Golden Eagles (12a, 4sa, 1j, 3u) and 1 large indeterminate raptor. Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 6 Canada Geese, 6 Mallards, 17 Rock Pigeons, 1 Killdeer, 1 Great Blue Heron that flew high to the SW above the valley at 1950, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 5 Blue Jays, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 14 American Crows, 38 Common Ravens, 5 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 4 American Robins, 24 European Starlings, 7 Pine Grosbeaks, 25 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches of which 5 were the race littoralis, 1 American Tree Sparrow and 41 Dark-eyed Juncos (2 hyemalis, 4cismontanus, 35 montanus). Two adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, a male and a female, were frequently seen at the site this morning between 0828 and 1145 where they often perched close to each other and once they appeared to hunt cooperatively. The only prey species seen being eaten was a European Starling.

13.5 hours (492.2) BAEA 8 (238), SSHA 1 (30), NOGO 1 (34), RTHA 13 (48), RLHA 1 (51), GOEA 16 (946) TOTAL 40 (1378)

Sunday, April 05 Steeples [Day 30] 1530-1800 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 3C, it was calm and cloud cover was 100% altostratus and stratus that entirely shrouded the ridges to 1500. After 1500 the ridges partially cleared but no migrant or resident raptors were seen.

2.5 hours (155.8) TOTAL 0 (422)

Saturday, April 04 Beaver Mines [Day 40] 0645-2030 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0645 was -11C, the high at 1400, 1600 and 1700 was -5C and it was -7C at 2030, and winds were NE-NNE all day 6-18 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% stratus to 1025 that produced steady light snow that mostly obscured the ridge and added a further 2 cm to the overnight accumulation of 4 cm. After 1025 cloud cover was 60-100% cumulus that gave hazy sunshine and a clear ridge for the rest of the day, although the cloud thickened to 90-100% cumulus and stratus after 1700 and at 2015 light snow again began to fall. There was a slow, sporadic but varied raptor migration with 18 birds of 7 species moving between 1116 and 1812 that comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 4 adult Red-tailed Hawks (3 light morph calurus and 1 dark morph harlani), 6 Golden Eagles (5a, 2sa, 1j) and 1 adult female light grey morph Gyrfalcon. Twelve of the birds were counted between 1416 and 1548. At Mount Lorette Blake Weis reported 46 migrants in 12.58 hours of observation that comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j), 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 39 Golden Eagles (21a, 5sa, 3j, 10u) and 1u female columbarius Merlin that was a first for the season. Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 2 Canada Geese, 6 Mallards, 1 male Common Merganser, 18 Rock Pigeons, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 2 Killdeer, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Blue Jays, 71 American Crows, 18 Common Ravens, 5 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 1 American Robin, 15 European Starlings and 33 Dark-eyed Juncos (3 cismontanus, 30 montanus). The site was again regularly visited by 2 or 3 non-migratory adult Sharp-shinned Hawks between 0910 and 2003 that again periodically cleared the area of birds but no catches were observed. The total lack of grosbeaks and significantly reduced junco numbers today suggest that many songbirds had moved to safer feeding areas.

13.75 hours (478.7) BAEA 1 (230), NOHA 1 (7), SSHA 2 (29), NOGO 1 (33), RTHA 4 (35), GOEA 8 (930), GYRF 1 (3) TOTAL 18 (1338)

Saturday, April 04 Steeples [Day 29] 1215-1815 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 4C, it was calm and cloud cover was 80-50% cumulus that gave mainly sunny conditions. The only migrants were single adult Golden Eagles at 1528 and 1653. Non-migrant birds were 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1j) that included pair flights by the adults and included strong display flights by the male bird; 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk and two sightings of Red-tailed Hawks.

6 hours (153.3) GOEA 2 (308) TOTAL 2 (422)

Thursday, April 03 Beaver Mines [Day 39] 0645-1945 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0645 was -15C, the high at 1500 and 1700 was -4C and it was -8C at 1945 when we gave up for the day. Winds were SW 10-20 km/h to 1225 when they switched to ENE-NE 10-15 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100-80% cumulus and stratus to 1225 that brought occasional flurries that briefly obscured the ridge, but at 1225 steady snow began that persisted to 1850 that, apart from brief periods, completely obscured the ridge to 1850 when there was 6 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The ridge completely cleared between 1850 and 1935 but was obscured again at 1945 when snow again began to fall. Only 5 migrant raptors were seen: 1adult Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew high to the NNW at 0951, an adult Golden Eagle that flew high to the north at 1056, 2 adult Golden Eagles that flew high to the NNW at 1151, and a second adult Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew low to the north in a brief period of lighter snow at 1355. Caroline Lambert reported that observation was not possible at Mount Lorette because of persistent snow that obscured the ridges. Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 2 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 10 Rock Pigeons, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Blue Jays, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 68 American Crows that flew to the SW to roost at 1825, 27 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 5 Mountain Chickadees, 5 European Starlings, 2 Evening Grosbeaks, 53 Pine Grosbeaks, 1 American Tree Sparrow and 55 Dark-eyed Juncos (5 cismontanus, 50 montanus). The site was regularly visited by about 3 non-migratory adult Sharp-shinned Hawks between 0856 and 1709 that periodically cleared the area of birds and caught and dined on at least two Juncos. It is notable that the only large feeding flock of about 50 birds occurred after 1800 when the hawks had gone to roost.

13 hours (465) SSHA 2 (27), GOEA 3 (922) TOTAL 5 (1320)

Thursday, April 03 Steeples [Day 28] 1100-1400 and 1900-1915 (Vance Mattson). At 1100 the temperature was -3C, winds were light SW and it was sunny with 50% altostratus, cumulus and cirrus cloud cover. By 1400, however, 100% low stratus obscured the ridges, snow began to fall and Vance went home without having seen any migrants. The mountains remained obscured until 1700 when Vance returned to the site where cloud cover quickly reduced to 50% altostratus and cumulus with moderate SW winds that again failed to produce any migrants. Non-migrants were resident adult Golden Eagles seen on three occasions and a single Red-tailed Hawk.

5 hours (147.3) TOTAL 0 (420)

Thursday, April 02 Beaver Mines [Day 38] 0615-2030 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0645 was -16C, the high at 1500 and 1700 was -9C and it was  -14C at 2030. Winds were mainly light NE-NNE 0-12 km/h all day although there was a high gentle SW flow above the ridge that was discernible after 1000. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and stratocumulus to 1400 and light snow fell to 1045 (0.5 cm) that partially obscured the ridge. After 1400 cloud cover was 80-30% cumulus and the ridge was clear apart from 1600-1730 when an ice-crystal haze developed that made observation difficult. A total of 24 raptors of 4 species were counted between 0925 and 1754 that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa3), 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 adult dark morph Red-tailed Hawks (2 calurus and 1 harlani), 1 light morph unidentified Buteo that disappeared into the crystal haze above the ridge and 14 Golden Eagles (12a, 2sa). Twelve of the Golden Eagles moved between 1316 and 1433 and the 3 Red-tailed Hawks were seen between 1457 and 1513. At Mount Lorette Joel Duncan reported 58 migrants in 12.25 hours of observation that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 52 Golden Eagles (33a, 2sa, 2j, 15u) and 1 unidentified eagle.  Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 2 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 10 Rock Pigeons, 2 Killdeer, 4 Blue Jays, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 71 American Crows, 24 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 7 Mountain Chickadees, 1 European Starling, 2 Bohemian Waxwings, 10 Evening Grosbeaks, 17 Pine Grosbeaks and 36 Dark-eyed Juncos (1 hyamalis, 5 cismontanus, 30 montanus).

13.75 hours (452) BAEA 4 (229), SSHA 2 (25), RTHA 3 (31), UB1 (2), GOEA 14 (919) TOTAL 24 (1315)

Thursday, April 02 Steeples [Day 27] 1315-1915 (Vance Mattson). The mountains were completely shrouded in cloud to 1300 but were fully clear by 1500. The temperature at 1315 was -4C that rose to a high of -1C, it was calm alternating with light variable winds and 100% altostratus and stratus cloud cover gave way to 10% cumulus and cirrus that provided sunny conditions. The final clearing of the ridges did not result in the hoped for “bottleneck effect” and just 7 migrant Bald Eagles (5a, 1sa, 1j) were counted. The resident pair of Golden Eagles were seen several times throughout the observation period.

6 hours (142.3) BAEA 7 (105) TOTAL 7 (420)