Tuesday, March 12 Mount Lorette NO OBSERVATION (weather). Rosemary Power and Kathleen Peterson were at Barrier Lake between 1045 and 1330 where the temperature was 1C, winds were light, cloud cover was 100% low stratus and an ice crystal fog greatly reduced visibility. By 1330 the crystal fog thickened and obscured the ridges and the count was abandoned for the day just before it began to snow.

Tuesday, March 12 Beaver Mines [Day 11] 0730-1600 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0730 was 0C which fell to -1C at 0800, rose to a high of 4C at 1400 and was 1C at 1600 when observation ceased. Winds were WSW-W 20-30 gusting 40 km/h to 1200, then N 10-20 km/h to 1400 and finally ESE-SE 20 km/h to 1600. Cloud cover was 30-60% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus to 0830 after which it was 100% stratus and cumulus for the rest of the day although it was thin enough to allow hazy sunshine between 1000 and 1400. Light snow began to fall at 1515 which became moderate at 1600 obscuring the ridge and bringing the day’s count to an end. Raptor migration was slow with just 5 eagles moving between 0844 and 1405: 1 adult Bald Eagle and 4 Golden Eagles (3a, 1sa). Other birds seen were 4 Canada Geese that flew high to the NE at 0940, 23 Rock Pigeons, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 first winter Northern Shrike, 8 Blue Jays, 1 American Crow, 19 Common Ravens, 5 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 3 European Starlings, 9 Bohemian Waxwings, 36 Evening Grosbeaks, 28 Common Redpolls, 60 Pine Siskins and 6 Dark-eyed Juncos (3 hyamelis and 3 montanus).

8.5 hours (120) BAEA 1 (32), GOEA 4 (37) TOTAL 5 (77)

Tuesday, March 12 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION (weather). Snow and rain fell all day and obscured the mountains.

Monday, March 11 Mount Lorette [Day 10] 0820-1900 (Blake Weis assisted by Dan Parliament). It was the warmest day so far this season with a temperature at 0820 of -1C, a high between 1500 and 1700 of 5C and it was still 3C at 1900. Ground winds were WSW-SW and occasionally SE all day, 5-15 gusting to 42 km/h, while ridge winds were strong all day, SW to 1400 after which they were NW. Cloud cover was altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus all day, initially 90% that diminished to 40 to 60% after 1300, while low cumulus draped the mountains to the west all day. The west was 10-20% obscured after 1000 but the eastern ridges were clear all day. Despite these seemingly favourable migration and observing conditions the only migrant raptor seen was an adult Golden Eagle that glided high from the northern end of the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette at 1756. Three non-migratory adult Bald Eagles were also seen: 1 flew south at 0820 at the parking area, 1 flew south above the Fisher Range at 1110 and a third flew south above the river at 1634. Other birds seen were a Pileated Woodpecker flying above Highway 40, 3 Canada Jays, 12 Common Ravens, 7 Black-capped Chickadees, 5 Mountain Chickadee, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 18 Common Redpolls and 9 White-winged Crossbills. Only two visitors made it to the site today.

9.67 hours (92.58) GOEA 1 (9) TOTAL 1 (19)

Monday, March 11 Beaver Mines [Day 10] 0745-1915 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). It was also the warmest day so far at Beaver Mines with a starting temperature of -2C that rose to a high of 4C from 1500 to 1800 and was still 2C at the end of observation. Winds were strong W and occasionally WSW all day 40-60 gusting 70-90 km/h and cloud cover was 100% altostratus and altocumulus to 1300 that reduced to 70-80% for the rest of the day that provided mainly sunny and excellent observing conditions. A season high total of 28 migrant raptors of 4 species were counted between 0839 and 1904 with a highest hourly count of 8 between 1500 and 1600. The count was a season high 17 Bald Eagles (16 adults and 1 late subadult), 8 adult Golden Eagles, the season’s first Gyrfalcon, an adult probable male white morph at 1708, the first Prairie Falcon at 0933 and 1 very high-flying unidentified raptor at 0940 that was either an eagle or a Buteo. Amongst the other birds seen were a number of first occurrences for the season that comprised a flock of 25 Mallards that flew low to the SW, 1 first winter Northern Shrike, 2 European Starlings, 1 male Red-winged Blackbird and 1 male Rusty Blackbird. Other birds seen were 17 Rock Pigeons, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 8 Blue Jays, 6 Black-billed Magpies, 27 Common Ravens, 15 of which flew to the SW to roost between 1830 and 1847, 5 Black-capped Chickadees, 35 Evening Grosbeaks, 16 Common Redpolls, 35 Pine Siskins and 10 Dark-eyed Juncos (6 hyamelis and 4 montanus).

11.5 hours (111.5) BAEA 17 (31), GOEA 8 (33), GYRF 1 (1), PRFA 1 (1) UU 1 (1) TOTAL 28 (72)

Monday, March 11 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION.

NOTE: TIME CHANGE FROM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME TO MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME (+ 1 HOUR)

Sunday, March 10 Mount Lorette [Day 9] 0755-1935 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Lori Anderson). The temperature at 0755 was -19C, the high was 3C at 1600 and 1700 and it was -1C at 1935. Ground winds were light (0-5 km/h) and variable to 1100, then 0-6 gusting 20 km/h to 1400 after which they were SW 5-20 gusting to 36 km/h. Ridge winds were SW moderate to strong after 1500 but could not be assessed earlier as it was completely cloudless, but after 1500 cirrostratus cloud appeared that gradually increased to 100% after 1800. A season high total of 11 migrants were recorded between 1446 and 1733 comprising 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j) and 7 adult Golden Eagles. Eight eagles moved between 1600 and 1800 and all birds glided high to the NW from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette. Other birds seen were 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 52 Common Ravens, most of which moved over Mount Lorette to roost in the late afternoon, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 American Dipper, 6 Common Redpolls and 30 White-winged Crossbills. The highest count of the day, however, was a season high total of 64 visitors at the site.

11.5 hours (82.91) BAEA 4 (10), GOEA 7 (8) TOTAL 11 (18)

Sunday, March 10 Beaver Mines [Day 9] 0800-1900 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0800 was -6C, the high was 2C at 1600 and it was -1C at 1900. Winds were W-WSW all day 30-40 gusting to 60 km/h and it was completely cloudless all day with a trace of cirrus only appearing at 1900. A disappointing total of 6 raptors were recorded between 1026 and 1713, 4 of which occurred before 1138. The count was 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1u Rough-legged Hawk and 4 adult Golden Eagles. A non-migrant subadult Bald Eagle also hunted low above the ridge at 1843. Numbers of other birds were also down and comprised 13 Rock Pigeons, 5 Downy Woodpeckers, 10 Blue Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 15 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 10 Evening Grosbeaks, 15 Common Redpolls, 39 Pine Siskins and 10 Dark-eyed Juncos (6 hyamelis and 4 montanus).

11 hours (100) BAEA 1 (14), RLHA 1 (5), GOEA 4 (25) TOTAL 6 (44)

Sunday, March 10 Steeples [Day 7] 1200-1830 (Vance Mattson). The temperature reached a high of 3C from a low of -4C at 1200 and it was calm and cloudless all day. A total of 8 migrants were seen between 1345 and 1751 and, with the exception of a single adult Bald Eagle at 1538, all were adult Golden Eagles. Three resident Golden Eagles (2a, 1j) were seen on 3 occasions, and a non-migrant adult Bald Eagle moved south along the ridge at 1531.

6.5 hours (30.75) BAEA 1 (12), GOEA 7 (12) TOTAL 8 (24)

Saturday, March 9 Mount Lorette [Day 8] 0745-1800 (Blake Weis, assisted by Cliff Hansen). At the start the temperature was -8C, the high was 1C at 1500 and it was -2C at 1800. Ground winds were SW 0-5 km/h to 1000 after which they were W-SW 0-5 gusting 12-25 km/h for the rest of the day; ridge winds were light to moderate WSW to 1300, moderate to 1600 after which they were moderate WNW. Cloud cover was a mix of 30-70% altocumulus, cirrus, cirrocumulus and cumulus all day with the exception of 1500 when it reached 80% and all ridges were clear. Despite these favourable migration and observing conditions only 3 migrant raptors were seen, although the total was the highest for the season so far! At 1224 an adult Bald Eagle soared over Hummingbird plume Hill, glided to Mount Lorette and on to the NW, at 1410 an adult Golden Eagle crossed the valley from the northern end of the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette and on to the NW, and at 1426 a juvenile Bald Eagle flew above the valley towards the north. Other birds in the area were 1 drumming Hairy Woodpecker, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Brown Creeper, 35 Common Redpolls, 24 White-winged Crossbills and 1 Pine Siskin. The sunny conditions produced a season high 28 visitors at the site.

10.25 hours (71.41) BAEA 2 (6), GOEA 1 (1) TOTAL 3 (7)

Saturday, March 9 Beaver Mines [Day 8] 0700-1830 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0700 was -6C, the high was briefly 0.5C at 1400 and it was -4C at 1830. Winds were WNW-W 10-15 km/h to 1100 and mainly WSW 5-20 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus and altostratus to 1100 that briefly produced light snow around 0900, but after 1200 mainly sunny conditions prevailed with 30-70 % cumulus cloud cover to 1800 when it became 100% cirrus, cirrocumulus and altocumulus that quickly thinned to 20% by 1830. Despite these apparently favourable conditions only 7 migrant raptors were seen between 1120 and 1738 that comprised 4 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Three of the Bald Eagles moved between 1532 and 1552. The resident pair of Golden Eagles soared briefly above the ridge at 1230. Other birds seen were a tight flock of 23 Canada Geese that flew low to the SW at 1814, 8 Rock Pigeons, 3 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Northern [Red-shafted] Flicker, 10 Blue Jays, 26 Common Ravens, with again no obvious evening roosting movement, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 31 Evening Grosbeaks, 4 Common Redpolls, 59 Pine Siskins and 6 Dark-eyed Juncos (3 hyamelis and 3 montanus).

11.5 hours (89) BAEA 4 (13), RLHA 1 (4), GOEA 2 (21) TOTAL 7 (38)

Saturday, March 9 Steeples [Day 6] 1200-1730 (Vance Mattson). The temperature at 1200 was -1C and rose to a high of 5C, conditions were calm and 30-50% cumulus cloud cover provided mainly sunny conditions and clear ridges. A season high total of 13 migrant raptors were seen between 1215 and 1609 comprising 8 Bald Eagles (5a, 3j) and 5 adult Golden Eagles. Eight eagles moved before 1300 after which migration became more sporadic. All birds appeared over the flank and in some cases over the peak of Mount Bill Nye with some birds soaring for extended periods before gliding to the north. A resident juvenile Golden Eagle hunted along the ridge at 1317 and resident adult Golden Eagles were seen on 2 occasions.

5.5 hours (24.25) BAEA 8 (11), GOEA 5 (5) TOTAL 13 (16)

Friday, March 8 Mount Lorette [Day 7] 0930-1815 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Rachel McKay). As all the ridges were obscured with the exception of Mount Lorette the observers remained at Barrier Lake to the north of the site until 1200 before moving to the Hay Meadow when clearing occurred. The temperature at 0930 was -5C, the high was 1C between 1400 and 1600 and it was -3C at the end of observation. Winds were W all day, 30-40 km/h at Barrier Lake and 5-10 gusting 20 km/h at Hay Meadow, while ridge winds were strong W all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and altostratus to 1600 after which it reduced to 70%, but apart from light snow flurries at Barrier Lake there was no precipitation. In the afternoon the east ridges were obscured 20% of the time and the west was largely obscured only reducing to 20% at 1800. The only migrants seen were 2 adult Bald Eagles that flew to the north above the river, one at 1405 and the second at 1740.  Twenty-five Bohemian Waxwings were seen at Barrier Lake, and other birds seen at Hay Meadow were 4 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 1 American Dipper and 50 Common Redpolls. Two visitors were at the site today.

8.75 hours (61.16) BAEA 2 (4) TOTAL 2 (4)

Friday, March 8 Beaver Mines [Day 7] 0700-0910, 1000-1815 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson); 0910-1000 (Gord Petersen). The temperature at 0700 was -6C, the high was -1C between 1400 and 1600 and it was -3C at 1815. Winds were WSW-W all day 20-30 gusting to 55 km/h to 1500 and 20-30 km/h for the rest of the day. It was cloudless all day with only traces of cumulus cloud to the S and SW. There was again a slow but steady eagle movement between 0833 and 1718 of 16 birds comprising 4 adult Bald Eagles and 12 adult Golden Eagles all of which glided high to the N or NW. At 0745 a resident adult Golden Eagle greeted the sunny day by displaying low above the hill and the pair together with a resident juvenile bird were seen on 5 further occasions during the day. Other birds seen were 11 Rock Pigeons, 5 Downy Woodpeckers, 9 Blue Jays, 34 Common Ravens, with no obvious roosting movement, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Mountain Chickadees, 25 Evening Grosbeaks, 13 Common Redpolls, 20 White-winged Crossbills. 34 Pine Siskins and 6 Dark-eyed Juncos (3 hyamelis and 3 montanus).

11.25 (77.5) BAEA 4 (9), GOEA 12 (19) TOTAL 16 (31)

Friday, March 8 Steeples [Day 5] 1200-1715 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 3C, winds were W light to moderate and cloud cover was 60-80% cumulus that produced periods of sunshine. Three adult migrant Bald Eagles seen between 1352 and 1409 were the first migrants recorded at the site this season. The resident juvenile Golden Eagle was seen on two occasions including a period of extended soaring at 1200, and a single resident adult was seen twice, once perching relatively low at 1430.

5.25 (18.75) BAEA 3 (3) TOTAL 3 (3)