Monday, March 4 Mount Lorette [Day 3] 0955-1745 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The temperature was -19C at 0800, the high was a balmy -2C at 1500 and it was -4C at the end of observation. It was essentially calm during the morning but winds became E 2-10 km/h to 1500 after which they were NE 3-4 km/h for the rest of the day. Upper winds were probably also light but the direction could not be determined as the sky was again cloudless all day. No migrants were seen and the only raptor recorded was a resident adult Northern Goshawk at 1032. Other birds recorded were 1 American Three-toed Woodpecker, 2 Canada Jays, 3 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 American Dipper and 10 Pine Siskins. The highlight of the day, however, was a Grey Wolf that crossed the Kananaskis River towards the east, just north of the site at 1625, and 2 Bighorn Sheep were also seen on Mount Allan. There were 5 visitors to the site today.

7.83 hours (23.66) TOTAL 0 (1)

Monday, March 4 Beaver Mines [Day 3] 0730-1845 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0730 was -27C, but rose to a high of -8C at 1300 and 1400 and was -16C at 1845. Winds in the morning were W-WNW 10-20 km/h but were light and variable in the afternoon. It was again completely cloudless all day. No migrant raptors were seen but a juvenile Golden Eagle perched on a pole to the NE of the ridge in the late morning and at 1134 an adult made a low-level, low-intensity display flight near the perched bird before flying off to the NE. The juvenile also flew to the NE at 1146. What was probably the same adult bird flew from the top of the ridge to the SE at 1236. An adult Bald Eagle flew low along the valley towards the SW at 1813. Other birds seen were 4 Downy Woodpeckers, 2 Red-shafted Flickers, 13 Blue Jays, 4 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 5 Black-billed Magpies, a flock of 9 American Crows, 32 Common Ravens with only 26 flying high towards the SW to roost between 1600 and 1820, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 6 Mountain Chickadees, 6 Evening Grosbeaks, 12 Common Redpolls, 26 Pine Siskins and 7 Dark-eyed Juncos (3 hyamelis, 1 cismontanusand 3 montanus). As yesterday the flock of American Crows flew high from the NE, circled high above the Big Hill for several minutes before descending to the trees at the top of the hill to roost at 1730, exactly the same time as yesterday!

11.25 hours (33) TOTAL 0 (3)

Monday, March 4 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION. Because of teaching commitments Vance will generally be unable to observe on Mondays and Wednesdays this season.

MOUNT LORETTE, BEAVER MINES and STEEPLES RAPTOR COUNTS

SPRING 2019

www.eaglewatch.ca

PETER SHERRINGTON

Introduction 2019 is the 28th consecutive year that a spring raptor count has been conducted at the Mount Lorette site. In 1992 an eight-day reconnaissance count starting on March 20 at the site established that Golden Eagles moved to the northwest in significant numbers through the Rocky Mountain Front Ranges. Most of the birds moved along the Fisher Range, crossing the Kananaskis Valley to Mount Lorette before continuing their migration to the northwest. A 48 day (393 hour) count at the site in the spring of 1993 yielded 4140 migrating Golden Eagles and the following year a seventy day (649 hour) count produced 4213 birds which remains the highest spring count ever for the species at Mount Lorette. Between 1994 and 2007 extensive spring counts averaging 82 days (897 hours) were conducted at the site with a maximum count in 2005 of 94 days (1238 hours). Despite the steady increase in observer effort during this period, the number of migrating Golden Eagles counted has steadily and significantly decreased since 1995. In 2006 RMERF conducted it first complete fall count at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site near the Crowsnest Pass in SW Alberta and in 2008-10 also conducted full spring counts there. During this period extensive comparative counts were made at Mount Lorette between March 1 and April 15 which is coincident with the height of the Golden Eagle migration and during which period over 90% of the population moves north. Observer effort from 2008-10 at Mount Lorette averaged 43 days (487 hours) with a maximum count of 46 days (519 hours) in 2010 when no days were lost to inclement weather. In 2011 and subsequent years the count period was extended by 1 week (March 1 to April 22) and we will use the same period this spring.

Last year’s (2018) spring count saw a combined species passage of 2715 birds that included a Golden Eagle count of 2390. The March combined species count of 1794 represented 66.1% of the total count and was 18.1% below average, while April’s count of 596 was 34.9% above average and represented 33.9% of the count.  The maximum Golden Eagle count was 307 on March 25 and 6 other days had counts exceeding 100 birds. Bald Eagles (216) and Sharp-shinned Hawks (25) were close to average counts; 4 species were above average: Osprey (3), Broad-winged Hawk (3), American Kestrel (2) and Gyrfalcon (7), while 9 species occurred in below-average numbers: Northern Harrier (1), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Northern Goshawk (11), Red-tailed Hawk (30), Rough-legged Hawk (16), Golden Eagle (2390), Merlin (3), Peregrine Falcon (1) and Prairie Falcon (2). The combined species median passage date was March 26, 4 days later than average.

Last year saw the third complete (55 days) count at Beaver Mines which produced a record 2340 migrants of 18 species: 1 Turkey Vulture, 3 Ospreys, 355 Bald Eagles, 24 Northern Harriers, 46 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 6 Cooper’s Hawks, 27 Northern Goshawks, 13 Broad-winged Hawks, 2 Swainson’s Hawks, 155 Red-tailed Hawks, 6 Ferruginous Hawks, 101 Rough-legged Hawks, 1533 Golden Eagles, 10 American Kestrels, 14 Merlins, 9 Gyrfalcons, 10 Peregrine Falcons, and 3 Prairie Falcons. This year will be the fifth consecutive count at the site which is conducted from Peter Sherrington’s house in Beaver Mines.

Vance Mattson’s 2018 40-day reconnaissance count at the Steeples site on the western flanks of the Rocky Mountains near Cranbrook, BC produced a record 891 birds of 10 species. This year will be the ninth consecutive count at the site.

Rosemary Power is organizing the Mount Lorette count and welcomes visitors to the site. If you are interested in volunteering as a “Sky-sweeper” (no previous experience needed: just good eyes and binoculars) or as an Observer please contact Rosemary at 403-707-6117 (rosemarypower1010@gmail.com). Details of how to find the site and other useful information can be found on our website, www.eaglewatch.ca.  Generally the best time to see migrating eagles is in the afternoon, and the chart below gives an indication of the dates when other raptors are expected to be moving at the site.

Friday, March 1 Mount Lorette (Caroline Lambert) NO OBSERVATION (weather). Snow fell until early afternoon, but the mountains remained obscured all day. The temperature was -16C to -18C and winds were moderate ENE-NE all day.

Friday, March 1 Beaver Mines (Peter Sherrington) NO OBSERVATION (weather). Light snow fell for most of the day with an accumulation of 16 cm. The ridge was obscured until 1800 when the snow finally stopped. The temperature was -15C at 0800 but fell throughout the day to -23C at 1800 with moderate E to ENE winds up to 30 km/h giving wind chill temperatures of -31C to -33C after 1100. Clear skies are forecast for tomorrow.

Friday, March 1 Steeples (Vance Mattson) NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Light snow fell for most of the day and the mountains were fully obscured.

Saturday, March 2 Mount Lorette [Day 1] 0930-1145 Mount Allan viewpoint, 1155-1510 Hay Meadow, 1545-1720 Mount Allan viewpoint (Blake Weis). The temperature at 0930 was -30C and the high at 1200 was -25C that persisted for the rest of the day. Ground winds were N-NE all day, 0-5 km/h in the morning and 0-10 gusting to 20 km/h in the afternoon that produced wind-chill values close to -40C. Because of this Blake wisely spent the start and end of the day watching from his car at the Mount Allan viewpoint on highway 40. The sky was essentially cloudless with up to 10% cumulus developing close to ridges which were clear all day. Not surprisingly no migrant raptors were seen but a resident subadult Bald Eagle flew low to the south above the Kananaskis River at 1500. Despite the conditions a good variety of other bird species were noted comprising 1 female Common Merganser on the river, 1 male Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Common Ravens, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Creeper, 2 Pine Grosbeaks (heard), 1 Common Redpoll and 10 White-winged Crossbills.

7.58 hours TOTAL 0

Saturday, March 2 Beaver Mines [Day 1] 0730-1815 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0730 was -35C (wind-chill of -46C), the high was -24C at 1500 and 1600 and at 1815 it was -30C. Winds were light all day, W-NW to 1400 and E-ESE thereafter, and it was cloudless all day apart from traces of cumulus cloud to the SE. Two migrant raptors were seen: a juvenile Bald Eagle flapped low towards the north at 1201, and at 1611 a juvenile Golden Eagle also flapped to the north after perching atop a Douglas Fir for 50 minutes near the top of the ridge. Other birds seen were 6 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 male Red-shafted Flicker, 8 Blue Jays, 4 Black-billed Magpies, 42 Common Ravens most of which flew high towards the SW to roost in the late afternoon, 8 Black-capped Chickadees, 32 Evening Grosbeaks, 17 Common Redpolls, 8 Pine Siskins and 7 Dark-eyed Juncos (3 hyamelis, 1 cismontanus and 3 montanus).

10.75 hours BAEA 1, GOEA 1 TOTAL 2

Saturday, March 2 Steeples [Day 1] 1230-1630 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was -12C but it was calm and sunny with 20-30% cumulus cloud cover. There was 38 cm of snow at the site which made accessing the site challenging. No migrants were seen but a resident adult Golden Eagle glided north along the ridge and then west above the valley at 1310.

4 hours TOTAL 0

Sunday, March 3 Mount Lorette [Day 2] 0950-1805 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Lori Anderson). The starting temperature was -23C, the high was -11C at 1500 and it was -16C at the end of observation. Ground winds were E-ESE 2-8 km/h to 1200, NNW-NNE 5-14 to 1700 after which they were W 2-8 km/h and ridge winds were probably mainly moderate NW although cloudless skies all day made them difficult to determine. The only migrant was an adult Bald Eagle that flapped and glided to the north against the face of the Fisher Range at 1632. Other birds seen were 1 Black-billed Magpie, 2 Common Ravens, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Common Redpolls and 5 White-winged Crossbills. There were 5 visitors to the site.

8.25 hours (15.83) BAEA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (1)

Sunday, March 3 Beaver Mines [Day 2] 0730-1830 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson). It was another very cold day with a temperature at 0800 of -34C (wind chill -46C), a high of -20C from 1400 to 1700 and -23C at 1830. Winds were W 15 km/h to 0900 then light and variable for the rest of the day. The sky was completely cloudless all day. The only migrant raptor was a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk that was initially seen feeding on a snow bank from where it flew low to the north at 1226. A non-migrant juvenile Bald Eagle flew to the SW at 1147 and an adult briefly perched on the ridge at 1815 before flying low behind the ridge presumably to roost for the night. Other birds seen were 6 Downy Woodpeckers, 2 Red-shafted Flickers (male and female), 10 Blue Jays, 9 Black-billed Magpies, a flock of 9 American Crows, 92 Common Ravens 77 of which flew high towards the SW to roost between 1500 and 1756, 7 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Mountain Chickadees, 12 Bohemian Waxwings, 29 Evening Grosbeaks, 12 Common Redpolls, 40 Pine Siskins and 8 Dark-eyed Juncos (4 hyamelis, 1 cismontanus and 3 montanus).

11 hours (21.75) RLHA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (3)

Sunday, March 3 Steeples [Day 2] 1230-1600 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was -12C that warmed to -9C under cloudless sunny skies, and it was calm. No migrants were seen, but a juvenile Golden Eagle moved south along the ridge, perched briefly and continued to the south after being harassed by a Clark’s Nutcracker.

3.5 hours (7.5) TOTAL 0 (0)

Thursday, November 15 Mount Lorette [Day 53] 0800-1900 (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Rick Robb). The temperature at 0800 was -1C, the high was 4C (1200-1400) and it was 3C at 1700. Ground winds were S 0-8 gusting to 25 km/h at 1600 and ridge winds were moderate SSW. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus at the start and then 70-90% stratus, cumulus and stratocumulus for the rest of the day. The east ridges were clear all day and the west was clear to 1200 when it was 10% obscured and gradually increased to 50% by 1700. The only migrant raptors seen were 2 Golden Eagles gliding above the Fisher Range ridge: an adult at 1038 and an unaged bird at 1528. The path to the site early in the morning revealed the tracks of 3 Grey Wolves, 1 Red Fox and 1 Coyote that led to the carcass of a freshly killed White-tailed Deer on a gravel bar in the river south of the Hay Meadow site. Perched in adjacent trees were 3 adult Bald Eagles and a juvenile Bald Eagle was perched on the gravel bar, while 2 more Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa) were perched in trees farther south along the river. Ten ravens and 2 magpies were also in attendance. By 1600 the carcass had been entirely consumed. Other birds seen were 1 Belted Kingfisher, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Pacific Wren, 15 Lapland Longspurs and 6 White-winged Crossbills. Seven visitors were at the site today. The spring 2019 count at Mount Lorette will start on March 1.

9 hours (536.3) GOEA 2 (2688) TOTAL 2 (3154)

Mount Lorette November Summary (November 1-15), with variances to 1993-2017 averages (excluding 1997, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008). 15 days (+5.9%), 137.1 hours (+6.4%), Turkey Vulture 0, Osprey 0, Bald Eagle 55 (-26.5%), Northern Harrier 0, Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 (+39%), Cooper’s Hawk 0, Northern Goshawk 3 (-52.1%), UA 0, Broad-winged Hawk 0, Swainson’s Hawk 0, Red-tailed Hawk 0, Ferruginous Hawk 0, Rough-legged Hawk 1 (-83.6%), UB 0, Golden Eagle 172 (-24.5%), UE 2 (+90%), American Kestrel 0, Merlin 1 (+137.5%), Gyrfalcon 0, Peregrine Falcon 0, Prairie Falcon 0, UF 0, UU 0 TOTAL 237 (-26.8%).

Mount Lorette Final Count Summary (November 1-15), with variances to 1993-2017 averages (excluding 1997, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008). 53 days (-2.7%), 536.3 hours (-4.5%), Turkey Vulture 0, Osprey 3 (+11.1%), Bald Eagle 216 (-8.7%), Northern Harrier 7 (-32.0%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 68 (-49.6%), Cooper’s Hawk 7 (-68.8%), Northern Goshawk 37 (-15.2%), UA 8 (+19.4%), Broad-winged Hawk 1 (-83.3%), Swainson’s Hawk 1 (+185.7%), Red-tailed Hawk 27 (-18.9%), Ferruginous Hawk 0 (-100%), Rough-legged Hawk 36 (-28.8%), UB 5 (+31.6%), Golden Eagle 2688 (-21.6%), UE 31 (+705.2%), American Kestrel 0 (-100%), Merlin 4 (-47.7%), Gyrfalcon 2 (-29.8%), Peregrine Falcon 2 (-66.7%), Prairie Falcon 3 (+36.4%), UF 4 (+158.1%), UU 4 (+1.3%) TOTAL 3154 (-21.4%).

Thursday, November 15 Vicki Ridge [Day 50] 0800-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson and Troy Malish observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite, and Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1235-1635). The temperature at 0800 was 1C, the high at 1200 was 5C and it was 3C at 1700. Winds were W-WSW all day 40-50 gusting 70 km/h and were sustained 60-70 km/h for the last 2 hours. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day that provided mainly gloomy conditions. There was a fairly strong raptor movement for the last day of the count with 38 birds of 4 species moving between 0823 and 1617 comprising 14 Bald Eagles (8a, 2sa, 4j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 22 Golden Eagles (17a, 1sa, 2j, 2u). The total includes 18 raptors seen by Gord Petersen between 1244 and 1617 at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge near the Waterton 68 wellsite, that comprised 7 Bald Eagles (8a, 1sa), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 9 Golden Eagles (6a, 1j, 2u). During the same period , that coincided with the strongest winds of the day, only 5 migrants were seen from the Waterton 61 site. Movement was slow and sporadic throughout the day and the highest hourly count was 9 between 1500 and 1600. The resident Golden Eagle family group (2a and 1j) were seen throughout the day and other birds seen were 1 female Hairy Woodpecker, 95 Common Ravens, 4 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 40 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 18 Red Crossbills and 32 Common Redpolls.

9 hours (434.9) BAEA 14 (445), NOGO 1 (103), RLHA 1 (436) GOEA 22 (2735) TOTAL 38 (4755)

Vicki Ridge November Summary (November 1-15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 15 days, (12 days), 117.1 hours (86.1 hours) Turkey Vulture 0 (0), Osprey 0 (0), Bald Eagle 131 (153), Northern Harrier 0 (0), Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (1), Cooper’s Hawk 0 (0), Northern Goshawk 10 (11), UA 0 (0), Broad-winged Hawk 0 (0), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (0), Red-tailed Hawk 3 (0), Ferruginous Hawk 0 (0), Rough-legged Hawk 34 (28), UB 0 (1), Golden Eagle 245 (195), UE 2 (4), American Kestrel 0 (0), Merlin 1 (0), Gyrfalcon 1 (2), Peregrine Falcon 0 (0), Prairie Falcon 5 (1), UF 0 (0), UU 0 (0) TOTAL 433 (396)

Vicki Ridge Final Count Summary (September 20-November 15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 50 days (52 days), 434.9 hours, (418.9 hours) Turkey Vulture 0 (0), Osprey 8 (11), Bald Eagle 445 (350), Northern Harrier 15 (19), Sharp-shinned Hawk 627 (751), Cooper’s Hawk 74 (94), Northern Goshawk 103 (109), UA 7 (6), Broad-winged Hawk 24 (33), Swainson’s Hawk 2 (1), Red-tailed Hawk 176 (234), Ferruginous Hawk 8 (6) , Rough-legged Hawk 436 (515), UB 25 (19), Golden Eagle 2735 (2001), UE 7 (18), American Kestrel 12 (21), Merlin 21 (20), Gyrfalcon 5 (5), Peregrine Falcon 9 (17), Prairie Falcon 10 (5) , UF 2 (2), UU 4 (0) TOTAL 4755 (4237)

Thursday, November 15 Steeples [Day 50] 1315-1615 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 6C, winds were strong S-SW, cloud cover was 100% stratus, altostratus and cumulus and the ridges were clear. No migrants were seen but at 1315 an adult resident Golden Eagle soared in the high winds above the ridge.

3 hours (212.5) TOTAL 0 (486)

Steeples November Summary (November 1-15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 13 days (9 days), 52.75 hours (37 hours), Turkey Vulture 0 (0), Osprey 0 (1), Bald Eagle 25 (67) , Northern Harrier 0 (3), Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 (0), Cooper’s Hawk 0 (0), Northern Goshawk 2 (1), UA 0 (0) , Broad-winged Hawk 0 (0), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (0), Red-tailed Hawk 0 (1) , Ferruginous Hawk 0 (0), Rough-legged Hawk 0 (5) , UB 0 (0), Golden Eagle 33 (36), UE 0 (2), American Kestrel 0 (0), Merlin 1 (0), Gyrfalcon 0 (0), Peregrine Falcon 0 (0), Prairie Falcon 0 (0), UF 0 (0) TOTAL 61 (116)

Steeples Final Count Summary (September 20-November 15), with 2017 totals in parenthesis. 50 days (41 days), 212.5 hours (185 hours) Turkey Vulture 1 (1) , Osprey 2 (7) , Bald Eagle 116 (276), Northern Harrier 14 (16), Sharp-shinned Hawk 72 (78), Cooper’s Hawk 4 (1), Northern Goshawk 8 (13), UA 0 (0), Broad-winged Hawk 3 (5), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (0), Red-tailed Hawk 75 (51) , Ferruginous Hawk 0 (0), Rough-legged Hawk 3 (15), UB 0 (1), Golden Eagle 177 (146), UE 2 (3), American Kestrel 3 (8), Merlin 3 (2), Gyrfalcon 1 (0), Peregrine Falcon 1 (2), Prairie Falcon 0 (0), UF 0 (0) UU 1 (0) TOTAL 486 (625).

Wednesday, November 14 Mount Lorette [Day 52] Hay Meadow 0815-1500, Lusk Creek 1615-1650 (Blake Weis, assisted by Heinz Unger). The temperature at 0815 was 2C, the high was 4C (1100-1300) and it was 1C when heavy snow ended observation at Hay Meadow, and when Blake resumed the count at Lusk Creek. Ground winds to 1100 were variable 0-10 gusting 15 km/h and then were W-SW 5-10 gusting 20 and occasionally 50 km/h. Ridge winds were moderate to strong W-NW to 1200 and then W-SW. Cloud cover was initially 50% altocumulus, altostratus, cumulus, cirrus and cirrostratus that increased to 100% from 1200 to 1300 when 100% stratocumulus developed that obscured all ridges and brought moderate snow that became heavy at 1500 when the Hay Meadow count ended for the day. A total of 11 migrant raptors of 3 species were counted between 0924 and 1212 comprising 3 Bald Eagles (2a and 1 undifferentiated immature), 1u Northern Goshawk and 7 Golden Eagles (4a, 3u). All the eagles moved at varying heights along the Fisher Range and maximum hourly counts were 4 between 1000 and 1100 and again between 1100 and 1200. Around 1600 the snow stopped and Blake went to the Lusk Creek site between 1615 and 1650 where the highest foothills ridge was clear and recorded a further 3 migrants: 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1u Northern Goshawk and 1u Golden Eagle. An adult resident Northern Goshawk soared near the Hay Meadow site at 1310, and other birds near the site were a pair of Mallards that flew low to the south above the river, 1u Northern Shrike, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers that flew low to the south, 6 Common Ravens, 3 Black-capped, 3 Mountain and 1 Boreal Chickadee, 12 Bohemian Waxwings, 520 Common Redpolls, most of which were south-bound migrants, 112 White-winged Crossbills, 11 Pine Siskins and 3u Dark-eyed Juncos. Six visitors arrived at the site before the snow started to fall. Tomorrow will be the last day of the fall 2018 count.

7.33 hours (527.3) BAEA 4 (216), NOGO 2 (37), GOEA 8 (2686) TOTAL 14 (3152)

Wednesday, November 14 Vicki Ridge [Day 49] 0745-1645 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite, and Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1415-1600). The temperature at 0745 was 3C, the high was 5.5C at 1300 and it was 0C at 1645. Winds were strong W all day 40-50 gusting 60-70 km/h apart from 1400 and 1500 when they were WSW 60 gusting 80-90 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 20% altocumulus and cirrus to 0900 when it increased to 50% altostratus, altocumulus, cumulus and cirrus that reached 100% at 1100. Between 1200 and 1410 cloud cover was 60-80% cirrostratus, altostratus and altocumulus, but at 1410 stratus cloud quickly moved from the west that brought snow until 1630 when the sky quickly cleared to 30% cumulus. The ridges were partially obscured between 1410 and 1540 and then completely obscured to 1630. There was another fairly strong late-season raptor movement of 30 birds of 3 species between 0804 and 1525 that comprised 7 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 21 Golden Eagles (15a, 2sa, 1j, 3u) and 1 unidentified eagle. The total includes 4 Golden Eagles (2a, 2u) seen by Gord Petersen between 1429 and 1525 at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge near the Waterton 68 wellsite. The maximum hourly count was 8 between 1000 and 1100 and the last 8 birds moved through steady light snow before heavy snow at 1530 brought all movement to an end. Other birds were scarce apart from about 70 Common Ravens which were continuously in the air until the snow arrived, attracted to the area by gut-piles from recently hunted deer. Tomorrow will be the last day of the fall 2018 count.

9 hours (425.9) BAEA 7 (431), RLHA 1 (435), GOEA 21 (2713), UE 1 (7) TOTAL 30 (4717)

Wednesday, November 14 Steeples [NO OBSERVATION] (Vance Mattson). It was consistently overcast with periodic rain all day. Tomorrow will be the last day of the fall 2018 count.

Tuesday, November 13 Mount Lorette [Day 51] 0815-1630 (Blake Weis, assisted by Katherine Peterson). The temperature at 0815 was -2C and the high was 3C from 1400 to 1630. Ground winds were variable 0-10 km/h all day that gusted 15-20 km/h to 1600, and ridge winds were W-SW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was initially 100% cirrostratus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus that diminished to 40% cirrus and altocumulus at 1100 before increasing again to 100% cirrostratus, altostratus, cirrus and altocumulus from 1400 to 1630. All ridges were clear, but only 5 migrant eagles were seen: 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) and 3 Golden Eagles (1sa, 2u), that moved between 0947 and 1509. The 2 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle moved to the west of the site, and the other 2 Golden Eagles used the Fisher Range to the east. An adult Bald Eagle and an adult Northern Goshawk were non-migrants. Other birds identified were 1 female Common Merganser on the river, 1u Northern Shrike, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 12 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 3 Brown Creepers, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 47 Common Redpolls, 1 White-winged Crossbill and 5 Pine Siskins. There were only 2 visitors today.

8.25 hours (520) BAEA 2 (212), GOEA 3 (2678) TOTAL 5 (3138)

Tuesday, November 13 Vicki Ridge [Day 48] 0800-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0800 was 1C the high at 1300 and 1400 was 6C and it was 3C at 1700. Winds were W 30-40 gusting to 65 km/h in the morning and WSW 40-60 gusting to 90 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and lenticular to 1130, 70-80% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrostratus to 1300 and then 100% altostratus and altocumulus for the rest of the day. A total of 19 migrant raptors of 4 species moved between 0816 and 1623 comprising 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult female Northern Goshawk, 15 Golden Eagles (13a, 2u) and 1 male Prairie Falcon. Twelve birds were seen before 1200 but afternoon movement was light and sporadic as the wind velocity increased. The resident Golden Eagle family group (2a and 1j) were still present and other birds seen were 3 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 25 Common Ravens, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 25 Red Crossbills and 55 Common Redpolls.

9 hours (416.9) BAEA 2 (424), NOGO 1 (102), GOEA 15 (2692), PRFA 1 (10) TOTAL 19 (4687)

Tuesday, November 13 Steeples [Day 49] 1315-1615 (Vance Mattson, observing from Diorite Creek). The mountains at the Bill Nye site were again heavily shrouded but it was clear to the north so Vance observed from a new site, “Diorite Creek”, which is 27 km to the north along the same range and just north of Premier Lake. The temperature reached 4C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 50% altostratus, cumulus and stratus that gave periods of sunshine. The only migrant seen was a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1408. Non-migrant birds were a juvenile Bald Eagle, and an adult Golden Eagle that soared and hunted over the flank of Diorite Mountain.

3 hours (209.5) GOEA 1 (177) TOTAL 1 (486)