Tuesday, November 06 Mount Lorette [Day 44] 0805-1630 (Blake Weis). The temperature at the start was -9C, the high was -7C (1100-1400) and it was -6C at 1630. Ground winds were N-NE 0-5 gusting 10-18 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate N. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, stratocumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day with the exception of 1200 and 1300 when it reduced to 90%. Light snow fell to 1100 when it ceased until 1600 when light to moderate snow started falling again. The eastern ridges were only 10% obscured to 1100 that gave the possibility of raptor movement, but they then became 90-100% obscured for the rest of the day. The west was 80-90% obscured to 0900 that subsequently became 100%. No migrant raptors were seen, but 2 non-migrant Bald Eagles (1a, 1 late sa) were noted. There was a strong southward migration of waterfowl that included 455 Canada Geese and 665 Mallards.

8.42 hours (456.1) TOTAL 0 (2987)

Tuesday, November 06 Vicki Ridge [Day 41] 1130-1430 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson mainly observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature was initially –9C but rose to -8C at 1300. Winds were light E-SE and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus. There was 14 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow continued to fall all day. The ridges were obscured by low cloud to 1100 but then almost completely cleared until 1430 when they again became shrouded. No migrant raptors were seen, but a resident adult Golden Eagle flew to the north at 1244. Other birds seen included 1a Northern Shrike and a flock of 100 Bohemian Waxwings.

3 hours (357.9) TOTAL 0 (4435)

Tuesday, November 06 Steeples [Day 43] 1215-1700 (Vance Mattson). The weather was better west of the Rockies where the temperature was 5C, winds were light W to calm and cloud cover was initially 40% stratus and cumulus that was concentrated around the mountains, but by 1600 it had increased to 100% although the ridges remained clear. A total of 10 migrants of 3 species moved between 1405 and 1453 coinciding with the lifting of clouds that had hitherto covered the ridges. The count was 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 1u Northern Goshawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. A resident Golden eagle was also seen at 1535.

4.75 hours (186.3) BAEA 4 (107), NOGO 1 (8), GOEA 5 (160) TOTAL 10 (459)

Monday, November 05 Mount Lorette [Day 43] 0720-1630 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The temperature was -4C to 0900, the high was -3C from 1000 to 1300 and it was then -4C again for the rest of the day. Ground winds were N all day, light to 1300 then 10-25 km/h to the end of observation, while ridge winds appeared to be light NW-NE. Cloud cover was 80-100% cumulus and stratus all day that produced snow between 1000 and 1230 and very light snow for the rest of the afternoon. The east ridges were 50% obscured to 1000 and were then not then seen again, and the west was 10% obscured to 1000 and then 90% obscured for the rest of the day. The only migrant raptor was 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew low to the south above the river at 1044. Other birds were more abundant, however, and comprised 3080 Canada Geese that flew south in 35 flocks, 265 Mallards in 4 flocks, 67 Common Mergansers in 4 flocks, 7 large unidentified gulls also flying south, 1 American Three-toed Woodpecker, 1a Northern Shrike, 4 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 5 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 2 American Dippers, 16 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 European Starling, 2 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 9 White-winged Crossbills, 120 Common Redpolls in 3 flocks and 2 cismontanus Dark-eyed Juncos. Barrier Lake also yielded a flock of 31 Hooded Mergansers. There were no visitors today.

9.16 hours (447.7) SSHA 1 (68) TOTAL 1 (2987)

Monday, November 05 Vicki Ridge [Day 40] 1345-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). Low fog obscured all ridges until 1330 when it began to lift. We arrived at the site at 1345 when the temperature was -4C, the wind was ESE 10 km/h and the southern end of Vicki Ridge was just visible through the fog. The lower part of the ridge was clear at 1445 and the ridge completely cleared at 1615 and Kyllo Ridge followed 5 minutes later. Cloud cover was revealed to be 100% stratus and the temperature fell to -6C with light snow at 1700 with winds after 1500 E 10-15 km/h. No migrant raptors were seen, but other birds were a flock of 52 Canada Geese that flew high to the west at 1643, 200 Mallards that flew even higher to the west at 1646, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 30 Common Ravens including a tight flock of 37 that flew to the west at 1606, 290 Bohemian Waxwings, a single flock of 150 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flying south and 2 Pine Siskins.

3.25 hours (354.9) TOTAL 0 (4435)

Monday, November 05 Steeples [Day 42] 1515-1645 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 8C that dropped to 6C at 1645, winds were moderate E and cloud cover was 100% stratus, cumulus and altostratus. The ridges became shrouded from the east at 1630 as light rain began to fall. Three migrants were seen: 1u Golden Eagle at 1515 and 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) at 1551. A resident Golden Eagle was also seen briefly.

1.5 hours (181.5) BAEA 2 (103), GOEA 1 (155) TOTAL 3 (449)

Sunday, November 04 Mount Lorette [Day 42] 0655-1725 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Lori Anderson). Both the starting and finishing temperatures were 6C and the high was 9C at 1300. Ground winds were SW all day, 2-15 km/h that gusted up to 36 km/h at 1100, and ridge winds were strong WSW to 0900 and then moderate to strong W for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 40% cumulus and stratus, was then 70-90% cumulus to 1330 and was 80-100% cumulus and stratus for the rest of the day. The eastern ridges were clear all day and the west was 0-20% obscured apart from 1400 when it was 70% obscured and generated light snow flurries. Although migration conditions appeared to be reasonable only 6 migrants were seen between 0912 and 1539 that comprised 1 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk and 5 Golden Eagles (4a, 1u). One or two adult Bald Eagles and an adult Northern Goshawk were considered to be resident or non-migrant birds. Other birds seen were a flock of 44 Canada Geese that flew high to the south at 1706, 3 female Common Mergansers on the river, 4 Canada Jays, 38 Common Ravens, 2 American Robins that flew to the south, 1 American Dipper and 20 Bohemian Waxwings. Nineteen visitors were at the site today.

10.5 hours (438.6) SSHA 1 (67), GOEA 5 (2577) TOTAL 6 (2986)

Sunday, November 04 Vicki Ridge [Day 39] 0730-1645 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The day started dramatically with rain and sleet driven by 80 km/h WNW winds which stopped at 0800 and there was no further significant precipitation. The temperature at 0800 was 3C, the high was 7C at 1100, 1300 and 1500 that coincided with sunny periods with moderate cumulus cloud cover that alternated with bands of dark thick stratocumulus cloud that periodically moved from the west. After 1500 there was only 10% cumulus cloud cover until the end of observation when the temperature was 3C and cloud thickened to 60% and produced spectacular sunset colours. After 0800 winds were strong W-WSW 40-50 gusting to 60-80 km/h all day. Raptor movement was sparse and very sporadic with 17 migrants of 6 species seen between 0812 and 1620 that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1u), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 8 Golden Eagles (7a, 1j), 1 white morph adult Gyrfalcon and 2 male Prairie Falcons. The maximum hourly count was only 4 birds between 1400 and 1500. Other birds seen included 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 130 Bohemian Waxwings, 200 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 36 Pine Siskins.

9.25 hours (351.7) BAEA 3 (344), NOGO 2 (95), RLHA 1 (426), GOEA 8 (2542), GYRF 1 (5), PRFA 2 (7) TOTAL 17 (4435)

Sunday, November 04 Steeples [Day 41] 1130-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 8C and winds were initially moderate SW but became calm by 1500. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus, stratus and cumulus that produced light rain between 1330 and 1430, after which it gradually cleared and by 1600 it was 20% cumulus and sunny. The day produced 8 migrants of 3 species between 1158 and 1656 which is the highest count at the site since October 19. The flight comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 3j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Five of the birds were seen before 1217. A resident Golden Eagle soared above the ridge before gliding to the northwest into the valley at 1150.

5.5 hours (180) BAEA 5 (101), NOGO 1 (7), GOEA 2 (154) TOTAL 8 (446)

Saturday, November 03 Mount Lorette [Day 41] 0835-1800 (Blake Weis, assisted by Cliff Hansen). The temperature was 0C at the start but rose to 7C between 1400 and 1700 and was 6C at 1800. Ground winds were SW all day, 0-5 gusting 10-18 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate SW all day. Cloud cover was 100% altocumulus, altostratus, cirrostratus, cirrus and cumulus for most of the day except between 1400 and 1700 when it was 80% of the same cloud mix without the cirrostratus. The ridges were clear all day. A total of 29 migrant raptors of 3 species were seen between 1015 and 1642 that comprised 1j Bald Eagle, 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk and 27 Golden Eagles (16a, 1sa, 10u). Eight of the Golden Eagles were seen between 1015 and 1100 and a further 7 between 1300 and 1400. Most eagles were seen gliding probably from Mount Lorette into the upper face of the northern end of the Fisher Range from where they rapidly kited high before gliding high to the SE above the Fisher Range ridge. Other birds noted were 1 Canada Goose heard calling, 20 Mallards flying south above the Fisher Range, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 4 Canada Jays, 8 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 2 Brown Creepers, 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 15 Bohemian Waxwings, 22 White-winged Crossbills, 55 Common Redpolls, 14 Pine Siskins and 9 Dark-eyed Juncos. Thirty-two visitors came to the site today.

9.58 hours (428.1) BAEA 1 (165), SSHA 1 (66), GOEA 29 (2572) TOTAL 29 (2980)

Saturday, November 03 Vicki Ridge [Day 38] 0845-1745 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson after 1500, observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0900 was 3C, the high at 1200 was 7C and it was 4C at 1745. Winds were W-WSW all day 30-50 gusting 60 km/h, and cloud cover was 100-60% altostratus, altocumulus and lenticular in the morning and 100-80% altostratus and cumulus in the afternoon that produced occasional very light rain showers. A total of 42 migrants of 5 species moved between 1015 and 1730 comprising 11 Bald Eagles (2a, 2sa, 5j, 2u), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult dark morph harlani Red-tailed Hawk, 7 Rough-legged Hawks (5 light, 2 dark) and 22 Golden Eagles (19a, 2sa, 1u). The highest hourly count was 13 (1300-1400). I was joined between 1100 and 1330 by 12 members of the Lethbridge College Chapter of the Wildlife Society who were able to see 22 of the day’s migrants under excellent observing conditions. Other birds seen included 1 male Hairy Woodpecker, 1a Northern Shrike, 3 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 55 Bohemian Waxwings, 275 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 3 Cassin’s Finches and 84 Pine Siskins.

9 hours (342.4) BAEA 11 (341), SSHA 1 (627), RTHA 1 (174), RLHA 7 (425), GOEA 22 (2534) TOTAL 42 (4418)

Saturday, November 03 Steeples [Day 40] 1330-1800 (Vance Mattson, assisted by Virginia Rasch). Cloud cover on the ridges was clearing by 1330 when Vance arrived at the site at 1330 when the temperature was 5C with strong S winds. By 1600, however, the temperature was 9C, it was calm and cloud cover was 60% altostratus and altocumulus that gave intermittent sunny periods, but increased to 100% altostratus and dark cumulus at 1800. Seven migrants, 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j) and 3 adult Golden Eagles, were counted between 1358 and 1624 although 6 of these moved between 1542 and 1624. A resident Golden Eagle hunted along the ridges from 1335-1400.

4.5 hours (174.5) BAEA 4 (96), GOEA 3 (152) TOTAL 7 (438)

Thursday, November 01 Mount Lorette [Day 39] 0830-1815 (Joel Duncan, assisted by Lori Anderson). The starting temperature was 0C the high was 4C from 1400-1700 and it was 3C at the end of observation. Ground winds were E-NE 2-5 km/h to 1500 after which they were 4-8 occasionally gusting to 14 km/h, while ridge winds were SW all day, strong to 1600 and then moderate. Cloud cover was initially 80% stratus and cumulus which reduced to 20-30% between 1000 and 1200 and gradually increased throughout the afternoon to 80% cumulus, altocumulus and altostratus by the end. The eastern ridges were initially 40% obscured but were clear after 1000, and the west was initially 100% obscured that dropped to 20% at 1000 and was then clear for the rest of the day. There was 0.5 cm of fresh snow on the ground at the start but there was no further precipitation. A total of 16 eagles were seen between 1145 and 1720 that comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 13 Golden Eagles (6a, 3sa, 4u) and 1 unidentified eagle. All birds moved on the eastern route with most birds initially located at the northern end of the Fisher Range and most birds employed flapping flight. Maximum hourly counts were 4 from 1500 to 1600 and again from 1600 to 1700. A non-migrant adult Bald Eagle perched by the river and a resident adult Northern Goshawk soared above the Hay Meadow. Other birds seen were 1 Northern Flicker, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, a single flock of 200 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 5 White-winged Crossbills, a remarkable single flock of 23 Cassin’s Finches, 30 Common Redpolls which were the first of the season and 2 Swamp Sparrows. There were 7 visitors today.

9.75 hours (409) BAEA 2 (163), GOEA 13 (2529), UE 1 (30) TOTAL 16 (2933)

Thursday, November 01 Vicki Ridge [Day 36] 0815-1745 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Gord Petersen observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite. The temperature at 0830 was 0C and the high was 5C at 1700 and 1745. Winds were calm or light all day, SW-W to 1600 and then ESE for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100-70% generally thin cumulus, stratocumulus and altostratus that allowed hazy sunshine to 1330 when 100% dark stratocumulus moved from the west and gave gloomy conditions for the rest of the day. The calm conditions produced the lowest full-day count of the season with only 15 birds of 2 species seen between 1044 and 1730: 10 Rough-legged Hawks (8 light morphs, 2u) and 5 Golden Eagles (4a, 1sa). By 1600 only 7 birds had been counted but each of the final 2 hours produced 4 birds that were seen soaring to the south of the site after they had glided low from behind the east side of Vicki Ridge. Gord watched at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge near the Waterton 68 wellsite between 1355 and 1520 but only saw a single Rough-legged Hawk that had also been observed soaring over the eastern edge of Kyllo Ridge a couple of minutes earlier. A mixed flock of 12a Tundra and 2a Trumpeter Swans flew high to the west at 1737 and a flock of 50 Canada Geese flew high to the west at 1225. At 1325 a high-flying adult Northern Shrike selected a single Grey-crowned Rosy-Finch from a small flock and pursued it to the north and had almost caught up with it when both birds disappeared behind trees. Other birds seen included 8 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 120 Bohemian Waxwings, 245 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 3 Red Crossbills and 193 Pine Siskins.

9.25 hours (327.1) RLHA 10 (412), GOEA 5 (2495) TOTAL 15 (4337)

Thursday, November 01 Steeples [Day 38] 1200-1730 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 6C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 100% altostratus and dark grey cumulus that obscured the front face of Mount Bill Nye, but the main migration ridge remained clear. Just 2 migrants were noted: an adult Golden Eagle at 1332 and an adult Bald eagle at 1338, and no resident birds were seen.

5.5 hours (165.3) BAEA 1 (92), GOEA 1 (145) TOTAL 2 (427)

Friday, November 02 Mount Lorette [Day 40] 0900-1830 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Joel Duncan). The temperature at 0900 was 5C, the high at 1400 was 10C and it was 4C at 1830. Ground winds were SW 0-5 km/h to 1200 then variable gusting to 20 km/h to 1400 after which they were N 0-10 gusting 20 for the rest of the day; ridge winds were strong all day, SW to 1000, NW to 1500 and NNW to the end. Cloud cover was 80-100% mainly cumulus and altostratus all day that produced 20-minute light rain showers around 1500 and 1600. The eastern ridges were occasionally lightly draped by cloud, but the west was on average 40% obscured all day. A total of 18 migrants of 3 species moved between 1022 and 1752 comprising 1u Bald Eagle, 1u Northern Goshawk and 16 Golden Eagles (5a, 2sa, 1j, 8u). All eagles glided high above the Fisher Range and probably originated from Mount Lorette. Ten birds, all Golden Eagles, were seen before 1200 but afternoon movement was slow and sporadic. An adult Bald Eagle perched on its usual tree by the river, and 2u Northern Goshawks flying high to the west were considered resident. Three unidentified swans flew high towards the north, 3 Common Loons flew high to the south and other birds seen included 1u Northern Shrike, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2 Bohemian Waxwings, 15 White-winged Crossbills, 2 Pine Siskins, and 10 Dark-eyed Juncos that included 2 cismontanus (“Slate-coloured” morphs) and 2 montanus (“Oregon” morphs). Only 4 visitors were seen today.

9.5 hours (418.5) BAEA 1 (164), NOGO 1 (35), GOEA 16 (2545) TOTAL 18 (2951)

Friday, November 02 Vicki Ridge [Day 37] 1140-1800 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). It was a late start as we had to drive back from Calgary. At 1140 the temperature was 8C, the high was 8.5C at 1300 and 1400 and it fell to 5C at 1800. Winds were strong W 40-50 gusting to 80 km/h to 1600 when they moderated and at the end of the day they were light SSE. Cloud cover was 70% altostratus and cumulus that gave sunny periods to 1400 after which it was 100% stratocumulus that produced almost continuous very light rain that only became steady light rain at 1800. There was a fairly steady movement of 39 raptors of 3 species between 1203 and 1746 that comprised 16 Bald Eagles (10a, 1sa, 3j, 1 undifferentiated immature and 1u), 6 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light, 2u) and 17 Golden Eagles (15a, 1sa, 1u). The highest hourly counts were 11 (1300-1400) and 10 (1500-1700). Other birds were relatively scarce in the high winds but included 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 37 Bohemian Waxwings, 100 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 32 Pine Siskins.

6.33 hours (333.4) BAEA 16 (330), RLHA 6 (418), GOEA 17 (2512) TOTAL 39 (4376)

Friday, November 02 Steeples [Day 39] 1315-1800 (Vance Mattson). The morning was rainy and overcast but it began to clear at 1230 although the front face of Mount Bill Nye again remained obscured all day. On arrival the temperature was 12C, winds were moderate S and cloud cover was stratus and cumulus, but by 1600 conditions were calm and 40% cumulus and lenticular cloud cover gave mainly sunny conditions for the rest of the day. A total of 4 migrant Golden Eagles were seen: 2 adults migrating together at 1612 and adult and a juvenile that also migrated together at 1612. The juvenile’s two outer left retrices had been somehow shorn off in a clean line that gave the tail a paddle-like appearance. A non-migrant adult Bald Eagle soared high above the ridges and moved to the north at 1559.

4.75 hours (170) GOEA 4 (149) TOTAL 4 (431)