Wednesday, September 26 Mount Lorette [Day 7] 0745-1915 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Joel Duncan). The temperature was 1C at 0745, the high was 12C at 1600 and it was 9C at 1915. Ground winds were light W-SW all day with the exceptions of 1400 when they gusted to 15 km/h and 1600 when a gust of 20 km/h was recorded; ridge winds were probably W-SW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus to noon after which lower cumulus cloud developed but the ridges remained clear. The gloomy conditions made finding migrants fairly easy, but determining their details was problematical. The count was 76 migrant raptors of 5 species that moved between 0855 and 0900 and comprised 1 Osprey, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 70 Golden Eagles (39a, 9sa, 11j, 11u), 1 unidentified eagle, 1u richardsonii Merlin and 2 Prairie Falcons, the two falcon species being firsts for the season. All Golden Eagle movement was on the eastern route from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range. Only 4 Golden Eagles were recorded before 1200 but movement was steady throughout the afternoon and peaked at 21 between 1600 and 1700. There were many high-flying flocks of small songbirds that could not be identified against the grey clouds, but identified species included 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 60 American Robins, 20 White-winged Crossbills, 20 Pine Siskins, 1 Oregon Junco, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 1 Savannah Sparrow and 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler. The 29 visitors to the site included a grade 12 class of 22 from Western Canada High School in Calgary.

11.5 hours (69.1) OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 1 (6), GOEA 70 (236), UE 1 (6), MERL 1 (1), PRFA 2 (2) TOTAL 76 (280)

Wednesday, September 26 Vicki Ridge [Day 6] 0830-1830 (Peter Sherrington, observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The starting temperature was 9C, the high was 15C at 1400 and again at 1600 and it was 13C at the end of observation. Wind was W all day 15-20 km/h to 0930 then 30-40 gusting to 55 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cirrostratus all day which was thin enough to provide hazy sunshine during the early afternoon; after 1700 dark cumulus clouds also developed that probably presaged the rain that is forecast for tomorrow. It was another good day for raptor movement with 162 birds of 11 species moving between 0948 and 1805 with the highlights being the first significant movement of Rough-legged Hawks that were probably moving ahead of the forecast deteriorating weather, and the fact that the 7 Red-tailed Hawks seen included 3 subspecies: borealis (“Eastern Red-tail”), calurus (“Western Red-tail”) and harlani (“Harlan’s Hawk”). The count was 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 3j), 3 Northern Harriers (2a: 1 male and 1 female; 1 juvenile male), 83 Sharp-shinned Hawks (9a, 74u), 5 Cooper’s Hawks (3a, 2u), 3 adult Northern Goshawks (2 males, 1u), 2 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (1a, 1u), 7 Red-tailed Hawks (1 light adult borealis, 3a (1 light, 2 dark) calurus, 2 dark harlani (1a, 1j) and 1 dark bird of unknown race or age), 9 Rough-legged Hawks (8 light, 1 dark) that were seen between 1521 and 1720, 1 unidentified light Buteo, 39 Golden Eagles (16a, 13sa, 10j), 2 female American Kestrels and 3 columbarius Merlins (2 males, 1 female). Movement was steady between 1000 and 1700 with maximum hourly counts of 36 in each of the two hours after noon, but it slowed to a trickle after 1700 when only 7 more migrants were recorded. Other birds present included 1 Blue Jay, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 18 Mountain Bluebirds, 103 American Robins, 1 American Pipit, 4 Red Crossbills, 53 Pine Siskins and 4 Yellow-rumped Warblers.

10 hours (61) BAEA 5 (17), NOHA 3 (11), SSHA 83 (264), COHA 5 (33), NOGO 3 (13), BWHA 2 (13), RTHA 7 (51), RLHA 9 (10), UB 1 (1), GOEA 39 (181), AMKE 2 (8), MERL 3 (11) TOTAL 162 (632)

Wednesday, September 26 Steeples [Day 7] 1630-1730 (Vance Mattson). Because of teaching commitments observation today was restricted to 1 hour and no migrant or resident raptors were seen. The temperature was 17C, it was calm and cloud cover was 100% altostratus.

1 hour (26) TOTAL 0 (76)

Tuesday, September 25 Mount Lorette [Day 6] 0730-1945 (Joel Duncan, assisted by Rachel McKay). Clear skies allowed the temperature to fall to -2C at 0730, but it reached a high of 12C at 1500 and 1600 and was still 10C at the end of observation. Ground winds were calm or very light to 1200 after which they were W 5-10 km/h gusting to 24 km/h around 1500 and gusted to 17 km/h after 1600 before becoming calm again at the end of the day. Ridge winds were moderate west after 1300. It was cloudless with traces of cumulus to 1200 after which cumulus and cirrus cloud gradually developed to 80% by 1500 and then 90% thin altostratus persisted until the end of the count. Observing conditions were good throughout the afternoon. There was a moderate raptor movement of 41 birds of 6 species between 1119 and 1802 that comprised 1 subadult Bald Eagle, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk, 1 unidentified small Accipiter, 4 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light adult and 1a, 2u dark morphs), 29 Golden Eagles (14a, 2sa, 7j, 1 undifferentiated immature and 6u), 3 unidentified eagles and 1 unidentified small falcon. The highest hourly counts of 10 birds were 1500-1600 and 1600-1700. All the eagles moved on the eastern route from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range, the red-tails were to the west and most of the other birds were seen above the valley. Other birds seen included 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 3 American Pipits, 5 Lapland Longspurs, 21 White-winged Crossbills, 4 Pine Siskins, 3 Song Sparrows and 9 Yellow-rumped Warblers; butterflies were 6 Mourning Cloaks and 2 Zephyr Commas. There were 19 visitors to the site today.

12.25 hours (57.6) BAEA 1 (5), COHA 1 (2), NOGO 1 (1), UA 1 (1), RTHA 4 (6), GOEA 29 (166), UE 3 (5), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 41 (204)

Tuesday, September 25 Vicki Ridge [Day 5] 0800-1900 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Doug and Teresa Dolmen, observation from Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature was 5C at 0800, reached a season-high 14.5C at 1400 and 1500 and was still 11C at 1900. Winds were W-WSW all day, light to 1100 then 20-30 gusting to 45 km/h for the rest of the day. It was cloudless to 1135 when cumulus cloud began to develop which was 10-30% to 1600, after which it was 60-90% cirrostratus, cirrus and cumulus for the rest of the day. Observing conditions after 1135 were generally excellent and contributed to a season-high count of 178 migrant raptors of 11 species between 0816 and 1850. The total comprised 1 Osprey, 6 Bald Eagles (4a, 1sa, 1j), 1 juvenile Northern Harrier, 74 Sharp-shinned Hawks (19a, 55u), 4 adult Cooper’s Hawks, 1 juvenile male Northern Goshawk, 6 Broad-winged Hawks (2a light, 2a dark, 2j light), 15 Red-tailed Hawks (8a calurus, 5 light, 3 dark; 7 dark harlani, 4a, 1j, 2u), 63 Golden Eagles (28a, 9sa, 24j, 2u), 4 American Kestrels (1 male, 2 females, 1u), 1 Prairie Falcon, 1 large unidentified falcon and 1 unidentified raptor. Movement was sporadic until 1600 when the rate increased with 36 birds counted between 1600 and 1700, and 44 between 1700 and 1800 which included 31 Golden Eagles. Other birds recorded included 5 Mountain Bluebirds, 93 American Robins, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2 American Pipits and 54 Pine Siskins, and butterflies were 3 Western Whites, 3 Clouded Sulphurs and 4 Mourning Cloaks.

11 hours (51) OSPR 1 (5), BAEA 6 (12), NOHA 1 (8), SSHA 74 (181), COHA 4 (28), NOGO 1 (10), BWHA 6 (11), RTHA 15 (44), GOEA 63 (142), AMKE 4 (6), PRFA 1 (2) UF 1 (1), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 178 (470)

Tuesday, September 25 Steeples [Day 6] 1330-1800 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 14C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 40-60% thin altocumulus and altostratus. Despite the excellent observing conditions only 3 migrant Golden Eagles (1a, 2j) were seen between 1402 and 1703. Resident adult Golden Eagles were seen soaring on three occasions, and 1a Bald Eagle and 1 adult Red-tailed Hawk were considered non-migrants.

4.5 hours (25) GOEA 3 (9) TOTAL 3 (76)

Monday, September 24 Mount Lorette [Day 5] 0650-1950 (George Halmazna, assisted by Joel Duncan). The starting temperature was 0C, the high at 1600 was 10C and it was 5C at the end of observation. It was calm to 0900 and light SW for the rest of the day and ridge winds were probably light to moderate SW. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus to 0900 and 80-100% stratus and cumulus for the rest of the day with the exception of around noon when it briefly reduced to 40% cumulus. The count was a slightly disappointing 44 birds of 4 species that moved between 0833 and 1859 with a maximum hourly passage of 11 between 1200 and 1300. The total comprised 2 Northern Harriers (1 adult male, 1u), 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 2u), 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk and 37 Golden Eagles (22a, 3sa, 3j, 9u). All the eagles consistently used the eastern route moving from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range. Early season results from Lorette and Vicki Ridge indicate low numbers of migrating juvenile Golden Eagles following record numbers last year. This suggests a poor breeding season following a crash in northern snowshoe hare numbers and the beginning of another population cycle. A total of 23 species of non-raptor birds were counted including 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 29 American Robins, 5 Varied Thrushes, 5 Cedar Waxwings, 3 Savannah Sparrows, 1 Lincoln’s Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 7 White-winged Crossbills, 12 Pine Siskins and 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers. Butterflies on the wing were 7 Mourning Cloaks and 2 Zephyr Commas, and there were 25 visitors to the site today.

13 hours (45.33) NOHA 2 (2), SSHA 4 (10), COHA 1 (1), GOEA 37 (137) TOTAL 44 (163)

Monday, September 24 Vicki Ridge [Day 4] 0815-1845 (Peter Sherrington, observing from the ridgetop 1100-1720 and from the wellsite for the rest of the time). The temperature at 0830 was 4C, the high was 12C at 1600 and it was 7C at 1845. Conditions were calm to 1045 and again after 1800, but were W for most of the day generally 10-15 gusting 25 km/h but reaching 30-40 km/h between 1500 and 1600 before becoming light. Cloud cover was initially 100% low stratus that partially obscured the ridges which cleared after 0940 to 10-20% cumulus and cirrus to 1130; After 1130 dark cumulus and altostratus cloud quickly developed and was 70-90% for the rest of the day that produced alternate periods of gloomy light and brilliant sunshine through breaks in the cloud. Raptor movement was as sporadic as the sunshine with groups of migrating birds interspersed with periods of empty skies. A total of 64 raptors of 11 species were counted between 0910 and 1814 that comprised 3 Ospreys (one of which glided high to the south at 1426 carrying a fish in its talons), 1 juvenile male Northern Harrier, 18 Sharp-shinned Hawks (9a, 1j, 8u), 6 Cooper’s Hawks (3a, 3u), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a male, 1sa female), 1 juvenile light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks (1 light calurus adult, 1 dark harlani juvenile), 25 Golden Eagles (18a, 3sa, 3j, 1u), 1 female American Kestrel, 4 male columbarius Merlins and 1 juvenile male Peregrine Falcon. The only hours that had double-digit counts were 1200-1300 (13) and 1600-1700 (12). Other birds present included 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 34 Mountain Bluebirds, 166 American Robins, 2 Red Crossbills and 48 Pine Siskins. Butterflies were 11 Western Whites and 1 Mourning Cloak.

10.5 hours (40) OSPR 3 (4), NOHA 1 (7), SSHA 18 (107), COHA 6 (24), NOGO 2 (9), BWHA 1 (5), RTHA 2 (29), GOEA 25 (79), AMKE 1 (2), MERL 4 (8), PEFA 1 (5) TOTAL 64 (292)

Monday, September 24 Steeples [Day 5] 1600-1800 (Vance Mattson). Teaching commitments limited the count to 2 hours which saw the passage of 2 light calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a, 1j) and 1 juvenile Golden Eagle, which was disappointing considering the weather conditions: a temperature of 18C, winds light W-NW and cloud cover of 40-20% cumulus. Non-migrants were more abundant and comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a, 2j), 2 sightings of adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, and 2 of adult Golden Eagles that soared high above the ridge for extended periods.

2 hours (20.5) RTHA 2 (34), GOEA 1 (6) TOTAL 3 (73)

Sunday, September 23 Mount Lorette [Day 4] 0840-1945 (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Lori Anderson). Valley fog persisted until 0900 when the temperature was 1C, the high was 10C at 1500 and it was 6C at the end of observation. Ground winds were 0-5 gusting 10 km/h all day with the exception of 1300-1400 when it gusted up to 25 km/h during rain showers; the ridges were calm to 1000, then W moderate to 1400, strong to 1700 and then moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 50-70% cumulus with minor stratus and cirrus except at the end of the day when it was 100% cumulus and altostratus; locating conditions were very good throughout. The east was clear all day and the west was 20% obscured to 1300, 60% to 1800 after which it was clear. The conditions produced the first raptor movement of the season with 118 birds of 5 species moving between 1045 and 1930. The flight comprised 2 Ospreys, 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a, 3u), ), 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a, 1j), 2 unidentified dark morph Buteos, 100 Golden Eagles (65a, 14sa, 5j, 16u) and 2 unidentified eagles. All birds moved from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range and there was little soaring flight. Movement was initially slow and by 1500 only 17 birds had been counted, but the pace then quickened and the next 3 hours produced 82 migrants of which 74 were Golden Eagles. Other birds seen were 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 4 Canada Jays, 8 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 5 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 4 Mountain Bluebirds, 20 American Robins, 25 White-winged Crossbills, 15 Pine Siskins, 6 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Song Sparrow and 1 Dark-eyed Junco. One Mourning Cloak butterfly was also seen, and a season-high 21 visitors were at the site today.

11.08 (32.33) OSPR 2 (2), BAEA 4 (4), SSHA 6 (6), RTHA 2 (2), UB 2 (3), GOEA 100 (100), UE 2 (2), TOTAL 118 (119)

Sunday, September 23 Vicki Ridge [Day 3] 0800-1830 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Trevor Lewis and Raymond Toal, observation from Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0800 was 6C, the high was 13 from 1300 to 1600 and it was 8C at 1830. Winds were W-WSW all day, 10-20 km/h in the morning that increased to 30-45 gusting to 55 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus all day, 80-90% to 0900, 40-70% to 1400, 30% 1500-1600 and after 1800 and 80% at 1700. There were a few light showers around noon and steady rain fell from 1645-1655 but otherwise it was mainly sunny and observing conditions were generally excellent and produced a season-high count of 105 raptors of 13 species. The count was 3 subadult Bald Eagles, 38 Sharp-shinned Hawks (14a, 2j, 22u), 5 Cooper’s Hawks (3a, 1j, 1u), 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk, 2 adult light morph Broad-winged Hawks, 12 Red-tailed Hawks (11 adult calurus: 10 light, 1 dark, and 1 dark bird of undetermined race or age), 1 light adult Ferruginous Hawk, the first Rough-legged Hawk of the season, a dark morph bird that was the last bird of the day at 1808, a season-high 37 Golden Eagles (20a, 7sa, 7j, 3u), 1 unidentified eagle, 1 female American Kestrel, 1 male columbarius Merlin, 1 adult female Peregrine Falcon and 1 Prairie Falcon. The first migrant was not seen until 0958, but subsequent movement was steady for most of the day and peaked at 19 birds between 1200 and 1300. Other birds recorded included 9 Northern Flickers (8 Red-shafted and 1 Yellow-shafted), 2 Pileated Woodpeckers, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 35 Mountain Bluebirds, 274 American Robins, 12 Red Crossbills and 56 Pine Siskins. Butterflies were 1 Western White and 1 Mourning Cloak.

10.5 hours (29.5) BAEA 3 (6), SSHA 38 (89), COHA 5 (18), NOGO 1 (7), BWHA 2 (4), RTHA 12 (27), FEHA 1 (2), RLHA 1 (1), GOEA 37 (54), UE 1 (1), AMKE 1 (1), MERL 1 (4), PEFA 1 (4), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 105 (228)

Sunday, September 23 Steeples [Day 4] 1200-1800 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 15C, winds were W-NW light to moderate and cloud cover was 70-100% cumulus that provided sunny periods. Despite the good conditions only 11 migrants of 4 species were counted between 1238 and 1729 that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 2u), 3 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (2a, 1j) and 2 Golden Eagles (1a, 1j). Non-migratory birds were 1 Turkey Vulture, 4 Bald Eagles (1a, 3j), 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk and 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1j), the latter involving interactions that produced barrel-rolls.

6 hours (18.5) BAEA 3 (6), SSHA 3 (19), RTHA 3 (32), GOEA 2 (5) TOTAL 11 (70)

Saturday, September 22 Mount Lorette [Day 3] 0800-1300 (Blake Weis, assisted by Ruth Morrow). The temperature at 0800 was -1C, the high at 1000 was 0C and it was again -1C at 1300 when steady sleet and rain ended the day’s count. Ground winds were N-NW 5-10 gusting 15 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate NW. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus to 1200 with slight breaks after 1100, 90% cumulus, altostratus and stratocumulus from 1200-1230 after which it was again 100% stratocumulus. The eastern ridges were 100% obscured to 1200 and after 1230, and 90% obscured from 1200 to 1230, while the west was 100% obscured to 1100, 50% from 1100 to 1200, 90% from 1200-1230 and subsequently again 100%. No migrant raptors were seen, but 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and a male columbarius Merlin that was seen hunting above the Hay Meadow, were considered to be non-migrants. Other birds, however were fairly common and varied and comprised (including birds seen at Mount Lorette Ponds) 40 Canada Geese migrating to the south, 5 unidentified ducks, 1 Wilson’s Snipe, 2 Belted Kingfishers, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 3 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 11 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Swainson’s Thrush, 5 Varied Thrushes, 4 American Robins, 10 American Pipits, 3 White-winged Crossbills, 200 Pine Siskins, 11 Dark-eyed Juncos, 16 White-crowned Sparrows, 15 Savannah Sparrows, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 female Common Yellowthroat, 8 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 3 Wilson’s Warblers. Unsurprisingly there were no visitors today.

5 hours (21.25) TOTAL 0 (1)

Saturday, September 22 Vicki Ridge NO OBSERVATION. There were E to ESE 10-18 km/h upslope winds all day, the temperature was 2-4C, and low cloud and fog completely obscured the ridge.

Saturday, September 22 Steeples [Day 3] 1200-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 16C, winds were moderate to strong S-SW and cloud cover was 100% stratus, altostratus and cumulus. Light to heavy rain fell between 1330 and 1400 followed by intermittent rain showers and steady rain began at 1700 to bring the day to a close. Only 3 migrants were seen: 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1324, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk at 1247 and the season’s first Peregrine Falcon, a juvenile bird, at 1252. Non-migrants were 1 Turkey Vulture, 2 adult Bald Eagles and 1 adult female Northern Harrier.

5 hours (12.5) SSHA 1 (16), RTHA 1 (29), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 3 (59)