Thursday, April 19 Mount Lorette [Day 45] 0655-2030 (Blake Weis, assisted by Patrick Farley). At 0700 the temperature was -5C, the high was 9C from 1600-1900 and it was 6C at 2030. Ground winds were SW all day, 0-10 km/h to 1300, then 5-10 gusting 15-30 km/h to 1900 and finished the day at 0-10 km/h again, while ridge winds were light to moderate SW to 1300 and then moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 10% cirrus to 0800 after which it was essentially cloudless all day with traces of cirrus in the morning and of altocumulus in the afternoon. Migration conditions were ideal, but the blank sky made the location of migrants challenging. There was a strong movement of 84 raptors of 5 species, which is the highest April count so far this season, with birds recorded between 0930 and 1930. The count was 4 Bald Eagles (1a, 3 undifferentiated immatures), 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 small undifferentiated Accipiter, 2 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), 72 Golden Eagles (9a, 4sa, 44j. 15u) which is the highest April count this season, and 1 male columbarius Merlin. The first 2 migrants were seen on the eastern route, but until 1540 all other birds moved on the western ridges with eagles soaring on the southern flank of Olympic Summit and gliding NW over Skogan Pass. After 1540 most birds were initially located as they glided to Mount Lorette and on to Mount McGillivray but only 4 were seen at the northern end of the Fisher Range and many may have originated from the Wasootch Creek area. Forty-one migrants occurred before noon after which movement slowed until 1800 when the final two hours of the day each yielded 11 migrating Golden Eagles. Non-migrant or resident birds were 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks, the resident pair of Golden Eagles one of which displayed above Olympic Summit, and probably the same Prairie Falcon seen yesterday again hunted over Hummingbird Plume Hill. Birds seen for the first time this season were an American Coot on the river, 3 Tree Swallows and a male Brewer’s Blackbird, and other birds were 7 Canada Geese, a pair of Mallard, 1 male Common Merganser, 2 drumming Ruffed Grouse, 2 Killdeer, 6 unidentified white-headed gulls, 5 Northern Flickers, 1 Northern Shrike, 4 Grey Jays, 2 American Crows, 13 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 5 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 singing Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 singing Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Mountain Bluebirds (1 male, 2 females), 6 singing Varied Thrushes, 2 American Pipits, 40 Bohemian Waxwings, 35 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 male Red-winged Blackbird and 8 Common Ravens. As Blake was driving across the Kananaskis Bridge on the Nakiska access road last night at 2010, a Cougar was walking across the bridge in the opposite direction. Today 3 White-tailed Deer and 2 male Elk browsed in the meadow late in the day, but there were only 3 human visitors to the site, which is a pity as it was a rather good day.

13.58 hours (514.4) BAEA 4 (177), SSHA 4 (21), UA 1 (3), RTHA 2 (26), GOEA 72 (2350), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 84 (2655)

Thursday, April 19 Beaver Mines [Day 52] 0700-2015 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0700 was -2C, rose to a very pleasant high of 12C at 1300 and 1400 and was still 9C at 2015. Winds were light WNW-NNW to 1100, very light at 1200 and 1300, SE-SSE 15-20 km/h to 1800 and then WSW 10-15 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was variably 30-80% cirrostratus, cirrus, altostratus and altocumulus to 1400, after which it was 70-80% cumulus that gradually dwindled to 0% at 2000. It was sunny all day and observing conditions were generally very good. Despite the often light and mainly adverse wind directions there was a fairly strong but sporadic migration of 43 raptors of 8 species between 0734 and 1856, with most birds soaring very high above the ridge before gliding to the NNW. The count was 3 subadult Bald Eagles, a season-high 8 Northern Harriers (6 males (5a, 1j), 1a female and 1u), 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 6 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (5a, 1j), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 19 Golden Eagles (3a, 3sa, 10j, 3u). The highest hourly count was 14 between 1800 and 1856, coincident with the switch to WSW winds. At 1137 a juvenile Golden Eagle was seen soaring very high above the ridge with a Sandhill Crane in opposing gyres. As they came together there were minor agonistic interactions and finally the eagle started to chase the crane, but not to be outdone, the crane then briefly pursued the eagle. With honours even the eagle glided to the north and the crane to the SW. Seasonal first occurrences were a flock of 7 American White Pelicans that soared high NE of the ridge at 1318 before flying high to the north and, on a smaller scale, a male Yellow-rumped [Audubon’s] Warbler that fed in aspens at 1410.

13.25 (544.2) BAEA 3 (350), NOHA 8 (18), SSHA 2 (42), NOGO 3 (27), BWHA 1 (12), RTHA 6 (149), RLHA 1 (101), GOEA 19 (1518) TOTAL 43 (2297)

Thursday, April 19 Steeples [Day 37] 1330-1930 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was a season high 15C, winds were calm to light SE and cloud cover was 30-50% cumulus that gave sunny conditions. A total of 14 migrants of 4 species were counted between 1620 and 1829 although 13 of the migrants moved after 1728. The count was 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 2u), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 8 Golden Eagles (3a, 5j). As yesterday, many eagles moved very high west of the ridges and soared at length before gliding to the north, with the later birds often having to flap in the light winds. Non-migrant Turkey Vultures were seen frequently including a kettle of 4 over Mount Bill Nye that included apparently playful stoops by some individuals on its companions. Other non-migrants were 4 Bald Eagles (2a, 2j) and 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks.

4 hours (158.5) BAEA 2 (165), SSHA 3 (9), RTHA 1 (26), GOEA 8 (602) TOTAL 14 (825)

Wednesday, April 18 Mount Lorette [Day 44] 0655-2035 (Blake Weis, assisted by Jose Sanchez). The starting temperature was -1C, the high was 6C (1500-1900) and it was 4C at the end of observation. Ground winds were SW-SE all day mainly 0-10 gusting 15 km/h but gusting up to 32 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were SW light to 0900 then moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 10% altocumulus and cirrus that gradually increased to 60% by 1300 when cumulus also developed to 1500, and it was then 10-50% altocumulus, cirrus and cumulus for the rest of the day. Ridges were completely clear and viewing conditions were excellent all day. There was a strong raptor movement with a total of 73 birds of 6 species migrating between 0920 and 1959 that comprised 7 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa and 1 undifferentiated immature bird), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 1 small undifferentiated Accipiter, 3 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 58 Golden Eagles (2a, 7sa, 32j, 17u) and 1 small unidentified raptor. Much of the Golden Eagle movement was very high above the centre of the valley or above the Fisher Range and about half of the birds were initially located as they arrived at Mount Lorette. Movement was initially slow and by 1300 only 4 birds had been counted, but the rate quickened throughout the afternoon and peaked late with 2 Bald and 21 Golden Eagles seen between 1900 and 1959. Non-migrant birds were an Osprey that hunted above the river, 2 hunting Red-tailed Hawks, the resident pair of Golden Eagles and a Prairie Falcon that was seen hunting above Hummingbird Plume Hill. Other birds were 25 Snow Geese that flew high to the NE above the Fisher Range at 1300. 6 Canada Geese, 1 male Common Goldeneye, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 3 Killdeer, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 male intergrade Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Grey Jays, 15 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Varied Thrush, 75 American Robins, 3 European Starlings, 2 American Pipits, 195 Bohemian Waxwings, 4 Dark-eyed Juncos and 1 Common Redpoll. A female Moose with a second-year calf crossed the river south of the site. There were 3 visitors to the site today.

13.67 hours (500.8) BAEA 7 (173), SSHA 1 (17), COHA 1 (1), UA 1 (2), RTHA 3 (24), RLHA 1 (15), GOEA 58 (2278), UU 1 (4) TOTAL 73 (2571)

Wednesday, April 18 Beaver Mines [Day 51] 0700-1930 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Phil Hazelton). The temperature at 0700 was 0C, the high was 10C at 1500 and it was 6C at 1930. Winds were moderate W-WSW all day 20-30 gusting 40 km/h, and cloud cover was initially 0% to 0820 when thin cirrus began to develop and cover was 10-60% cumulus and cirrostratus to 1730 after which it was 100% for the rest of the day. A sunny day with excellent viewing and migration conditions produced an interesting migration of 72 raptors of 12 species between 0812 and 1850 that comprised 8 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa, 4j), 2 adult male Northern Harriers, 5 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1j), 1 juvenile dark-morph Broad-winged Hawk, 17 Red-tailed Hawks (15 calurus: 12 light (11a, 1u), 2 adult dark, and 2 adult dark harlani), 3 unidentified Buteos (1 dark, 2u), 28 Golden Eagles (8a, 1sa, 15j, 4u), 2 adult American Kestrels (1 male, 1 female), 1 adult female Merlin of the coastal race F.c.suckleyi (“Black Merlin”) that flew close to me at 1301, 1 adult female grey morph Gyrfalcon and 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon. Movement was steady all day with a high hourly count of 18 between 1400 and 1500. Two resident pairs of Red-tailed Hawks were conspicuous throughout the afternoon with many prolonged display flights were seen. A total of 540 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flew high to the NNW in 8 flocks throughout the day, and other signs of spring were the presence of 4 Tree Swallows and the season’s first Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly.

12.5 (531) BAEA 8 (347), NOHA 2 (10), SSHA 5 (40), COHA 1 (5), NOGO 2 (24), BWHA 1 (11), RTHA 17 (143), UB 3 (15), GOEA 28 (1499), AMKE 2 (7), MERL 1 (14), GYRF 1 (9), PEFA 1 (9) TOTAL 72 (2254)

Wednesday, April 18 Steeples [Day 36] 1530-1930 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 11C, winds were light to moderate SE and cloud cover was 50% cumulus. The pleasant sunny conditions produced 18 migrants of 5 species between 1615 and 1846 that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (1a, 3j), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), 10 Golden Eagles (2a, 8j) and the season’s first Peregrine Falcon, an adult bird. Ten of the birds moved between 1700 and 1800, and 6 between 1000 and 1846. Non-migrants were 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j), 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures were in the air throughout the observation period and included kettles of 4 birds on 2 occasions.

4 hours (154.5) BAEA 4 (163), SSHA 1 (6), RLHA 2 (6), GOEA 10 (594), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 18 (811)

Tuesday, April 17 Mount Lorette [Day 43] 0655-2030 (Blake Weis, assisted by Brian McBride). The temperature at 0700 was 0C, the high was 5C from 1500 to1700 and again at 1800 and 1900, and it was 4C at 2039. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 15 km/h except between 1100 and 1900 when they gusted to 30 km/h, and ridge winds were SW light to moderate to 0900 then were moderate for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1400, then 80-90% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and stratocumulus to 1700 that reduced to 40% at the end of observation. There were brief light to moderate snow flurries between 1200 and 1800 but the eastern ridges were clear all day although the west was variably 20-70% obscured to 1500 after which they cleared. There was a moderate raptor movement involving 5 species between 0927 and 1940 that comprised 2 Ospreys, 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1u), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified Buteo, 11 Golden Eagles (2a, 2sa, 3j, 4u) and 1u American Kestrel. One Golden Eagle used the western route, most of the non-eagles moved above the valley and the other migrants were either located at the northern end of the Fisher Range or at Mount Lorette. Movement was slow and sporadic and the maximum hourly count was 5 birds between 1400 and 1500. The resident pair of goshawks soared and vocalised south of the site, single resident Red-tailed Hawks were seen hunting over Hummingbird Hill and the Fisher Range, and a resident adult Golden Eagle flew south from Mount Lorette. Non-raptor bird species recorded were 8 Canada Geese, 1 female Common Goldeneye, 3 Killdeer, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 adult Northern Shrikes, 2 American Crows, 16 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 male Mountain Bluebird, 1 Varied Thrush, 155 American Robins, 1 European Starling, 6 American Pipits, 170 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 male hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco and 3 Common Redpolls. There were no visitors today.

13.58 hours (487.1) OSPR 2 (3), BAEA 2 (166), RLHA 1 (14), UB 1 (2), GOEA 11 (2220), AMKE 1 (2) TOTAL 18 (2498)

Tuesday, April 17 Beaver Mines [Day 50] 0700-1815 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0700 was 0C, the high at 1600 was 6C and it was 3C at 2015. Winds were moderate to strong W-WSW all day 35-45 gusting up to 60 km/h. Cloud cover was 30-50% altocumulus and cumulus that gave sunny conditions to 1000 after which it was 80-100% altostratus, altocumulus and cumulus that gave hazy sunshine to 1800, and then 40-50% altostratus and altocumulus which again allowed sunshine, and it was finally cloudless at 2000. Occasional brief snow flurries moved from the southwest after 1500 and there was one extended snow shower between 1608 and 1640 that obscured the ridge. In general migration and observing conditions were very good and a total of 35 migrant raptors of 10 species were counted between 0911 and 1952. The count was the season’s first Turkey Vulture, an adult at 1655, 1 Osprey, 2 Bald Eagles (1 late subadult and 1 juvenile), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, the season’s first 2 Swainson’s Hawks (a dark adult at 1429 and a light adult at 1552), 9 calurus Red-tailed Hawks ( 6a and 1u light morphs and 2a rufous morphs), 1 unidentified dark Buteo, 13 Golden Eagles (4a, 1sa, 8j), 1 adult female columbarius Merlin and 1 adult probable female Peregrine Falcon. All 18 species of regularly-occurring diurnal raptors have now been seen this season. Only 2 juvenile Golden Eagles were seen in the morning, but afternoon movement was steady to 1718 with a peak hour of 9 birds between 1500 and 1600. No birds were seen between 1718 and 1920 probably owing to snow to the south blocking movement, but there was then a late migration of 4 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Golden Eagle up to 1952. A single Common Loon flying high to the SW at 1527 was a first for the season, but it had little prospect of finding open water on lakes in this part of the world, and may have had to continue over the mountains to BC. Maybe Vance will see it tomorrow!

13.25 (518.5) TUVU 1 (1), OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 2 (339), SSHA 3 (35), NOGO 1 (22), SWHA 2 (2), RTHA 9 (126), UB 1 (12), GOEA 13 (1471), MERL 1 (13), PEFA 1 (8) TOTAL 35 (2182)

Tuesday, April 17 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION. The mountains cleared in the afternoon after a morning of rain and overcast conditions, but unfortunately Vance had a work commitment and was unable to observe.

Monday, April 16 Mount Lorette (Dan and Cindy Parliament). NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Dan and Cindy were at the site and at Lorette Ponds from 0730 to 1100 where the temperature was -3C winds were calm or very light and cloud cover was 100% low stratus with heavy snow that obscured all ridges. No observation was possible and the count was abandoned at 1100 when the forecast gave no indication that conditions would change. Birds seen were 7 Canada Geese, 6 Mallards 2 Northern Shovelers, 1 Common Goldeneye, 1 Common Merganser, 3 Killdeer, 2 California Gulls, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Northern Shrike, 3 Common Ravens, 1 Varied Thrush, 21 American Robins, 20 European Starlings, 1 American Pipit and 4 Dark-eyed Juncos.

Monday, April 16 Beaver Mines [Day 50] 0900-1800 (Peter Sherrington). Heavy snow was forecast for the whole day but at 0900 the lower two-thirds of the ridge became visible and by 1015 the snow stopped leaving 15 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The ridge was completely clear to 1045 when the top again was obscured by cloud, but at 1230 it cleared again and remained clear for the rest of the day. The temperature at 0900 was 0C that rose to a high of 3.5C at 1600 and was still 3C when observation ceased at 1800. Winds were light and very variable in direction throughout, and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day with some cumulus developing between 1300 and 1500. A total of 5 migrant raptors were seen between 1245 and 1621 comprising 1 Osprey, 1 juvenile Bald Eagle and 3 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 2 dark). All birds moved low with much flapping flight. The resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks was in evidence after 1506.

9 hours (505.2) OSPR 1 (2), BAEA 1 (339), RLHA 3 (100) TOTAL 5 (2147)

Monday, April 16 Steeples [Day 35] 1630-1800 (Vance Mattson). Rain fell most of the day but it began to slightly clear at 1530 and the mountains became visible. Vance arrived at the site at 1630 when the temperature was 8C, which dropped to 7C by 1800, winds were strong S-SE and cloud cover was 90% stratus, altostratus and cumulus that partially obscured the ridges. Alternating light hail and rain fell throughout. No migrant raptors were seen and the only resident was a Turkey Vulture that soared high and headed to the west.

1.5 hours (150.5) TOTAL 0 (793)

Sunday, April 15 Mount Lorette [Day 42] 0600-2015 (Bill Wilson, assisted by Cliff Hansen). The temperature at 0600 was -1C, the high was 9C at 1700 and it was 2C at the end of observation. Ground winds were SW 0-3 km/h to 1100 then SSW-SSE 0-10 gusting to 22 km/h to 1800 when the arrival of a cold front switched winds to N-NE 5-15 gusting to 37 km/h that brought light to moderate snow until the end of observation. Ridge winds were difficult to assess but were probably calm or light NNE to 1400 after which they were light and moderate after 1800. Light snow also fell to 0800 and all ridges were obscured to 0900. The east was 60-90% obscured to 1300 and was then clear to 1800 after which it was 60-100% obscured again. The west was 70-100% obscured to 1300, clear to 1800 and up to 90% obscured thereafter. Despite these unpromising conditions there was a fairly strong raptor movement, probably in anticipation of the passage of the cold front, with 74 migrants of 4 species moving between 1020 and 1855. The count was 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 3j), 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 63 Golden Eagles (13a, 10sa, 22j, 18u) and 1 unidentified eagle. Only eight birds used the western route and the rest mainly moved low with much soaring against the face of the Fisher Range, or were initially located around Mount Lorette. Some birds also soared high above the centre of the valley before gliding to Mount Lorette. Only 6 birds moved before 1300 but then the pace gradually quickened and peaked at 24 between 1700 and 1800 just ahead of the passage of the front, and 7 more Golden Eagles migrated under deteriorating weather conditions between 1800 and 1855. Non-migrant or resident raptors were 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 2 or 3 Red-tailed Hawks. Non-raptor bird species recorded were a single flock of 70 Snow Geese that flew from behind Mount Lorette to the NE above the valley at 1102, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 female goldeneye sp., 11 Common Mergansers, 2 Killdeer, the first Wilson’s Snipe of the season that was heard calling, 32 (probable) California Gulls that flew very high to the NE, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 adult Northern Shrikes that, as yesterday, often noisily interacted, 2 American Crows, 24 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 American Dipper, 2 Mountain Bluebirds (male and female), 1 Varied Thrush, 75 American Robins, 4 European Starlings, 4 Bohemian Waxwings and 4 Common Redpolls. Twenty visitors made it to the site before the snow arrived.

14.25 hours (473.6) BAEA 5 (164), SSHA 2 (16), RTHA 1 (21), GOEA 63 (2209), UE 1 (25) TOTAL 74 (2480)

Sunday, April 15 Beaver Mines [Day 49] 0715-2015 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Denise Cocciolone-Amatto and Monica Bartha). The temperature reached a high of 12C at 1300 from a morning low of 2C, and it was still 7C at 2015. Winds were very variable and light to 1330 after which they were mainly W-SW, 20-30 km/h to 1700 and then 5-15 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 79-100% mainly cumulus and stratus all day which gave hazy sunshine and brief sunny periods and provided good observing conditions. Migration was slow and sporadic with only 33 migrants of 5 species seen between 0957 and 1848 that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 2 adult Northern Harriers (1 male and 1 female), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light adult and 1u dark morph) and 24 Golden Eagles (14a, 3sa, 3j, 5u). The pace of movement quickened after 1500 under moderate W-SW winds when 24 birds were counted. Eleven occurred between 1700 and 1800 when Golden Eagles soared very high above the ridge before gliding to the north. The spring-like conditions finally produced the first swallows of the year: a Tree Swallow at 1723 and 2 Violet-green Swallows at 1845. With more snow forecast for tomorrow they might well regret their arrival!

13 hours (496.2) BAEA 4 (336), NOHA 2 (8), SSHA 1 (32), RTHA 2 (117), GOEA 24 (1458) TOTAL 33 (2142)

Sunday, April 15 Steeples [Day 34] 1300-1930 (Vance Mattson). The temperature reached a high of 11C, winds were moderate SW and cloud cover was 50-80% mainly cumulus cloud which provided excellent viewing conditions. Migration conditions were also good and a total of 30 migrants of 6 species moved between 1455 and 1905, 26 of which were seen after 1700. The count was 3 Turkey Vultures, 11 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa, 8j), 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (4 light morphs (3a, 1j) and 1 rufous adult), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 9 Golden Eagles (3a, 1sa, 5j). The high hourly counts were 12 (1700-1800) and 13 (1800-1900), and notable was the high percentage of juvenile birds of both eagle species. Once again non-migrant raptors were dominated by Turkey Vultures with soaring groups of 4 and 5 birds seen, and also present were 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, an adult Northern Goshawk, 1 hunting Red-tailed Hawk and the resident pair of Golden Eagles.

6.5 hours (149) TUVU 3 (12), BAEA 11 (159), SSHA 2 (5), RTHA 4 (25), RLHA 1 (4), GOEA 9 (584) TOTAL 30 (793)