Wednesday, October 14 Vicki Ridge [Day 25] 1045-1905 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge; and Gord Petersen at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1457-1845). Light snow fell to 1300 that obscured the ridges until 1045 when observation began with 5 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The temperature at 1045 was -1C, the high was 6.5C at 1600 and it was 2C at 1905. Winds were initially light E-ESE to 1400 and became W at 1450 although they were presaged by fog that formed on the highest point of Vicki Ridge at 1240 as the cold air from the east met the warmer air from the west. Westerly winds then prevailed for the rest of the day gusting to 20-30 km/h that reduced to 8-15 km/h at 1900. Cloud cover was 100% stratus to 1300 when it began to break and by 1400 there was 60% cumulus that reduced to 20% by 1800 and at the end of observation it was cloudless with just a trace of cumulus. Sunshine after 1400 provided excellent observing conditions for the rest of the day. At Waterton 61 only 2 raptors, both adult Cooper’s Hawks, were seen between 1250 and 1347 but the main migration began at 1404 and was subsequently continuous until the last Golden Eagle moved south just before dark at 1855. The final count of 94 birds of 6 species was 1a Bald Eagle, 12 Sharp-shinned Hawks (5a, 7u), 2a Cooper’s Hawks, 1a Northern Goshawk, 14 Rough-legged Hawks (13 light morphs and 1 u) and 64 Golden Eagles (55a, 3sa, 6j), The highest single-hour count was 29 between 1600 and 1700, At the Waterton 68 site Gord counted 122 migrants of 7 species between 1505 and 1838 that comprised 1sa3 Bald Eagle, 1a female Northern Harrier, 17u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2u Cooper’s Hawks, 3 Northern Goshawks (1j 2u), 6 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 92 Golden Eagles (66a, 7j, 19u). The highest single hour count was 50 between 1700 and 1800. The combined site count was 216 migrants of 7 species that moved between 1250 and 1855 and comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa3), 1a female Northern Harrier, 29 Sharp-shinned Hawks (5a, 24u), 24 Cooper’s Hawks (2a, 2u), 4 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1j, 2u), a season-high 20 Rough-legged Hawks (19 light morphs, 1u) and 156 Golden Eagles (121a, 3sa, 13j, 19u). The 4 hourly counts after 1500 were 29, 61, 71 and 43 respectively. Other bird species seen were 8 Snow Geese that flew high to the west at 1433, 4 Black-billed Magpies, 71 Common Ravens, 1 American Robin that flew high to the south at 1438 and 4 Pine Siskins.

8.33 hours (264.7) BAEA 2 (59), NOHA 1 (23), SSHA 29 (833), COHA 4 (127), NOGO 4 (26), RLHA 20 (89), GOEA 156 (1412) TOTAL 216 (2869)

Wednesday, October 14 Mount Lorette [Day 25] 0810-1905 (Bill Wilson assisted by Caroline Lambert). It snowed until 1355 and then 96 raptors of 5 species were counted between 1358 and 1900 that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1u), 1 unidentified small Accipiter, 1j dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 88 Golden Eagles (47a, 2sa, 11j, 28u) and 1 unidentified small raptor.

11.08 (289.4) BAEA 3 (78), NOGO 2 (46), UA 1 (6), RTHA 1 (57), GOEA 88 (1848), UU 1 (3) TOTAL 96 (2235)

Wednesday, October 14 Steeples (Vance Mattson). No observation.

Tuesday, October 13 Vicki Ridge [Day 24] 0810-1230 and 1500-1800 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0810 was 2C but dropped to 1C at 0900, reached a morning high of 3C at 1000 and was again 1C at 1230 when the count was suspended for 2.5 hours because of steady wet snow that obscured both the ridges. The temperature at 1500 when the count resumed was 3C and rose to 4C at 1600 where it remained for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus all day with the exception of 1600-1630 when it briefly broke to 70% cumulus that provided the day’s only sunshine. Light to moderate snow fell throughout the morning, and there were light rain showers from 1500-1610 that became steady rain to 1800 when the count was abandoned for the day. Winds in the morning were W-WSW 15-20 occasionally gusting to 30 km/h, and in the afternoon they were W 10-25 km/h that gusted to 45 km/h at 1800. The morning count produced 5 migrants between 0819 and 1028 that comprised 1j Bald Eagle, 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks and 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks. The afternoon count was 3a Golden Eagles that moved between 1521 and 1546 and 1 small to medium unidentified raptor that was flying in the rain and disappeared behind the ridge at 1554. Other birds seen were 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 13 Black-billed Magpies, 12 Common Ravens, 17 American Robins and 1 Dark-eyed [hyemalis] Junco.

7.33 hours (256.4) BAEA 1 (57), SSHA 2 (804), RLHA 2 (69), GOEA 3 (1256), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 9 (2653)

Tuesday, October 13 Mount Lorette [Day 24] 0845-1400 (George Halmazna assisted by Dan Parliament). A total of 4 Golden Eagles (2a, 2j) that moved between 0959 and 1012 were the only raptors seen. Snow started falling at 1030 and persisted to 1400 when the count was abandoned for the day.

5.25 hours (278.3) GOEA 4 (1760) TOTAL 4 (2139)

Tuesday, October 13 Steeples (Vance Mattson). No observation (weather). Rain and wet snow fell all day and the ridges were completely obscured.

Monday, October 12 Vicki Ridge [Day 23] 0800-0845 and 1045-1900 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson, 1500-1720 Denise Cocciolone Amatto assisted by Raymond Toal). There was no observer at the Waterton 68 site). The temperature at 0800 was 5C, the high at 1200 was 10C that dropped to 6C at 1300 following extensive hail fall, recovered to 8C at 1400 and was 5C at 1900. Winds were mainly WSW-W and occasionally WNW 15-25 km/h to 1300 and then 25 gusting 45-55 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratocumulus that produced steady rain and then showers to 1045 (observers abandoned the site for 2 hours to 1045!) and was subsequently 70-90 % cumulus and stratocumulus for the rest of the day that produced regular rain, sleet and hail showers to 1500 after which there were occasional light rain showers and snow flurries. There were also brief sunny periods. The Livingstone Ridge to the north was cloud-covered until mid-afternoon when it partially cleared. The conditions allowed a movement of 31 raptors of 6 species between 1059 and 1828 that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1u), 1a male Northern Harrier, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 2u), 4 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (2a, 1u light morphs and 1u intermediate morph), 5 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light, 1u) and 15 Golden Eagles (13a, 2j). The highest single hour count was 9 between 1500 and 1600. Other birds seen were 1 Northern Flicker, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 24 Common Ravens and 3 American Robins.

9 hours (249.1) BAEA 3 (56), NOHA 1 (22), SSHA 3 (802), RTHA 4 (199), RLHA 5 (67), GOEA 15 (1253) TOTAL 31 (2644)

Monday, October 12 Mount Lorette [Day 23] 0800-1900 (Graeme Dunlop assisted by Rick Robb). Poor weather conditions produced only 3 migrants: 1a Bald Eagle, 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk and 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk.

11 hours (273.1) BAEA 1 (75), SSHA 1 (96), RLHA 1 (15) TOTAL 3 (2135)

Monday, October 12 Steeples [Day 7] 1230-1830 (Vance Mattson). The temperature reached 12C and winds were initially SW, became E-SE between 1700 and 1800 after which it was calm. Clouds hung over the ridges until 1200 when they began to clear and cloud cover was then 60% altostratus and cumulus which gave partially sunny conditions. A season-high count of 39 migrants of 4 species comprised 19 Bald Eagles (13a, 6j), 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1j, 2u), 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 14 Golden Eagles (12a, 2j). Only 1 migrant was seen before 1400 but the next 2 hours produced 14 and 16 migrants and the remaining 8 birds moved sporadically between 1600 and 1751. A non-migrant adult Golden Eagle was also recorded.

6 hours (24.5) BAEA 19 (37), SSHA 5 (11), RTHA 1 (4), GOEA 14 (23) TOTAL 39 (78)

Sunday, October 11 Vicki Ridge [Day 22] 0800-1850 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson, assisted by Pat Lucas (1530-1800) observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge; and Gord Petersen and Cathy Scrimshaw at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1145-1830). The temperature at 0800 was 3C the high was 7C (1200-1300 and 1600-1700) and it was 4C at 1850. Winds were WSW to 1530 when they switched to W, strong all day gusting 50-70 km/h to 1300 and 80-90 km/h after 1400 that only moderated to 15-35 km/h after 1830. Cloud cover was mainly dark cumulus with stratus to the west that varied between 10 and 70% and brought periods of snow flurries especially after 1300. At 1800 the cloud mass to the west moved eastwards and brought 90-100% altostratus, altocumulus, cirrus and cumulus for the rest of the day. Observing conditions were generally good all day except during brief periods when the flurries thickened to snow showers. At the Waterton 61 site a total of 124 migrant raptors of 6 species were counted between 0821 and 1740 that comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1sa, 1u), 1j male Northern Harrier, 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (4a, 1j, 2u), 3a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 109 Golden Eagles (88a, 4sa, 13j, 4u). The day started well with 35 Golden Eagles moving between 0821 and 0859, followed by 26 migrants including 25 Golden Eagles during the following hour but the flow then gradually reduced and only 13 birds were seen after 1400. At the Waterton 68 site a total of 129 migrants of 7 species were counted between 1149 and 1809 that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 28 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a, 1j, 24u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1j, 1u), 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 14 Rough-legged Hawks (10 light, 4 dark), 79 Golden Eagles (46a, 3sa, 23j, 7u) and 1j Peregrine Falcon. The maximum hourly count was 35 between 1200 and 1300. The combined species count was 253 migrant raptors of 8 species that moved between 0821 and 1809 and comprised 6 Bald Eagles (3a, 2sa, 1u), 1j male Northern Harrier, 35 Sharp-shinned Hawks (7a, 2j, 26u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1j, 1u), 4a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 16 Rough-legged Hawks (12 light, 4 dark), 188 Golden Eagles (134a, 7sa, 36j, 11u) and 1j Peregrine Falcon. The highest combined-site hourly count was 50 between 1200 and 1300. Other bird species seen were 1 unidentified large gull, 1 Pacific Loon that flew high to the west at 1226, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 22 Black-billed Magpies, 114 Common Ravens, 20 American Robins and 8 Pine Siskins.

10.83 hours (240.1) BAEA 6 (53), NOHA 1 (21), SSHA 35 (799), COHA 2 (123), RTHA 4 (195), RLHA 16 (62), GOEA 188 (1238), PEFA 1 (4) TOTAL 253 (2613)

Sunday, October 11 Mount Lorette [Day 22] 0800-1900 (Lori Anderson assisted by Patrick Farley). Observers counted 79 raptors of 6 species that comprised 4a Bald Eagles, 1j dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1u Rough-legged Hawk, 65 Golden Eagles (29a, 4sa, 8j, 24u), 6 unidentified eagles, 1u columbarius Merlin and 1 large unidentified falcon.

11 hours (262.1) BAEA 4 (74), RTHA 1 (56), RLHA 1 (14), GOEA 65 (1756), UE 6 (19), MERL 1 (11), UF 1 (7) TOTAL 79 (2132)

Sunday, October 11 Steeples [Day 6] 1200-1815 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 11C, winds were S moderate to strong and cloud cover was 100-70% altostratus and dark cumulus. For the first time this season there was a fairly strong raptor movement of 33 birds of 5 species between 1215 and 1805 that comprised 17 Bald Eagles (6a, 2sa, 9j), 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1a Northern Goshawk, 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 9 Golden Eagles (6a, 1j, 2u) and 1 unidentified eagle. The highest hourly count was 13 between 1600 and 1700. The count was a near duplicate as that on the same date last year for both eagle species, including the age ratios. The resident pair of Golden Eagles was seen moving west into the valley and a non-migrant juvenile Bald eagle was also recorded.

6.25 hours (18.5) BAEA 17 (18), SSHA 4 (6), NOGO 1 (1), RTHA 1 (3), GOEA 9 (9), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 33 (39)

Saturday, October 10 Vicki Ridge [Day 21] 0800-1715 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson, assisted by Carol and Cornell van Rike (1350-1445) observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of the ridge; and Gord Petersen at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite, 1045-1540). The temperature at 0800 was 12C the high was 16C at 1100 after which it steadily fell and was 9C when the count was abandoned at 1715. Winds were WSW all day, 20-30 km/h to 0950 after which they were strong for the rest of the day gusting to 55 km/h to 1200 and then gusting 70-80 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 70-90% cumulus, altocumulus, cirrus, altostratus and lenticular to 1230 when light rain started to blow to the east from darkening cumulus cloud in the west, which became steady rain after 1400. After 1400 cloud cover was 70-100% dark stratocumulus to the west and altostratus to the east. There was a light smoke haze initially which significantly thickened after 1115 but which disappeared after the rain started. It was a really unpleasant day! At Waterton 61 a total of only 17 migrants of 3 species were seen between 0919 and 1641 that comprised 3u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1u Cooper’s Hawk and 13 Golden Eagles (8a, 2j, 3u). Seven birds were seen between 1000 and 1100 and 6 between 1200 and 1300 but only 1 bird was seen after 1415. There was a stronger movement at Waterton 68 where 43 migrants of 4 species moved between 1054 and 1522 comprising 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j, 6u), 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 2a calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 33 Golden Eagles (18a, 2sa, 6j, 7u). The highest hourly count was 14 between 1200 and 1300, and rain brought the count to an end at 1540. The combined speciescount was 60 migrant raptors of 4 species that moved between 0919 and 1641 and comprised 10 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j, 9u), 2u Cooper’s Hawks, 2a calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 46 Golden Eagles (26a, 2sa, 8j, 10u). The highest hourly combined count was 20 between 1200 and 1300. After leaving the site it became apparent that the Livingstone Range to the north was completely obscured by cloud. Only three other bird species were seen: 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 24 Common Ravens and 8 American Robins.

9.25 hours (229.2) SSHA 10 (764), COHA 2 (121), RTHA 2 (191) GOEA 46 (1050) TOTAL 60 (2360)

Saturday, October 10 Mount Lorette [Day 21] 0800-1820 (Blake Weis assisted by Sandy Graham). The total of 102 migrant raptors of 4 species comprised 1a Bald Eagle, 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks (2a, 1j), 95 Golden Eagles (10a, 6sa, 9j, 70u) and 2 unidentified eagles. The high percentage of unaged Golden Eagles resulted from very high flying birds being silhouetted against a dense cloud cover.

10.33 hours (251.1) BAEA 1 (70), SSHA 1 (95), NOGO 3 (44), GOEA 95 (1691) UE 2 (13) TOTAL 102 (2053)

Saturday, October 10 Steeples (Vance Mattson). No observation (weather). Rain with heavily overcast conditions.