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Beaver Mines is an observation site located in the Crowsnest area. Annual counts are conducted in spring.

 

Beaver Mines Observations

See the count reports for historical data. The following observations started in Spring 2022.

03/27/2022

Observers: Blake Weis, Annie Finch

Start Time:

07:30 AM

End Time:

08:20 PM

Temperature:

Min: 0 C, Max: 11 C

Description of the Day:

It was a beautiful day and conditions for migration and observing were generally very good. Cloud cover started at 60%, slowly increased to 90% by 4 pm then decreased to 30% by the end of the day. Wind gusted to 25 km/h at ground level and were usually moderate to strong at ridge level.

Migrants moved steadily between 10:44 am and 7:38 pm. Despite good viewing conditions they were determined to make things difficult for us. Eagles moved over both mountain ranges. To the west they used the other side of the ridges, flying from Mt. Kidd and Mt. Bogart then passing behind Olympic Summit and Mt. Allan. Birds on the east side were sometimes detected high over the Fisher Range, but most were only picked up farther north near Mt. Lorette. Some also flew up the center of the valley, passing directly overhead. Distance, brief views and bad angles often hampered ageing.

Migrant Golden Eagle Count:

122 (74 adults, 1 subadult, 1 juvenile, 46 unaged)

Migrant Other Raptor Count By Species:

14 Bald Eagles (10 adults, 3 immature, 1 juvenile), 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Prairie Falcons, 4 unidentified eagles

Period with Most Migrants:

21 migrants from 2-3 pm

Total Migratory Raptors:

143

Non-Migrant Raptors:

1 columbarius Merlin hunting in the meadow, 1 Northern Goshawk heard calling, 1 Golden Eagle and 1 Bald Eagle

Other Birds of Note:

Highlights include 1 Varied Thrush, 1 Northern Shrike (adult), 35 American Robins, 50 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 Common Redpolls, 26 White-winged Crossbills, 2 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 Song Sparrow and 1 Western Meadowlark

Other Observations:

n/a

Number of Visitors:

37