Since the fall of 2009, there has been a reconnaissance count at or near the Steeples Ridge which is located on the east side of the Kootenay Valley (Rocky Mountain Trench) 25 km NE of Cranbrook, B.C.
Steeples Observations
See the count reports for historical data.
03/16/2022
Observers: Bill Wilson and Rachel Boekel
07:10 AM
07:35 PM
Low -4C, high +1C
A nice mix of sun and cloud all day, ground winds usually 5-15 km/h with occasional gusts to 30 km/h. Ridge winds indeterminate, but apparently NW to WNW in the morning. Migration was slow from 10 am to 5 pm, then 10 and 23 went through in the last two hours, respectively. All raptors were in the east (some very high over the eastern valley, heading toward Skogan Pass), and most of the rush at the end were picked up as they approached Mt. Lorette.
59 (52 adults, 7 unaged)
2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 unidentified eagle
6:00 to 7:00 with 23 migrants (alll Golden Eagles).
62
1 Bald Eagle that looked quite good for a migrant except it was heading south.
12 Common Ravens, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 starling, 13 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, and 2 Great Horned Owls heard duetting in the spruce east of the Kananaskis River about 7 pm.
Nothing of note.
16
