Vicki Ridge Observations

Vicki Ridge is an observation site located in the Crowsnest Pass.

See the count reports for historical data. The following observations started in Fall 2021.

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09/20/2021

Observers: Lori Anderson, Ian Dowson

Start Time:

07:15 AM

End Time:

07:45 AM

Temperature:

Low -2 at 7:15, High 11 at 16:00 and 6 at 19:45

Description of the Day:

It was a gorgeous sunny/cloudy fall day. The ground winds were mainly S/SW from Calm to 5 km/h with a few gusts up to 10 km/h. Ridge winds averaged 27 kms/h from the SW.
Today must have been the national migratory day for Robins and Bohemian Waxwings. More than 100 Robins passed before 9 am and more than 300 by the end of the day. It seems that 2 Merlins have taken up residence in the meadow and we were gifted with a gruesome view of one of them feasting on its prey at the riverbank. The two Broad-winged Hawks were harassed by some local Ravens who nipped at them as they passed by above the eastern ridges. A very brave Red-breasted Nuthatch kicked an invading Flicker off the top of his tree.

Migrant Golden Eagle Count:

8 GOEA (4 Adults, 1 Subadult, 3 indeterminate).

Migrant Other Raptor Count By Species:

1 Sharp-Shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Broad-Winged Hawks.

Period with Most Migrants:

Between 13:00-14:00 the count was 3 Golden Eagles and from 17:00 - 18:00 another 3 Golden Eagles.

Total Migratory Raptors:

Non-Migrant Raptors:

8 total. 2 Northern Goshawks, 2 Golden Eagles, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Merlins.

Other Birds of Note:

1 Dark-eyed Junco, 2 American Dippers, 1 Tree Swallow, A murder of 25 Ravens at Mt.Lorrete. 1 Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker, 5 Snow Geese, 3 Common Mergansers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Boreal Chickadee, endless Robins 300+, 60 Bohemian Wax-wings, and 2 Ruffed Grouse.