RMERF counts, April 12

Thursday, April 12 Mount Lorette [Day 39] 1750-1900 (Blake Weis, assisted by Patrick Farley). The observers were at the Hay Meadow from 0715-1140 and at other sites in the study area, including Ribbon Creek, Lorette Ponds and Lusk Creek to 1330 when they left the area. The temperature was -2C to 1100 and then -1C for the rest of the day, ground winds were N-NE 0-10 gusting to 20 km/h and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus that completely obscured all peaks and ridges. Moderate to heavy snow fell to 1330 when the observers left the area and were prepared to call it a non-observation day. A lightening in the sky, however, had them returning to the Mount Allan Viewpoint between 1750 and 1900 where the snowfall was now light and from where they could see part of the southwest ridge of Mount Lorette. At 1810 an adult Golden Eagle soared low above the ridge and drifted to the NW, and was considered to be a probable migrant. No other raptors were seen and the count was abandoned at 1900. Other birds recorded in the area were 7 Canada Geese, 6 Mallards (3 males, 3 females), 2 male Common Goldeneye, 1 pair of Barrow’s Goldeneye, 1 pair of Common Mergansers, 1 Ruffed Grouse drumming, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 5 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 singing Pacific Wren (the first of the season), 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Mountain Bluebirds (1 male, 1 female), 2 Varied Thrushes, 17 American Robins, 8 European Starlings, 18 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 Song Sparrows, 13 Dark-eyed Juncos and 4 Common Redpolls. Unsurprisingly, no visitors were recorded.

1.16 hours (436.1) GOEA 1 (2101) TOTAL 1 (2338)

Thursday, April 12 Beaver Mines (Peter Sherrington). NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Snow and fog all day completely obscured the ridge.

Thursday, April 12 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION (Weather). Rain all day with the mountains and valley totally obscured.