RMERF counts, April 21

Saturday, April 21 Mount Lorette [Day 47] 0715-1330 (Jim Davis, assisted by Cliff Hansen). The temperature at 0715 was 5C the high was 7C between 1000 and 1300 and it was 6C when the count was abandoned for the day in heavy rain at 1330. Ground winds were SW 10-15 gusting 23 km/h and ridge winds were moderate to 0900 and then strong. Cloud cover was 60-70% cumulus to 1030 and 100% stratus with heavy rain and fog developing at 1300. The east ridges were clear to 1200 but were completely obscured by 1300, and the west was 40% obscured at 0900 and 100% obscured at 1300. A total of 8 migrants of a remarkable 7 species were recorded between 0720 and 1146 which comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 adult Golden Eagle and 1u columbarius Merlin. Most birds soared above the centre of the valley or were located soaring over Mount Lorette. A resident adult Northern Goshawk flew south above the meadow at 0929. Other birds seen were 3 Canada Geese, a pair of Mallard, 1 female Northern Shoveler, 2 Killdeer, 6 Northern Flickers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 American Crow, 6 Common Ravens, 1 female Mountain Bluebird, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 4 Varied Thrushes, 58 American Robins, 73 Dark-eyed Juncos of which 72 were “slate-coloured” morphs of the race cismontanus, 1 male Evening Grosbeak and 2 Common Redpolls. There were 9 visitors to the site today, and if you are planning a visit please note that tomorrow will be the final day of the spring 2018 count at all three sites.

6.25 hours (534.9) BAEA 1 (178), SSHA 1 (24), BWHA 1 (3), RTHA 2 (29), RLHA 1 (16), GOEA 1 (2373), MERL 1 (3) TOTAL 8 (2689)

Saturday, April 21 Beaver Mines [Day 54] 0700-1900 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0700 was 6C, the high was 10C at 1100 and it was again 6C when observation ceased at 1900. Winds were strong WSW all day 30-50 gusting 70-90 km/h and cloud cover was 50-60% altostratus and cumulus to 1045, 100% stratus and cumulus to 1525 and then mainly 0-20% thin altostratus and trace cumulus for the rest of the day. Light rain fell between 1045 and 1245, moderate to heavy snow fell between 1415 and 1515 that completely obscured the ridge, and light snow flurries occurred between 1740 and 1830. Conditions proved to be unfavourable for raptor migration (and for observation!) and only 7 migrants of 5 species were seen between 0936 and 1736. The count was 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 3 Golden Eagles (1sa, 2j) and 1 unidentified large falcon. Mercifully, tomorrow’s forecast calls for just moderate west winds for the last day of the count.

12 hours (569.5) BAEA 1 (353), NOHA 1 (23), COHA 1 (6), GOEA 3 (1529), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 7 (2324)

Saturday, April 21 Steeples [Day 39] 1400-1845 (Vance Mattson). Conditions were overcast with strong winds and rain to 1400 when Vance arrived at the site as clearing began. The temperature was 9C, winds were strong NE and cloud cover was 60% cumulus which by 1530 became 100% stratus that produced light rain showers, after which it was 50% cumulus, sunny and mostly calm. Just 6 migrants of 4 species were seen between 1456 and 1717 that comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 2u Sharp-Shinned Hawks, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 adult Golden Eagle and 1 unidentified eagle that disappeared into high cloud while flying north at 1515. Non-migrants were ubiquitous Turkey Vultures of which there were several sightings, 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2j), 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 1 adult Golden Eagle. The forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud for Sunday, so conditions should be good for the last day of the count.

4.75 hours (170.5) BAEA 1 (172), SSHA 2 (14), RTHA 1 (27), GOEA 1 (607), UE 1 (2) TOTAL 6 (845)