RMERF counts, April 9

Tuesday, April 9 Mount Lorette [Day 38] 0720-2000 (Blake Weis, assisted by Heinz Unger). The temperature at the start was -4C, the high was 8C from 1500 to 1700 and it was 5C at 2000. Ground winds were variable 0-3 km/h to 1200, E-ENE 5-10 gusting 25 km/h to 1400 and then SW 0-5 gusting 15 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were light to moderate SW to 1200, moderate to strong E-NE to 1400 and then moderate SE for the rest of the day. Cloud cover to 1400 was 100% altostratus, altocumulus, cirrus and stratocumulus, 100% stratocumulus, altocumulus, altostratus and cumulus to 1900 and the day ended with 90% altocumulus and altostratus. All ridges were clear to 1400 when both east and west became 10-20% occluded to 1500 after which they were again clear with the exception of the west that was 10% covered at 1700 and 1800. The only precipitation on a day that threatened more was a light to moderate rain shower between 1800 and 1830. There was a moderate raptor migration of 33 birds of 3 species between 1022 and 1633 comprising 5 Bald Eagles (4a, 1 immature), 1 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 27 Golden Eagles (6a, 11sa, 5j , 5u). This is the first time this season that immature birds have significantly outnumbered adults. Maximum passage was 19 birds (3 Bald and 16 Golden Eagles) between 1100 and 1200 after which movement was slow and sporadic as the weather deteriorated. Most birds moved on the western route to 1400 with birds again soaring over Olympic Summit before gliding high to the NW behind the summit of Mount Allan, and for the rest of the day both east and west routes were used, again with extensive soaring and high gliding flight. A resident adult Northern Goshawk displayed to the NW at 1040, and 2 Red-tailed Hawks, possibly a pair, were seen in the same vicinity. The resident Golden Eagle pair soared above Olympic Summit at 1550 where the male displayed; they then crossed the valley to the Fisher Range ridge where the male again displayed. Other birds noted were 2 pairs of Canada Geese on the river, 3 Mallards, 1 drumming Ruffed Grouse, 1 drumming Hairy Woodpecker, 4 Northern Flickers, 1 Canada Jay, 1 American Crow, 10 Common Ravens, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, 2 singing Varied Thrushes, 20 American Robins, 11 White winged Crossbills, 2 American Tee Sparrows, 1 Song Sparrow and 15 Dark-eyed Juncos, 5 of which were montanus. Nine White-tailed Deer were in the meadow in the morning and 3 Bighorn Sheep were on Olympic Summit. There were no visitors today.

12.67 hours (438.7) BAEA 5 (192), RTHA 1 (6), GOEA 27 (2004) TOTAL 33 (2264)

Tuesday, April 9 Beaver Mines [Day 38] 0645-1430 and 1800-2030 (Peter Sherrington). The temperature at 0645 was 2C, the high was 4.5C at 1400 and it was 3C at 2030. Winds were variable and light to 1430, and W 20-30 after 1800, and cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus to 1000 and 100% low stratus for the rest of the day. Light snow began to fall at 0855 that became moderate at 1125 and turned to light rain at 1300. Apart from brief periods the ridge remained clear to 1300, but was shrouded in cloud at 1400 as steady rain fell and the count was suspended at 1430. At 1800 the count resumed with the ridge clear and W winds of 20-30 km/h that gave some prospect of raptor movement, but cloud cover remained 100% low stratus and very light rain or drizzle continued to fall. No migrant or resident raptors were seen. Other birds recorded were 2 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker,  4 Blue Jays, 1  American Crow, 10 Common Ravens, 3 Mountain Chickadees, 6 American Robins, 97 European Starlings, 27 Evening Grosbeaks, 1 female Purple Finch that was the first record of the season, 22  Pine Siskins and 1 montanus Dark-eyed Junco.

10.25 hours (449.8) TOTAL 0 (814)

Tuesday, April 9 Steeples (Vance Mattson). NO OBSERVATION (weather). It rained all day and the mountains were totally socked in so no observation was possible.