RMERF counts, November 12

Monday, November 12 Mount Lorette [Day 50] 0720-1640 (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament). The starting temperature was -7C, the high was -2C (1400-1600) and it was -3C at 1640. Ground winds were W 1-3 km/h to 1400, then NW 5-15 km/h to 1600 and finally SE 5-15 km/h. Ridge winds were difficult to assess but were probably SW light to moderate. Cloud cover was initially 70% altostratus that reached 100% from 0900 to 1100 and rapidly cleared to 10% cirrus to 1400 after which the rest of the afternoon saw up to 60% altostratus and lenticular cloud. The ridges were clear all day. The count of 12 eagles was 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) and 10 Golden Eagles (8a, 1sa, 1u) that glided along the Fisher Range ridge or flapped against the face of the ridge between 1158 and 1604. The maximum hourly count was 5 adult Golden Eagles between 1500 and 1600. The usual non-migrant adult Bald Eagle was still present and other birds seen were 1 Ruffed Grouse 1 Canada Jay, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee and 6 White-winged Crossbills. Fifteen visitors came to the site today.

9.33 hours (511.7) BAEA 2 (210), GOEA 10 (2675) TOTAL 12 (3133)

Monday, November 12 Vicki Ridge [Day 47] 0745-1700 (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite). The temperature at 0745 was -3C, the high was 2C at 1400 and 1500 and it was 0C at 1700. Winds were W all day, 30-40 gusting 50-70 km/h that made observing somewhat uncomfortable. Cloud cover was altocumulus and cirrus all day generally between 30 and 80% but only 10% around 1400, that gave excellent observing conditions throughout. There was a strong and persistent late-season raptor movement involving 70 birds of 5 species that migrated mainly high above Vicki Ridge between 0755 and 1612. The count was 14 Bald Eagles (8a, 3sa, 2j, 1u), 4 adult Northern Goshawks, 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks (1 light calurus and 1 dark harlani), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 49 Golden Eagles (42a, 4sa, 3j). The combined-species total of 70 was the highest at the site since October 30, and the Golden Eagle total of 49 was the highest since October 25. The highest hourly count was 14 between 0800 and 0900 and 41 birds had been counted by noon. Resident raptors were the Golden Eagle family group (2a and 1j) and other birds seen were 4 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 30 Common Ravens, 16 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 20 Red Crossbills and 32 Common Redpolls.

9.25 hours (407.9) BAEA 14 (422), NOGO 4 (101), RTHA 2 (176), RLHA 1 (434), GOEA 49 (2677) TOTAL 70 (4668)

Monday, November 12 Steeples [Day 48] 1230-1700 (Vance Mattson). The temperature ranged from 1C to -1C, conditions were calm and cloud cover was 100% altostratus, stratus and altocumulus that obscured the ridges all day. The only migrant seen was 1u columbarius Merlin that flew south in powered flight at 1357, and no resident birds were seen.

4.5 hours (206.5) MERL 1 (3) TOTAL 1 (485)