Vicki Ridge and Steeples, November 12

Tuesday, November 12 Vicki Ridge [Day 51] 0730-1700 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson,  observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge, and Gord Petersen  (0912-1202) observing at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature at 0730 was 1C, the high was 3C at 1100 and it was 2C at 1700. Winds were steady W-WSW all day 30-40 gusting to 55 km/h, and cloud cover was 100% dark stratus, altostratus and cumulus all day with some cirrostratus to 0910. Very light snow began at 0910 followed by periods of steady light snow between 1000 and 1350 that partially obscured the ridges. There were light flurries after 1350 and steady light snow resumed at 1630. Despite the miserable conditions a total of 9 migrants of 4 species were seen between 0850 and 1620 although 6 of these moved between 1026 and 1058. The flight was 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1u), 1a Northern Goshawk, 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1j). The count includes 1a Golden Eagle seen by Gord at the WT 68 site at 1045. The only other birds seen were 3 Black-billed Magpies, 78 Common Ravens and a flock of 20 Bohemian Waxwings.

9.5 hours (452.5) BAEA 3 (393), NOGO 1 (91), RLHA 2 (440), GOEA 3 (2748) TOTAL 9 (4544)

Tuesday, November 12 Steeples No observation: it snowed all day and the ridges and valley were completely obscured.