Vicki Ridge and Steeples, November 3

Sunday, November 03 Vicki Ridge [Day 42] 0730-1200 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge). The temperature at 0730 was 3C the high was 3.5 at 0800 and it was 1C at the end of observation at 1200. Winds were W 5-10 gusting 15 km/h to 0820 when they changed to NE 0-5 km/h and were E-SE 0-10 km/h after 0900. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus and altocumulus to 1030 when it lowered to 100% uniform grey stratus that brought light snow at 1015 that became steady moderate snow after 1140, and the count was abandoned for the day at 1200 when all ridges were obscured. Snow and low cloud persisted throughout the rest of the day. The only raptor seen was 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew high from Vicky Ridge across the valley to the southern end of Kyllo Ridge and on to the SW at 0937. Other birds seen were 3 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 4 Common Ravens, 2 Pine Siskins and 1 female hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco.

4.5 hours (390.3) SSHA 1 (512) TOTAL 1 (4305)

Sunday, November 03 Steeples [Day 29] 1200-1630 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 3C, it was calm and cloud cover was 50% altostratus, altocumulus and cumulus that increased to 100% altostratus and cumulus. The only migrants seen were 2 Northern Harriers (1a female, 1u) that flapped and glided south at 1525. No resident birds were seen.

4.5 hours (130.3) NOHA 2 (13) TOTAL 2 (447)