Vicki Ridge and Steeples, October 13

Sunday, October 13 Vicki Ridge [Day 21] 0830-1900 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge). The temperature at 0830 was 4.5C, the high at 1400 was 10.5C and it was 5C at 1900. Winds were W-SW all day 10-20 km/h to 1600 after which they were 20-35 km/h, and cloud cover was 90-100% altocumulus, altostratus, lenticular and cirrus which periodically allowed hazy sunshine and gave excellent observing conditions all day. There was a strong raptor movement with 216 birds of 9 species seen between 0939 and 1851 that comprised 9 Bald Eagles (5a, 4j), 13 Sharp-shinned Hawks (4a, 9u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a, 1u), 3a Northern Goshawks, 3a Red-tailed Hawks (2 light calurus and 1 dark harlani), 9 light Rough-legged Hawks, 173 Golden Eagles (151a, 6sa, 16j), 1u American Kestrel and 3 columbarius Merlins (2 males, 1 female). Despite the high numbers movement was sporadic with extended periods when no birds were seen. The highest single hour count was 60 between 1500 and 1600 that included 54 Golden Eagles. Other birds seen were 1 male Hairy Woodpecker, 1a Northern Shrike, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 40 Common Ravens, 20 American Robins, 4 female Pine Grosbeaks and 170 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches.

10.5 hours (196.1) BAEA 9 (99), SSHA 13 (378), COHA 2 (62), NOGO 3 (20), RTHA 3 (108), RLHA 9 (51), GOEA 173 (1333), AMKE 1 (18), MERL 3 (11) TOTAL 216 (2147)

Sunday, October 13 Steeples [Day 13] 1200-1700 (Vance Mattson, assisted by John and Doreen Mattson, and Kahulani Keeling). The temperature was 7C, conditions were calm, and cloud cover was 100% stratus that brought rain between 1330 and 1335 and completely covered the ridges at 1700. The only raptor seen was a non-migrant Merlin that perched briefly at the site.

5 hours (59) TOTAL 0 (248)