Vicki Ridge and Steeples, October 18

Friday, October 18 Vicki Ridge [Day 26] 0830-1900 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge, and Gord Petersen (1525-1845) observing at the western edge of Kyllo Ridge at the Waterton 68 wellsite). The temperature at 0830 was 3C which dropped to the day’s low of 2C at 0900; the high was 8C at 1400 and it was 3C at 1900. Winds were W-WSW all day, moderate to 1000 after which they were strong 40-50 gusting to 70 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 80-100% cumulus (that was dark to the west all day) and altostratus to 1640 when it thinned to 40% and produced the day’s only persistent sunshine, and was then 50-70% for the rest of the day. Very light snow swept from the west throughout the day that became heavier between 1530 and 1615 when snow squalls obscured Vicki Ridge for up to 10-minute periods. Despite the weather there was a steady raptor movement throughout the day and the count from the Waterton 61 wellsite was 128 birds of 7 species between 0907 and 1819 that comprised 7 Bald Eagles (5a, 1j, 1u), 10 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 9u), 2a Northern Goshawks, 20 Rough-legged Hawks (17 light, 3 dark), 84 Golden Eagles (73a, 4sa, 7j), 1 unidentified eagle, 2 columbariusMerlins (1 male, 1u) and 2a Peregrine Falcons (1 male, 1 female). At the western edge of Kyllo Ridge between 1529 and 1840 Gord counted 59 birds of 5 species that comprised 10 Bald Eagles (6a, 3sa, 1j), 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1a Northern Goshawk, 12 Rough-legged Hawks (11 light, 1 dark) and 32 Golden Eagles (13a, 2sa, 6j, 11u). The total movement observed across the ridge system between 0907 and 1840 was 187 migrants of 7 species that comprised 17 Bald Eagles (11a, 3sa, 2j, 1u), 14 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 13u), 3a Northern Goshawks, 32 Rough-legged Hawks (28 light, 4 dark), 116 Golden Eagles (86a, 6sa, 13j, 11u), 1 unidentified eagle, 2 columbarius Merlins (1 male, 1u) and 2a Peregrine Falcons (1 male, 1 female). The highest combined site hourly count was 40 between 1700 and 1800. Other birds identified were 25 Canada Geese that flew high to the SE at 1128, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1a Northern Shrike, 4 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 46 Common Ravens, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 female Pine Grosbeak and 630 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches.

10.5 hours (248.4) BAEA 17 (159), SSHA 14 (438), NOGO 3 (29), RLHA 32 (206), GOEA 116 (2143), UE 1 (15), MERL 2 (14), PEFA 2 (7) TOTAL 187 (3278)

Friday, October 18 Steeples [Day 18] 1200-1830 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was 10C, winds were moderate SW-S and cloud cover was 30-90% cumulus and altostratus. The SW face of Mount Bill Nye was obscured to 1540 after which the mountains were entirely clear. The raptor migration consisted entirely of 37 eagles that moved between 1315 and 1756 and comprised 13 Bald Eagles (9a, 4j), 22 Golden Eagles (15a, 2sa, 3j, 2u) and 2 unidentified eagles. Flight was more direct than usual although some soaring occurred, and the highest hourly counts were 9 (1400-1500) and 13 (1600-1700). Resident adult Golden Eagles were seen several times throughout the day that included a prolonged mutual display flight between 1425 and 1435 which included brief perching by each bird. Several aggressive passes were also made in the same area of the ridge, possibly at a third unseen perched eagle.

6.5 hours (79.25) BAEA 13 (101), GOEA 22 (127), UE 2 (6) TOTAL 37 (318)