Vicki Ridge and Steeples, October 30

Wednesday, October 30 Vicki Ridge [Day 38] 0820-1820 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson, assisted by Phil Nicholas observing from the Waterton 61 wellsite on the western flank of Vicki Ridge). The temperature at 0820 was -8C, the high at 1600 and 1700 was -1C and it was -4C at the end of observation. Winds were strong W-WSW all day, 40-50 gusting to 70-80 km/h and cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus and altocumulus that quickly thinned to 100% thin cirrostratus, cirrus and altocumulus at 1000, 50% cirrus and altocumulus at 1100 and 0-20% scattered cirrus and altostratus between 1200 and 1500 that brought welcome sunshine. At 1600 there was again 100% cirrostratus, altocumulus and lenticular that persisted for the rest of the day. The strong winds produced significant blowing snow both on the ridge tops and in the valley which, together with the high wind-chill values, made observing uncomfortable, although visually conditions were very good throughout. As yesterday there was a slow but steady movement of raptors involving 34 birds of 5 species between 1115 and 1730. The count was 7 Bald Eagles (3a, 3j, 1u), 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2a Northern Goshawks, 1j light morph Broad-winged Hawk and 23 Golden Eagles (15a, 1sa, 7j). The 7 juvenile Golden Eagles were a surprise as the previous eight days at the site (October 22-29) had produced a total of only 6 juveniles. The highest single-hour count was 10 between 1400 and 1500. The only other birds seen were 1 Black-billed Magpie, 31 Common Ravens and a small flock of 5 Dark-eyed Juncos (hyemalis and cismontanus).

10 hours (356) BAEA 7 (256), SSHA 1 (507), NOGO 2 (68), BWHA 1 (19), GOEA 23 (2568) TOTAL 34 (4149)

Wednesday, October 30 Steeples (Vance Mattson). No observation because of teaching commitments.