November 15 [Day 52] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker and Chris Hunt) The temperature was -6C at 0815, rose to a high of 2C at 1400, and was -1C at the end of the day. It was initially calm with NE winds 5-15 km/h developing after 1000, that gusted to 25 km/h around 1100 and became light after 1600. Ridge winds appeared to be mainly light, and it was essentially cloudless all day although up to 30% of the sky was covered by degrading aircraft condensation trails for much of the day. The final day of the fall 2012 count produced 6 migrant raptors between 0959 and 1542, the flight comprising 4 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa,1j) and 2 Golden Eagles of indeterminate age. All birds were flapping continuously and appeared to have trouble maintaining altitude. This is the sixth consecutive day that have produced two migrant Golden Eagles, and the six days following the two days of poor weather on November 8 and 9 yielded only 24 migrant raptors, including the 12 Golden Eagles. By contrast, the 7 days leading up to the poor weather event produced 370 migrants of which 305 were Golden Eagles. This strongly suggests that birds were moving ahead of the cold front that produced the two-day shut-down. Other birds seen included a female Green-winged Teal on the river, 1 juvenile Northern Shrike, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Pine Grosbeak and 1 Common Redpoll.

9 hours (530.09) BAEA 4 (128), GOEA 2 (2635) TOTAL 6 (2987)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Elaine spent several days, presumably hunting, about 10 km east of the central part of Canyon Ferry Lake, but by November 15 she had moved again to the NW and is presently east of the northern end of the lake, close to where she was on November 4.

MOUNT LORETTE PROVISIONAL FINAL COUNT, FALL 2012, with variance from long-term average in parenthesis, excluding incomplete counts in 1992, 1997, 2002, 2006-2008.

DAYS 52 (-5%)

HOURS 530.09 (-5.9%)

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 (n/a)

OSPREY (OSPR) 2 (-26.3%)

BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 128 (-52.45)

NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 6 (-42.9%)

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 63 (-55.2%)

COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 10 (-58.9%)

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 30 (-38.1%)

Unidentified Accipiter (UA) 5

BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 (-86.3%)

SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 0 (n/a)

RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 26 (-24.3%)

FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 (n/a)

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 61 (+12.7%)

Unidentified Buteo (UB) 2

GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2635 (-27.3%)

Unidentified eagle (UE) 2

AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 0 (n/a)

MERLIN (MERL) 5 (-30%)

GYRFALCON (GYRF) 1 (-68.2%)

PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 6 (+12%)

PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 2 (=)

Unidentified Falco (UF) 1

Unidentified raptor (UU) 1

TOTAL 2987 (-29.7%)

RMERF extends many thanks to Cliff Hansen for organizing a well-conducted fall 2012 count; to the five Principal Observers: George Halmazna (15 days), Terry Waters (11 days), Cliff Hansen (10 days), Bill Wilson (9 days) and Joel Duncan (7 days); and to the Assistant Observers and all the members and supporters who contributed to a very successful season.

November 14 [Day 51] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature was 0C at 0830, rose to a high of 4C at 1200 and 1300, and was 2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were mainly SW, 5-10 km/h, gusting to 25 km/h after 1100, 6-15 km/h after 1500 and becoming light at the end of the day, while ridge winds appeared to be moderate W all day. Cloud cover was 40-50% cumulus and altostratus until 1700 after which it was 20%. Despite excellent observing and migration conditions the only migrant raptors seen were two adult Golden Eagles gliding high above the Fisher Range at 1022. Other bird species recorded included 1 male Belted Kingfisher, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3 Rusty Blackbirds and 2 Dark-eyed Juncos of the race cismontanus.

9 hours (521.09) GOEA 2 (3633) TOTAL 2 (2981)

November 13 [Day 50] (George Halmazna) It was the warmest day for about a week, with a starting temperature of -4C rising to a high of 5C at 1500 and remaining at 4C at 1600. Ground winds were SSW 2-5 occasionally gusting to 10 km/h to 1400 after which they were SW gusting 40 km/h before moderating again to 5-10 km/h at the end of the day, while ridge winds were moderate to strong SW day producing snow plumes. The east ridges were clear all day, but the west was 10-30% obscured until 1600 when it was 60% obscured by snow squalls. The only migrant raptors seen were 2 juvenile Golden Eagles seen at 0829 and 0929, although a non-migrant adult Bald Eagle and an non-migrant unaged Northern Goshawk were also noted. Other birds seen included 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 15 Bohemian waxwings, 2 Pine Grosbeaks, 7 Red Crossbills, 22 Common Redpolls and 1 Pine Siskin.

9 hours (512.09 hours) GOEA 2 (2631) TOTAL 2 (2979)

November 12 [Day 49] (George Halmazna) The low temperature for the day was -9C at 1900, but it climbed to a high of 0C at 1700. Ground winds were SSW for most of the day, gusting to 30 km/h between 1100 and 1300, then 5-15 km/h to 1500 and gusting 30-40 km/h to 1600 before becoming SW 5-10 km/h for the rest of the day. Ridge winds were strong SW all day producing snow plumes. Despite ideal observing conditions, once again raptor movement was thin with only 4 birds recorded between 1038 and 1627. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 2 adult Golden Eagles. A slow day was enlivened by a few songbirds that included 9 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 American Robin, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 female Rusty Blackbird, 3 Pine Grosbeaks, 7 Red Crossbills and 5 Common Redpolls.

10 hours (503.09) BAEA 1 (124), RTHA 1 (26), GOEA 2 (2629) TOTAL 4 (2977)  

November 11 [Day 48] (Bill Wilson) Clear skies allowed the temperature to fall to -23C at 0800, which is the lowest so far this season, but it rose to a high of -4C at 1400 and was -5C at the end of the day (1700). Ground winds were calm to very light SW to 1000 and thereafter calm to 10 km/h with occasional moderate gusts, while ridge winds were mainly moderate SW all day that produced snow pluming. The initial clear skies gave way to 10% cirrus at 0900 that increased to 70% by 1100, 90% altostratus and cirrus to 1300, and 100% altostratus to the end of the day. It was another disappointing day for raptors with only 7 birds (4 Bald Eagles (3a,1sa), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 2 adult Golden Eagles moving along the eastern route between 1120 and 1453. The main drama of the day came at 0855, when a Northern Shrike was seen closely pursuing a redpoll-sized songbird behind a spruce tree, so the outcome of the chase is unknown. Other birds observed included 6 Mallard, 2 Dark-eyed Juncos, 3 Pine Grosbeaks and 30 White-winged Crossbills.

9.67 hours (493.09) BAEA 4 (123), RLHA 1 (61), GOEA 2 (2627) TOTAL 7 (2973)

November 10 [Day 47] (Joel Duncan, assisted by Cliff Hansen) Despite the previous two days' weather there was only about 6 cm of fresh snow on the ground, but it remained cold. The temperature at 0900 was -14C, rose to a high of only -9C between 1400 and 1700 and was -11C at the end of the day. Ground winds were light NE or variable, to calm all day and ridge winds appeared to be light SW all day. An initial cloud cover of 90% altostratus quickly reduced to 10% cirrus and cumulus at 1100 and after 1400 cloud was present only in trace amounts. The calm conditions did not appear to favour raptor movement and only three migrants were seen: an adult Golden Eagle at 1318, an adult Bald Eagle at 1418 and an adult Golden Eagle at 1552. All birds were flapping along the Fisher Range at ridge level. A poor raptor flight was compensated by a flock of 16 Greater White-fronted Geese flying south at 1015 and an odd-looking junco in a flock of “Oregon” morphs that appeared to show the character of a “Grey-headed” Junco (J.h.caniceps), a subspecies that rarely occurs north of Colorado. Other species seen included 13 Canada Geese, 2 non-migratory Northern Goshawks (1a,1j),1 juvenile Northern Shrike, 7 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 5 Pine Grosbeaks and 6 Common Redpolls.

8.5 hours (483.42) BAEA 1 (119), GOEA 2 (2625) TOTAL 3 (2966)

November 9 NO OBSERVATION Although the snow stopped early in the day, the ridges remained shrouded in cloud all day.

November 8 NO OBSERVATION Snow, with all ridges obscured all day .

November 7 [Day 46] (Bill Wilson) The temperature reached a high of 4C at 1200 and 1300 from a morning low of 0C, but fell to -1C at 1625 when steady snow terminated the count. Ground winds were SW 2-6 km/h until 1100 after which they varied between SE and SW 5-15 gusting to 28 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were moderate to strong SW creating snow plumes. Cloud cover was initially 70% altostratus and cumulus that quickly reduced to 10% at 0800 before gradually increasing to 100% stratus at 1300 which persisted for the rest of the day. The western ridges were clear until 1200 after which they gradually clouded-in, while the east was clear to 1530 after which they became shrouded from the north with the passage of a cold front and all ridges were obscured by 1625. Snow started at 1530 that became steady by 1625. The day started promisingly with the first Golden Eagle recorded at 0800 which was the first of 9 birds (4 Bald and 5 Golden Eagles) seen between 0800 and 0900 This, however, proved to be the busiest hour of the day, although by 1200 25 migrant eagles had been counted. Movement slowed markedly in the afternoon and when the last Golden Eagle went south at 1535 the day's count was 31: 13 Bald Eagles (10a,1j,2u) and 18 Golden Eagles (10a,1j,2u). Very few other birds were seen including 2 American Dippers, 1 Pine Grosbeak and 2 Common Redpolls.

9.33 hours (474.92) BAEA 13 (118), GOEA 18 (2623) TOTAL 31 (2963)

 

The further adventures of “Elaine” Elaine continues to move very slowly to the south and is presently about 10 km east of the central part of Canyon Ferry Lake.

November 6 [Day 45] (George Halmazna, assisted by Michael Woertman) The temperature in the Hay Meadow was -4C at 0700 and rose to 4C at 1200, while at the Lusk Creek site, to which the count was moved at 1300, the temperature rose to 6C. Ground winds were light or calm for most of the day, while ridge winds were probably moderate to strong SW-SSW. Cloud cover was initially 40% altostratus, altocumulus and lenticular, but quickly changed to 100% stratus around 1100 that brought rain and then snow to the Hay Meadow site for the rest of the day. The western ridges started to disappear in cloud at 1000 and by noon all ridges were completely obscured. At 1300 the observers moved to the Lusk Creek site where observing conditions were good until 1345 when snow began, and at 1430 the count was abandoned for the day when everything was obscured in the rain and snow. A total of 18 migrant raptors (2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 11 Golden Eagles (6a,1sa,1j)), were seen from the Hay Meadow site between 0752 and 1128. Lusk Creek, however, produced a spectacular concentrated movement of 112 birds between 1300 and 1420, with 94 of the birds (including 82 Golden Eagles) recorded between 1300 and 1400. The flight seen at Lusk Creek comprised 18 Bald Eagles (12a,6j) and 94 Golden Eagles (86a,2j,6u), and the birds often moved immediately overhead with up to 15 birds soaring together at one time. The combined species total of 130 is the highest ever recorded in November at Mount Lorette, as is the Golden Eagle count of 105. In fact, this is only the third time that over 100 Golden Eagles have been recorded here in November, the others being 106 on November 1, 2000 and 108 on November 8, 2009. The count of 20 Bald Eagles were also by far the highest total of the season. A number of other bird species were seen around the Hay Meadow before the weather deteriorated, including 4 Common Mergansers, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 American Three-toed Woodpecker, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 15 Pine Grosbeaks, 6 Red Crossbills, 20 White-winged Crossbills, 272 Common Redpolls and 2 Pine Siskins.

7.5 hours (465.59) BAEA 20 (105), SSHA 1 (63), NOGO 3 (30), RLHA 1 (60), GOEA 105 (2605) TOTAL 130 (2932)

November 5 [Day 44] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0800 was a remarkable 8.5C (it was ,an even more remarkable 12C at 0600!), rose to a high of 11C at 1200 and remained at 7C from 1500 to the end of the day. Ground winds were SW, 10-22 gusting 40 km/h in the morning, that gradually diminished in the afternoon and were 2-5 km/h after 1500, while ridge winds were strong SW in the morning, causing blowing snow, but they also diminished in the afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus and cumulus, which started to clear at 0900 and reduced to 20-30% lenticular cloud after 1600. Apart from the blowing snow, the ridges were clear all day. Raptor movement was again fairly strong and steady for the time of year, with 51 birds of 6 species mainly moving high from Mount Lorette or Skogan Pass to the Fisher Range between 0820 and the last bird at 1538, which also happened to be the 2,500^th Golden Eagle of the season. The highest single hourly count was 20 birds between 1200 and 1300, of which 14 were Golden Eagles. The flight comprised 7 adult Bald Eagles (equaling the highest count for the season), 1 late juvenile Northern Harrier (that hunted for a while by the river), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk of indeterminate morph, 40 Golden Eagles (36a,2sa,2j) and the season's 6^th Peregrine Falcon (an unaged bird that flew fast over the eastern part of the valley at 1349). Other birds seen included 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4 European Starlings, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 Pine Grosbeaks, 31 White-winged Crossbills and 6 Common Redpolls. The single Snowshoe Hare seen had its all white winter pelage.

10.5 hours (458.09) BAEA 7 (85), NOHA 1 (6), NOGO 1 (27), RLHA 1 (59), GOEA 40 (2500), PEFA 1 (6) TOTAL 51 (2802)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine was still about 20 km east of Canyon Ferry Lake in the Big Belt Mountains east of Helena, southern Montana.

November 4 [Day 43] (Bill Wilson) [NOTE: change to Mountain Standard Time] The temperature at 0730 (MST) was -1C, reached a high of 9C at 1500 and essentially remained there for the rest of the day. Ground winds were WSW all day, 3-10 km/h to 1100, then gusting to 22 km/h to 1400 and finally 10-15 gusting 30 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were moderate to strong W all day creating snow plumes. Cloud cover was initially 50-80% altostratus and cumulus to1000, then 90-100% for the rest of the day. The ridges were essentially clear with only 5-10% of the western ridges obscured. The combined species count of 65 birds was the highest at the site since October 25, with most birds moving over the Fisher Range or over the eastern part of the Kananaskis Valley. The first migrants were Rough-legged Hawks at 0800 and 0842, and the first Golden Eagle was not seen until 0916. Subsequent movement was steady until 1614 when the last of the day's 7 Bald Eagles (4a,1sa,2j) went through. Surprisingly, this is the highest daily count for the species this season, which probably reflects generally above-average temperatures that has resulting in the persistence of open water (and food) to the north. The Golden Eagle count of 56 birds (44a,2sa,3j,7u) was also the highest since October 25. Other birds recorded included 1 exceptionally late American Pipit, 2 Pine Grosbeaks, 2 White-winged Crossbills and 8 Common Redpolls.

10.5 hours (447.59) BAEA 7 (78), RLHA 2 (58), GOEA 56 (2460) TOTAL 65 (2751)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine had moved to the ESE and was about 20 km east of Canyon Ferry Lake in the Big Belt Mountains east of Helena, southern Montana.

November 3 [Day 42] (Cliff Hansen) Unfortunately, the scheduled Principal Observer had a family medical emergency and was unable to go to the site. Fortunately Cliff was available,but was unable to arrive at the site until 1345 when the temperature was 5C. It rose to a high of 9.5C at 1500 and was still 6C at 1800. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 25 km/h, and ridge winds were strong SW. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus becoming 60-70% cumulus, lenticular, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus after 1700. The east ridges were clear, but the western ridges were 30-50% obscured after 1600. The first of the day's 15 Golden Eagles (10a,5u) recorded was not seen until 1451. This was over an hour after the start of the count, which suggests that the late start did not result in the loss of too much data. All the birds moved very high above the Fisher Range, the busiest hour was 7 birds between 1600 and 1700and the last bird was seen at 1752. Other birds were scarce and the only migrants seen was a flock of 7 American Robins flying to the south.

4.75 hours (437.09) GOEA 15 (2404) TOTAL 15 (2686)

November 2 [Day 41] (Terry Waters, assisted by Rod Smith and Fiona Waters) The temperature rose to a high of 5C at 1300 from a morning low of -2C, and was 0C at 1800. Ground winds were light all day, initially SW then N-NW after 1500, while ridge winds were moderate WSW all day. Cloud cover was 80% altocumulus to 1600, after which it dwindled to 20% scattered altocumulus by the end of the day. After 1300 the western ridges were 10-30% obscured, but the east was clear all day. Conditions proved to be reasonably good for migration with 58 birds moving between 1008 and 1700 This is the highest total since October 25, as is the count of 55 Golden Eagles (31a,1sa,3j,20u). Most birds appeared behind the northern end of the Fisher Range, and only the last 5 Golden Eagles of the day moved high from Mount Lorette. The other raptors were 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and an unidentified large falcon that was the last bird of the day. The highest hourly count was 19 birds (1 Sharp-shinned Hawk and 18 Golden Eagles) between 1200 and 1300. There was no waterfowl movement, although 5 Mallards were seen on the river, and other birds included 15 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 American Tree Sparrow and 2 Red Crossbills.

9.75 hours (432.34) SSHA 1 (62), RTHA 1 (25), GOEA 55 (2389), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 58 (2671)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine was just north of Canyon Ferry Lake on the west flank of the Big Belt Mountains, near Helena, southern Montana. She is rapidly nearing Paradise Valley just north of Yellowstone National Park where she was first captured and where she has spent the last two winters.

November 1 [Day 40] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) The temperature at 0815 was -4C, rose to a high of 6C at 1300 and 1400 and was 3C at 1800. Ground winds were calm to light, variable except around noon when they briefly gusted to 15 km/h from the E, while ridge winds were strong SSW-SW until 1300 after which they appeared to be from the W. Cloud cover was initially 50% cumulus that gradually increased to 100% cumulus and stratocumulus at 1300 and after 1400 it was 100% altocumulus and altostratus for the rest of the day. All ridges were up to 20% obscured in the morning, were 50-100% obscured between 1200 and 1230 and were essentially clear for the rest of the afternoon. A total of 20 migrant raptors were counted between 1013 and 1751, with 7 of the birds occurring between 1500 and 1600. The flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a,2j) and 16 Golden Eagles (11a,1sa,4u), with most of the birds gliding high above the Fisher Range to 1300, after which they flapped to the south in front of the ridge face. A flock of 28 Trumpeter Swans flew to the south at 1401, followed by 45 Canada Geese at 1408 and a further flock of 100 Canada Geese at 1446. A flock of 12 blackbirds (either Brewer's or Rusty) fed in the Hay Meadow with starlings, and other sightings included 40 Bohemian Waxwings and 2 American Tree Sparrows.

10.25 hours (422.59) BAEA 4 (71), GOEA 16 (2613) TOTAL 20 (2613)

The further adventures of “Elaine” On October 31 Elaine was ENE of the northern end of Flathead Lake, N of Highway 2 and E of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in Southern Glacier National Park. 

October 31 NO OBSERVATION Snow, with all ridges obscured made observation impossible. 

October 30 [Day 39] (George Halmazna, assisted by Cliff Hansen) The initial temperature was 5C which turned out to be the high for the day. By 1100 it had dropped to 3C and after briefly rising to 4C around 1500 it fell to 2C at 1600 when the count was abandoned for the day. Ground winds were moderate SW in the morning becoming light in the afternoon, and ridge winds were probably moderate to strong SW all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus all day bringing rain, the western mountains were substantially obscured all day, and the eastern ridges were up to 80% obscured before disappearing completely after 1400. The observers moved to the Lusk Creek site around 1130 and briefly found clearer conditions in which 3 adult Golden Eagles moved between 1217 and 1225, but conditions rapidly worsened generally and the count was abandoned at 1600. There was some waterfowl movement involving 85 Canada Geese in 3 flocks, 6 Mallards and 5 Common Mergansers, and other birds seen included 1 American Robin, 12 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, 40 European Starlings, 1 Song Sparrow, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos and 5 White-winged Crossbills.

8 hours (412.34) GOEA 3 (2318) TOTAL 3 (2593)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine was just to the NW of Lake McDonald on the western flanks of the Rocky Mountains in Glacier National Park, Montana.

October 29 [Day 38] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0730 was 1C but fell to a low of -2C at 1000 before it briefly reached a high of 7C at 1300; from 1400 to the end of the day it remained at 6C. Ground winds were initially calm or very light to 1000, then NE to 10 km/h to noon and during the afternoon the wind was SW gusting up to 40 km/h at 1700, and ridge winds were probably SW all day, light to moderate in the morning and moderate to strong in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 80-90% stratus and cumulus to 1000, that cleared to 70% cumulus to 1300, thickened to 100% stratus from 1400 to 1600 that produced snow, and was subsequently 70-80% stratus and cumulus to the end of the day. The east ridges were clear to 1400 after which they were 30-90% obscured for the rest of the day, while the west was 90% obscured after 1400. The first Golden Eagle was seen at 0832 which seemed to suggest that the day would produce a reasonable migration, but when the last bird, a Bald Eagle, went through at 1318 the day's total was only 7 birds: 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. Four of the birds (1 Bald Eagle and 3 Golden Eagles) were seen moving along the Fisher Range between 1300 and 1318. The only waterfowl moving south were a single flock of 35 Canada Geese, and other birds recorded included 1 Northern Shrike, 2 American Robins, 1 Varied Thrush, 2 American Pipits, 1 Song Sparrow, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 4 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Common Redpolls and 1 Pine Siskin.

11 hours (404.34) BAEA 1 (67), NOGO 1 (26), GOEA 5 (2315) TOTAL 7 (2590)

October 28 [Day 37] (Bill Wilson) For the first time since October 20 the temperature at the site rose above freezing, with a high of 7C at 1400 from a morning low of -7.5C, and it remained at 5C at 1845. Ground winds were initially variable and light to 0930 and then WSW 5-15 gusting 33 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were moderate to strong W after 1100 resulting in snow pluming from the eastern ridges. Cloud cover was 50-100% cumulus all day and some very light snow blew in from the west between 1400 and 1600, and again at the end of the day. Apart from a couple of birds that flew south overhead all of the day’s 42 migrant raptors moved above the eastern part of the valley or along the Fisher Range between 0848 and 1809. Movement was fairly steady all day with a maximum hourly movement of only 7 birds between 1100 and 1200. The flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a,1j), 1 unaged Northern Goshawk and 37 Golden Eagles (26a,1sa,4j,6u). other birds were scarce, but included 26 Canada Geese in a single flock, 3 Mallard, 1 Common Merganser and 1 American Robin.

11 hours (393.34) BAEA 4 (66), NOGO 1 (25), GOEA 37 (2310) TOTAL 42 (2583)

October 27 [Day 36] (Joel Duncan) The temperature at 0900 was -10C, rose to a high of -4C between 1400 and 1800, and was -5C at 1830. Ground winds were light NE, occasionally gusting to 12km/h, while ridge winds were moderate SW probably becoming light after 1700. Initial cloud cover was 100% low stratus that obscured all the ridges, that began to break at 1000 and by 1100 had reduced to 30% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus. By 1500 cloud had again increased to 70% and by the end of the day was 90% altostratus, cumulus and cirrus. With the exception of the high peaks to the west, all ridges were clear by 1100. Despite apparent ideal migration conditions after 1100, the first migrant, a Golden Eagle, was not seen until 1311 and the last two of the day’s 22 Golden Eagles (13a,7j,2u) set down to roost on the Fisher Range ridge at 1803. All the eagles appeared at the northern end of the Fisher Range and moved to the SE either at ridge level or against the face of the mountain, and maximum hourly movement was 9 birds between 1500 and 1600. Other birds in the flight were 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and the season’s 5th Peregrine Falcon, a juvenile bird. Waterfowl movement was confined to 42 Mallards in two flocks flying high to the south, and other birds included 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Song Sparrow, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos and 18 Common Redpolls.

9.5 hours (382.34) BAEA 1 (62), RLHA 1 (56), GOEA 22 (2273), PEFA 1 (5) TOTAL 25 (2541)

The further adventures of “Elaine” The cloud that has enveloped the Livingstone Range for about a week finally lifted and allowed Elaine to travel south along its entire length, crossing our Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site en route, before moving down to the Beaver Mines Lake area. She then crossed the Continental Divide into SE British Columbia and moved south into northern Montana on the Clark Range, roosting for the night just south of the international border.

October 26 [Day 35] (Terry Waters, assisted by Rod Smith) When Terry arrived at the parking area at 0800 the temperature was -11C but low stratocumulus cloud was obscuring all the ridges so he delayed the start of observation to 1030, by which time the temperature had risen to -7C. The day's temperature high was -5C between 1300 and 1500 and was -6C when the count was abandoned at 1600. Ground winds were NW to 1300, then N, generally light but gusting to 15 km/h late in the day, while ridge winds were moderate WNW all day. By 1030 the stratocumulus cloud cover had broken to 90% allowing brief sunny breaks, but by 1400 it was again 100%. The western ridges were 80-100% obscured all day, but eastern ridges were more-or-less clear by 1030; at 1600, however, they were again 100% obscured as the snow flurries that had persisted all day turned to steady heavy snow. The observers' persistence was rewarded by 7 migrant raptors – 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 6 Golden Eagles (5a,1u) - that were seen between 1200 and 1450. All birds moved singly with low flapping flight, either overhead above the centre of the valley or against the face of the Fisher range. There was some migration of waterbirds with 10 Common Loons (8+2), 16 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards and 1 Common Merganser flying to the south, and other birds seen included 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 American Robin, 140 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Fox Sparrow of the race schistacea, 5 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 16 Common Redpolls and 22 Pine Siskins.

5.5 hours (372.84) NOGO 1 (24), GOEA 6 (2251) TOTAL 7 (2516)

October 25 [Day 34] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) The temperature rose to a high of -4C at 1500 and 1600 from a morning low of -7C, and fell to -6.5C at the end of the day. Ground winds were light NW-NE except around 1700 when there were a couple of gusts to 15 km/h, and ridge winds appeared to be light to moderate SW all day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and altocumulus to 1100 when it began to break up, and reduced to 50% altostratus and cumulus at 1300 and finally to 5% cumulus after 1700. All ridges were obscured until 1200 and were variably obscured 50-70% to 1500 and only completely cleared after 1600. Not surprisingly, the first migrant Golden Eagles were not seen until 1333, but movement was subsequently fairly steady. Maximum movement was 43 birds (3 Bald and 40 Golden Eagles) between 1600 and 1700, but between 1720 and 1812 no birds were seen and it appeared that the day's movement was over. A further15 Golden Eagles, however, moved late and the last 3 Golden Eagles disappeared in the rapidly fading light at 1840. Before 1400 birds moved low beneath the cloud cover on Skogan Pass then crossed the valley to the face of the Fisher Range, but after 1400 birds appeared from behind the Fisher Range ridge before moving to the SE in the face of the range or at ridge level. The day's count of 127 birds comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 119 Golden Eagles (93a,2sa,24u), which is the thirds highest total for the season. The fading light late in the flight made aging of the last birds impossible. Waterfowl migrants were a flock of 90 Canada Geese that flew overhead at 1435, and flocks of 5 and 50 Common Mergansers, while other birds included 1 American Robin, 1 European Starling, 1 Song Sparrow, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 1 female Rusty Blackbird and the season's first Pine Grosbeak.

10.5 hours (367.34) BAEA 3 (61), SSHA 2 (61), RLHA 2 (55), GOEA 119 (2245) TOTAL 127 (2509)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine only moved about 20 km to the SE and spent the night in the vicinity of Mount Burke at the northern end of the Livingstone Range, which was again shrouded in cloud all day.

October 24 [Day 33] (Terry Waters, assisted by Rod Smith) All ridges were obscured for most of the morning and observation did not start until 1115 when the temperature was -11C. It warmed to -5C at 1400 and stayed there until the end of the day, but it felt colder as initial light SW ground winds turned to NW 5-10 gusting 15 km/h at 1400 and remained there. Ridge winds were probably mainly light NW all day. Cloud cover at 1115 was 80% cirrus and cumulus that reduced to 50% at 1500 before thickening to 80-90% cirrus, cumulus and altocumulus by the end of the day. The eastern ridges were clear until 1600 after which they were variably occluded 40-80% and were completely hidden after 1600, while the western route was 50% obscured until 1700 and completely obscured after. There was about 10 cm of fresh snow on the ground in the morning, but none fell during the observation period. The first migrants, 5 Golden Eagles, did not appear until 1215 but subsequently movement was steady with hourly counts peaking at 24 birds between 1400 and 1500, and 25 birds between 1600 and 1700, and the last Golden Eagle went through at 1745. Most birds moved low with flapping flight from the face of Mount Lorette to the face of the Fisher Range, although some birds also moved low from Skogan Pass down the centre of the valley passing directly over the observers. The flight of 100 raptors comprised 3 Bald Eagles (1a,2j), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1j), 1 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 93 Golden Eagles (65a,5sa,11j,12u). Elaine may well have been one of the group of 5 Golden Eagles that were seen at 1215. Other birds moving south were 40 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards and 1 Common Loon, and other birds seen in the area included a flock of 85 Bohemian Waxwings, 6 Dark-eyed Juncos and 12 White-winged Crossbills.

7 hours (356.84) BAEA 3 (58), NOGO 2 (23), RTHA 1 (24), RLHA 1 (53), GOEA 93 (2126) TOTAL 100 (2383)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine had moved SE from the Mount Lorette area and was at the southern end of the Highwood Range near Mount Head. The Livingstone Range to the south was shrouded in low cloud all day so she probably could not go any farther because of the weather.

October 23 [Day 32] (George Halmazna) It snowed overnight leaving 5 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow throughout the day added another 2 cm before the count was abandoned for the day at 1430. The temperature was initially -7C and reached a high of -5.5C at 1400, ground winds were calm or light and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus all day. Parts of the ridges briefly became visible, but they were essentially obscured all day. Not surprisingly no Golden Eagles were seen but 7 birds moved low to the south above the valley between 1012 and 1146: 2 Bald Eagles (1a,1j), 1 adult female Northern Harrier and 4 light morph Rough-legged Hawks. Other birds seen included 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 American Tree Sparrow and 1 Dark-eyed Junco, while ideal snow-tracking conditions revealed the presence of 2 Canada Lynx in the area.

7 hours (349.84) BAEA 2 (55), NOHA 1 (5), RLHA 4 (52) TOTAL 7 (2283)

The further adventures of “Elaine” At least one Golden Eagle was moving during the day as Elaine flew to the SSE from SE Banff National Park and at the end of the day was roosting somewhere in the Mount Lorette area! 

October 22 [Day 31] (George Halmazna) The temperature at the beginning and end of the day was -5C

and the high was -3.5C at 1200. Ground winds were N all day, light to mid afternoon when they gusted to 25 km/h around 1300, after which they became light again, while ridge winds were probably NE light to moderate all day. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratus that thinned to 50% stratus and cumulus at 1200 before gradually thickening again to 100% stratus after 1700. The ridges were obscured all day, although in the early afternoon the lower two-thirds of the Fisher Range were visible. Although conditions for migration were less than ideal there was a reasonable raptor movement between 1146 and 1508. Until 1300 birds flew low to the south below the clouds over the western side of the Kananaskis Valley towards Evan-Thomas Creek, where some birds soared to regain height. After 1300 birds moved overhead above the centre of the valley, or above the eastern side of the valley towards The Wedge at the northern end of the Opal Range. All birds used flapping flight and movement became noticeably faster after 1300. The flight comprised 2 juvenile Bald Eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, a season-high total of 16 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 33 Golden Eagles (26a,6sa,1j). Other birds moving south included 52 Mallards and 5 first winter Glaucous Gulls, and other birds recorded included 1 Northern Shrike, 6 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 American Robins, 1 Varied Thrush and 2 American Pipits.

10.33 hours (342.84) BAEA 2 (53), NOGO 1 (21), RTHA 1 (23), RLHA 16 (48), GOEA 33 (2033) TOTAL 53 (2276)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine had moved around 120 km from her last location and was probably in the Fairholm Range near Lake Minnewanka, north of Canmore.

October 21 [Day 30] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Cliff Hansen and Jim Davis) For the first time this season the temperature failed to rise above freezing, reaching a high of -2.5C at 1500 from a morning low of -5.5C, and falling to 4C at the end of the day. Ground winds were very light NNW to 1000, then NNW (or occasionally NNE) 5-10 with a maximum gust of 19 km/h until late afternoon when they dropped to 2-5 km/h. Ridge winds were moderate-strong SSW all day, becoming lighter in the late afternoon. There was 4 cm of fresh snow on the ground first thing in the morning, and cloud cover was 100% stratus that obscured all the ridges until 1000. Clearing began after 1000 and for the rest of the day cloud cover was 20-80% cumulus with occasional development of cirrus and stratus giving generally good observing conditions. The western ridges remained 70-100% obscured for the rest of the day, the eastern route was completely clear at 1300 and 1400, but was variably obscured 30-90% for the rest of the day. Very light snow flurries were experienced in the mid to late afternoon. Despite these less than ideal conditions there was a reasonable raptor movement of 102 birds of 7 species, including 86 Golden Eagles (67a,1sa,9j,9u) all of which moved high near the top of the Fisher Range, or above the ridge after soaring, especially between 1400 and 1700. The first bird of the day was a Rough-legged Hawk that flapped low to the south before perching at 0802, but the first Golden Eagle did not go through until 1132. Movement gradually increased with 71 of the day's 102 birds being recorded between 1400 and 1700. The last bird of the day was a Golden Eagle at 1736 that happened to be the 2000^th bird of the season. Other raptors recorded were 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult dark morph harlani Red-tailed Hawk and a season-high 11 Rough-legged Hawks (7 light and 4 dark morphs). The raptor of the day, however, was an juvenile light morph Broad-winged Hawk that moved through between 1600 and 1700, which was the first record of the species this season. The sudden onset of winter conditions also resulted in a spectacular southern movement of waterfowl including 129 Canada Geese (largest flock 65), 55 Greater White-fronted Geese in a single flock (a species that is very rare in the mountains), 235 Mallards (largest flock 160) and 110 Common Mergansers (largest flock 60). A total of 26 American Robins also flew to the south in low numbers throughout the day. On a day of remarkable bird sightings, however, the strangest was a Black-and-White Warbler that was both a new species for the area and very late. It was found by Jim Davis as it foraged for food on the ground in willow shrub fringing the Hay Meadow, and was subsequently photographed by Cliff. With cold and snowy conditions forecast for the next couple of days its survival prospects are probably not high.

11.25 hours (331.51) BAEA 1 (51), SSHA 1 (59), NOGO 1 (20), BWHA 1 (1), RTHA 1 (22), RLHA 11 (32), GOEA 86 (2000) TOTAL 102 (2223)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine moved just under 100 km to the SE and is presently just outside Banff National park about 60 km NE of Lake Louise. She appears to be presently moving though the foothills, probably because of low cloud in the Front Ranges to the west.

October 20 NO OBSERVATION (Joel Duncan) Joel drove west on Highway 1 early in the morning, but at Scott Lake Hill found, having already passed several cars in the roadside ditch, that the whiteout driving conditions were too dangerous to proceed. He waited an hour at the hill, but decided that conditions were not going to improve.

The further adventures of “Elaine” On October 20 Elaine was east of the north end of Abraham Lake reservoir (north Saskatchewan River Valley), probably on or near the Ram Range of the Front Range system, at about the latitude of Red Deer. It is likely that the onset of winter weather conditions will impede her southward progress for the next few days. 

October 19 [Day 29] (Terry Waters) Temperatures were remarkably steady all day ranging from 9C at the beginning and end of the day to a high of 11C at 1000. Ground winds were SW 50-60 km/h to noon, 10-20 gusting 40 km/h to 1500, and then 20 gusting 50 km/h to the end of the day, while ridge winds were strong SW all day. Initial cloud cover was 80% altostratus, cumulus and altocumulus that reached 100% at 1300 and then gradually reduced to 60% at the end of the day. The western ridges were obscured all day, the eastern route was up to 10% obscured between 1200 and 1600, and there were frequent rain showers all day. The first Golden Eagle was seen at 0910 but by noon only 2 birds had been seen. The afternoon, however, saw a fairly steady stream of birds gliding high and fast above the Fisher Range with a movement of 72 birds peaking between 1300 and 1400 when 24 birds passed, of which 22 were Golden Eagles. The flight comprised 2 juvenile Bald Eagles, 3 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light and 2 dark morphs), 66 Golden Eagles (49a,4sa,2j,11u) and 1 adult Peregrine Falcon. Other birds were scarce but included 6 Bohemian Waxwings, 12 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and 50 Pine Siskins.

10 hours (320.26) BAEA 2 (50), RLHA 3 (21), GOEA 66 (1914), PEFA 1 (4) TOTAL 72 (2121)

October 18 [Day 28] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Chris Hunt) The temperature was 1.5C at 0830, rose to a high of 11C at 1600 and was still 7C at 1800. Ground winds were variable and generally light to 1200, after which they were SW 2-12 gusting 15-25 km/h for the rest of the day, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SW all day. Cloud cover was 30% cumulus and lenticular to 1200 after which an arch developed over the Fisher Range that had moved east of the range by 1600 and replaced by 90% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus until the end of the day. Observing conditions were again good but aging of high flying birds was difficult in the morning and late afternoon. The dynamic was similar to that of yesterday with all birds using the eastern route, the eagles gliding very high above the Fisher Range when the arch was present, but otherwise they moved in the face of the ridge or just above it. Movement was again steady all day between 0950 and 1845, and the highest hourly count was 9 Golden Eagles between 1600 and 1700. The flight of 48 birds comprised 1 unaged Bald Eagle, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u) and 45 Golden Eagles (33a,1sa,11u). As is usual on windy days at the site other birds were relatively scarce, but included 5 adult California Gulls flying low to the south over the meadow, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 American Robin, 1 Song Sparrow and 35 White-winged Crossbills.

11 hours (310.26) BAEA 1 (48), SSHA 2 (58) GOEA 45 (1848) TOTAL 48 (2049)

October 17 [Day 27] (Terry Waters, assisted by Rod Smith) The temperature again reached a high of 7C at 1600 from a morning low of 0C and by 1800 the temperature had dropped to 1C. Ground winds were SW 10-20 km/h all day and ridge winds were strong SW all day. Cloud cover was 10-20% altocumulus until 1400 (except around 1000 when it briefly increased to 40%) after which it gradually diminished to 0% at the end of the day. Despite the lack of cloud cover observing conditions were good until late afternoon. A total of 69 migrant raptors were seen between 0920 and 1745 comprising 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 2 small unidentified accipiters and 63 Golden Eagles (49a,4sa,10u). Movement was steady throughout the day and peaked at 14 birds between 1400 and 1500. All birds used the eastern route with some birds moving high and fast from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range, while others appeared at the northern end of the Fisher Range, kited high and glided high to the SE above the ridge. Amongst other birds seen were two surprisingly late flocks of Cedar Waxwings totaling 49 birds flying to the south. Also flying south were a total of 6 Common Loons (4 single birds and 2 together), and 8 American Robins, 18 Dark-eyed Juncos and 16 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches.

10.5 hours (299.26) BAEA 2 (47), SSHA 1 (56), NOGO 1 (19), UA 2 (5), GOEA 63 (1803)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of October 17 Elaine was in NE British Columbia at the northern end of Rocky Mountain Provincial Park near Highway 97. She is now on the “Eagle Highway” and, if the weather holds, should make rapid progress south in the next couple of days. 

October 16 [Day 26] (George Halmazna) The temperature was 7C at 1730, which equaled the high for the day, the low was 4C at 0900 before it again climbed to 7C at 1100 and was 5C at 1730. Ground winds were SSW calm to light with occasional gusts to 15 km/h, and ridge winds appeared to be moderate-strong SSW-W changing to NW after 1100 and calm after 1500. It had rained until around 0600 and cloud cover was initially 90% stratus and cumulus that continued to produce rain and flurries to the west, and cloud cover remained thick all day. The ridges were 100% obscured until 1100 after which they mainly cleared. The first raptor seen was a probable resident adult Northern Goshawk that perched and called east of the river at 0823 and the first migrant was a Golden Eagle at 0907. When 29 Golden Eagles were recorded between 1000 and 1100 it looked that another big day was in prospect, but the rest of the day only produced a further 21 birds and the last Golden Eagle was seen at 1318. Birds moved over the eastern part of the valley as the Fisher Range ridge was still obscured, and lift appeared to be poor. All the 57 migrants seen were Golden Eagles and comprised 45 adults, 2 subadults, 9 juveniles and 1 unaged bird. Other birds seen included 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 American Pipits, 25 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 Dark-eyed Juncos, 9 White-winged Crossbills and 42 Pine Siskins. It appears that the Black Bear that has been in the same place on the lower slopes of the northern end of the Fisher Range for about a month, has an injured right front paw: it generally moves very slowly with a heavy limp. George had previously witnessed a “bluff’ confrontation between the bear and a Grizzly Bear in the same area, and speculates that a subsequent, unobserved, clash may have resulted in the injured paw.

10 hours (288.76) GOEA 57 (1740) TOTAL 57 (1932)

October 15 [Day 25] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0700 was 11C but the day’s low was at 1000 when it dropped to 10C before climbing to a high of 14C at 1400: it was still 11C at 1900. Ground winds were initially calm or light S, but SW winds quickly became established that gusted to 40 km/h in mid-afternoon but became light at the end of the day. Ridge winds were probably SW moderate to strong throughout the day. Cloud cover was initially 90% cumulus, stratus and cirrus that diminished to 20% cumulus at 1500 and 1600 before again increasing to 80% cumulus and stratus at the end of the day. The ridges were generally clear all day, although the west saw flurries between 0800 and 1300 that obscured peaks from time to time. Migration conditions were good with 344 raptors moving mainly above the Fisher Range between 0730 and 1845. Maximum movement was 68 between 0900 and 1000 and with the exception of 1200-1300 (15 birds) each subsequent hour to 1900 yielded between 20 and 39 birds. The flight comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j,2u), 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 334 Golden Eagles (257a,1sa,44j,32u), the second highest count of the season, and 1 adult Prairie Falcon. Other birds included 1 Pacific Loon flying south at 1133 and 2 single Common Loons that flew south at 0855 and 1204, 11 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Varied Thrush, 6 American Pipits, 124 White-winged Crossbills and 15 Pine Siskins. The large Black Bear was still on the lower slopes of the northern end of the Fisher Range.

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Shirley Enszol) Observations were made from the upper Frank Slide site between 1350 and 1600. It was still mild but cooler than the previous two days at the site and ridge winds appeared to be W strong. Raptors moved very high to the south on the windward side of the Piitaistakis Ridge until 1525 after which the birds kited well to the west of the ridge and moved high to the south above the valley. The flight of 43 birds comprised 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 34 Golden Eagles (27a,2sa,5j) and 8 unidentified small raptors that were probably either Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s Hawks, but their height and the turbulent conditions aloft precluded accurate identification.

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of October 15 Elaine had travelled another 70 km to the SE and was almost at the Yukon/BC border near the Crow River. She should move south into NE British Columbia tomorrow.

October 14 [Day 24] (Bill Wilson) The temperature at 0800 was 8C, reached a high of 14C between 1400 and 1600 and was still 12.5C at 1930. Ground winds were initially calm to light SSE but after 0900 they were WSW 10-20 gusting to over 50 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were moderate to strong WSW all day. Cloud cover was mainly cumulus and altostratus all day, 100% to 1300 after which it varied between 60% (at 1700) to 100%. The western route was 5-10% obscured in the morning and again at the end of the day, but the eastern route was clear all day. Despite this most of the eagles seen flew high over the eastern part of the Kananaskis Valley or overhead, and probably came from Mount Lorette although none were seen there. In the afternoon many eagles flew very high above the lowest cumulus cloud layer and could only be seen when there were breaks in the cloud. It is probable that many birds passed unobserved when such breaks were not present.  The first Golden Eagle occurred at 0857 but by noon only 9 migrants (2 Bald and 7 Golden Eagles) had been seen. Between 1200 and 1300 30 of the day’s 86 birds were recorded (29 Golden eagles and 1 goshawk), but for the rest of the afternoon movement was only between 5 and 11 birds per hour and the last Golden eagle went south at 1825. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 83 Golden Eagles (55a,1j,27u), the high number of unaged birds again resulting from the poor observing conditions.

12.5 hours (266.76) BAEA 2 (42), NOGO 1 (17), GOEA 83 (1349) TOTAL 86 (1531)

The further adventures of “Elaine” On October 14 Elaine had continued her journey to the SE and was about 50 km north of the Yukon/BC border just east of 126^oW. In the next couple of days she should arrive at the northern end of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Front Ranges after which, if weather conditions remain good, she could be passing by our Mount Lorette site a couple of days later. 

October 13 [Day 23] (Terry waters, assisted by Rod Smith and Jim Davis) Strong down-slope winds resulted in a temperature of 8C at 0800, that rose to a high of 14C at 1400 and that was still 9C at 1830. Ground winds were SW all day, 10-15 gusting above 20 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SW all day. Cloud cover was initially 90% altocumulus and cumulus that increased to 100% at 1100 before diminishing to 40-50% altocumulus, stratocumulus and cirrus throughout the afternoon. Occasional brief, very light rain showers occurred throughout the day. Raptor movement was similar to that of yesterday with birds gliding very high and fast from Mount Lorette to the northern end of the Fisher Range, although 4 birds were seen on the western route, and a couple of birds passed high overhead. Maximum movement was 16 Golden Eagles seen between 1500 and 1600, and otherwise birds moved fairly steadily between 0910 and 1810 with the exception of a lull between 1200 and 1400. The flight of 55 birds comprised 2 dark morph Rough-legged Hawks, 52 Golden Eagles (44a, 2sa,1j,7u) and the season’s first Prairie Falcon (probably a juvenile) that was seen hunting low over the Hay Meadow. Other birds recorded were 11 loons or large grebes flying vary high to the south over the northern end of the Fisher Range at 1016, 55 American Robins, 4 American Pipits and 8 Red Crossbills, while the Black Bear was seen yet again in its usual place on the lower slopes of the northern end of the Fisher Range where it has been seen most days since September 24.

10.5 hours (254.26) RLHA 2 (17), GOEA 52 (1266), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 55 (1445)

Canmore Eagle Festival (Peter Sherrington assisted by Chris Hunt and Kevin Barker) Weather conditions were generally similar to those at Mount Lorette and 80-100% altocumulus and cumulus cloud cover provided excellent viewing conditions in the immediate area. Unfortunately, low cloud could be seen to the NW enveloping the Fairholm Range for periods throughout the day, and this, together with strong SW-W ridge winds probably diverted most birds to more easterly ridges where they could not be seen from the Bow Valley bottom site in Canmore. A total of only 11 Golden Eagles (9a,1sa,1u) were recorded between 1031 and 1637 with most birds appearing low on the north ridge of Mount Lady McDonald before kiting high and gliding high and fast to Grotto Mountain. From there the birds would have crossed the Bow Valley to Pigeon Mountain in the Kananaskis Range and thence on to Mount McGillivray and Mount Lorette, where, joined by birds moving from the more easterly ridges of the Fairholm Range, they would be picked up by the observers at the Mount Lorette site. Despite the low numbers of eagles, many of the hundreds of visitors to the Festival viewed the birds. The highlight of the day, however, was the unveiling of a 10 metre high sculpture outside the soon to be completed Canmore Elevation Place Plaza community centre, by New Brunswick artist Peter Powning. The upper portion of this sculpture is a beautiful stainless steel spire with silhouettes of soaring Golden Eagles together with ravens cut through the steel, to celebrate the annual eagle migrations that fly by the town. A picture of the sculpture can be seen at www.canmore.ca/festivalofeagles.

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Penny Takahashi, Cenney Yau and Wendy Dercole) Observations were made from the upper Frank Slide site between 1145 and 1500 where the temperature ranged from 8C to 10C and ground winds were light but ridge winds were probably W moderate to strong. The 3.25 hours spent at the site yielded 69 migrant raptors: 11 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Cooper’s Hawks, 54 Golden Eagles (50a,1sa,3j) and 1 Merlin.

 October 12 [Day 22] (Joel Duncan) The temperature was -1C at 0815, rose to a high of 12.5C at 1500 and was 10C at 1915. Ground winds were initially light SW, but after 1100 increased to 20 gusting 50 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were strong W-SW all day. Initial cloud cover was 80% altocumulus, altostratus and cirrus that gradually reduced to 20% altocumulus at 1500 before slowly increasing to 40% altocumulus and cirrus at 1900. Observing conditions were good in the afternoon, although the height of the birds often made aging impossible. A total of 26 migrant raptors were seen between 0839 and 1849, with birds travelling the normal route from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range until the wind velocity increased, after which the birds appeared behind the northern end of the Fisher Range and  kited very high before gliding to the SE well above the ridge. Peak movement was 8 birds between 1700 and 1800, but for most of the day movement was light and sporadic. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified Buteo, 26 Golden eagles (6a,1sa,9j,11u) and 1 undifferentiated eagle. Other birds recorded included 1 Common Loon flying high to the south, 1 Varied Thrush singing early in the morning, 1 American Robin, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Song Sparrow, a high-flying flock of 60 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 20 White-winged Crossbills.

11 hours (243.76) BAEA 1 (40), RLHA 1 (15), UB 1 (2), GOEA 26 (1214), UE 1 (2) TOTAL 30 (1390)

October 11 [Day 21] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) As on October 8 a disturbance associated with the passage of a cold front proved to be short and not very sharp with only a skiff of fresh snow on the ground this morning. The temperature at 0900 was -1C that gradually rose to a high of 12C at 1600 before quickly falling to 2C at 1900. Ground winds were variable all day, generally light but occasionally gusting to 15 km/h between 1300 and 1600, and after 1900 it was calm, while ridge winds were probably moderate SSW for most of the day. Cloud cover was initially 80% altocumulus that turned to 60-70% cumulus and lenticular until an altostratus arch formed between 1600 and 1900 which occupied 50% of the sky. The first migrant raptor was the day's only Rough-legged Hawk (a dark morph) at 1105, and the first Golden Eagle appeared at 1130. The movement was remarkably steady all day with passage during the 7 hourly periods between 1200 and 1858 varying between 8 and 14 birds with peak movement between 1400 and 1500 (1 Northern Goshawk and 13 Golden Eagles). Some birds were first seen over Mount Lorette, but most were sighted approaching the lower half of the northern Fisher Range, after which most moved slowly to the SE just below or just above the ridge. The flight of 84 birds comprised 5 Bald Eagles (4a,1j), 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a,3u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and 71 Golden Eagles (49a,1sa,4j,17u). The Black Bear remained on the lower slopes of the northern end of the Fisher Range, and other birds seen included a male Blue-winged Teal on the river, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 5 American Pipits, 2 American Tree Sparrows and the first Harris's Sparrow of the season.

10.5 hours (232.76) BAEA 5 (39), SSHA 6 (52), NOGO 1 (16), RLHA 1 (14), GOEA 71 (1188) TOTAL 84 (1360)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Merilyn Liddell) Denise and Merilyn observed from the upper Frank Slide site between 1535 and 1715. The temperature was very mild for the time of year, winds were moderate to strong W-SW and observation conditions were good with intermittent sunshine and banks of grey cloud behind the ridge to the east, Raptor movement was strong and the 2.83 hours yielded 151 migrant raptors that generally kited and glided very high to the south on the windward side of the Piitaistakis Ridge. The flight comprised 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk and 147 Golden Eagles (133a,1sa,13j). The height and speed of the birds made age identification difficult and several Golden Eagles assessed as being adult could well have been immature: it is also probable that many accipiters were missed because of the height of the movement.

The further adventures of “Elaine” By October 9 Elaine had made a slow progress to the south and was still in central Yukon north of the Nadaleen Range in the area east of Rusty Mountain. 

October 10 NO OBSERVATION (Terry Waters) At 0815 it was 0C, raining and everything was obscured. At 1200 the rain turned to snow and the temperature fell to -1C, and with no prospect of the weather improving Terry left the area at 1400.

October 9 [Day 20] (George Halmazna) Yesterday's disturbance was short-lived and today the ridges an peaks remained completely clear all day. The temperature at 0710 was -1.5C, rose to a high of 11C at 1600 and was 4C at 1930. Ground winds were light SW becoming S in the afternoon, with a maximum gust of 15 km/h at 1300, and ridge winds were moderate SW to 1300 after which persistent blowing snow indicated moderate to strong velocities. Cloud cover was initially 100% altocumulus to 0900 after which it gradually cleared after 1000 to 5% cumulus. Raptors started moving early with the first Northern Goshawk seen at 0730 and the first Golden Eagle at 0822 and by the time the last Golden Eagle was logged at 1920 a season-high total of 441 raptors had been counted of which a season-high total of 428 were Golden Eagles (315a,19a,89j,5u). The birds moved steadily from Mount Lorette to the face of the northern end of the Fisher Range which, combined with ideal light conditions, made the aging of the birds easy. Maximum passage of Golden Eagles was 99 between 1700 and 1800, and the total of 428 is the eighth highest fall count for the species at the site. It is interesting to note that on October 8 last year 556 birds were counted at the site (the second highest ever). Other raptors seen were 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1j), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1u), 6 Rough-legged Hawks (2 light, 3 “intermediate” and 1 dark morph) and the season's first Gyrfalcon, a grey morph that was seen at 1218. Golden Eagles were also moving through the high foothills to the east as Michael Woertman observed 42 birds (39a,3j) in 2 hours (1300-1500), along with 2 adult Bald Eagles, 3u Sharp-shinned Hawks and 1 Merlin. Non-raptor species noted at Lorette included 8 Golden crowned Kinglets, 15 American Pipits and 3 Brewer's Blackbirds; a single Mourning Cloak butterfly was on the wing, and the Black Bear on the lower slopes of the northern end of the Fisher Range had a ringside seat for the best eagle migration of the year.

12.5 hours (222.26) BAEA 2 (34), SSHA 2 (46), NOGO 2 (15), RLHA 6 (13), GOEA 428 (1117), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 441 (1276)

October 8 [Day 19] (George Halmazna) A cold front moved through in the early morning and a high temperature of 4C at 0710 fell to 1C at 1300 and stayed there all day. Ground winds were calm or light all day, initially NNW to 1000 and subsequently NNE for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100% low stratus all day and although the lower slopes were visible from time to time all peaks and ridges were completely obscured. Rain and drizzle in the morning changed to snow in the afternoon as the temperature dropped. Not surprisingly only three migrant raptors were seen, and all moved low to the south above the centre of the valley between 1052 and 1532. The birds were 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk. The bird highlight, however, was an adult Glaucous Gull that flew low overhead to the south at 1430, and a juvenile Northern Shrike was the first for the season. Other birds recorded included 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 6 American Robins, 1 American Pipit, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 rather late Brewer's Blackbirds and 3 White-winged Crossbills. The Black Bear was seen again on the lower slopes of the northern end of the Fisher Range.

11.5 hours (209.76) SSHA 1 (44), NOGO 1 (13), RTHA 1 (21) TOTAL 3 (855)

October 7 [Day 18] (Bill Wilson) The temperature reached a high of 14.5C at 1500 and 1600 from a low of -6.5C and was 10C at 1920. Ground winds were initially SW 0-2 km/h increasing briefly to 3-10 gusting 21 km/h around 1300 before becoming very light again for the afternoon, while ridge winds were light SW in the morning becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. An initial cloud cover of 5% cirrus increased to 80-100% altostratus to 1300, after which there was 80-100% cumulus, with the exception of 1500 when it briefly dropped to 30%. Observing conditions were good and the day produced a season high combined species count of 137 birds that included season high counts of 6 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light, 1 dark and 1 unknown morph) and 116 Golden Eagles (64a,6sa,28j 18u).

Birds moved between 0812 and 1855 appearing low at the northern end of the Fisher Range and moving in the face of the range in the morning, and just above the ridge in the afternoon. Lift appeared to be poor and there was only a moderate amount of soaring. Maximum movement occurred between 1400 and 1500 when 39 birds passed, 33 of which were Golden Eagles. The rest of the flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a,2j), 4 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 Northern Goshawks (2a,1u), and 4 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1adult and 1 juvenile light morph birds, and 2 dark morph juveniles). Two Rusty Blackbirds were a seasonal first record, and other birds seen included 2 Common Loons flying high to the south, flocks of 29 and 16 Canada Geese also flying south, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 American Tree Sparrow and 1 slate-coloured morph Dark-eyed Junco of the race hyemalis.

12.25 hours (198.26) BAEA 4 (32), SSHA 4 (43), NOGO 3 (12), RTHA 4 (20), RLHA 6 (7), GOEA 116 (689) TOTAL 137 (832)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Gerald Romanchuk and Steve Knight) Gerald and Steve, who had been with me on the ridge yesterday, returned to the site and in 4.5 hours (1420-1850) counted a total of 187 migrant raptors. The flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles, 1 Northern Harrier, 8 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks, 3 Red-tailed Hawks and 168 Golden Eagles. 

October 6 [Day 17] (Joel Duncan) It was a much warmer day with a temperature of 1C at 0900 that rose to a high of 12.5C at 1600 and it was still 11C at 1930. Ground winds were light SW all day, occasionally calm but averaging 2-6 km/h with a gust of 13 km/h at 1600, and ridge winds were estimated as moderate west all day. The high wind flow, however, still appeared to be from the north. Initial cloud cover was 100% stratus with both the eastern and western ridges 80% obscured, but by 1100 all ridges were clear with an 80% altocumulus cloud cover that steadily diminished to 5% by 1600. The first migrant, an unaged Golden Eagle, was not seen until 1049, but there was a subsequent steady flow of birds until 1910, with 28 of the day's 83 raptors occurring between 1300 and 1400. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 3 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a,1j), 73 Golden Eagles (31a,9sa,16j,17u) and 1 probable columbarius Merlin of unknown age/sex. With the exception of a Bald Eagle seen to the west, all migrants moved high from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range where most birds gliding high above the ridge indicating good wind-lift conditions. A good variety of non-raptor bird species was also noted including the first Brown Creeper (1) and American Tree Sparrows (3) of the season, 12 Golden-crowned and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 9 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 16 White-winged Crossbills, 8 Common Redpolls and 1 Pine Siskin. An unusual bird behaviour was observed around noon when a male Belted Kingfisher that was perched on a snag close to the site sallied out and caught and ate a large moth in flight. As Joel was preparing to leave the site at 1930 he became aware of a very large male Moose feeding on Wolf Willows just 7 m away, and felt it prudent to take a more circuitous route back to the parking area!

10.5 hours (186.01) BAEA 2 (28), SSHA 3 (39), COHA 2 (9), RTHA 2 (16), GOEA 73 (573), MERL 1 (5) TOTAL 83 (695)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Phil Nicholas, Gerald Romanchuk and Steve Knight) The general public were invited to join me on the ridge today and 22 visitors and myself set off up the climb at 0920. Before most had reached the site, however, the clouds had lowered, bringing light snow that reduced the temperature to -1C and completely obscured the Livingstone Ridge to the north and the mountains to the west. The wind was NW 5-10 gusting 25 km/h, and by 1225 when the snow ended and the ridges began to clear all but 3 of the visitors had departed. This was unfortunate as the temperature finally rose to 5C, the wind diminished to 5-10 km/h and had moved to the W by late afternoon and the cloud cover gradually diminished to 60-70% cumulus by the end of the day. Those of us who were left, however, were treated to a movement of 120 raptors of 5 species that occurred between 1315 and 1806, with a peak movement of 83 birds between 1500 and 1700. The flight comprised 5 Bald Eagles (3a,2j), 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (6a,1u), 1 unaged Northern Goshawk, 6 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light, 1dark and 1 unknown morph), 1 unidentified Buteo and 100 Golden Eagles (60a,11sa,18j,11u). The last hour of the flight was particularly spectacular with birds moving low overhead or close to the ridge in bright sunshine.

October 5 [Day 16] (Terry Waters, assisted by Rod Smith) Cloudless skies again allowed the temperature to fall to -9C at 0815, but it reached a high of 7C at 1600 before falling to -2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were again light or calm, mainly NE becoming mainly SE after 1500, while ridge winds were probably light NNW for most of the day. Scattered cumulus (5-10%) developed after 1100, and 20% cirrus after 1600 when it also became hazy, possibly because of smoke. The mainly blue skies made observation difficult, although most birds soared over Mount Lorette, quickly glided to the northern end of the Fisher Range where they again soared before moving above the range to the SE. The first raptor of the day was a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk seen perched near the site at 0820, but the first moving bird was a Golden Eagle at 1001 which, like the next three eagles, were the only ones seen on the western route, soaring above Olympic Summit. The movement of the day's 55 migrants was steady to 1500 followed by an hiatus of 2 hours during which time only 3 birds occurred, then the last 18 migrated between 1700 and 1817. The total comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 3 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 45 Golden Eagles (29a,3sa,5j,8u) and the season's third Peregrine Falcon (an adult). The day's last Golden Eagle was the 500^th of the season. The Kananaskis River yielded 4 Mallards, a very late male Harlequin Duck, 2 Belted Kingfishers (1 male,1u) and 10 American Pipits, while other birds seen included 8 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 50 Pine Siskins, and a season-first 18 Common Redpolls in a single flock.

10.5 hours (175.51) BAEA 3 (26), SSHA 1 (36), COHA 1 (7), NOGO 1 (9), RTHA 3 (14), GOEA 45 (500), PEFA 1 (3) TOTAL 55 (612)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Denise Cocciolone-Amatto) Observing from the upper Frank Slide site between 1530 and 1800 Denise counted 23 migrant raptors comprising 1 adult Bald Eagle, 3 Northern Harriers, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk and 16 Golden Eagles (5a,2sa,7j,2u).

The further adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453)

Elaine, an adult female Golden Eagle was captured and fitted with a transmitter during the third week of October, 2010 by Rob Domenech and his colleagues from the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana. She spent the winter of 2010-11 in the Paradise Valley just south of Livingstone, Montana and just north of Yellowstone National Park. In the spring of 2011 she moved north, roosting for a night (March 12) along the way on Bluff Mountain just west of our Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site and the next day crossed Mount Lorette on her way north. By early April she had reached the southern flank of the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range in northeastern Alaska where she spent the summer. Rob informed me that it was not known if she bred there.

In the fall of 2011 Elaine started her southward journey on October 1 and had reached the Yukon by October 7, and then slowly moved to the SE and on October 26 she was in the northernmost part of the Rocky Mountains of NE BC. Four days later she was in northern Montana having moved rapidly along the Front Range expressway, after which she continued to make a a leisurely progress south before wintering again in Paradise Valley in southern Montana.

In the spring of 2012 Elaine probably entered Alberta on March 8 and after moving up the Front Ranges spent the night of March 10 in the vicinity of Mount Lorette. She subsequently moved NW into NE British Columbia then through the Yukon and NE Alaska and on April 7 she reached her home range in the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range where she presumably nested last year.

This Fall she started her fourth migration carrying a transmitter, moving to the ESE around September 25 and by October 1 she was just west of the Alaska-Yukon border. She has since moved SE into the Yukon and on October 4 was near the Bonnet Plume River between the eastern end of the Werneke Mountains and the Bonnet Plume Range of the northern Selwyn Mountains.

You can follow her progress on a map on the seaturtle.org site via the link on our website. Many thanks to Rob Domenech and his colleagues from the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana for sharing this information with us.

October 4 [Day 15] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker, Cliff Hansen and Michael Woertman) The temperature was -4C at 0730 but fell under cloudless skies to a season-low -9C at 0800, but rose to a high of 5C at 1600 at was 1.5C at the end of the day. Ground winds were variable all day calm to light occasionally reaching 12 km/h, and ridge winds were assessed as W light to moderate. It was cloudless to 1200 when cumulus developed that reached 50% at 1600 before dwindling to 10% at the end of the day. The first Golden Eagle was not seen until 1112 but subsequently there was a steady stream of raptors passing high overhead from Mount McGillivray to Old Baldy until 1813 after which the last 12 birds of the day moved on the usual route from Mount Lorette to the north end of the Fisher Range, where the last bird of the day, an unidentified Buteo, was seen at 1845. The flight of 82 birds comprised 5 adult Bald Eagles, a season-high 15 Sharp-shinned Hawks (7a,2j,6u), 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 unidentified Accipiter, the season’s first Rough-legged Hawk (a light morph), 1 unidentified Buteo and 58 Golden Eagles (31a,4sa,9j,14u). Forty-five of the migrants were recorded before 1400 after which the pace slackened somewhat and only picked up again between 1800 and 1845 when the last 12 birds passed. Without the eyes of the three assistants scanning directly overhead the day's total would probably have been somewhat lower! Non-raptor bird species included a southbound flock of 14 female,juvenile Common Mergansers, 6 Clark's Nutcrackers flying to the south, 3 Golden-crowned and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, only 4 American Robins, 3 Wilson's Warblers, 53 White-winged Crossbills and 30 Pine Siskins. An adult Black Bear was also seen on the northern end of Hummingbird Plume Hill.

11.6 hours (165.01) BAEA 5 (23), SSHA 15 (35), COHA 1 (6), UA 1 (3), RLHA 1 (1), UB 1 (1), GOEA 58 (455) TOTAL 82 (557)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Raymond Toal, Karola Michalsky, Denise Cocciolone-Amatto) Observations from the upper Frank Slide site between 1400 and 1800 yielded 6 adult migrating Golden Eagles.

October 3 [Day 14] (Terry Waters, assisted by Rod Smith) The ridges were obscured all morning and as a result observation did not start until 1200, when there was 2 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The temperature at noon was -2C, rose to 4C at 1700 and had fallen back to 0C at 1830. Ground winds were NE light (<5 km/h) all day, and ridge winds were also probably light N-NW. Cloud cover was 100% stratus all morning, then 80-90% stratocumulus for most of the afternoon that reduced to 50% stratocumulus and cumulus by the end of the day. The Fisher Range finally cleared around 1600, but Mount Lorette remained shrouded in cloud all day and the few migrants seen appeared to originate from Heart Mountain to the north of Mount Lorette. Intermittent snow flurries occurred throughout the afternoon. The first migrant was an adult Northern Goshawk that flew to the south above the valley at 1302, and the first Golden Eagle was a juvenile that moved to the south against the face of the Fisher Range at 1355. The day's other 2 Golden Eagles also moved low below the Fisher Range ridge. The count was 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 3 Golden Eagles (1a,2j) and 1 adult Peregrine Falcon, and the last bird of the day was seen at 1552. Other birds seen included 16 American Robins, 14 American Pipits feeding on gravel bars in the river, and 45 Pine Siskins.

6.5 hours (153.41) COHA 1 (5), NOGO 2 (8), GOEA 3 (397), PEFA 1 (2) TOTAL 7 (475)

October 2 [Day 13] (George Halmazna) The temperature was -1C at 0700, but it felt colder owing to the dampness from overnight rain (2330-0130). The temperature rose to a high of 6C at 1000, soon after which a cold front started making itself felt with the temperature falling to 4C. Ground winds were initially calm or light NW, but changed at 1010 to NE and by noon they were 15 gusting 30 km/h, and ridge winds probably also reflected the same pattern. An initial cloud cover of 20% cumulus gradually thickened to 100% stratus by 1300 which persisted for the rest of the day. All ridges were clear until 1120 when cloud started enveloping them from the north and by early afternoon all were obscured, and rain with snow pellets developed around noon. Before the weather changed, however, there was a steady movement of Golden Eagles high to very high above the eastern side of the valley, with 17 birds (10a,2j,5u) recorded between 0911 and 1114, 8 of which occurred between 1000 and 1100. The only other raptor seen was an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk. Other birds seen included 1 male Belted Kingfisher, 2 Red-Breasted Nuthatches, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 37 American Robins, 1 Varied Thrush, 11 Yellow-rumped warblers, 4 Dark-eyed Juncos, 24 White-winged Crossbills and 25 Pine Siskins. The Black Bear seen yesterday was still in the same place today.

9.67 hours (146.91) SSHA 1 (20), GOEA 17 (394) TOTAL 18 (468)

October 1 [Day 12] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0700 was a remarkable 12.5C and rose to a high of 19C at 1600-1800. Ground winds were moderate to strong SW all day, especially in the afternoon when winds were 30 km/h gusting above 80 km/h after 1600, and ridge winds were probably also strong SW all day. Cloud cover was initially 80% cirrus reducing to 40% altostratus at noon that increased to 80% at 1300 and thinned again to 50% cumulus after 1700. Despite the high winds there was a good eagle migration with 108 birds moving between 0835 and 1616, which was the day's only Bald Eagle (an adult). A season high total of 104 Golden Eagles (79a,1sa,10j,14u) moved steadily between 0835 and 1446 with all but 2 birds gliding high above the Fisher Range at an estimated height of 300 m or more above the ridge. The only other raptors seen were 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a,1u). Other birds recorded included 38 American Robins, 211 White-winged Crossbills and 68 Pine Siskins, and a Black Bear was seen on the lower slopes of the north end of the Fisher Range. Three Mourning Cloaks were the only butterflies seen.

12.75 hours (137.24) BAEA 1 (18), SSHA 3 (19), GOEA 104 (377) TOTAL 108 (450)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Raymond Toal, Denise Cocciolone-Amatto) Observations were again made from the upper Frank Slide site between 1400 and 1815, where the W winds were strong and steady and the altostratus and lenticular clouds made a spectacular backdrop for the migrating raptors. The 4.25 hours produced 2 Ospreys, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk, and 38 Golden Eagles (22a,5sa,8j,3u).