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.