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.