May 21 [Day 88] (Valley View site) Strong W winds continued to prevail so I decided to spend the last day of the count at the Valley View site where the temperature briefly reached a high of 9C at 1600 from a low of 1C at 0700. The ground winds were W-SW gusting 40-60 km/h for most of the day moderating slightly after 1500 but still occasionally gusting to 45 km/h in the late afternoon, and ridge winds were strong W all day. Cloud cover was 40-70% cumulus for much of the day giving excellent observing conditions, with cirrus and then altostratus cloud developing to 80% after 1800. Three migrant raptors went north, which is a satisfying number to finish on: a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1246, a subadult Bald Eagle at 1540 and a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1637. I was pleased that I ended my counting career with a Golden Eagle just as it started with a single Golden Eagle seen at Mount Lorette at 1130 on March 20, 1992, for I have decided that this spring will be my last count. A female Red-winged Blackbird perched near the site at 0912 was the 86th species for the season and only the second time the species has occurred on a count here. Two more flocks of Canada Geese flew high to the east over the ridge today: 11 at 0944 and 16 at 1241. 12.5 hours (1015) BAEA 1 (396), SSHA 1 (82), GOEA 1 (2185) TOTAL 3 (3039)

May summary We spent 19 days in the field (13 at the Valley View site and 6 on the Piitaistakis Ridge) with 2 full days (May 5 and 6) lost to bad weather and 3 further days (May 3,4 and 8) significantly curtailed for the same reason. The number of days is 11.6% below the 2008-9 average and the number of hours (215.8) is 18.74% below average. The combined species total of 242 is 36% below average and only 6 species had counts that were above average: Osprey 16 (+60% and a new high count for the month), Broad-winged Hawk 13 (+100% and a new high count), Swainson’s Hawk 4 (+14.3%), Rough-legged Hawk 1 (+100% and equaling previous high monthly count), American Kestrel 5 (+11.1%), Merlin 2 (equaling the counts of the previous two years) and Peregrine Falcon 4 (+60%). All other species occurred mainly in significantly lower than average numbers: Turkey Vulture 2 (-55.6%), Bald Eagle 20 (-9.09%), Northern Harrier 8 (-46.7%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 40 (-53.5%), Cooper’s Hawk 5 (-72.2%), Northern Goshawk 3 (-86.7%), Red-tailed Hawk 25 (-47.9%), Ferruginous Hawk 2 (-42.9%), Golden Eagle 88 (-25.74%) and Prairie Falcon 2 (-42.9%).

Final Count (February 15 to May 21)
(Percentage variance from average spring 2008-2009 Piitaistakis-South Livingstone counts in parenthesis)

DAYS 88 (+2.9)
HOURS 1015 (+3.1)

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 7 (=)
OSPREY (OSPR) 20 (-9.1)
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 396 (-11)
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 20 (-38)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 82 (-49)
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 17 (-41)
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 84 (-33)
Unidentified Accipiter (UA) 5 (=)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 13 (+73.3)
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 4 (-11)
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 121 (-45)
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 5 (-55)
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 39 (+85.7)
Unidentified Buteo (UB) 2 (-33)
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2185 (-23.57)
Unidentified eagle (UE) 3 (-45)
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 5 (-9.1)
MERLIN (MERL) 11 (-48)
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 1 (-80)
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 4 (-43)
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 14 (-13)
Unidentified Falco (UF) 0 (-100)
Unidentified raptor (UU) 0 (-100)

TOTAL 3039 (-24.41)

Principal Observers: Peter Sherrington (73 days and 7 partial days), Bill Wilson (6 days), Denise Coccioloni-Amatto (1 day and 4 partial days), Doug and Teresa Dolman (1 day), and Dawn Hall (3 partial days), with assistance from Keith McClary (40 days), Nel Van Kamer (32 days), Denise Coccioloni-Amatto (32 days), David Thomas (24 days), Dawn Hall (8 days), Pat Lucas (3 days), Doug and Teresa Dolmen (2 days), Phil Nicholas (2 days), Jan Aikins (1 day), Karole Michalsky (1 day), Paul Vandervelde (1 day), Wilbert Tripp (1 day), Patricia Wagenaar (1 day), Jocelyn Thomas (1 day), Elizabeth Miles (1 day) and Bob Simons (1 day).

Acknowledgements: To the members and supporters of the Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation for their continuing financial support, and to members of the Crowsnest Conservation Society for their support and many contributions to the success of the project. To Dale and Karen Paton who welcomed us to watch from their property near the base of the ridge (the “Valley View” site) until the snow finally melted sufficiently to allow us to watch from the ridge top, to Denise Coccioloni-Amatto, David and Jocelyn Thomas, Mary-Lou and Jennifer Campbell, and Chris McMurdo for their many dinner invitations and understanding of my indecently early departures in order to write and publish the daily blog, and to Nel Van Kamer who generously provided pre-prepared dinners that allowed me more time to sleep than would have otherwise been the case.

May 20 [Day 87] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) Strong W winds prevailed all day only rarely dropping below 40 km/h and gusting 50-70 km/h to 1800 when they were 60-70 gusting 90 km/h, diminishing to gusts of 80 km/h at 1900. The temperature was 1C to 2C to 1400 when it rose to 3.5C and then reached the day’s high of 5C from 1500 to1700 when a period of snow reduced the temperature back to 1C for the rest of the day. With the high winds it meant that wind-chill temperatures were below freezing for much of the day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1400 after which the cloud broke to 60-70% cumulus, altostratus and altocumulus. Snow flurries that occasionally developed into brief periods of snow swept constantly down from the Continental Divide after 1245. Not surprising considering the weather, raptor migration was limited to subadult Golden Eagles gliding north at 1435 and 1448 and a juvenile doing the same at 1540. At 1136 what at first appeared in the distance to be high flying falcon surprisingly turned out to be the season’s first Mallard (a drake) [species #84] that flew high to the north above the ridge, and 3 minutes previously another “bachelor” flock of 15 Canada Geese had flown high to the east. At 1706, in the middle of one of the more enthusiastic snow flurries I found a Swainson’s Thrush [species #85] looking as if it regretted having left South America: I sympathized! Tomorrow will be the last day of the count, but where I shall be watching from will depend on the weather! 12.75 hours (1002.5) GOEA 3 (2184) TOTAL 3 (3036)

May 19 [Day 86] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) The strong winds that started late yesterday continued throughout today with W-WNW winds 35-50 gusting 60 km/h to noon, diminishing to gusts of 35-50 km/h in the afternoon. The winds made the starting temperature of 6C feel rather cool after several days of warm weather and the high was only 12.5C at 1600, but it felt warmer as 100% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus cloud gradually cleared to 5-30% cumulus and cirrus in the afternoon providing plenty of sunshine. Despite the good migrating and observing conditions only 7 migrant raptors occurred between 0907 and 1610: 1 adult Bald Eagle, 2 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, 1 juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, 1 subadult Golden Eagle and 1 probable juvenile female Prairie Falcon. Because of the high winds other bird species were hard to find, but for the second day in a row a flock of Canada Geese flew high to the east above the ridge: 12 at 1259 yesterday and 35 at 1325 today. These flocks almost certainly comprise unmated male birds. 12.58 hours (989.8) BAEA 1 (395), SSHA 2 (81), COHA 1 (17), RTHA 1 (121), GOEA 1 (2181), PRFA 1 (14) TOTAL 7 (3033)

May 18 [Day 85] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) The temperature was 14.5C at 0800 and rose to the day’s high of 18C at 1300, winds to 1300 were often calm or variable and light, and cloud cover was 70-80% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus. At 1245 a dark cumulonimbus cloud rapidly developed to the SW and at 1312 a thunderstorm broke bringing steady rain that lasted until 1540. The storm appeared to be stationary overhead with continuous thunder and lightening for over 2 hours and although spectacular it was not exactly enjoyable! By 1520 the temperature had fallen to 8C but recovered to12-13C after 1700. At 1700 another thunderstorm developed to the SSE and for the next 1.5 hours it moved slowly north just E of the ridge saving me from a second soaking. To finish the day WNW winds developed gusting to 50 km/h at 1900 and the day ended in sunshine as the cloud cover rapidly cleared. Before the storm only 5 migrant raptors moved: a juvenile Northern Harrier, 2 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 juvenile Red-tailed Hawk and a juvenile Golden Eagle. After the storm ended a second juvenile Northern Harrier with a full crop glided low along the ridge to the north at 1640, and just as I was beginning to give up on the day a juvenile Peregrine Falcon flew low overhead to the north at 1837. A Warbling Vireo singing near the parking area in the evening was the 83rd bird species of the year. The bad weather gave me time to look at the flowering plants on the ridge. Just a few days after the snow had finally melted there were extensive carpets of Western Spring Beauty, Glacier Lilies and Prairie Anemone, common Wyoming Kittentails, Yellowstone Draba, Pretty Shootingstars and early Yellow Buttercups, one patch of Yellowbells and single flowering Moss Phlox and Nine-leaved Desert-Parsley. With a dwindling number of raptor migrants and with deteriorating weather conditions forecast for the weekend I am now planning to end the count on Friday May 21.12.75 hours NOHA 2 (20), SSHA 2 (79), RTHA 1 (120), GOEA 1 (2180), PEFA 1 (4) TOTAL 7 (3026)

May 17 [Day 84] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) The ridge was almost snow-free and the remaining drifts at the site disappeared as the temperature reached 20.5C at 1700 from a low of 13C and was 16.5C at 1900. Winds were generally calm or light SW-WSW except for 1645-1730 when the wind was WSW 20-25 gusting 30 km/h, and cloud cover was 70-100% cirrus, cirrostratus and cumulus all day giving hazy sunshine and excellent viewing conditions. Between 0800 and 1400 each hour yielded one migrant raptor, the first 3 being an immature male richardsonii Merlin and 2 female American Kestrels. No migrants were seen between 1321 and 1645 at which time an adult light morph Swainson’s Hawk moved north with a Sharp-shinned Hawk followed 3 minutes later by 2 juvenile light morph Ferruginous Hawks, which is the first record of the species since April 1st. The commonest migrant, however, remained Golden Eagle with 3 subadults and 2 juvenile birds moving between 1227 and the last migrant of the day at 1833. The total bird count was 26 species, which is a marked improvement over the 11 recorded 4 days ago, and included 2 Violet-green Swallows which is only the second record for the ridge. Three Western White butterflies were new for the season. 12.5 hours (964.4) SSHA 2 (77), SWHA 1 (4), FEHA 2 (5), GOEA 5 (2179), AMKE 2 (5), MERL 1 (11) TOTAL 13 (3019)

May 16 [Day 83] (Valley View site) It was another beautiful day with the temperature reaching a season high 22C at 1600 from a low of 5.5C: in fact the temperature remained above 20C from 1200 to 1730 and was still 18.5C at 1900. Ground winds were calm to 1030 and then mainly light W-WSW except between 1200 and 1430 when they occasionally gusted to 15-23 km/h, and ridge winds were WNW-W light to moderate. Cloud cover was a 60-100% mixture of cirrus, cirrostratus, cumulus and altocumulus giving hazy sunshine all day and yet again provided an excellent observation backdrop. There was a slow but steady migration of raptors with 12 birds of 8 species moving between 1151 and 1749 including the season’s 7th Turkey Vulture (an adult) and 3rd Swainson’s Hawk (a light morph adult). Other migrants were 1 subadult Bald Eagle, 1 juvenile Northern Harrier, 2 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, 2 juvenile light morph Red-tailed Hawks and 3 Golden Eagles (1sa and 2j). Hunting and displaying resident Red-tailed Hawks were conspicuous through most of the day representing 3 or 4 pairs. The day’s second Golden Eagle at 1359 was the season’s 3000th migrant raptor, but we are heading for the lowest ever spring count at the site as the 2008 and 2009 totals were 4204 and 3837 respectively. A Calliope Hummingbird flying over at 1231 was the 82nd species of the season and a first spring record and a second unidentified hummingbird flew high overhead at 1805. Most remarkable was a small flock of 3 Common Redpolls at 0710 which is only the second record for the season (the other was 3 birds on March 8) and represents by far the latest ever record at the site. The exceptionally warm weather of the last three days appears to have significantly reduced the snow cover on the Piitaistakis Ridge, so I plan to return there to conduct the count tomorrow. 12.5 hours (951.9) TUVU 1 (7), BAEA 1 (394), NOHA 1 (18), SSHA 2 (75), COHA 1 (16), SWHA 1 (3), RTHA 2 (119), GOEA 3 (2174) TOTAL 12 (3006)

May 15 [Day 82] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a season high 21C at 1400 from a low of 3C and was still 18C at 1900, ground winds were calm to SW gusting 30-40 km/h between 1100 and 1430 but less than 20 km/h for the rest of the day and ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong to 1500 and moderate W thereafter. The sky was initially cloudless with cumulus and cirrus developing after 0900 thickening to 80% cumulus between 1500 and 1600 that produced very light scattered showers before reducing to 30-60% for the rest of the day once again providing excellent observing conditions. It was the best raptor movement for 4 days with a total of 22 birds moving steadily between 0930 and 1904, the flight comprising 3 Bald Eagles (1a,2sa), 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2j,1u), 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk, 3 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (1a,1j,1u), 6 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 1 unidentified Buteo and 4 Golden Eagles (1a,1sa,2j). The total bird count was a season high 42 species which included first records [species #78-81] for Western Tanager, Cassin’s Vireo, Western Wood-Pewee (1st spring record for the site) and 2 Violet-Green Swallows (second spring record for the site). 12.33 hours (939.4) BAEA 3 (393), NOHA 1 (17), SSHA 3 (73), NOGO 1 (84), BWHA 3 (13), RTHA 6 (117), UB 1 (2), GOEA 4 (2171) TOTAL 22 (2994)

May 14 [Day 81] (Valley View site) It was much more pleasant looking up at the snow covered ridge from the valley floor where the temperature reached 19C at 1500 from a low of 5C and remained at 17C at 1900. Ground winds were calm to light variable in the morning and W-SW occasionally gusting to 25 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were W-WNW light to moderate to noon and moderate thereafter. Cloud cover was initially 80% altocumulus and cirrus diminishing to 5% at 0900 but then increased to 50-80% cumulus for the rest of the day providing excellent observation conditions. The first migrant raptor was an Osprey at 0945 and thereafter birds moved sporadically throughout the day with 5 of the day’s 12 migrants occurring between 1813 and 1902. The flight comprised 1 Osprey, 1 subadult Bald Eagle, 1 juvenile Northern Harrier, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u), 1 light morph Swainson’s Hawk of unknown age, 3 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (2 light morphs (1j,1u) and 1 adult dark morph) and 3 juvenile Golden Eagles. The total bird count was a season high 39 species and for the first time bird song was strong both in the morning and evening. A 1st summer-plumaged Trumpeter Swan flying high above the Piitaistakis Ridge at 1110 was the season’s 76th bird species and a first record for May, and a male American Goldfinch was species #77. At 0855 two female American Three-toed Woodpeckers alternately drummed on opposite sides of a snag and were occasionally very vocal while a male bird was perched some way away. Was this female competition for a nest site (and/or for the male)? Despite the warm conditions a Clouded Sulphur was the only butterfly seen on the wing, but in the afternoon Mollie brought us a beautiful large saturniid moth that she had found nearby that was probably a Glover’s Silk moth (Hyalophora columbia gloveri). 12.16 hours (927.1) OSPR 1 (20), BAEA 1 (390), NOHA 1 (16), SSHA 2 (70), SWHA 1 (2), RTHA 3 (111), GOEA 3 (2167) TOTAL 12 (2972)

May 13 [Day 80] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) It was another beautiful day with a temperature high of 12C helping to make a few small holes in the snow pack on the ridge. Winds were mainly W gusting to 30-35 km/h after 1630, but before then they were mainly light and even calm for extended periods. Cloud cover started at 10% cirrus and gradually thickened with cumulus developing, reaching 70-80% after 1400 and giving excellent observing backdrops. Despite the seemingly ideal migration and observing conditions only 2 migrant raptors were recorded: an unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1330 and a subadult Golden Eagle at 1736, and resident raptors and even ravens were also hard to find. The first Red-disked Alpine butterfly of the season looked a little incongruous flying over an unbroken expanse of snow. I have decided to return to the Valley View site for a couple of days to give the snow a chance to melt a little more, and to assess whether the raptor migration might, in fact, be almost over for the season. 11.75 hours (914.9) SSHA 1 (68), GOEA 1 (2164) TOTAL 2 (2960)

May 12 [Day 79] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) It took me 1.67 hours to climb the 300m to the ridge top through thick crusted snow and found that there was still 40-50cm of compacted snow at the site with drifts several metres thick on the eastern side of the ridge. The day, however, was quite pleasant with the temperature reaching 9C at 1800 from a low (at 0900) of 2C, mainly W winds occasionally gusting to 28 km/h but usually light and even calm on occasion, and cloudless skies giving way after 1200 to scattered cumulus that gradually increased from 5% to 40% after 1800. Raptor movement was very slow with only 10 birds moving between 1242 and 1816: 3 Bald Eagles (2sa,1j), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a,1u), 1 adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk and 3 juvenile Golden Eagles, 2 of which moved north together at 1613. Despite the snow covered landscape there were a few species of non-raptor on the ridge including Townsend’s Solitaires performing their beautiful aerial song flight, and a displaying male Dusky Grouse. Six American Pipits near the parking area in the evening represented the 75th bird species seen this season. 12.75 hours (903.2) BAEA 3 (389), SSHA 3 (67), BWHA 1 (10), GOEA 3 (2163) TOTAL 10 (2958)

May 11 [Day 78] (Valley View site) It was another pleasant day with the temperature reaching 11.5C at 1400 from a low of -2C, calm to light variable ground winds and a gentle E upper flow to 1400, which became light indeterminate to 1600 and thereafter a gentle WNW flow. An initially cloudless sky gave way to 50-80% cumulus that briefly reached 100% stratocumulus and cumulus at 1300, and apart from a couple of very brief snow flurries the day was precipitation-free. There again was a reasonably strong and varied raptor movement for May with 28 birds of 8 species moving between 1054 and 1751, with most birds soaring for extended periods in the generally calm conditions. The flight was dominated by 8 juvenile Golden Eagles, and the 4 Ospreys brought the May total to a record 15 birds, 12 of which have moved in the last three days. Four more adult Broad-winged Hawks (3 light and 1 dark) brought the season’s and monthly count to a new site spring high of 9 birds, and other migrants were 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1j,3u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a,1u), 2 Red-tailed Hawks (1 juvenile light morph calurus and 1 undifferentiated dark morph bird), 1 unidentified dark morph Buteo, 1 female American Kestrel and 1 adult Peregrine Falcon. Other highlights of the daily season-high count of 36 bird species was the year’s first Brewer’s Blackbird (a male) flying high to the north at 1825, single Great Blue Herons flying high to the north at 1228 and 1510, and the season’s second Vaux’s Swift flying high at 1812. Starting tomorrow I plan to occupy the Piitaistakis Ridge site if the snow has sufficiently melted to allow access. 12.25 hours (890.4) OSPR 4 (19), SSHA 5 (64), COHA 2 (15), BWHA 4 (9), RTHA 2 (108), UB 1 (1), GOEA 8 (2160), AMKE 1 (3), PEFA 1 (3) TOTAL 28 (2948)

May 10 [Day 77] (Valley View site) It was a beautiful morning with a temperature of -4C at 0700, almost cloudless and calm, but at 0830 cumulus cloud started to spill over the Piitaistakis Ridge from the east and by 1000 all ridges were obscured with 100% stratocumulus cloud cover. The ridges began to clear around 1230 and were more or less clear by 1300. In the afternoon the temperature rose to 8.5C at 1600 with a cumulus cloud cover ranging from 60-80% allowing periods of sunshine, ground winds were light and variable while ridge winds were light to moderate ENE to ESE. The first migrant raptor, a subadult Golden Eagle disappeared into cloud at 1216 and by 1600 only 7 birds had been seen including the season’s first Broad-winged Hawk (an adult light morph) at 1343 [species #73] and the season’s second adult tundrius Peregrine Falcon at 1555. Between 1607 and 1654, however, there was a sudden spate of migrant raptors and the 17 birds seen was the highest hourly count since April 17, comprising 1 Osprey, 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 4 Broad-winged Hawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 5 Golden Eagles. Subsequently only 4 more birds went north as hail and light rain showers developed, with the last bird being a juvenile Northern Harrier at 1851. The 8 Golden Eagles comprised 4 subadults and 4 juveniles, while the 5 Broad-winged Hawks was the highest spring single-day count for the site and included 2 dark-morph adult birds soaring together with an unaged light morph bird at 1640. 12.25 hours (978.2) OSPR 1 (15), BAEA 1 (386), NOHA 1 (15), SSHA 8 (59), COHA 1 (13), BWHA 5 (5), RTHA 1 (106), GOEA 8 (2152), AMKE 1 (2), PEFA 1 (2) TOTAL 28 (2920)

May 9 [Day 76] (Valley View site) At last, a pleasant day! The temperature ranged from -4C to a high of 11C at 1600, ground winds were calm to light SW-N except between 1100 and 1230 when they were SW gusting to 25 km/h, and ridge winds were WNW generally moderate. Cloud cover was initially 5% cumulus which gradually increased with development of towering cumulus in the afternoon reaching 100% at 1700, and the only precipitation was a heavy snow squall from 1650 to 1710 which briefly obscured the ridges, and hail from 1900 to 1925. A total of 66 migrant raptors of a season high 13 species was counted between 0925 and 1835, the count being the highest since April 1 and the highest ever for May at the site. The 7 Ospreys counted between 1021 and 1353 was the highest ever daily spring count at the site, the previous highest being 4 on April 26, 2008, the Sharp-shinned Hawk count of 9 birds (4a,1j,4u) was the highest since April 17, and the single Rough-legged Hawk (juvenile light morph female) equaled the latest ever record at the site in 2009. The 31 Golden Eagles (1a, 9sa,21j) was the highest count since April 1, and the highest ever May count at the site. Other migrant raptors were 1 adult Turkey Vulture, 4 Bald Eagles (1a,1sa,2j), 1 juvenile (probably female) Northern Harrier, 2 Northern Goshawks (1j,1u), the season’s first Swainson’s Hawk [species # 71] (adult light morph), 6 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (3 light morphs: 1a,1j,1u and 3 dark morphs: 2a,1j), the season’s first American Kestrel (female) [#72], 1 adult male richardsonii Merlin and 1 Prairie Falcon. One or two non-migratory adult Cooper’s Hawks were also observed giving a day’s count of 14 species of raptor, which is a spring record for the site. A flock of 8 Ring-billed Gulls flying high to the south at 1602 was the 69th species of the season and a first spring record for the species. It was a day worth waiting for. 12.5 hours (865.9) TUVU 1 (6), OSPR 7 (14), BAEA 4 (385), NOHA 1 (14), SSHA 9 (51), NOGO 2 (83), SWHA 1 (1), RTHA 6 (105), RLHA 1 (39), GOEA 31 (2144), AMKE 1 (1), MERL 1 (10), PRFA 1 (13) TOTAL 66 (2892)

May 8 [Day 75] (Valley View site) It was -5C at 0710 and rose to a high of 2C at 1100, ground winds were variable and calm to light, as were ridge winds, and cloud cover was initially 90% cirrus and altocumulus that quickly thickened to 100% cirrostratus and lowered to thick stratus after 1100. Light snow began falling at 1115 and (oh no, not again!!) became steady snow with all ridges obscured after 1135. Snow persisted throughout the day and I left the site at 1240 having failed to see any migrant raptors, although a male Brown-headed Cowbird [species #69] was a first for the season. 5.5 hours (853.4) No migrant raptors (2826)

May 7 [Day 74] (Valley View site) Light snow persisted in the early morning and I arrived at the site at 0855 as the ridges had just cleared. Temperatures ranged from 1C to 6C, ground winds were light and variable and often calm, while ridge winds were also light all day. Cloud cover was 70-80% cumulus and altocumulus giving occasional light flurries to 1200, then 100% stratocumulus to 1430 after which the cover progressively thinned to 10% cumulus at 1900. Once again raptor movement was slow with only 7 birds moving between an Osprey at1142 and the season’s first Peregrine Falcon (an adult tundrius bird; species # 68) at 1825. The other migrants were 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa) and 3 Golden Eagles (2sa, 1j). 10.5 hours OSPR 1 (7), BAEA 2 (381), GOEA 3 (2113), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 7 (2826)

May 6 No observation possible. Snow all day which appeared to be abating in mid afternoon so I went to the site between 1355 and 1525 but the snow persisted with 15cm fresh on the ground, a temperature of 1C and SW winds 2-4 km/h.

May 5 No observation. Snow all day

May 4 [Day 73] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 4C between 1100 and 1200 from a low of 0C and fell to 2C after 1300, ground winds were N-NE generally light, ridge winds were moderate N and cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus until 1300 when it thickened to low overcast and the light snow that had persisted all day became steady wet snow obscuring all the ridges. I gave up at 1430 without having seen a migrant raptor. 7.5 hours (837.4) No migrant raptors (2819)

May 3 [Day 72] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 6.5C at 1000 from a low of 4C, fell to 3.5C at 1100, rose to 5C at 1700 and was 1C at 1800. Ground winds were SW-WSW gusting to 30 km/h in the morning and to 40 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong to 1000 after which they were W strong. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus and cumulus becoming low overcast from 1045 to 1545 when light snow became steady wet snow and the site was abandoned between 1115 and 1620. From 1620 to 17450 cloud cover was 60-70% cumulus and mainly sunny, but snow redeveloped after 1745 and I gave up on the day at 1835 after having seen just 1 migrant raptor, an adult Bald Eagle at 1726 that was movo0ng north ahead of the approaching snow system. 6.5 hours (829.9) BAEA 1 (379) TOTAL 1 (2819)

May 2 [Day 71] (Valley View site) The temperature reached 10C at 1700 from a low of 2C, ground winds were mainly SW-WSW gusting 25-40 km/h after 1100 and reaching 60 km/h at 1725, and ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 30-80% cumulus until 1600 after which stratocumulus, lenticular, cirrus and cirrostratus combined with cumulus reaching 100% at 1900. A total of 12 migrant raptors moved north between 1016 and 1545, with 5 of the birds occurring between 1400 and 1500. The flight comprised 1 Osprey, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 juvenile Northern Harrier, 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 7 Golden Eagles (2sa,5j). A Vesper Sparrow at 0713 was the 67th bird species for the season. 12.25 hours (823.4) OSPR 1 (6), BAEA 1 (378), NOHA 1 (13), RTHA 2 (99), GOEA 7 (2110) TOTAL 12 (2818)

May 1 [Day 70] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to a high of 9C at 1400 and again at 1700 from a low of 0C and fell to 5C at 1900. Ground winds were variable gusting to 25 km/h between 1050 and 1215, but otherwise mainly light and ridge winds were light to moderate WNW becoming N after 1500. Cloud cover was initially 5-10% cumulus, which increased to 90-100% cumulus and stratocumulus after 1300 when flurries, showers and periods of hail and drizzle persisted for the rest of the day periodically partially obscuring the ridges. With pleasant weather and an Osprey moving north at 0946 it appeared that we might finally get a decent day’s raptor movement but only a further single Red-tailed Hawk migrated before 1400. A small movement of 6 Golden Eagles (1a,4sa,1j) occurred between 1410 and 1647 and an adult Bald Eagle soared high to the south with 3 Common Loons [bird species #66 for the season] at 1705 to complete the day’s count of 9 migrants. 12 hours (811.2) OSPR 1 (5), BAEA 1 (377), RTHA 1 (97), GOEA 6 (2103) TOTAL 9 (2806)

April 30 [Day 69] (Valley View site) I arrived on site at 1055 when there was only 5% cumulus cloud cover and all ridges were clear. The temperature was 5.5% which rose to 11C at 1400 and was still 9.5C at 1900 which substantially melted the snowfall of the 28th. Ground winds were mainly NW-NE gusting on occasion to 17 km/h, ridge winds were moderate NW all day and the cumulus cloud cover reached 70% between 1400 and 1730 before reducing to 40% at the end of the day. Despite the clear conditions 4 Golden Eagles, 2 subadults and 2 juveniles, moved north between 1457 and 1838. 8.5 hours (799.2) GOEA 4 (2097) TOTAL 4 (2797)

April summary We spent 26 days at the site during the month which is the same as the last 2 years, and 302 hours which is 4% below the 2008-9 average. The combined species count of 496, however, is 50.42% below average and only Turkey Vulture 5 (+100%), Cooper’s Hawk 12 (+14.3%) and Rough-legged Hawk 12 (+71.4%) exceeded the average of the previous two years. All other species recorded below average counts: Osprey 4 (-66.7%), Bald Eagle 61 (-57%), Northern Harrier 10 (-41.2%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 (-50.7%), Northern Goshawk 17 (-64.6%), Broad-winged Hawk 0 (-100%), Swainson’s Hawk 0 (-100%), Red-tailed Hawk 70 (-53.9%), Ferruginous Hawk 2 (-69.2%), Golden Eagle 258 (-48%), American Kestrel 0 (-100%), Merlin 6 (-60%), Gyrfalcon 1 (-71.4%), Peregrine Falcon 0 (-100%) and Prairie Falcon 1 (-80%).

April 28 and 29 No observation. Winter storm conditions prevailed on April 27 with around 15 cm of wet snow falling with strong N winds. Snow finished early on April 29, but N winds persisted and the ridges remained obscured all day. At 1405, however, David McIntyre observed 2 adult Turkey Vultures in Frank flying low to the north towards the Valley View site. TUVU 2 (5) TOTAL 2 (2793)

April 27 [Day 68] (Valley View site) It was a gloomy day with 100% stratus and cumulus cloud cover until 1900 after which it broke slightly reducing to 80% at 1900. The temperature ranged from 2C to 11C at 1800, ground winds were mainly light WSW-SSW and ridge winds were moderate SW all day. Light rain fell between 1210 and 1400. An adult Sharp-shinned Hawk flew north at 1217 and an Osprey at 1652, then between 1706 and 1714 2 juvenile Bald Eagles and 3 Golden Eagles moved slowly north along the Livingstone Ridge which the prospect of more to come, but they proved to be the last of the day. New birds for the season were a Great Blue Heron [#64] that flew high to the south at 1238 and a Chipping Sparrow [#65] at 1420. 12 hours (790.7) OSPR 1 (4), BAEA 2 (376), SSHA 1 (376), GOEA 3 (2039) TOTAL 7 (2791)

April 26 [Day 67] (Valley View site) (Dawn Hall to 1200) The temperature reached a high of 12C at 1600 from a low of -4C at 0700, and it was still 10.5C at 1900. Ground winds were mainly light and variable and ridge winds were light to moderate W for most of the day. It was cloudless with some light valley fog until 1000 after which a mixture of cumulus, cirrostratus and cirrus cloud gradually increased reaching 100% after 1400 thinning to 40-80% between 1600 and 1730. The clear conditions produced some raptor movement but it was very slow with 13 birds moving between 0947 and 1649, with 4 of the birds occurring after 1600. The flight comprised the season’s 3rd adult Turkey Vulture, 1 late subadult Bald Eagle, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,2u), 1 juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, 1 unidentified small Accipiter, 1 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 5 Golden Eagles (1a,1sa,2j,1u). A white-crowned Sparrow was the 63rd species of the season. 12.5 hours (778.7) TUVU 1 (3), BAEA 1 (374), SSHA 3 (41), COHA 1 (12), UA 1 (6), RTHA 1 (96), GOEA 5 (2090) TOTAL 13 (2784)

April 25 [Day 66] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson) The temperature was 0.5C at 0610 and rose to a high of 9C at 1400 falling by several degrees in the afternoon as rain and snow showers periodically developed. Ground winds were principally SW gusting to 20 km/h and cloud cover was mainly 90-100% cumulus and altostratus, with the ridges becoming partially obscured after 1500. Once again the conditions were not conducive to raptor movement and the only migrants recorded were a female or juvenile Northern Harrier at 1119 and an unaged Northern Goshawk at 1135. 13.33 hours (766.2) NOHA 1 (12), NOGO 1 (81) TOTAL 2 (2771)

April 24 [Day 65] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson) The temperature rose to 7C at 1200 and 1500 from a morning low of 1.5C, but fell to 1C at 1300 during one of the day’s several periods of snow flurries. Ground winds were mainly SW gusting to 50 km/h in mid afternoon, ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day and cloud cover was 90-100% cumulus and stratus, with the ridges periodically obscured during periods of snow. The only raptor migrants were juvenile Golden Eagles at 1455 and 1656 and a subadult Golden Eagle at 1738, and the only new species for the season was a Savannah Sparrow [species # 62] 13.58 hours (752.9) GOEA 3 (2085) TOTAL 3 (2769)

April 23 [Day 64] (Valley View site) Heavy wet snow fell to 1030 and there was 10-15 cm of fresh snow on the ground when I arrived at the site at 1130. The temperature at 1130 was 4C but it quickly rose to a high of 11.5C as the cumulus cloud cover reduced from 70% to 0C after 1800 and by the end of the day most of the snow had melted under sunny skies. Ground winds were variable and mainly light but occasionally gusted to 15-20 km/h and ridge winds were moderate WNW. There was a fairly strong raptor movement of 27 birds between 1311 and 1626 but subsequently only 3 more migrants were seen between 1754 and 1825. The flight comprised 1 adult (or possibly late subadult) Turkey Vulture, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 juvenile Northern Harrier, 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 adult Cooper’s Hawks, 10 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (9a,1j), 11 Golden Eagles (1a,3sa,7j) and 1 Prairie Falcon. Twenty-seven Tundra Swans flying above the freshly snow covered Livingstone Ridge at 1158 made a splendid sight, and the first Black Bear of the season was a brown adult that was rather conspicuous on an open patch of fresh snow on an adjacent hilltop. Tomorrow I am flying to Grande Prairie to give a talk at the annual Trumpeter Swan Festival and Bill Wilson will be at the site for the next two days. 7.75 hours (739.3) TUVU 1 (2), BAEA 1 (373), NOHA 1 (11), SSHA 2 (38), COHA 3 (11), RTHA 10 (95), GOEA 11 (2082), PRFA 1 (12) TOTAL 30 (2766)

April 22 [Day 63] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a high of 19C at 1200 from a low of 4.5C and was 14C at 1600 but fell rapidly to 8C at 1700 as a disturbance brought steady rain that started at 1645. Ground winds were variable and generally light only occasionally gusting to 15 km/h and ridge winds became light SSW after 1300. Cloud cover was 10-60% cirrus and altocumulus until noon after which cumulus and stratocumulus cloud moved from the SW and thickened to 100% after 1400. Raptor migration was very sparse with only 6 birds moving, 3 of which were seen between 1152 and 1155, and the last bird of the day, a Red-tailed Hawk, moved north at 1626 shortly before the rain started. No new bird species were recorded but a single Brown Elfin was a new butterfly species for the season. 10.25 (731.5) SSHA 2 (36), COHA 1 (8), RTHA 2 (85), MERL 1 (9) TOTAL 6 (2736)

April 21 [Day 62] (Valley View site) For the second straight day the temperature reached 20C at 1700 from a low of 1.5C, and at 1900 it was still 17.5C. Ground winds were E to variable and mainly light, and ridge winds were probably light E although cloudless skies throughout the day made assessment of the upper winds difficult. Yet again raptor movement was slow with only 13 birds moving between 1010 and 1819, although there was good variety with 9 species of migrant recorded including the season’s first Turkey Vulture, an adult bird at 1618 [species #60]. Other migrants were 1 Osprey, 2 Bald Eagles (1a,1sa), 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark) and 3 Golden Eagles (1sa,2j). There was also a good variety of other birds giving a season high count of 35 species (but only 96 individuals) including the season’s first Vaux’s Swift that flew low to the south almost overhead at 1634 for the first April record at the site and the 61st bird species of the season. 12.25 (721.3) TUVU 1 (1), OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 2 (372), NOHA 1 (10), COHA 1 (7), NOGO 1 (80), RTHA 1 (83), RLHA 2 (38), GOEA 3 (2071) TOTAL 13 (2730)

April 20 [Day 61] (Valley View site) The temperature of 20C between 1600 and 1700 equaled the season’s high, rising from 3C and remaining at 17C at 1900. Ground winds were variable and generally light, ridge winds were SE light to moderate and cloud cover was 0% to 1330 after which it was 30-50% cumulus providing good viewing conditions. Once again raptor movement was thin with only 10 birds moving between 1040 and 1729, and even resident birds were hard to find. The flight comprised 1 Osprey, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a,1u), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1j), 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles (1j,1u). The only new season record was 4 Pine Siskins [#59] flying by at 1405, while 21 Tundra Swans flying east at 1119 was the latest record ever at the site. 12.25 (709) OSPR 1 (2), SSHA 2 (34), COHA 2 (6), NOGO 2 (79), RTHA 1 (82), GOEA 2 (2068) TOTAL 10 (2717)

April 19 [Day 60] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 18C at 1700 from a low of 1C and it was still 16C at 1900, ground winds were calm to light variable all day, ridge winds appeared to be light E, and cloud cover, after a cloudless start, was 30-80% cumulus and cirrus giving excellent observing conditions. The day’s first migrant, not seen until 1211, was the season’s first Osprey [species # 57] whose arrival is coincident with the average return date at the site. Only 8 other migrants were seen comprising single Bald Eagle (juvenile), Northern Harrier (adult male), Sharp-shinned Hawk (adult), Northern Goshawk (juvenile) and Red-tailed Hawk (adult light morph), and 3 Golden Eagles (2 subadults and 1 juvenile). A displaying resident Cooper’s Hawk was seen for the first time which joins pairs of Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon and 3 or 4 pairs of Red-tailed Hawk as local breeding species. Two female Purple Finches provided the 58th bird species of the season and for the first time two Barred Owls were heard singing on a couple of occasions. 12.25 hours (696.8) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 1 (370), NOHA 1 (9), SSHA 1 (32), NOGO 1 (7), RTHA 1 (81), GOEA 3 (2066) TOTAL 9 (2707)

April 18 [Day 59] (Valley View site) (Denise Cocciolone-Amatto to 1200) It was another warm day with the temperature reaching 17C between 1500 and 1630 from a low of 7C and remained at 13.5 at 1900. Ground winds ranged from NW to SW gusting to 35 km/h around midday and becoming light after 1800, and ridge winds were W moderate to strong to 1700 after which they became light NW. Cloud cover ranged from 30-90% mainly cirrus in the morning with thickening cumulus cloud developing in the afternoon. A total of 30 raptors migrated between 0804 and1906 with peak movement of 7 birds between 1400 and 1500, and 1500 and 1600, with the flight comprising 4 Bald Eagles (3a,1sa), 3 Northern Harriers (1 adult male, 1 adult female and 1 juvenile), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 6 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (5 light (4a,1u) and 1 dark adult), 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), 11 Golden Eagles (2a,4sa,5j) and the season’s first Gyrfalcon, an adult grey morph bird at 1213 [species #56]. A female Cassin’s Finch at the site at 0905 was the 55th bird species of the season. 12.67 hours (684.5) BAEA 4 (369), NOHA 3 (8), SSHA 1 (31), NOGO 2 (76), RTHA 6 (80), RLHA 2 (36), GOEA 11 (2063), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 30 (2698)

April 17 [Day 58] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson) A temperature of 20C at 1500 was the highest so far this season, rising from 0.5C at 0620 and remaining at 11.5C at 2030. Ground winds were variable and light until 2000 when they gusted to 20 km/h from the WSW, and ridge winds were probably SW-W light all day. Cloud cover ranged from 30-100%, cirrus and altostratus to 1300 after which cumulus cloud predominated, all of which provided excellent viewing conditions. A total of 59 raptors migrated between 0919 and 1841 which is the second highest daily total so far this month. Because of the relatively calm conditions birds moved across a fairly broad front with a peak movement of 18 birds between 1100 and 1200. The flight comprised 9 Bald Eagles (3a,3sa,3j), a season high 12 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a,1j,9u), a season high 3 Cooper’s Hawks (1a,1j,1u), 4 Northern Goshawks (1a,1j,2u), 2 unidentified accipiters, 8 Red-tailed Hawks that included 3 dark morph calurus adults and the season’s first “Krider’s Hawk”, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 18 Golden Eagles (5a,5sa,5j,3u) and 2 Merlins (1 female/juvenile richardsonii and 1 of unknown subspecies, sex and age). Two Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a female Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler (the earliest ever record of the species at the site) and a male House Finch were all new for the year [species #52-54]. 14.33 hours (671.9) BAEA 9 (365) SSHA 12 (30), COHA 3 (4), NOGO 4 (74), UA 2 (5), RTHA 8 (74), RLHA 1 (34), GOEA 18 (2052), MERL 2 (8) TOTAL 59 (2668)

April 16[Day 57] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a season high 19.5C at 1600 from a low of -3C, and was still 13C at 1940. Ground winds were calm to light WSW-SW to 1400 after which they occasionally gusted to 26 km/h becoming calm to light again after 1800, and ridge winds were W light to moderate to 1500 after which they became moderate to possibly strong at times. Cloud cover was initially 50% altocumulus quickly decreasing and becoming cloudless between 0900 and 1230, after which mainly cirrus and cirrostratus developed reaching 100% after 1900. The day’s first migrant raptor was a light morph Rough-legged Hawk at 0917 but by 1700 only 10 birds had been tallied including a short burst of 4 Golden Eagles between 1241 and 1254. Eighteen birds moved after 1500, however, providing a total of 28 migrants that comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2sa,1j), 3 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1j), 7 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (6 light, 1 dark), 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark) and 11 Golden Eagles (4sa,7j). A flock of around 25 Snow Geese flying high to the west over Bluff Mountain at 1715 [species #51] were the first spring record for the site, and the warm weather provide flying conditions for 3 species of butterfly: Morning Cloak, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell and Green Comma. 12.67 hours (657.5) BAEA 3 (356), SSHA 3 (18), NOGO 2 (70), RTHA 7 (66), RLHA 2 (33), GOEA 11 (2034) TOTAL 28 (2609)

April 15 [Day 56] (Valley View site) It was a very pleasant day with an initial temperature of -1C rising to a high of 14C at 1400 and dropping to 7C at 1900. Ground winds were calm to light variable occasionally gusting to 15 km/h and ridge winds were generally light W to 1400 and E subsequently although the mainly 100% cirrostratus, cirrus and altocumulus cloud cover made assessment of the upper winds difficult. It appeared that the light winds were going to produce yet another poor day of raptor migration with only 3 birds recorded before 1600 and the first not moving until 1315, but after 1600 another 31 birds were seen of which 10 moved after 1900, the last bird of the day being the season’s first Cooper’s Hawk [species #50] at 1932. The combined species count of 34 birds was the 4th highest of the month so far and comprised 8 Bald Eagles (5a, 2 sa and 1 undifferentiated immature bird), a season high 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (6a,1u), 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 6 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (5 light morphs (4a,1u) and 1 adult rufous morph), 2 light Rough-legged Hawks, 9 Golden Eagles (2a,6sa,1u) and 1 adult male richardsonii Merlin. An influx of 6 Red-naped Sapsuckers (5 males and 1 female) was the first new seasonal species at the site since April 2 [species #49] and a single Tree Swallow was the first since the exceptionally early record of March 20. A CBC television news crew was at the site to interview me about the steady decline of Golden Eagle counts over the last 14 years, and it will be aired on the National news broadcast of Wednesday April 21 at 2200. It was of course predictable that birds only started to move after they had left the site today! 12.58 hours (644.9) BAEA 8 (353), SSHA 7 (15), COHA 1 (1), RTHA 6 (59), RLHA 2 (31), GOEA 9 (2023), MERL 1 (6) TOTAL 34 (2581)

Mount Lorette [Day 46] (Alan Hingston, Cliff Hansen and Joel Duncan) It was beautiful weather for the last day of the Lorette comparison count with the temperature reaching 14C between 1400 and 1800, variable light ground winds occasionally gusting to 15 km/h and light to moderate ridge winds which were hard to assess as cloud cover ranged from 0% to 20% cirrostratus and cirrus. A total of 5 raptors migrated between 1312 and 1630 comprising 2 adult Bald Eagles, the season’s first Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 light morph adult calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 1 juvenile Golden Eagle. A Tree Swallow was the first seen at the site this season. 12 hours (519) BAEA 2 (88), SSHA 1 (1), RTHA 1 (14), GOEA 1 (1160) TOTAL 5 (1312) The provisional final count for the 46 day (519 hour) count is BAEA 88, NOHA 1, SSHA 1, NOGO 21, RTHA 14, RLHA 7, GOEA 1160, MERL 1, GYRF 1, PRFA 1, UA 1, UB, 3, UE 12, UU 1 TOTAL 1312.

April 14 [Day 55] (Valley View site) The ridges started to quickly clear after 1100 and I was at the site at 1245 where there was 10-15 cm of fresh snow on the ground but the temperature had already risen to 9C, reached 12C at 1800 and was still 11C at 1900 by which time most of the snow had melted. Ground winds were calm to light variable very occasionally gusting to 20 km/h, ridge winds were NW light to moderate and cloud cover was 100% altostratus with minor cumulus giving very hazy sunshine. Raptor movement was very slow and sporadic with only 5 birds, 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light adult Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles (1sa,1j) moving between 1315 and 1831. A few Columbian Ground Squirrels were seen and heard for the first time this season. 6.45 hours (632.3) BAEA 2 (345), RTHA 1 (53), GOEA 2 (2014) TOTAL 5 (2547)

Mount Lorette [Day 45] (Alan Hingston) The temperature reached a high of 14C at 1700 from a low of -4C and was still 10C at 1930, ground winds were calm to light variable in the morning and NNE 10 gusting 15 km/h in the afternoon, ridge winds were light, S in the morning and N-NW in the afternoon, and cloud cover was 100% cirrostratus in the morning diminishing to 60% altocumulus and cirrus in the afternoon giving good observing conditions all day. Ridges were clear all day, and the light winds resulted in each of the day’s 5 migrant Golden Eagles (2a,1sa,1u) taking completely different routes to the north between 1342 and 1537. 12 hours (507) GOEA 5 (1159) TOTAL 5 (1307)

April 13 No observation. Light snow and flurries turning to steady snow by late afternoon, with the ridges obscured all day.

Mount Lorette [Day 44] (Alan Hingston) Unlike P-SL the ridges were clear all day and there was no snow, although smoke from a controlled burn to the south hung in the valley until noon. The temperature rose to a high of 5C from -8C and was still 2C at 1900, ground winds were E-SE in the morning and NE in the afternoon generally light but occasionally gusting to 15 km/h, and ridge winds were light to moderate W all day. It was cloudless at the start but cirrus and then cirrostratus cloud quickly formed reaching 100% after 1100. Not surprising considering the snow to the south there was little sign of raptor movement which comprised only an adult Golden Eagle at 1238 flying slowly to the north over the western peaks, and a juvenile Bald Eagle flying to the north above the valley at 1633. 12 hours (495) BAEA 1 (86), GOEA 1 (1154) TOTAL 2 (1302)

April 12 No observation. Snow, low overcast and all obscured all day.

Mount Lorette [Day 43] (Cliff Hansen, Alan Hingston) Cliff arrived at the site at 1130 when the temperature was 0C and the ridge tops were all obscured. Alan arrived at 1400 and watched to 1900 but the ridges remained obscured with N-NE winds 20 gusting 30 km/h and a brief temperature high of 2C. At 1750 an adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk that soared low over the eastern flank of Mount Allan before slowly gliding to the north below the cloud base was believed to be a migrant. 7.5 hours (483) RTHA 1 (13) TOTAL 1 (1300)

April 11 [Day 54] (Valley View site) (Denise Cocciolone-Amatto 1100-1300) A phone call in the morning established that the previous day’s forecast was hopelessly wrong and that the ridges were in fact clear and it was sunny. Denise managed to get to the site at 1100 and I drove the 200 km from Calgary and arrived at 1300. The temperature at 1100 was -2C and rose to 3.5C between 1400 and 1500, falling to 1C at 1800, ground winds were variable SE to SW gusting to 22 km/h and ridge winds were moderate SSW to 1400 after which they switched to light to moderate upslope (SE-E). There were a few very light snow flurries in the afternoon, but steady light snow started at 1830 and become moderate at 1840 which obscured all the ridges: the long- forecast snow had finally arrived! Despite numerous sightings of resident Northern Goshawks, Red-tailed Hawks (3 pairs), Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons, and apparently fairly reasonable weather conditions, not one migrant raptor was recorded! 7.67 hours (625.5) No migrant raptors (2542)

Mount Lorette [Day 42] (Bill Wilson) The temperature was -12C at 0645 and rose to highs of 2C at 1400 and again at 1630 before falling to -2C at 2030. Ground winds varied between SW and ESE 0-10 occasionally gusting 20 km/h, ridge winds were light SW becoming S after 1700, and cloud cover was altostratus with minor cumulus in the morning and early afternoon, changing to altostratus then stratus with minor cumulus that produced snow flurries late in the day. There was a fairly steady movement of raptors between 1026 and 1956, probably reflecting yesterday’s afternoon movement at P-SL, with most of the birds moving across the western peaks until 1600 when the movement switched to the Fisher Range to the east. The flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2j,1u), a season high 5 Red-tailed Hawks (4 adult calurus (3 light, 1 dark) and 1 undifferentiated dark morph bird), 1 light Rough-legged Hawk, 21 Golden Eagles (8a,4sa,6j,3u) and 1 unidentified eagle. 13.75 hours (475.5) BAEA 3 (85), RTHA 5 (12), RLHA 1 (7), GOEA 21 (1153), UE 1 (12) TOTAL 31 (1299)

April 10 [Day 53] (Valley View site) Under a cloudless sky the temperature dropped to -9C at 0700, but rose to 5.5C between 1500 and 1630. Ground winds were mainly light SW to 1400 after which they gusted to 15-20 km/h becoming light again after 1800, and ridge winds were probably light to moderate W-SW although the lack of cloud made them difficult to define. Thin cirrostratus cloud began to develop at 1800 and reached 1005 by 1900. The first migrant raptor, a Golden Eagle, did not appear until 1258 and by 1500 only 6 birds had been recorded and it seemed that yet another poor day’s migration was in the offing. After 1500, however, the pace picked up and when the last Golden Eagle flew north at 1911 40 migrant raptors had been counted, the highest total since April 1. The Golden Eagle total of 28 was the highest for six days and comprised 2 adults, 9 subadults and 17 juvenile birds, which is the highest percentage of juveniles so far and indicates that we are well advanced in the migration of the species, although today we only recorded the 2000th bird of the season at 1703 a number that was reached on March 22 in 2008 and on March 26 last year. It appears that the Golden Eagle count is going to be very low this year. Other migrants were 6 Bald Eagles (3a,3sa), 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk (the first this month!), and 4 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks. As snow was forecast for the area tomorrow I left for Calgary for a much needed break immediately after finishing the count. 12.5 hours (617.9) BAEA 6 (343), NOHA 1 (5), SSHA 1 (8), RTHA 4 (52), GOEA 28 (2010)

Mount Lorette [Day 41] (Jim Davis) The temperature rose to a high of 4C at 1400 from a low of -9C, ground winds were W 5-10 gusting 20 km/g becoming light after 1500, and ridge winds were W probably moderate, although the lack of cloud often made it hard to assess. A total of 16 migrant raptors occurred between 1035 and 1707, comprising 4 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 10 Golden Eagles (5a,4j,1u) and the season’s first Merlin, an adult male of the race columbarius. Half of the migrant raptors and 7 of the Golden Eagles moved across Mount Allan to the west of the Hay Meadow site. Five Purple Finches, some of which were singing, were a first record for the site this year. 12.25 hours (461.7) BAEA 4 (82), NOGO 1 (21), GOEA 10 (1132), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 16 (1268)

April 9 [Day 52] (Valley View site) It was a cool day with the temperature only briefly reaching 1C at 1400 from a low of -5C, ground winds were WNW to SW gusting 40-60 km/h in the afternoon and ridge winds were W moderate to strong. Cloud cover was 30-90% cumulus and altocumulus until 1500 after which it became 100% stratus with periods of snow resulting in periodic obscuring of the ridges. It was yet another day of poor raptor movement with snow generally persisting to the south even when the ridges were clear. Only 5 birds moved between 0828 and 1706: 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult male Northern Harrier and 3 adult Golden Eagles, although non-migrant Northern Goshawk, Red-tailed Hawks, Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons were fairly conspicuous during non-snowy periods. 11.25 hours (605.4) BAEA 1 (337), NOHA 1 (4), GOEA 3 (1984) TOTAL 5 (2502)

Mount Lorette [Day 40] (Jim Davis, Cliff Hansen after 1400) The temperature rose to 4C at 1300 from a low of -5C but quickly fell to 0C as light snow began to fall at 1300 becoming steady snow after 1500 which obscured all ridges for the rest of the day. Ground winds were light SW in the morning gusting to 30 km/h by mid-afternoon, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SW. A total of 7 birds moved between 0957 and 1318, 4 of which were recorded between 1000 and 1100, the flight comprising 1 late subadult Bald Eagle, 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 5 Golden Eagles (4a,1u). 10.75 (449.5) BAEA 1 (78), NOGO 1 (20), GOEA 5 (1122) TOTAL 7 (1252)

April 8 [Day 51] (Valley View site) At 0700 it was calm with steady wet snow falling but after 0800 SW winds developed becoming increasingly strong reaching gusts of 90 km/h at 1800. Depending on the temperature, rain, snow or flurries persisted until 1800 and cloud cover was 100% mainly stratus to 1600 after which it periodically thinned to 70-80% cumulus, stratocumulus and altocumulus and even provided some periods of sunshine. The temperature started at 1C and rose to 6C at 1000 after which it steadily fell dropping as low as -2C during snow storms that periodically swept down from the west. The only migrant raptor seen was a light morph Rough-legged Hawk at 1554, and even when the Livingstone Ridge was clear after 1600 snow to the south prevented any further movement. 11.25 hours (594.1) RLHA 1 (29) TOTAL 1 (2497)

Mount Lorette [Day 39] (Joel Duncan) Joel Started the day at the Hay Meadow site but snow and obscured ridges at 1100 had him moving to the Lusk Creek site where the ridges remained clear until snow moved in at 1300 at which point he terminated the count. The temperature at Hay Meadow ranged from -1C to 2C, and winds were strong SW to W all day. Not surprisingly no migrant raptors were seen but a male Brown-headed Cowbird at Hay Meadow was the earliest ever recorded at the site by 10 days. 5.5 hours (438.7) No migrant raptors (1245)

April 7 [Day 50] (Valley View site) It was another high wind day with mainly W-SW winds gusting 50-60 and occasionally 70 km/h, with strong WNW ridge winds all day. The temperature rose to 8C from a low of 0C and cloud cover was 60-100% altostratus, lenticular, altocumulus, cumulus and cirrus giving an excellent observation background. Raptor movement was again thin with only 9 birds moving between 1017 and 1646, including 1 juvenile Bald Eagle and 5 Golden Eagles: 3 adults, 1 subadult and 1 juvenile. 12.25 (582.9) BAEA 1 (336), NOGO 1 (68), RTHA 2 (48), GOEA 5 (1981) TOTAL 9 (2496)

Mount Lorette [Day 38] (Ron Dutcher, and Cliff Hansen after 1400) The temperature reached 5C at 1500 from a low of 1C, surface winds were W becoming SW at 1500, 10-20 gusting 30 km/h, ridge winds were strong W all day and cloud cover was 80-100% stratocumulus, cumulus and lenticular. Only 6 migrants were recorded between 0927 and 1812: 1 late subadult Bald Eagle and 5 Golden Eagles (3a,1j,1u) 12 hours (433.2) BAEA 1 (77), GOEA 5 (1117) TOTAL 6 (1245)

April 6 [Day 49] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 7C at 1700 from a low of -0.5C, ground winds were N-WNW gusting 20 km/h until 1330 after which they were SW gusting 25 km/h becoming light after 1900, and ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus until 1600 when the cloud began to clear from the west diminishing to 40% at 1800 and allowing some very welcome sunshine. Raptor movement started with an adult Golden Eagle gliding north at 0752, but I had to wait until 1028 for the second after which movement was fairly slow but steady until 1832 when a juvenile Golden Eagle glided north along the Livingstone Ridge after first soaring very high above the ridge. The day’s flight comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 5 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (4a,1u), 15 Golden Eagles (7a,6sa,2j) and the season’s first richardsonii Merlin: an adult male. Two resident pairs of Red-tailed Hawks were conspicuous hunting and displaying all day, the pair closest to the site comprising a rufous morph male and a light morph female which is the same combination (and may well be the same birds) as in the last two springs. 12.5 hours (570.6) BAEA 3 (336), RTHA 5 (46), GOEA 15 (1976), MERL 1 (5) TOTAL 24 (2487)

Mount Lorette [Day 37] (Cliff Hansen and Ron Dutcher after 1330) The temperature reached 5C at 1700 from a low of -2C, ground winds were W 5-10 km/h gusting to 20 km/h in the afternoon, and switching to S after 1530, ridge winds were moderate W all day, and cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus and altocumulus becoming cumulus in the afternoon and diminishing to 20% by the end of the day. Ron described observing conditions as “wonderful” but probably in the sense of “I wonder where the migrant raptors are” as both observers failed to record any! 12.25 hours (421.2) No migrant raptors (1239)

April 5 [Day 48] (Valley View site) Ground winds were variable and light all day, ridge winds were light to moderate W, cloud cover was mainly 100% altostratus and altocumulus and the temperature reached 9C at 1300 from a low of -7C. Despite what appeared to be reasonable migration and observing conditions, only 4 migrant raptors were seen: 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 1 adult light morph Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles (1a,1sa) that moved between 1106 and 1534. 11.5 hours (558.1) BAEA 1 (332), RTHA 1 (41), GOEA 2 (1961) TOTAL 4 (2463)

Mount Lorette [Day 36] (Jim Davis) Weather condition were almost identical with the temperature reaching a high of 10C at 1400 from a low of -9C, ground winds were light W and ridge winds light to moderate SW all day, and cloud cover was altostratus and altocumulus thickening to 80% in the afternoon. Raptor migration, however, was much better and probably represented birds that passed P-SL yesterday afternoon, with 14 of the day’s 22 Golden Eagles (10a,3sa,3j,6u) moving across Mount Allan to the west of the site. Two Adult Bald Eagles and an adult light morph Red-tailed Hawk completed the count of 25 birds, most of which moved in the morning and early afternoon, with none recorded after 1700 as snow developed south of the site. An unusual interaction in the afternoon saw a resident adult Golden Eagle perched on a crag near Olympic Summit on Mount Allan flushed by a passing Grey Wolf, the eagle returning to its perch after the wolf had gone. 12.42 hours (409) BAEA 2 (76), RTHA 1 (7), GOEA 22 (1112) TOTAL 25 (1239)

April 4 [Day 47] (Valley View site) The temperature rose from a low of -3.5C to 5C at 1400 and was 2C at 1900, ground winds were mainly SW gusting to 35 km/h and ridge winds were WNW-NW strong to moderate, becoming moderate after 1700. Cloud cover ranged from 80 down to 30% mainly cumulus and very thin cirrostratus giving generally good to excellent observing conditions. A total of 36 raptors of only 3 species migrated between 1050 and 1757 with 27 of the birds moving between 1300 and 1700, the flight comprising 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 5 adult Red-tailed Hawks (3 light calurus, 2 dark harlani) and 29 Golden Eagles (16a,9sa,4j). Around 0830 5 species of woodpecker were present simultaneously near the site: a male American Three-toed Woodpecker was drumming on a snag to the south on which a pair of Downy Woodpeckers was also perched, a female Hairy Woodpecker was feeding on a tree to the east, and to the north a Pileated Woodpecker was calling while two male Northern [Red-shafted] Flickers were bickering in a grove of aspens. 12 hours (546.6) NOGO 2 (67), RTHA 5 (40) GOEA 29 (1959) TOTAL 36 (2459)

Mount Lorette [Day 35] (Bill Wilson) The temperature rose to 3C from a low of -6C and by 2000 had fallen again to -4C, ground winds were SW-W 5-10 gusting 20 km/h and ridge winds were moderate W all day. Cloud cover was 90-5% mainly cumulus with some thin cirrus developed in the morning. The first Golden Eagle of the day appeared at 0906 but the second did not move until 1352 which was followed by 17 more eagles, 8 of which (1 adult Bald Eagle and 7 Golden Eagles), were seen between 1700 and 1800, with the last Golden Eagle flying NW at 1907. The Golden Eagle count comprised 7 adults, 4 subadults, 3 juveniles and 3 birds of unknown age. 14.33 hours (396.6) BAEA 1 (74), GOEA 17 (1090), UE 1 (11) TOTAL 19 (1214)

April 3 [Day 46] (Valley View site) The day was characterised by high winds which at ground level were WSW-SW gusting 40-60 km/h for most of the day and peaked at 70 km/h between 1150 and 1230, while ridge winds were W becoming strong after 0900 and probably reaching 100 km/h at times. The temperature rose to a high of 4C at 1500 from a low of -2C, and cloud cover was mainly 100% stratocumulus and cumulus until 1600 when it began to break up, diminishing to 70-80% cumulus and altocumulus by late afternoon. Light snow fell to 1020 partially obscuring the ridges, but subsequently they were perfectly clear all day. The very high winds, as they usually do, proved inimical to raptor movement with only 8 birds moving between 1004 and 1654, 6 of which were Golden Eagles (3a,2sa,1j). 12.25 hours UA 1 (3), RTHA 1 (35), GOEA 6 (1930) TOTAL 8 (2423)

Mount Lorette [Day 34] (Jim Davis) Conditions were even worse at Mount Lorette where the temperature ranged from -3C to 1C, ground and ridge winds were
strong SW all day and cloud cover was 100% stratus which lowered over the Fisher Range around 1030 at which point Jim decamped to the Lusk Creek site where the highest foothills ridge remained below cloud base although the winds were just as fierce. Two Golden Eagles moved at 0944 before the cloud descended
and at Lusk Creek during clear periods another 10 Golden Eagles, a Northern Goshawk and the season’s first Prairie Falcon moved north. The 12 Golden Eagles comprised 7 adults, 2 subadults and 3 birds of unknown age. 12.17 hours (382.2) NOGO 1 (19), GOEA 12 (1073), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 14 (1195)

April 2 [Day 45] (Valley View site) The temperature reached 4C at 1400 from a low of -2C, ground winds were W-SW gusting to 25 km/h and ridge winds were W all day, generally moderate but moderate to strong between 0930 and 1430. Cloud cover was 70-100% cumulus and cirrostratus to 1400 after which it became thick stratus and cumulus giving gloomy light conditions for the rest of the day. Moderate snow fell between 0800 and 0850 during which time the ridges were obscured, but otherwise they remained clear. Raptor movement was steady but slow between 1024 and 1918 with only 24 birds of 4 species passing: 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 5 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 17 Golden Eagles (8a,7sa,2j). It appeared that the mountains to the south were periodically obscured throughout the day producing the slow, sporadic movement. The season’s first Northern Shrike [species #48] perched on a snag just south of the site from which it persistently called for nearly 30 minutes. 12.5 hours (522.4) BAEA 1 (331), NOHA 1 (3), RTHA 5 (34), GOEA 17 (1924) TOTAL 24 (2415)

Mount Lorette [Day 33] (Cliff Hansen) Lorette experienced similar weather with a temperature high of 4C at 1700 from a low of -4C, SW ground winds mainly 5-10 km/h but gusting to 20 km/h between 1300 and 1800 and strong SW ridge winds becoming moderate after 1600. Cloud cover was initially 10-30% cumulus with cirrus developing after 1000 and subsequently thickening reaching 100% altostratus, altocumulus and cumulus after 1600. Raptor movement was also slow with only 9 birds recorded: 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk and 7 Golden Eagles (2a,1j,4u). After soaring together and interacting for the best part of an hour, at 1642 the resident pair of Bald Eagles locked talons and fell vertically disappearing behind trees to the north of the site: by far the highlight of an otherwise slow day. A pair of Northern Shovelers on the river was a first record for the season. 12 hours (370.1) BAEA 1 (73), NOGO 1 (18), GOEA 7 (1061) TOTAL 9 (1181)

April 1 [Day 44] (Valley View site) It was a sunny day with the temperature rising to 6C at 1700 from a low of -4.5C although mainly SW winds gusting 15-30 km/h after 1100 made it feel much cooler. Ridge winds were moderate WNW to noon after which they were W, and cloud cover was 10-60% cumulus which at times made detection of high flying raptors a challenge. With seemingly ideal migration conditions I was expecting an early start but I had to wait nearly 4.5 hours for the first migrant, a Rough-legged Hawk at 1124, but thereafter movement was both steady and varied with the last of the day’s 92 migrant raptors, a Golden Eagle, gliding high to the north at 1911. The combined species total of 92 is the second highest April daily count ever at the site and the Golden Eagle total of 68 is the 3rd highest for the month. For the first time this season immature Golden Eagles (36: 27 subadults and 9 juveniles) outnumbered adult birds (32), and Bald Eagles also moved strongly (15: 8a,4sa and 3 undifferentiated immature birds). The highlights of the day, however, were 2 adult Ferruginous Hawks: a light morph at 1233 and a dark morph at 1320, both of which soared high against a pure blue sky, and one of the day’s 3 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult dark morph “Harlan’s Hawk” 12.67 hours (509.9) BAEA 15 (330), NOGO 1 (65), RTHA 3 (29), FEHA 2 (3), RLHA 2 (28), GOEA 68 (1907), MERL 1 (4) TOTAL 92 (2391)

Mount Lorette [Day 32] (Joel Duncan) The temperature rose to 3C at 1500 from a low of -9C and was -2C at 1930, ground winds were light in the morning becoming SW 10-20 gusting 30 km/h in the afternoon and ridge winds were SW moderate, then strong after 1400 and again moderate after 1800. Cloud cover was initially 50% cumulus decreasing to 30% by 1500 then increasing to 70% cirrostratus and cumulus by the end of the day. Despite the apparently good migration and observing conditions, raptor migration was disappointing with only 8 Bald Eagles (6a,2sa) and 3 Golden Eagles (2a,1u) and an unidentified eagle moving between 1016 and 1758. 11 hours (358.1) BAEA 8 (72), GOEA 3 (1054), UE 1 (11) TOTAL 12 (1172)

March 31 [Day 43] (Valley View site) It was a fairly pleasant day with no precipitation and the ridges were clear all day. The temperature reached 4C from a low of -2.5C, ground winds were mainly W-SW gusting 20-35 km/h apart from the first and last 2 hours of the day when they were light, and ridge winds were moderate WNW all day. Cloud cover was 50-90% mainly cumulus and altocumulus, thickening late in the day to 100% altostratus and altocumulus, giving excellent viewing conditions. After two days of poor movement I was expecting a rush of raptors and after 17 birds had migrated between 0955 and 1055 it looked as if that was going to be the case. Subsequent movement, however, was relatively slow but steady and only one more hour, 1400-1500, saw double-figure passage with 11 birds recorded, and the last Golden Eagle went north at 1820. There was a reasonable variety of species, however, and the day’s 63 migrants comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a,2j), 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 8 adult Red-tailed Hawks (6 light calurus and 2 dark harlani), 46 Golden Eagles (33a,8sa,5j) and 2 Prairie Falcons, one of which was a juvenile bird. 12.33 hours (497.2) BAEA 4 (315), SSHA 1 (7), NOGO 2 (64), RTHA 8 (26), GOEA 46 (1839), PRFA 2 (11) TOTAL 63 (2299)

Mount Lorette [Day 31] (Alan Hingston, Ron Dutcher after 1330) The temperature was -9C at 0800 and slowly climbed reaching 3C at 1800, ground winds were light W-SW and ridge winds were moderate W until 1715 when they suddenly moved to N quickly bringing cloud that obscured the ridges for the only time during the day. Cloud cover otherwise was 30-90% altocumulus, altostratus and cumulus giving good observing conditions. A total of 26 migrants were recorded between the first Golden Eagle at 1218 and the day’s only Northern Goshawk at 1657, with 17 birds moving between 1218 and 1400. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 unaged Northern Goshawk and 23 Golden Eagles (19a,1j,3u). 10.25 hours (347.1) BAEA 2 (64), NOGO 1 (17), GOEA 23 (1051) TOTAL 26 (1160)

March summary We spent a site record 30 days (+9.1%) and 354.9 hours (+18%) in the field losing only one day to bad weather (March 9) and having a further day (March 29) where weather severely disrupted movement. Despite this effort the combined species total of 2149 was by far the lowest March count of the 3 conducted here and was 14.86% below the average of the last 2 years. The deficit was entirely the result of the low Golden Eagle count of 1783 which is 406 less than the previous lowest (2008) and 18.75% below the average of the last 2 years. By contrast, counts of most other species were above average: Bald Eagle 240 (+6.19%), Northern Harrier 2 (+300%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 (+50%), Northern Goshawk 57 (+9.6%), Red-tailed Hawk 26 (+30%), Rough-legged Hawk 17 (+88.9%) and Prairie Falcon 9 (+38.5%).

March 30 [Day 42] (Valley View site) Yesterday’s bad weather persisted with 10 cm of fresh snow falling until 0900, and the rest of the day saw periods of light snow or flurries. The temperature rose to 2.5C from a low of -3C and periodically fell to zero or below as snow squalls swept down from the Continental Divide. Ground winds were mainly W-SW gusting to 15 km/h except during squalls when the wind reached 35 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate W all day. Cloud cover was 80-100% stratocumulus and cumulus diminishing to 70% at 1900. There was a thin movement of 8 Golden Eagles between 0950 and 1254, then nothing was seen until the day’s only Bald Eagle at 1814, after which another 8 raptors were recorded (1 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 6 Golden Eagles) with the last going north at 1932. The 14 Golden Eagles comprised 11 adults and 3 subadults. 12.67 hours (484.9) BAEA 1 (311), RTHA 1 (18, RLHA 1 (26), GOEA 14 (1793) TOTAL 17 (2236)

Mount Lorette [Day 30] (Alan Hingston) Heavy snow persisted until 1030 when 20 cm lay on the ground. It was -5C at 0800 and was still -3C at noon, ground winds were light SW, ridge winds were moderate NW-W all day, and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus and stratus for most of the day. After 1030 the Fisher Range remained clear, although snow showers or flurries persisted. Alan watched at the Lusk Creek site until 1100 but saw nothing, and returned to the Hay Meadow site after the snow had stopped. The first migrant raptors were 2 Golden Eagles at 1236 and movement was then slow and sporadic with 4 of the day’s 14 migrants moving between 1400 and 1500 and the last bird, a Northern Goshawk, was recorded at 1738. The flight comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1a,1j), 1 unaged Northern Goshawk and 11 Golden Eagles (8a,3u) 11 hours (336.8) BAEA 2 (62), NOGO 1 (16), GOEA 11 (1028) TOTAL 14 (1134)

March 29 [Day 41] (Valley View site) The temperature ranged from 1C to 6C and cloud cover was 100% low overcast to slightly higher stratocumulus all day, with persistent precipitation that ranged from light rain showers to heavy wet snow. The ridges were shrouded in snow for most of the day but cleared between noon and 1430 during which time the ridge winds became W strong and ground winds gusted to 30 km/h. The only raptor seen, however, was a resident Golden Eagle that made a brief cameo appearance over the Livingstone Range at 1336, and I gave up on the day at 1630. Around 1800 the ridge again completely cleared and I started to return to the site, but with 5 minutes later everything was obscured again so I returned home. 9.33 hours (472.2) No migrant raptors (2219)

Mount Lorette [Day 29] (Cliff Hansen to 1330, then Alan Hingston) The temperature reached 4C from a low of 0C, ridge winds were strong W all day and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day with the ridges only occasionally clearing. An adult male Northern Harrier hunting near the site around 1000 was the first for the season, and the only Golden Eagle movement was 5 birds (4a,1u) that moved between 1759 and 1843 before another storm moving from the north at 1850 brought the day’s proceedings to a close. 11.25 hours (325.8) NOHA 1 (1), GOEA 5 (1017) TOTAL 6 (1120)

March 28 [Day 40] (Valley View site) (Denise Coccioloni-Amatto to 1000) The temperature rose to 11C at 1200 from a low of 2C and fell rapidly after 1500 as wet snow and rain moved from the west partially obscuring the ridges for the rest of the day. Ground winds were W-WSW gusting to 60 km/h, ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day, and cloud cover went from 20-60% cirrostratus and altocumulus to 100% stratocumulus after 1300. A total of 44 migrant raptors moved between 0810 and 1431 with 33 of the birds recorded after 1200, with the last 9 birds moving north in snow and sleet after 1400. The flight comprised 9 Bald Eagles (7a,1sa,1j), 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 31 Golden Eagles (24a,2sa,2j,1u) and an unidentified eagle that was silhouetted against the sun rising above the Piitaistakis Ridge. The pair of resident Golden Eagles was soaring over the Livingstone Range at 0844 when a migrant Golden Eagle passed below them at which juncture the male resident dropped vertically on to the migrant and striking it, after which the migrant somewhat disconcertedly continued its journey to the north. 11 hours (462.9) BAEA 9 (310), NOGO 3 (62), GOEA 31 (1779), UE 1 (3) TOTAL 44 (2219)

Mount Lorette [Day 28] (Bill Wilson) The temperature briefly reached 13C at 1300 from a low of 0C and fell to 1C by 1930. Ground winds were SSW 5-20 gusting 50 km/h all day, ridge winds were SW moderate to strong and cloud cover was 5% cumulus to 1100 which thickened to 60-100% cumulus and altostratus in the afternoon. Snow flurries started at the site at 1800 with the Fisher Range substantially becoming obscured for the rest of the day. A total of 21 migrants moved between 0910 and the early time of 1542 which suggests that the ridges to the south of the site had become obscured earlier. Only eagles were seen today: 3 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa), 16 Golden Eagles (12a,2sa,1j,1u) and 2 unidentified eagles. A male Red-winged Blackbird was the first for the season. 12.5 hours (314.6) BAEA 3 (60), GOEA 16 (1012), UE 2 (10) TOTAL 21 (1114)

March 27 [Day 39] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson) The day’s temperature high of 9C was not reached until 1800, rising from a low of 2C, ground winds that gusted to 50 km/h were variable until 1500 after which they were WSW to SSW and ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was mainly 50-100% altostratus and cumulus to 1500 after which the altostratus became very thin allowing sunny conditions for the first time, and observing conditions were excellent all day. The season’s earliest migrant so far was an adult Golden Eagle at 0758 and thereafter movement was fairly steady all day increasing after 1300 and peaking at 19 birds between 1600 and 1700, with the last Golden Eagle, a juvenile bird, moving north at 1831. The Bald Eagle passing at 1707 was the 300th of the season. The flight comprised 7 Bald Eagles (6a,1j), 4 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 unaged light morph Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark) and 61 Golden Eagles (46a,10sa,4j,1u). Other migrants included 8 swans of unknown species, a probable California Gull and the season’s first Common Merganser [species # 47] and cismontanus Dark-eyed Junco. 14.33 hours (451.9) BAEA 7 (301), NOGO 4 (59), RTHA 1 (17), RLHA 2 (25), GOEA 61 (1748) TOTAL 75 (2175)

Mount Lorette [Day 27] (Ron Dutcher and Cliff Hansen) The temperature reached 8C from a low of 1C, ground winds were 5-10 gusting 15 km/h for most of the day, ridge winds were SW moderate to strong all day and cloud cover was 100-30% thin altostratus and altocumulus all day. Despite the excellent viewing conditions only 18 migrant Golden Eagles (15a,3u) were recorded, the first 2 at 0906 but the second 2 birds did not appear until after 1400 and the last went north at 1824. 11.75 hours (302.1) GOEA 18 (996) TOTAL 18 (1093)

March 26 [Day 38] (Valley View site) (Dawn Hall after 1440) The temperature rose to a high of 10C from 2C, ground winds were mainly W-SE gusting 40 km/h in mid afternoon becoming light after 1800, ridge winds were moderate to strong W-WNW all day and cloud cover ranged from 100-50% cumulus, altostratus, altocumulus, cirrostratus and cirrus giving excellent observing conditions all day. A total of 90 migrant raptors moved between 0916 and 1858 with 22 of the birds recorded between 1700 and 1800. The 8 adult Northern Goshawks equaled yesterday’s high count for the season and the 7 adult Red-tailed Hawks (7 light calurus and 2 dark harlani) was the highest count so far. Other raptors were 7 Bald Eagles (4a,1sa,2j), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 64 Golden Eagles (62a,2sa), 2 unidentified eagles and 1 Prairie Falcon. 12.33 hours (437.5) BAEA 7 (294), NOGO 8 (55), RTHA 7 (16), RLHA 1 (23), GOEA 64 (1687), UE 2 (2), PRFA 1 (9) TOTAL 90 (2100)

Mount Lorette [Day 26] (Brian McBride) The temperature rose to a high of 9C at 1600 from a low of -1C, ground winds were SW 10-15 gusting 30 km/h for most of the day, ridge winds were SW moderate to strong all day and cloud cover was initially 100% stratocumulus dwindling to 5% cumulus after 1700. A total of 20 migrant raptors moved between 1138 and 1611 with 7 recorded between 1300 and 1400, and the flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa), an unidentified dark Buteo and 16 Golden Eagles (14a,2sa). Two Wood Ducks that landed on the Kananaskis River were the first for the season. 11.67 hours (290.3) BAEA 3 (57), UB 1 (2), GOEA 16 (978) TOTAL 20 (1075)

March 25 [Day 37] (Valley View site) A cloudless sky at 0700 allowed the temperature to fall to -6C but it quickly rose reaching 13C at 1500 and was still 7C at 1900. Ground winds were light generally W-SW until 1400 after which they occasionally gusted to 25 km/h but also included periods of calm, and ridge winds appeared to be moderate SW-W all day. After a cloudless start, altocumulus and small lenticular clouds formed with thin cirrostratus giving hazy sunshine, and after 1500 the cloud thickened to 100% altostratus giving a rather gloomy end to the day, but observing conditions were good to excellent all day. Calm conditions again ensured that there was no early raptor movement with the first bird, a Golden Eagle, not recorded until 0959 and the early dynamic was similar to yesterday’s late movement with birds soaring near or over Bluff Mountain to the west before gliding north. Morning migration peaked between 1100 and 1200 at 23 birds, and in the early afternoon 29 birds were seen between 1300 and 1400, but thereafter movement slowed but was reasonably steady until 1924 when the last Golden Eagle went north. The combined species total of 122 is the 3rd highest of the season so far, and involved 8 species of raptor which is the highest number so far, and the Golden Eagle passing at 1804 was the 2000th migrant raptor of the season. The flight comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a,2sa), 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 2 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, a season high 8 Northern Goshawks (7a,1u), 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks (1 light calurus, 1 dark harlani), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 101 Golden Eagles (86a,12sa,2j,1u) and 2 Prairie Falcons. A flock of 20 Tundra Swans flew spectacularly overhead at 1312 and a total of 58 Canada Geese flew very high to the east over the Livingstone Range in 2 flocks. 12.58 hours (425.2) BAEA 5 (287), NOHA 1 (2), NOGO 8 (47), RTHA 2 (9), RLHA 1 (22), GOEA 101 (1623), PRFA 2 (8) TOTAL 122 (2010)

Mount Lorette [Day 25] (Joel Duncan) The temperature rose to a high of 11C at 1600 from a low of -2C at 1000, ground winds were calm to noon and SW 5-10 km/h in the afternoon, ridge winds were W light to1300 then light to moderate, and cloud cover was initially 10% cirrus increasing to 80% cirrostratus and altostratus by 1600. A total of 45 raptors migrated between a Golden Eagle at 1212 and 2 Golden Eagles at 1947 (the latest migrants yet at either site) with 15 of the day’s 34 Golden Eagles moving between 1500 and 1600 which included a single kettle of 8 birds soaring over Mount Allen to the west. The flight comprised 7 adult Bald Eagles, 34 Golden Eagles (22a,1sa,11u), 3 unaged Northern Goshawks and 1 large unidentified raptor. 10 hours (278.7) BAEA 7 (54), NOGO 3 (15), GOEA 34 (962), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 45 (1055)

March 24 [Day 36] (Valley View site) Ground winds were variable and light until 1400 after which they were mainly SW-SSW occasionally gusting to 15 km/h, and ridge winds were initially light W but after 1430 became light E which brought upslope cloud that first partially draped the Livingstone Range then obscured the top of Turtle Mountain and part of Bluff Mountain to the west. The temperature rose to 9C at 1300 from a morning low of 2C, and then fell steadily to 0C at 1900 after the passage of a cold front around 1430. Cloud cover was 80-100% stratus, cirrostratus and cumulus becoming thicker stratocumulus after 1300. After yesterday’s raptor rush I was expecting a continuation today but the calm conditions in the morning meant that the first Golden Eagle was not seen until 1135 and steady moment did not start until 1231 when 4 Golden eagles moved north together. Movement was slow but steady along the Livingstone Ridge until upslope cloud developed in mid afternoon, after which birds moved slowly with much soaring above the valley or above Bluff Mountain to the west, with the last bird, a Rough-legged Hawk, flying north into cloud on Bluff Mountain at 1909. Maximum movement was 24 birds between 1600 and 1700 which included 20 Golden Eagles many of which soared and flew low to the north overhead giving amazing views of the birds. An adult male Northern Harrier hunting near the site at 1433 [species #46] was almost certainly a migrant, and was one day earlier than the previous early record at the site in 2008, and one of the day’s 4 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult dark morph Harlan’s Hawk, which was also a season first. The 65 Golden Eagles counted comprised 58 adults, 5 subadults, and 2 birds of unknown age that disappeared into cloud. Non-raptor movement was thin but included a flock of 7 American Robins, a single California Gull flying north at 1530 and an unidentified swallow flying at 1315. 12.5 hours (412.6) BAEA 2 (282), NOHA 1 (1), NOGO 5 (39), RTHA 4 (7), RLHA 2 (21), GOEA 65 (1552) TOTAL 79 (1888)

Mount Lorette [Day 24] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature rose from -3C to 4C at 1200, then fell to 0C at 1300 after the passage of a cold front and was -4C at 1900. Ground winds were light W or calm in the morning, then E-NE 5-10 gusting 20 km/h in the afternoon, while ridge winds were also mainly light NW becoming NE in the afternoon. There was extensive upslope fog east of the mountains and some seeped into the Kananaskis Valley in the afternoon, but the ridges remained clear all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus and cumulus to 1500 after which it gradually diminished to 0% late in the day. A total of 59 raptors migrated steadily if slowly between 0841 and 1927, and as at P-SL many of the birds moved along the western ridges. The flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa), 1 unknown large Accipiter (probably a goshawk), 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 53 Golden Eagles (36a,1sa,1u). Passerine migrants included about 30 American Robins and 20 European Starlings. 12.33 hours (268.7) BAEA 3 (47), UA 1 (1), RTHA 2 6), GOEA 53 (928) TOTAL 59 (1010)

March 23 [Day 35] (Valley View site) The temperature was -2C at 0715 but gradually rose to a high of 8.5C at 1600 and was still 4C at 1900. Ground winds were mainly N-NW gusting 25 km/h to1300 when they switched to SW gusting 20-35 km/h for the rest of the day, and ridge winds were moderate WNW except between 1300 and 1730 when they were moderate to strong. It was cloudless at first but cumulus and cirrostratus cloud gradually increased reaching 100% between 1200 and 1430, but was otherwise 40-70% giving excellent observing conditions all day. A season high total of 259 raptors of 7 species (also a season high) moved steadily between 0844 and 1909 with peak movement between 1600 and 1700 of 57 birds. The count included season high totals for Bald Eagle (29: 21a,6sa,2j), Northern Goshawk (4a), Red-tailed Hawk (2a calurus light morph birds), Golden Eagle (218: 210a,7sa,1j) and columbarius Merlin (3: 2 adults, male and female, and 1u) which were the first for the season, 6 days later than the average first record, and the 45th bird species recorded so far. The totals for combined species, Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle were all the 3rd highest daily spring counts ever at the site. The only other migrants were a flock of 6 California Gulls flying high to the east at 1854. The newly designed RMERF website was launched today and can be checked out at www.eaglewatch.ca as before. Many thanks to RMERF Director David Thomas for producing this splendid piece of work. 12.42 (400.1) BAEA 29 (280), SSHA 1 (4), NOGO 4 (34), RTHA 2 (3), RLHA 2 (19), GOEA 218 (1457), MERL 3 (3) TOTAL 259 (1809)

Mount Lorette [Day 23] (Brian McBride) The temperature rose to 5C at 1600 from a low of -6C, ground winds were S-SW 10-15 gusting 30 km/h all day, ridge winds were moderate NW and cloud cover was 10% cumulus in the morning increasing to 50% at noon before gradually decreasing to 5% at the end of the day. The first migrant raptor was an unidentified Buteo at 0837, but the first Golden Eagle didn’t appear until 1112 and subsequent movement was steady with a minor peak of 19 birds between 1300 and 1400, but 51 of the day’s 110 birds were seen after 1800 and of those 30 moved between 1900 and 1937. The total of 106 Golden Eagles (99a,2sa,5u) was the 3rd highest of the season so far, and the only other migrants were 3 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa). 12.67 hours (256.3) BAEA 3 (44), UB 1 (1), GOEA 106 (875) TOTAL 110 (951)

March 22 [Day 34] (Valley View site) It was a strange day’s weather with light snow falling and the ridges partially obscured to 0930 after which the ridges quickly cleared and 100% stratocumulus cloud gave way to 60-80% cumulus and cirrus. Ground winds were mainly SW gusting to 30 km/h and ridge winds were moderate WNW until 1440 when they switched to the east and cloud progressively obscured the ridges again with snow starting to fall after 1445. The temperature briefly reached a high of 9.5C at 1400 from a morning low of 1C, but then rapidly dropped and was only 1.5C at 1700, and I gave up on the day at 1730. Golden Eagles started to move soon after the ridges cleared with the first 2 going north at 1046 and by noon 11 birds had migrated raising hopes for at least a reasonable count. Afternoon movement however proved to be slow and sporadic and the only bird seen after 1500 was the season’s first Red-tailed Hawk [species #44], a light morph adult calurus that occurred 3 days later than the average date of the last 2 years. The final count was only 24 birds, comprising 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 20 Golden Eagles (19a,1sa). The resident pair of Golden Eagles was quite conspicuous for much of the day, with the male displaying at times, and at 1423 copulation was observed as the birds perched on a pinnacle high on the Livingstone Ridge. A male Mountain Bluebird [#42] at 0811 was a first for the season, as was an American Crow [#43] at 0916. 10.25 hours (387.7) BAEA 2 (251), NOGO 1 (30), RTHA 1 (1), GOEA 20 (1239) TOTAL 24 (1550)

Mount Lorette [Day 22] (George Halmazna) The day was characterised by repeated snow flurries moving from the west, during which winds gusted up to 30 km/h and the temperature was reduced by up to 3C. Between flurries ground winds were generally light NW as were ridge winds except during flurries when they were moderate. The temperature ranged from -3C to a high of 7C at 1600, and cloud cover between flurries was 50-90% cumulus giving excellent viewing conditions. The first migrant raptor was the day’s only Northern Goshawk at 1019, but the first of the day’s 44 adult Golden Eagles did not appear until 1244 and the last moved at 1707. Eagle movement was very sporadic, however, with 18 birds moving 1200-1300 and again between 1400 and 1500 and only 8 more outside those two hours. 12.5 hours (243.7) NOGO 1 (12), GOEA 44 (769) TOTAL 45 (841)

March 21 [Day 33] (Valley View site) It was a high wind day with ground winds W-SW gusting 30-50 km/h for most of the day, and ridge winds strong W except between 1300 and 1530 when they eased slightly to moderate to strong. The temperature reached a high of 9.5C at 1500 from a morning low of 5C and fell to 4C at 1900. Cloud cover was 100% for much of the day, mainly altostratus and cumulus which provided an excellent backdrop against which to find high-flying birds which most of today’s migrants were. The day started promisingly enough with 6 Golden Eagles moving between 0821 and 0839, but by noon only 11 more migrants had been counted. The pace of migration increased in the afternoon, however, peaking at 22 birds between 1300 and 1400, but decreased again after 1400 before finishing with a bit of a flourish with 15 birds passing between 1800 and 1854 when the last Golden Eagle went north. Both the combined species total of 88 and Golden Eagle total of 77 (76a,1sa) are well below average for this time of year, especially considering today’s apparently favourable migratory conditions. Other migrants were 7 Bald Eagles (6a,1 late sa), 2 adult Northern Goshawks and 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks. 12.25 hours (37.5) BAEA 7 (249), NOGO 2 (29), RLHA 2 (17), GOEA 77 (1219) TOTAL 88 (1562)

Mount Lorette [Day 21] (Bill Wilson) The temperature reached 10C from a low of 2C and fell to 1C at the end of the count. Ground winds were SW-WSW 5-20 gusting 30+ km/h throughout the day, and ridge winds were WSW moderate to strong in the morning becoming moderate after noon. Cloud cover was initially 100% diminishing to a low of 30% and increasing again to 90% by the end of the day. The only migrant raptor was Golden Eagle with 95 (89a,1sa,3j,2u) birds moving, usually high towards the NW and often rising above cumulus cloud developed along the Fisher Range. The total is the 3rd highest Golden Eagle count of the season at the site so far this season. 12.67 hours (231.2) GOEA 95 (725) TOTAL 95 (796)

March 20 [Day 32] (Valley View site) It was a cold morning although the temperature ranged from 0C at 0715 to 4C at noon ground winds were N-NE gusting to 35 km/h which made viewing uncomfortable. In the afternoon ground winds changed to NW then W-SW rarely above 15 km/h and the temperature rose to a much more pleasant 9C between 1500 and 1830. Ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong all day, and cloud cover was 60-100% cirrostratus, cirrus, altostratus and altocumulus allowing hazy sunshine all day and providing excellent observing conditions. A total of 109 migrant raptors moved between 0840 and 1905, with momentum picking up after 1500 and peaking between 1600 and 1700 with 18 birds. Most birds moved singly and high along the Livingstone ridge and the flight comprised 10 Bald Eagles (4a,3sa,3j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 98 Golden Eagles (93a,4sa,1j). Although Golden Eagle movement has been fairly steady, we should be getting 200+ birds a day at this stage of the migration, especially considering the mainly favourable weather conditions that we have been experiencing. The day’s amazing bird was a Tree Swallow [species #41] that flew fairly low overhead to the north at 1740. Today may be the first day of spring but this bird is ridiculously early and may well be the earliest swallow ever recorded in Alberta. The earliest Tree Swallows that have occurred at the Lorette site is March 28, and the earliest swallow I have recorded there is Violet-green Swallows on March 25, 1993 (a date best remembered for the record spring passage of 849 Golden Eagles: those were the days!). 12.25 hours (365.2) BAEA 10 (242), NOGO 1 (27), GOEA 98 (1142) TOTAL 109 (1438)

Mount Lorette [Day 20] (Brian McBride) The temperature rose to 8C from a low of -6C, ground winds were SW 5-10 km/h to 1500 after which they gusted to 30-40 km/h, ridge winds were W moderate to 1100 and strong after, and cloud cover was 90% cirrostratus reducing to 50% at 1300 and after to 10-20% altostratus providing a lot of blue sky to search in the afternoon. It was again a disappointing count with only 17 migrants: 15 Golden Eagles and 2 unidentified eagles, moving between 0829 and 1416, with 8 of the Golden Eagles recorded between 1300 and 1330. A closely observed Bohemian Waxwing retaining its juvenile plumage this late in the year is noteworthy. 11.16 hours (218.5) GOEA 15 (630), UE 2 (8) TOTAL 17 (701)