February 28 [Day 13] (Valley View site) (Doug and Teresa Dolman and Denise Cocciolone-Amatto) It was another warm day with the temperature rising to 8C from a low of -1C, and it was still 4.5C at 1800. Ground winds were mainly SW up to 20 km/h, becoming light or calm after 1700, ridge winds appeared to be W moderate also becoming light after 1700, and it was cloudless until 1600 after which 10-30% ephemeral cirrus cloud developed. A total of 30 migrant raptors moved between 1101 and 1708, which is the highest February single-day count ever at the site. The flight comprised 14 adult Bald Eagles, the season’s first Sharp-shinned Hawk [bird species # 26] at 1146, which is the earliest ever at the site and17 days earlier than the previous earliest record, 14 Golden Eagles (11a,1sa,2j) which is the highest February count ever at the site, and a single Prairie Falcon. Maximum movement was 9 birds between 1400 and 1500, and 7 birds between 1500 and 1600. Two Rock Pigeons soaring over the Piitaistakis Ridge at 0948 were new for February and the 25th bird species recorded this season, and a Northern Pygmy-Owl persistently sang close to the site after 1645. 11.16 hours (142.3 hours) BAEA 14 (75), SSHA 1 (1), GOEA 14 (56), PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 30 (150)
February summary Despite poor weather during the early part of the count we spent 13 days (142.3 hours) in the field during the month, the days and hours being 23.8% and 37.6% above 2008-09 average respectively. The combined species count of 150 is a new high count for the month and 31.58% above average, and new monthly high counts were established for Bald Eagle (75, +33.9%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (new for the month), Northern Goshawk (7, +180%), Rough-legged Hawk (9, +100%) and Prairie Falcon (2, +100%). The Golden Eagle total of 56 was 13.13% above average and was 8 fewer than last year’s record February count. Gyrfalcon, which was recorded in 2008, was not seen during February this year.