March 16 [Day 28] (Valley View site) The maximum temperature of 14C reached at 1800 was a new high for the season, rising from 2C at 0900 and only falling to 9.5C by 1950. Ground winds were initially light but after 1100 were WNW-SW regularly gusting to 30 km/h and occasionally to 60 km/h and ridge winds were W moderate becoming moderate to strong in the afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 70% cirrostratus and cirrus but after 1100 rapidly thickening altostratus developed, quickly reaching 100% and forming an arch, providing a rather gloomy day until it thinned again after 1880. Generally observing conditions were good to excellent and the light was particularly crystalline after 1700. Raptor migration started early with the first Golden Eagle seen at 0812 and 5 more heading north before 0900. Between 1100 and 1600, however, movement was relatively thin and it looked like another pedestrian day was in the offing. After 1600, however, there was strong movement peaking at 43 birds moving between 1700 and 1800 with the last going north at 1914. The Golden Eagle at 1629 was the 1000th raptor of the season and the Bald Eagle at 1736 was the 200th of the season. The combined species total of 144 is the highest of the season so far, as is the Golden Eagle total of 128 (125a,2sa,1j). The first 3 hours of the day were particularly spring-like and brought the season’s first calling Dusky Grouse [#39] and American Robin [#40] and also most of the season-high count of 27 bird species. Woodpeckers were particularly active with Hairy, Downy, American Three-toed and Pileated persistently drumming, usually with pairs “duetting”. Waterfowl moving high to the east over the ridge included a single flock of 25 unidentified swans and 68 Canada Geese in 6 separate flocks. 12.33 hours (317.1) BAEA 13 (203), NOGO 1 (23), UA 1 (1), RLHA 1 (15), GOEA 128 (830) TOTAL 144 (1033)

Mount Lorette [Day 16] (Brian McBride) The temperature also reached 14C from a low of -4C, ground winds were mainly S-SE 10-15 gusting 30 km/h while ridge winds were probably W moderate to strong and cloud cover was 60-70% altostratus and cirrostratus all day giving excellent observing conditions. Raptor movement was a disappointing 22 birds that occurred between 0807 and 1709 with maximum movement of only 5 birds between 1600 and 1700. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle and 21 Golden Eagles (19a,1sa,1u). 11.08 hours (175.7) BAEA 1 (36), GOEA 21 (527) TOTAL 22 (590)