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)