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)