December 9 [Day 103] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a high of -13C from a low at 1015 of -16C, which was also the temperature at 1700. Ground winds were mainly SW to NW and occasionally NE gusting to 50 km/h and ridge winds were mainly strong WNW. Cloud cover was 20-90% altocumulus, cirrostratus, cirrus and lenticular and a spectacular sunset proved a fitting end to the fall 2009 count. No migrant raptors were seen but an adult resident Golden Eagle displayed briefly above the Livingstone ridge at 1044 and probably the same bird glided high to the north above the valley at 1617. 7 hours (1142.8) TOTAL 0 (7145)
December summary This is only the second year that the count has extended into December, the other being in 2007: inclement weather precluded December counts in 2006 and 2008. Seven days were spent in the field (60 hours) with December 5 and 6 lost to poor weather and 48 migrant raptors were counted compared to 78 in 2007. The count comprised (with 2007 count in parenthesis) 36 Bald Eagles (69), 1 Red-tailed Hawk (0), 4 Rough-legged Hawks (4) and 7 Golden Eagles (3). Two migrant Northern Goshawks occurred in 2007 but the species was not recorded in December this year.

FINAL COUNT, AUGUST 25 TO DECEMBER 9 (variance from 2006-8 average in parentheses)

DAYS 103 (+10.8%)
HOURS 1142.8 (+15.16%)

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 (=)
OSPREY (OSPR) 49 (+167%) New high count
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 684 (+24.5%)
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 100 (+65.7%) New high count
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 1015 (-22.3%)
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 302 (+40.2%) New high count
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 136 (-27.8%)
Unidentified Accipiter (UA) 35 (-34.8%)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 45 (+214%) New high count
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 7 (+250%) New high count
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 195 (-14%)
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 10 (+400%) New high count
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 85 (-20.6%)
Unidentified Buteo (UB) 7 (+10.5%)
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 4293 (-14.45%)
Unidentified eagle (UE) 4 (-76%)
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 65 (-122%) New high count
MERLIN (MERL) 29 (-16.3%)
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 10 (+66.7%) New high count
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 48 (+63.6%) New high count
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 12 (-26.5%)
Unidentified Falco (UF) 3 (+12.5%)
Unidentified raptor (UU) 11 (-8.3%)

TOTAL 7145 (-9.72%)

Principal Observers: Peter Sherrington (95 days), Bill Wilson (4 days), Vance Mattson (3 days) and Doug and Teresa Dolman (1 day). The Principal Observers were skillfully assisted by Keith McClary (51 days), Phil Nicholas (41 days), Denise Coccioloni-Amatto (29 days), Nel Van Kamer (9 days), David Thomas (9 days), Dawn Hall (9 days), Doug and Teresa Dolman (6 days), Pat Lucas (5 Days), Peter Sherrington (3 days), Ben Johnson (2 days), Karole Michalsky (2 days), Angelo Mincone (2 days), Dominic Mincone (2 days), Patricia Wagenaar (2 days), Nancy and Terry Waters (2 days), John and Donna Dubbelboer (1 day), Brenda Kofell (1 day), Marian Mincone (1 day), Mark Sherrington (1 day), Gareth Thompson (1 day) Heinz and Marilyn Unger (1 day), Paul Vandervelde (1 days) and Michael Woertman (1 day).

Acknowledgements: To the Board, members and supporters of the Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation for their continuing financial and material support, and to members of the Crowsnest Conservation Society for their support and many contributions to the success of the project. To the many people who invited me for meals and hospitality during the season, to Nel Van Kamer who cooked prepared meals for me and saved me hours of cooking time, and to all of the above for their support, friendship and companionship during what was a long and often arduous field season.

December 8 [Day 102] (Valley View site) The temperature was again -29C at 0800 and rose to a relatively pleasant -14C between 1300 and 1430 before falling to -20C at 1700. Fortunately ground winds were light varying from NE to SW and ridge and upper winds were NE moderate to light to 1430 when they backed to NNW. It was cloudless to 0900 after which cumulus and cirrus cloud developed reaching 90% at 1200 which gradually thinned becoming cloudless again after 1600. Very light snow fell between 1140 and 1300 and low cumulus enveloped part of the Livingstone Range between 1200 and 1430. The only migrant raptors were an adult Bald Eagle flying south from Bluff Mountain at 1351 and another adult Bald Eagle flapping south along the Livingstone ridge at 1511. A single American Tree Sparrow at 1253 was the 107th bird species recorded this season, and single Northern Shrike and Townsend’s Solitaire furnished latest records for the site. 9.75 hours (1135.8 hours) BAEA 2 (684) TOTAL 2 (7145)

December 7 [Day 101] (Valley View site) It was the coldest day of the season with a temperature high of -18C from 1200 to 1420 from a low of -29C and by 1700 it was down to -25C again. Ground winds were NE to NNE gusting to 15 km/h until 1100 after which they mercifully became light SW to W, and ridge winds appeared to be light or moderate NE to N all day. Skies were essentially cloudless all day with only occasional traces of ephemeral cumulus cloud in the afternoon. A total of 9 raptors migrated between 1136 and 1404 comprising 7 Bald Eagles (6 adults and 1 subadult), 1 adult intermediate morph “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk and a juvenile Golden Eagle. The Harlan’s Hawk is the first ever December record for a Red-tailed Hawk on a RMERF count and was the first at the site since November 4, and the Golden Eagle was the latest ever recorded at this site. With the exception of one adult Bald Eagle seen over the Livingstone ridge, all the birds moved south over Bluff Mountain to the west of the observation site. A single Townsend’s Solitaire seen on a couple of occasions was the latest ever recorded on a count here. 9.75 hours (1126) BAEA 7 (682), RTHA 1 (195), GOEA 1 (4293) TOTAL 9 (7143)

December 5 & 6 No observation. Cold, north winds, snow and ridges obscured all weekend. On December 5 at 1437, however, David McIntyre observed an adult Golden Eagle flying south over his house on the North Burmis Road immediately east of south Livingstone Range ridge. The bird had blue patagial tags on both wings with white numbers which could not be read because of the conditions and is probably a bird marked by Rob Domenech of the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana. It was obviously a migrant so I have added it to the count.

December 4 [Day 100] (Valley View site) The temperature was -7C until 1000 when it rose to -6C, ground winds were NW to W gusting to 50 km/h and ridge winds were moderate to strong changing from WSW to W to WNW between 1720 and 0900. Cloud cover started at 10% altocumulus, but quickly increased and thickened to 100% stratus after 1030 when an arctic cold front moved through bringing north winds gusting to 50 km/h, snow and obscuring most of the ridges by 1100. Taking heed of a winter storm warning I left at 1115. No migrant raptors were seen so the Bald Eagle recorded yesterday at 1401 was the last to move south ahead of the approaching arctic front. The storm is forecast to persist throughout the weekend so I plan to shut the count down for a couple of days and resume it for one or two more days when it finally clears again. 4 hours (116.3) No migrant raptors.

December 3 [Day 99] (Valley View site) The temperature regime was similar to yesterday’s with a low of -18C rising to -5C between 1300 and 1530 and falling to -7C at 1700. Ground winds were variable gusting up to 15 km/h and ridge winds appeared to be moderate WNW changing to NW to N after 1400, while the high upper flow was N all day. Cloud cover was thin cirrostratus and altostratus 20-50% in the morning gradually increasing to 100% after 1500. Raptor movement started with a juvenile Bald Eagle flapping low to the south above the valley at 0813, followed some time after by 5 adult Bald Eagles between 1028 and 1127. There was a brief high movement along the Livingstone ridge between 1346 and 1401 involving 3 adult Golden Eagles and 2 adult Bald Eagles and that was it for the day. A Northern Shrike at 1620 was a first December record for the site. 9.92 hours (1112.3) BAEA 8 (675), GOEA 3 (4291) TOTAL 11 (7133)

December 2 [Day 98] (Valley View site) It was the second coldest day of the season with a morning low of -18C and the temperature reaching -5C at 1400 but falling again to -15C at 1820. It was cloudless all day with traces of cumulus cloud between 1000 and 1530, and it was mainly calm both in the valley and at ridge level. Raptor movement again started early with a Bald Eagle and 2 Rough-legged Hawks flying south between 0804 and 0821, but the next Bald Eagle was not seen until 1143. Movement picked up in the afternoon with 14 more migrants peaking at 6 between 1400 and 1500 which included 4 Bald Eagles flying south together at 1420. The last of the day’s 18 migrants were 2 Bald Eagles flapping low to the south at 1640. The flight comprised 14 Bald Eagles (10 adults, 3 subadults, 1 juvenile), 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Because of the calm conditions all birds flapped extensively and the day’s first Golden Eagle at 1143 soared for 5 minutes before finally flapping and gliding to the south along the Livingstone ridge. A Great Horned Owl singing at 1702 was the first owl species detected during a count in December. 10 hours (1102.4) BAEA 14 (667), RLHA 2 (85), GOEA 2 (4288) TOTAL 18 (7122)

December 1 [Day 97] (Valley View site) A cold front passed overnight dumping 18 cm of fresh snow at the site and lowering the temperature to -13C under a cloudless sky at 0720. Ground winds were initially light NE changing to WSW in the afternoon with occasional gusts to 15 km/h. Ridge winds were initially N to NW light to moderate until 1130 when a light to moderate W flow established becoming moderate after 1500. Up to 30% cumulus cloud cover developed between 1130 and 1630 giving excellent observing conditions, and under sunny skies the temperature rose to -3C at 1300 falling to -6C at 1700. December raptor movement started promisingly with a Rough-legged Hawk flying south at 0818 and an adult Bald Eagle gliding south at 0845, but the next birds did not appear until 1201 when 2 Bald Eagles, an adult and a juvenile, went south. There was then another long gap until 1523 when a Rough-legged Hawk flew overhead to the south and the last migrants of the day were 2 more Bald Eagles, an adult and a juvenile, at 1546. Migration conditions appeared to be ideal all day so the passage of only 7 birds may suggest that we are finally running out of migrants. An American Dipper flying high from the Gold Creek canyon towards the west at 0756 was a first December record, and was reminiscent of crepuscular high flight away from a river that was first observed at our Mount Lorette site which may be movement between watersheds or even true migratory flight. 10 hours (1092.4) BAEA 5 (653), RLHA 2 (83) TOTAL 7 (7104)

November 30 [Day 96] (Valley View site) The temperatures ranged between 2C and 4C all day, ground winds were mainly NW to SW gusting to 40 km/h and ridge winds were strong W moderating after 1200. Cloud cover was 70-100% cumulus, altostratus and stratocumulus with periods of light snow and hail after 1100 which occluded the Livingstone Range to the north on occasion. An early movement of 8 raptors between 0804 (a Rough-legged Hawk) and 1040 made it appear that we would get the 16 birds necessary to reach a total of 1000 migrants for the month of November for the first time. The only other migrants seen, however, were the day’s second Bald Eagle and a female grey morph Gyrfalcon flying south together at 1219, but the 994 migrant raptors counted during November does establish a new RMERF record for the month. The Gyrfalcon also sets a new RMERF high count mark of 10 birds, with 9 having been counted on 4 previous fall counts: 1993 and 2004 at Mount Lorette, 1997 at Plateau Mountain and 2007 here. The flight comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1 adult, 1 juvenile), a Rough-legged Hawk and 6 adult Golden Eagles. A flock of 400 Bohemian Waxwings was the largest recorded so far this season. 9.92 hours (1082.4) BAEA 2 (648), RLHA 1 (81), GOEA 6 (4286), GYRF 1 (10) TOTAL 10 (7097)
November Summary No days were lost to weather although precipitation severely impacted counts on the 6th, 7th, 17th and 19th, and the month was generally characterised by high winds and above average temperatures. The 30 days spent in the field equals the effort in 2007 but the 310 hours is the highest ever for November at the site. The days and hours are 9.76% and 20.4% above the 2006-8 average for the site respectively. The combined species total of 994 (+24.2%) is the highest November total for the site, and monthly records were also set for Bald Eagle (377: +51.2%), Northern Harrier (4: +1100%), Cooper’s Hawk (2: +500%) and Rough-legged Hawk (32: +23.1%). The Golden Eagle count of 558 was the second highest for November (+18.39%) but the seasonal total to date of 4286 remains the lowest ever for the site, 729 birds (-14.59%) below average. The counts of 4 Gyrfalcons and 1 Peregrine Falcon were average for the month. Three species were below average: Northern Goshawk (14: -51.2%), Red-tailed Hawk (1: -40%) and Prairie Falcon (1: -50%), while Sharp-shinned Hawk and Merlin were not recorded during the month and the remaining 6 species have never been recorded here in November.

November 29 [Day 95] (Valley View site) The temperature reached 4C at 1300 from a low of 1C and fell to 2.5C after 1600. Ground winds were N-NW in the morning gusting to 70 km/h until 1030, then becoming moderate W-SW gusting to 20 km/h. Ridge winds were strong WNW to 1400 after which they became moderate W, and cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, cumulus and lenticular with slight occlusion of the Livingstone Range to 1300. Most of the raptor movement was again early with 12 birds moving between 0907 and 1358 with 9 of the birds occurring before 1108. The flight comprised 4 adult Bald Eagles, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 7 Golden Eagles (6 adults and 1 juvenile). 9.92 hours (1072.4) BAEA 4 (646), RLHA 1 (80), GOEA 7 (4280) TOTAL 12 (7087)

November 28 [Day 94] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson 1000-1400 while I attended a RMERF board meeting in Blairmore) It was a cool day with the temperature reaching a high of -1C between 1200 and 1630 from a low of -5C. Ground winds were mainly WNW to NE gusting to 25 km/h and ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong becoming strong after 1600. Cloud cover was 100-80% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and lenticular with the Livingstone Range to the north gradually becoming draped with cloud after 1100. It looked like a good raptor movement was in the offing with 16 birds migrating between 0819 and 1158, but that bird proved to be the last of the day probably because of adverse weather conditions to the north. The flight was dominated by 9 adult Golden Eagles and 5 adult Bald Eagles but the highlights were an adult Peregrine Falcon at 0830, which is the first seen since October 30 and the latest ever at the site by 1 day, and an un-aged Northern Harrier at 0925 which is also the latest ever by 19 days and was the 100th recorded this season. Also notable was an American Dipper flying high to the south at 0757 which is only the second ever seen on the count, is a first fall record and the 107th bird species recorded this season. It was a good morning: pity about the afternoon! 10 hours (1062.5) BAEA 5 (642), NOHA 1 (100), GOEA 9 (4273), PEFA 1 (48) TOTAL 16 (7075)

November 27 [Day 93] (Valley View site) It was -1C to 0C, calm and overcast with steady snow obscuring all ridges until 1330 after which the sky rapidly cleared. At 1400 it was 2C, sunny with only 20% cumulus cloud cover and the ridges were almost clear. Ground winds after 1400 were SW-NW 5-10 gusting 15 km/h while ridge winds were NW moderate. The cumulus cloud cover gradually increased to 80% by 1700 when the temperature had again reached -1C. For most of the day the prospect of raptor movement seemed remote but at 1420 2 adult Bald Eagles glided high to the south above the Livingstone ridge and were quickly followed by 8 more Bald Eagles and a juvenile Golden Eagle before the end of the hour. Movement then slowed but a further 5 birds moved south before 1659 when the last bird of the day, a juvenile Bald Eagle, disappeared to the south. The flight comprised 13 Bald Eagles (10 adults, 1 subadult and 2 juveniles), 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles (1 adult and 1 juvenile) 8.33 hours (1052.5) BAEA 13 (637), RLHA 1 (79), GOEA 2 (4264) TOTAL 16 (7059)

November 26 [Day 92] (Valley View site) The temperature rose from a morning low of 5C to 9C at 1200 but then fell steadily throughout the afternoon to 4C at 1700. Ground winds were W-NW 10-20 km/h to 1300 after which they became light, and ridge winds were W moderate to strong to 1400 after which they were moderate. Cloud cover was 30-70% altostratus, cumulus and cirrus to noon after which the cloud cover thickened and darkened to 90-100% stratocumulus and cumulus until 1700 when it partially cleared to 40% cumulus and altostratus. Very light rain fell from 1300 to 1630 and the Livingstone Range was partially obscured in cloud between 1400 and1630. Raptor movement started early with 10 birds (4 Bald Eagles, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 5 Golden Eagles) seen between 0836 and 1033, but it then slowed with 2 further Golden Eagles at 1114 and 1334, and just when it appeared that migration was over for the day 3 adult Bald Eagles moved south together at 1547. 10.08 hours (1044.2) BAEA 7 (624), RLHA 1 (78), GOEA 7 (4262) TOTAL 15 (7043)

November 25 [Day 91] (Valley View site) It was even more pleasant than yesterday with the temperature rising to 8.5C from a low of 4C and it was still 5.5C at 1700. Ground winds varied from NW to SW generally 10-25km/h but occasionally gusting 50 km/h, and ridge winds were strong WNW for most of the day except between 1200 and 1430 when they moderated somewhat. An altostratus Chinook Arch formed over the Livingstone Range until 1330 when it moved off to the east leaving a variable cloud cover of 60-90% combinations of cumulus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus, and once again observation conditions were excellent. Raptor movement was again strong with 61 birds moving between 0933 and 1626 with 35 of the birds moving between 1300 and 1500. The combined species count was the highest since November 9 while the 49 Bald Eagles (46 adults, 1 subadult and 2 juveniles) was the highest count of the season so far and equals the highest count ever at the site. The total of 10 Golden Eagles comprised 9 adults and 1 subadult, an adult Northern Goshawk was the first migrant since November 13 and an adult grey morph Gyrfalcon at 1532 was the 9th of the season which equals the high count for the species at the site. The Bald Eagle recorded at 1352 was the 7000th migrant raptor of the season, while that at 1404 was the 600th Bald Eagle of the season. 10.08 hours (1034.1) BAEA 49 (617), NOGO 1 (136), GOEA 10 (4255), GYRF 1 (9) TOTAL 61 (7028)

November 25 [Day 91] (Valley View site) It was even more pleasant than yesterday with the temperature rising to 8.5C from a low of 4C and it was still 5.5C at 1700. Ground winds varied from NW to SW generally 10-25km/h but occasionally gusting 50 km/h, and ridge winds were strong WNW for most of the day except between 1200 and 1430 when they moderated somewhat. An altostratus Chinook Arch formed over the Livingstone Range until 1330 when it moved off to the east leaving a variable cloud cover of 60-90% combinations of cumulus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus, and once again observation conditions were excellent. Raptor movement was again strong with 61 birds moving between 0933 and 1626 with 35 of the birds moving between 1300 and 1500. The combined species count was the highest since November 9 while the 49 Bald Eagles (46 adults, 1 subadult and 2 juveniles) was the highest count of the season so far and equals the highest count ever at the site. The total of 10 Golden Eagles comprised 9 adults and 1 subadult, an adult Northern Goshawk was the first migrant since November 13 and an adult grey morph Gyrfalcon at 1532 was the 9th of the season which equals the high count for the species at the site. The Bald Eagle recorded at 1352 was the 7000th migrant raptor of the season, while that at 1404 was the 600th Bald Eagle of the season. 10.08 hours (1034.1) BAEA 49 (617), NOGO 1 (136), GOEA 10 (4255), GYRF 1 (9) TOTAL 61 (7028)

November 24 [Day 90] (Valley View site) It was another pleasant day with a temperature high of 4C between 1300 and 1515 rising from 0C between 0715 and 0900 and falling to 1C at 1700. Ground winds were variable and mainly light to 1600 when they became SW gusting to 35 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate WNW all day providing excellent lift. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1030 after which it thinned to 70-90% combinations of cumulus, altostratus, lenticular and cirrus. It was particularly spectacular after 1600 when large isolated lenticular clouds reflecting the orange light of the lowering sun contrasted with a deep blue sky with feathers of white cirrus. The clouds provided an excellent backdrop for detecting the 41 mainly high-flying raptors that moved sporadically above the Livingstone ridge between 0952 and 1634. This is the latest in the season that a daily count has exceeded 40 birds at the site. The flight comprised 24 Bald Eagles (18 adults, 1 subadult and 5 juveniles), 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 15 Golden Eagles (13 adults, 1 subadult and 1 juvenile). The last 5 days have seen the passage of 189 raptors of which 115 have been Bald Eagles which is a strong movement for late November.10.08 hours (1024) BAEA 24 (568), RLHA 2 (77), GOEA 15 (4245) TOTAL 41 (6967)

November 23 [Day 89] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a high of 4.5C at 1200 from a low of -0.5C and fell throughout the afternoon to 0C at 1700. Ground winds varied between SW and NW gusting to 30 km/h and ridge winds were WNW moderate to 1000; moderate to strong to 1300 after which they were strong. Cloud cover was 70-90% cumulus, altocumulus and altostratus with only light snow flurries occurring in the morning. A total of 25 raptors migrated between 0755 (a Rough-legged Hawk) and 1633 (a juvenile Bald Eagle), with 13 of the birds moving between 1100 and 1300. Movement was sporadic with significant periods with no birds. The flight comprised 11 Bald Eagles (9 adults, 1 subadult and 1 juvenile), 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 12 Golden Eagles (10 adults and 2 juveniles). 10.16 hours (1013.9) BAEA 11 (544), RLHA 2 (75), GOEA 12 (4230) TOTAL 25 (6926)

November 22 [Day 88] (Valley View site) The temperature only ranged between -2C and -3C all day, ground winds were light varying from NE to SW and ridge winds were light to moderate W in the morning and moderate WNW in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus, cumulus and low stratus until 1600 when the cover thinned to 70-90% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus. Light snow fell continuously from 1000 to 1440 and the Livingstone Ridge was completely or partially obscured between 1030 and 1425. The early morning calm conditions saw a Rough-legged Hawk, a Golden Eagle and a Bald Eagle flap low to the south along the Livingstone ridge between 0826 and 0850. As ridge winds became moderate Bald Eagles glided high to the south at 0944 and 1004 and then movement was completely shut down as snow moved from the west and obscured the ridges. After the snow ceased and the ridges cleared a Bald Eagle went south at 1459 and then movement became fairly steady peaking at 9 birds between 1600 and 1700 with the last bird, the day’s third Rough-legged Hawk, recorded at 1646. Bald Eagles dominated the count with 15 adults, and only 3 adult Golden Eagles moved today. The Bald Eagle at 1636 was the 6900th migrant raptor of the season but we are still 926 birds (-12.81%) behind the site average cumulative count for this date. A flock of 20 Common Redpolls flying south just after 0900 was the largest recorded this season. 10.16 hours (1003.8) BAEA 15 (533), RLHA 3 (73), GOEA 3 (4218) TOTAL 21 (6901)

November 21 [Day 87] (Valley View site) Temperatures ranged from -2C to 1C, ground winds were SW-WNW gusting 15 km/h in the morning increasing to 30-50 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were WNW all day, moderate to strong to 1330 and strong for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 60-100% cumulus and stratocumulus giving good observation conditions except when occasional brief snow flurries moved from the SW. It was another strong late-season raptor movement with 44 birds migrating between 0839 and 1636 with 16 of the birds (8 Bald Eagles and 8 Golden Eagles) occurring between 1000 and 1100. The flight was dominated by 24 Golden Eagles (22 adults and 2 juveniles) which was the highest count since October 9. The first Bald Eagle of the day at 1006 was the 500th of the season with the day’s total of 19 comprising 15 adults and 4 juveniles, and the day’s only Rough-legged Hawk at 1407 was the 70th of the season. A male Northern [Red-shafted] Flicker at 1256 was the first since October 15 and was a first site record for November. 10.16 hours (993.62) BAEA 19 (518), RLHA 1 (70), GOEA 24 (4215) TOTAL 44 (6880)

November 20 [Day 86] (Valley View site) It was the most pleasant day for a while with the temperature rising to 9C between 1200 and 1530 from a low of 2C and was still 7C at 1700. The strong winds finally abated with ground winds WNW-SW only rising above 20 km/h after 1300 and peaking at 45 km/h at 1700, and ridge winds were mainly moderate W only becoming strong after 1500. Cloud cover was mainly altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus gradually increasing from 20% at 0710 to100% for most of the afternoon, which generally produced hazy sunshine and gave excellent observing conditions. A total of 58 raptors migrated between 0805 and 1620 which is the highest combined species count since November 9. The count of 46 Bald Eagles (37 adults, 2 subadults, 7 juveniles) was the highest so far this season and is the second highest ever at the site behind the 49 counted on November 17, 2006. All but one of the birds moved before 1448. The 10 Golden Eagles comprised 9 adults and 1 subadult, and the Prairie Falcon at 1024 was the first migrant of the species since October 1. Two adult Bald Eagles gliding high to the south together at 1121 had a brief altercation that resulted in one bird performing a complete 360 degree barrel-roll before they serenely continued their journey. 10.25 hours (983.46) BAEA 46 (499), RLHA 1 (69), GOEA 10 (4191), PRFA 1 (12) TOTAL 58 (6836)

November 19 [Day 85] (Valley View site) Winds were again strong W, gusting up to 70 km/h at ground level, to 1400 when ground winds switched to N up to 16 km/h while W ridge winds became moderate to strong then moderate at 1700. The temperature was 2C at 0710, rose to 3C between 1000 and 1430 and fell to 1C after 1500. Cloud cover was 30% altostratus and altocumulus to 0830 after which cloud increased and thickened to 80-100% mainly stratocumulus and cumulus for the rest of the day partially obscuring the Livingstone ridge after 1400. Light to very light snow fell continuously after 1000. Raptor movement was very slow with only 2 adult Golden Eagles and 2 Bald Eagles (adult and juvenile) moving between 0945 and 1256, probably as a result of even worse weather conditions farther north. Two Belted Kingfishers flying together at 1422 and 2 Townsend’s Solitaires perched together 10 minutes later added some welcome avian diversity. 10.16 hours (973.21) BAEA 2 (453), GOEA 2 (4181) TOTAL 4 (6778)

November 18 [Day 84] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 1.5C at 1100 from a low of -1C and fell to 0C after 1500. Ground winds were light SW-W to 1100, and then gradually increased gusting 40-50km/h after 1600. Ridge winds were moderate W to 1300 after which they increased to strong, and cloud cover was 70-100% cumulus and stratocumulus. Snow fell to 0900 (1 cm fresh) with periods of light snow falling subsequently but ridges remained clear after 0830. Raptor movement was slow but steady with 20 birds migrating between 0912 and 1620, 6 of which occurred between 1000 and 1100. With the exception of a Rough-legged Hawk at 1620 all migrants were eagles: 12 Bald Eagles (9adults, 1 subadult, 2 juveniles) and 7 Golden Eagles (4 adults, 2 juveniles, 1 indeterminate). 10.25 hours (963.05) BAEA 12 (451), RLHA 1 (68), GOEA 7 (4179) TOTAL 20 (6774)

November 17 [Day 83] (Valley View site) Both ground and ridge winds were strong SW all day with a maximum ground wind gust of 100 km/h at 1330. Cloud cover was 90-100% stratocumulus, cumulus and altocumulus and light rain showers after 0900 changed to steady hail and sleet after 1500. Despite this the Livingstone ridge remained clear until 1700. The temperature was 7C from 0700 to 1300 when it rose to the day’s high of 8C and fell to 4.5C at 1700. The first Golden Eagle occurred at 0822 and 3 Bald Eagles moved between 0908 and 0929 but the only other migrants were Golden Eagles at 1424 and 1521. All birds were adult. 10.25 hours (952.8) BAEA 3 (439), GOEA 3 (4172) TOTAL 6 (6754)

November 16 [Day 82] (Valley View site) Strong W winds blew all day, with the temperature 4C at 0710 rising to 6C at 1200 and staying there for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 100-70% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus giving excellent observing conditions. A total of 18 migrant raptors moved between 0910 and 1557, 11 of which occurred before noon. All migrants were eagles: 13 Golden Eagles (12 adults and 1 subadult) and 5 Bald Eagles (4 adults and 1 juvenile). 10.25 hours (942.55) BAEA 5 (436), GOEA 13 (4169) TOTAL 18 (6748)

November 15 [Day 81] (Valley View site) It was a cool day with a high of 0C from a low of -3.5C, but it felt much cooler as ground winds in the morning were SSW-WNW gusting to 80 km/h, moderating in the afternoon to 10-30 km/h. Ridge winds were very strong WNW all morning, moderating somewhat in the afternoon and cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, cumulus, lenticular, altocumulus and cirrus forming a strong Chinook Arch during the early afternoon. The only raptor to move south during the morning was a Rough-legged Hawk at 0958, but a few more birds moved in the afternoon as very strong ridge winds abated with 11 of the day’s 14 migrants occurring between 1409 and 1628. All 7 Bald Eagles were adults and the 5 Golden Eagles comprised 3 adults and 2 juveniles. 10.33 hours (932.3) BAEA 7 (431), RLHA 2 (67), GOEA 5 (4156) TOTAL 14 (6730)

November 14 [Day 80] (Valley View site) The temperature briefly reached 2C at 1300 from a low of -4C and fell to -3.5 by 1700. Ground winds were variable calm to light until 1225 after which they were mainly SW gusting to 30 km/h, and ridge winds were WSW light to moderate to 0930, moderate to 1330 after which they were moderate to strong for the rest of the day. Light snow fell to 1000 and the ridges were partially obscured until 1100, with cloud gradually diminishing to 40% cumulus by late afternoon. The first migrant raptor, a Golden Eagle, did not appear until 1127, but was followed in the next 23 minutes by 7 Bald Eagles and another Golden Eagle, and the next 1.5 hours yielded another 5 Bald Eagles and 8 Golden Eagles. After that movement slowed considerably with only 4 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle seen subsequently. The 16 Bald Eagles comprised 11 adults, 2 subadults and 3 juveniles and all 11 Golden Eagles were adults. At 0932 a skein of 41 Canada Geese flew high from the southern end of the Livingstone Range to the west through the Crowsnest Pass. 10.42 hours (921.97) BAEA 16 (424), GOEA 11 (4151) TOTAL 27 (6716)

November 13 [Day 79] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 0C at 1300 from a low of -5C and was -3C at 1730. Ground winds were variably SW-NE gusting up to 65 km/h in the morning and moderating in the afternoon, while ridge winds were strong WNW slightly moderating after 1500. Cloud cover was 10-30% cumulus until 1500 after which it quickly thickened to 100% cumulus, lenticular and altostratus for the rest of the day. Raptor movement was fairly steady all day with 39 birds moving between 0757 and 1712, 15 of which occurred between 1500 and 1700. Golden Eagles (20a,2j,1u) were the most common migrants followed by 12 Bald Eagles (8a,3sa,j) but the highlight was an adult Cooper’s Hawk at 1437 which is the latest ever record for the site by 8 days. A flock of 30 Canada Geese flying west at 0845 were the first recorded at the site since October 9, and 2 Common Redpolls were only the second record for the season of a species which in the last three years was common to abundant by this date. 12.42 hours (911.55) BAEA 12 (408), COHA 1 (302), NOGO 1 (135), RLHA 2 (65), GOEA 23 (4140) TOTAL 39 (6689)

November 12 [Day 78] (Valley View site) It was the coolest morning since October 13 with the temperature -9C at 0700 and it only rose to 1C before falling to -3C by 1700. Ground winds were mainly SW-NW gusting to 23 km/h and ridge winds were WNW moderate to 1200 after which they became moderate to strong. It was cloudless until 1030 after which cumulus cloud gradually developed reaching 50% at 1400 which greatly improved observing conditions. The first migrant raptor was a Golden Eagle at 0852, but movement was slow until mid afternoon when there was an influx of Bald Eagles with 15 of the day’s total of 21 (14a,4sa,3j) moving between 1408 and 1558. Four of the day’s 16 Golden Eagles (13a,1sa,2j) moved after 1600 with the last going south at 1644. 10.5 hours (901.13) BAEA 21 (396), NOGO 1 (134), GOEA 16 (4117) TOTAL 38 (6650)

November 11 [Day 77] (Valley View site) (Vance Mattson after 0900) The temperature rose to 2C from a low of -2C and fell to -2.5C at 1700. Ground winds were light variable to 1300 after which they were WSW gusting to 20 km/h until 1700 when it was calm, and ridge winds were moderate W all day except between 1330 and 1630 when they became strong. Cloud cover was 100% mainly stratus between 0800 and 1530 after which it cleared to 40-60% cumulus and altostratus. Snow, often heavy, fell between 0825 and 1410 with the ridges during this period mainly obscured. A Rough-legged Hawk and a Golden Eagle moved south before the ridges became obscured, a single Golden Eagle moved at 1359 during a brief clear spell, and the only concerted raptor movement came between 1532 and 1602 when 6 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle went south. A female Common Merganser flying north at 0825 was the 106th bird species recorded this season and was only the second duck ever seen on a fall count at the site. 10.58 hours (890.63) BAEA 6 (375), RLHA 1 (63), GOEA 3 (4101) TOTAL 10 (6612)

November 10 [Day 76] (Valley View site) The temperature briefly rose to 5C at 1100 from a morning low of 2C and fell to 0C by 1735. Ground winds were W-WSW all day, light to1000 after which they gusted between 25 and 60 km/h for the rest of the day. Ridge winds were moderate to strong W-WSW and cloud cover ranged from 100-50% mainly cumulus and stratocumulus. Sleet, snow or hail fell until 1420 with the Livingstone Ridge largely obscured between 0825 and 1015. Because of the weather raptor movement was sparse and sporadic with just 14 birds moving between 1036 and 1638 with half recorded after 1518. Apart from a single Rough-legged Hawk at 1634 all migrants were eagles: 5 Bald (4a,1j) and 8 Golden (7a,1u). 10.58 hours (880.05) BAEA 5 (369), RLHA 1 (62), GOEA 8 (4098) TOTAL 14 (6602)

November 9 [Day 75] (Valley View site) It was a pleasant day with the temperature rising to 6.5C from a low of 0C, ground winds generally W-SW gusting to 30 km/h in the morning but diminishing after noon and moderate to strong W ridge winds becoming moderate after 1100. Cloud cover was 40-100% mainly cumulus and cirrus with altostratus and then cirrostratus developing after 1500, all of which gave excellent viewing conditions. After yesterday’s November record count at Lorette I was expecting a good day and I wasn’t disappointed with a total of 110 migrant raptors moving steadily between 0758 and 1654, with maximum movement of 20 birds between 1500 and 1600. The combined species total is the 3rd highest November count for the site and the latest ever fall count over 100 both at the site and at any RMERF count being one day later than yesterday’s count of 114 at Mount Lorette. The Golden Eagle total of 81 (71a,3sa,7j) is the second highest November count for the site while the 25 Bald Eagles (16a,4sa,5j) is the 5th highest of the season and the highest since November 1. An adult female Northern Harrier seen at 1336 is the latest ever record for the species at the site by 2 days and extends the season’s record count to 99, and an adult grey morph Gyrfalcon at 0949 was the 8th of the season. 10.67 hours (869.47) BAEA 25 (364), NOHA 1 (99), NOGO 2 (133), GOEA 81 (4090), GYRF 1 (8) TOTAL 110 (6588)
Mount Lorette [Day 46] (Cliff Hansen (am) and Des Allen (pm)) Temperatures ranged from 0C to 5C, ground winds were SW 5-20 km/h, ridge winds were strong SW all day and cloud cover averaged 50% cumulus and cirrus with altostratus forming a Chinook Arch to the east. Thanks to Cliff and Des we were able to extend the count by a day, but only 9 migrant raptors were seen (3 Bald and 6 Golden Eagles) with the last Golden Eagle moving south at 1548. 6.58 hours (493.73 hours) BAEA 2 (100), GOEA 7 (2368) TOTAL 9 (2624).
The final totals for the count between September 20 and November 9 were as follows (with the totals at Piitaistakis-South Livingstone for the same period in parenthesis). Days 46 (49), Hours 493.73 (545.88), OSPR 4 (18), BAEA 100 (353), NOHA 5 (43), SSHA 57 (561), COHA 10 (148), NOGO 25 (88) UA 3 (18), BWHA 1 (5), SWHA 0 (0), RTHA 18 (95), FEHA 0 (2), RLHA 16 (61), UB 0 (5), GOEA 2368 (3973), UE 1 (3), AMKE 1 (33), MERL 4 (21), GYRF 1 (8), PEFA 4 (27), PRFA 2 (5), UF 1 (3), UU 3 (8) TOTAL 2624 (5478)

November 8 [Day 74] (Valley View site) A clear sunny day was forecast but I drove to the site in heavy snow which persisted until 1715 after which the ridges cleared until 1000 when light snow returned which only stopped at 1615. The Livingstone Ridge was periodically obscured until 1230 then remained clear for the rest of the day. Temperatures ranged from -2.5C to 1C, ground winds were mainly W-SW gusting to 23 km/h but becoming light after 1600, and ridge winds were moderate to strong WNW until 1600 after which they were moderate W. Cloud cover ranged from 100-60% mainly cumulus and stratocumulus giving generally good observation conditions. Raptor movement was sporadic until 1300 up to which time only 12 birds had been seen, but thereafter became steady peaking at 19 between 1500 and 1600 and 18 between 1600 and 1700. The Golden Eagle seen at 1626 was the 4000th of the season. The average date for reaching this number at the site is October 25. Of the total of 68 migrants 63 were Golden Eagles: 58 adults, 2 subadults, 2 juveniles and 1 bird of undetermined age. 10.67 hours (858.8) BAEA 3 (339), RLHA 2 (61), GOEA 63 (4009) TOTAL 68 (6478)
Mount Lorette [Day 43] (Bill Wilson) The temperature rose to 2C from a low of -6.5C and was -1C at 1700. Ground winds were W-SW generally light but occasionally gusting 20 km/h, ridge winds were moderate to strong W decreasing to moderate after 1600 and cloud cover was mainly 10-30% cumulus with minor cirrus occasionally reaching 80%. A total of 114 migrant raptors moved between 0745 and 1631 with only 17 birds recorded before 1300, but peaking between 1300 and 1400 with 29 birds and between 1400 and 1500 with 32 birds. Golden Eagles dominated the flight with 108 birds moving comprising 98 adults, 2 juveniles and 8 birds of undetermined age. This is the highest ever November Golden Eagle count at Mount Lorette, the previous highest being 100 on November 1 2000. This was planned to be the last day of the Lorette count, but because of today’s movement we are hoping to extend it by another day. 10.5 hours (487.15) BAEA 6 (98), GOEA 108 (2361) TOTAL 114 (2615)

November 7 [Day 73] (Valley View site) It was another day of snow with 5 cm falling up to 1200 after which the snow became light. The temperature varied between -2C and 2Cand winds were calm to light in the morning becoming W-SW gusting to 25 km/h in the afternoon and moderate at ridge level. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus and cumulus all day and all ridges were obscured until noon after which they were only periodically obscured by waves of heavier snow moving from the SW. No migrant raptors were seen although the resident pair were present a couple of times with the male displaying on one occasion. 10.5 hours (848.13) No migrant raptors
Mount Lorette (Cliff Hansen) No observation possible because of steady snow all day. Cliff spent 6.33 hours at the site where the temperature ranged from -2C to 1C and 5 cm of snow fell, but the ridges never cleared.

November 6 [Day 72] (Valley View site) It variously rained, sleeted, snowed and hailed all day but the Livingstone Range remained clear for all but a brief period in mid afternoon. The temperature gradually fell from 5C at 0700 to 1C at 1600, but then rose to 2C at 1700 and to 3C at 1740. Ground winds were W-SW all day gusting to 70 km/h, ridge winds were mainly strong W all day and cloud cover was mainly 100% stratocumulus but on occasion briefly reduced to 70%. An adult Golden Eagle gliding high to the south above the Livingstone ridge at 0920 was the day’s only migrant raptor. 10.75 hours (837.63) GOEA 1 (3946) TOTAL 1 (6410)
Mount Lorette (Michael Woertman (am), Cliff Hansen (pm)) No observation possible as snow fell all day and the ridges didn’t clear.

November 5 [Day 71] (Valley View site) The temperature was 8C at 0700 and reached a high of 14.5 at 1200, the highest temperature recorded since September 26, and was still 10.5C at 1745. Ground winds were W-SW light until 1210 after which they gusted up to 60 km/h, and ridge winds were W-WSW moderate to 1200 and subsequently strong. Cloud cover was a mixture of cirrus, cirrostratus, altostratus, altocumulus and cumulus ranging from 5-90%. The day’s first migrant Golden Eagle occurred at 0750 and movement was fairly strong until 1343 by which time 35 migrants had been tallied with 12 moving between 1200 and 1300. Only 4 more birds went south, however, with the last Golden Eagle, recorded at 1704. The 32 Golden Eagles comprised 31 adults and 1 juvenile and all the 5 Bald Eagles were adults. 10.92 hours (826.88) BAEA 5 (336), NOGO 1 (131), RLHA 1 (59), GOEA 32 (3945) TOTAL 39 (6409)
Mount Lorette [Day 42] (Joel Duncan) The temperature was 13C between 1200 and 1600 and was still 8C at 1730, ground winds were SW-W gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon, ridge winds were strong SW and cloud cover was 5-20% cumulus and cirrus. Only 1 Bald Eagle and 4 Golden Eagles were recorded between 1328 and 1710. 7.25 hours (476.65) BAEA 1 (92), GOEA 4 (2253) TOTAL 5 (2501)

November 4 [Day 70] (Valley View site) It was a very pleasant day with the temperature rising to 10C from a low of -1C and it was still 7C at 1745. Ground winds were variable, light in the morning and gradually increasing throughout the afternoon but never exceeding 30 km/h and ridge winds were moderate WNW all day. Cloud cover was 100-70% altostratus, cirrus and cirrostratus providing an excellent viewing backdrop. A total of 49 migrant raptors moved steadily between 0750 and 1701 with maximum movement of 10 birds between 1300 and 1400. Eagles dominated the flight with 27 Golden Eagles (21a,1sa,5j) and 16 Bald Eagles (13a,1sa,2j), with the season’s 98th Northern Harrier at 1257 and the first Red-tailed Hawk (adult dark morph calurus) since October 24 at 1120. A female American Three-toed Woodpecker was only the second record of the species this season. 10.92 hours (815.96) BAEA 16 (331), NOHA 1 (98), RTHA 1 (194), RLHA 4 (58), GOEA 27 (3913) TOTAL 49 (6370)
Mount Lorette No observation (no observer)

November 3 [Day 69] (Valley View site) The temperature briefly reached a high of 5.5C from a low of -1C, ground winds varied from NW to SW gusting 60 km/h at 1400 and then diminished to light, and ridge winds were WNW all day, moderate to strong to 1400 after which they diminished to moderate. Cloud cover was 5-40% cumulus becoming cloudless at 1745 with most cloud dissipating as it moved to the east across the Livingstone Range. The first migrant Golden Eagle was not recorded until 1120, and was quickly followed by 5 more, but subsequent movement became very slow with the last Golden Eagle going south at 1448 and the last migrant, a Rough-legged Hawk, seen at 1640. Passerine movement was also thin with the exception of a total of 61 Pine Siskins which equals the highest daily count of the season. 11 hours BAEA 1 (315), RLHA 1 (54), GOEA 11 (3886) TOTAL 13 (6321)
Mount Lorette [Day 41] (Des Allen) The temperature rose to 5C at 1100 from a low of 0C and fell to -2C at 1700. Ground winds were SW gusting to 30 km/h at noon, diminishing in the afternoon, and ridge winds were moderate SW to 1100 backing to W then NW in the afternoon. Cloud cover was cumulus to 40% in the morning which dwindled to 0% by the end of the day. The total raptor movement was 6 Golden Eagles that moved between 1138 and 1358. 8.25 hours (469.4) GOEA 6 (2249) TOTAL 6 (2496)

November 2 [Day 68] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 4.5C from a low of -2C and fell to 1C by 1745, although with ground NW-NE winds gusting to 35 km/h it felt much colder. Ridge winds were mainly WNW becoming strong after 1300 and cloud cover rapidly increased from 5% to 70-90% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus after 1000 which just as quickly reduced to 5-10% after 1600. A total of 88 migrant raptors of 7 species moved between 0852 and 1649 with Golden Eagles by far the commonest species with 73 birds comprising 61 adults, 3 subadults and 9 juveniles, followed by 10 Bald Eagles (6a,1sa,3j). A juvenile Northern Harrier and an adult Cooper’s Hawk were both second November records for the site and a Gyrfalcon (dark morph of undetermined age) was the 7th for the season. Unlike yesterday, movement was very sporadic with bursts of birds interspersed with relatively long periods of inactivity. 11 hours (794.04) BAEA 10 (314), NOHA 1 (97), COHA 1 (301), NOGO 1 (130), RLHA 1 (53), GOEA 73 (3875), GYRF 1 (7) TOTAL 88 (6308)
Mount Lorette [Day 40] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature reached 6C at 1300 from a low of -4C and had fallen to 3C by 1700, ground winds were S-SW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h and ridge winds were strong W all day. Cloud cover was 10% cirrus and altocumulus to 1300, then 60% cumulus to 1700 after which it reduced to 20%. A total of 9 migrant raptors moved between 0953 and 1620 of which 8 were adult Golden Eagles, 4 of which occurred between 1600 and 1620. The highlight of the day was a dark morph Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk at 1450. 10.16 hours (461.15) RTHA 1 (18), GOEA 8 (2243) TOTAL 9 (2490)

November 1 [Day 67] (Valley View site) The time changed 1 hour earlier at 0200 this morning. All times cited are now Mountain Standard Time (MST) whereas previously they were Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). At 0700 the barometric pressure had risen 10 hPa from yesterday’s close and rose another 4 hPa by 1745 today producing a pleasant day for the beginning of November. The temperature rose to a high of 5C at 1200 from a low of 0C and returned to 0C at 1800. Ground winds were variable but mainly NW to NE light occasionally gusting to 20 km/h, ridge winds were moderate varying between W and NW, and it was cloudless to 1000 after which cumulus developed reaching a maximum of 70% between 1200 and 1530 after which it again diminished to 5%. A total of 117 raptors migrated between 0733 and 1710, which is the second highest November total ever at the site (after 123 on November 1, 2006) and is only the second November count over 100. The 33 Bald Eagles (20 adults, 5 subadults and 8 juveniles) equals the second highest count so far this season, the 7 Northern Goshawks (all adults) is the highest count since September 25, and the total of 74 Golden Eagles (54 adults, 7 subadults, 13 juveniles) is the 3rd highest November count for the site. Movement was fairly strong throughout the day with 10 birds moving before 0800 and maximum movement was 19 between 1500 and 1600. The stable weather also produced the first songbird movement for a while which included 2 Townsend’s Solitaires, 1 American Robin, 50 Bohemian Waxwings, 192 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 5 Pine Grosbeaks and 5 Pine Siskins. 11 hours (783.04) BAEA 33 (304), NOGO 7 (129), RLHA 3 (52), GOEA 74 (3802) TOTAL 117 (6220)
Mount Lorette [Day 39] (Bill Wilson) The temperature reached a high of 2.5C from a low of -5C and fell back to -1C at 1750. Ground winds were generally light and variable occasionally gusting to 20 km/h and ridge winds were moderate WNW all day. Cloud cover was 60-70% cumulus to 1100 after which it quickly diminished to 5% until 1600 when it increased to 20%. The raptor movement of 53 birds was dominated by 48 Golden Eagles (33a,1sa,6j,8u) which moved between 0808 and the very late time of 1733, with 10 of the birds moving between 1600 and 1700. There was also a good movement of around 400 Canada Geese to the south above the Kananaskis Valley, and a juvenile Herring Gull was the first gull seen in a while. 10.58 hours (450.99) BAEA 4 (91), NOGO 1 (25), GOEA 48 (2235) TOTAL 53 (2481)

October 31 [Day 66] (Valley View site) The temperature only varied between 5.5C and 8C all day as strong W-WSW winds prevailed that gusted to 80 km/h at ground level and were considerably stronger on the ridges. Cloud cover ranged from 40-100% cumulus and stratocumulus and rain and hail showers, sometimes heavy and prolonged, persisted until 1430 although the Livingstone ridge remained mainly clear all day. The first Golden Eagle moved at 0925 and 8 more were recorded before 1000 but the next four hours when the rain was heaviest yielded only 12 birds. Movement between 1400 and the last bird at 1802 was a little more sustained and included a late movement of 8 Bald Eagles, but the final total was only 68 of which 59 were Golden Eagles (43a,6sa,10j). 10.92 (772.04) BAEA 8 (271), NOGO 1 (122), GOEA 59 (3728) TOTAL 68 (6103)
October Summary It was a month of unprecedented adverse weather which necessitated the abandonment of the Piitaistakis Ridge on October 3. Two full days were lost to weather and 2 more were severely curtailed, while raptor movement on several other days was confined to only a few hours. The total of 29 days spent in the field was 1.14% below the 2006-8 average while the 314 hours was 5.53% below average. The combined species count of 3825 was 23.57% below average, and the only species recording record counts for the month were Osprey (4: +100%), Northern Harrier (11: +37.5%) and Gyrfalcon (6: +200%). Peregrine Falcon (6: +5.88%) was the only other species to occur in above average numbers, while the single American Kestrel was an average count for the month. All other species occurred in below average numbers: Prairie Falcon (1: -86.4%), Northern Goshawk (35: -68.8%), Sharp-shinned Hawk (184: -65.8%), Merlin (8: -55.6%), Rough-legged Hawk (43: -44.4%), Cooper’s Hawk (25: -42.3%), Red-tailed Hawk (35: -40%), Golden Eagle (3216: -16.76%) and Bald Eagle (239: -1.38%). As of October 31 the combined species count of 6103 was 987 below the average count for the date at the site, while the 3728 Golden Eagles was 816 below average.
Mount Lorette [Day 38] (Ron Dutcher) It also rained at Lorette until noon after which 100% stratocumulus gave way to as little as 40% cumulus and stratocumulus with the Fisher Range clear for most of the afternoon. Temperatures ranged from 7C to 9C, ground winds were S to W gusting to 60 km/h and ridge winds were strong W all day. The only migrant raptor seen was an adult Bald Eagle at 1524. 10.25 hours (440.41) BAEA 1 (87) total 1 (2428)

October 30 [Day 65] (Valley View site) It was a reasonably pleasant day (which have been rare this October) with the temperature 2C at 0800 reaching 7C at 1200 where it stayed for the rest of the day. Ground winds were variable but mainly NE to NW occasionally gusting 60 km/h but mainly 5-15 km/h, and ridge winds were strong WNW all day. Cloud cover was 80-100% mainly cumulus, altostratus and lenticular giving good to excellent observing conditions. Raptor movement was the strongest since October 24 with a total of 138 birds moving steadily and high above the Livingstone ridge between 0841 and 1822 with maximum movement of 21 birds 1200-1300 and 1300-1400. Golden Eagles dominated the flight with 122 birds comprising 94 adults, 10 subadults, 15 juveniles and 3 birds of unknown age, and 11 Bald Eagles comprised 6 adults, 1 subadult and 4 juveniles. Highlights were the season’s 6th Gyrfalcon at 1223 (a grey morph of undetermined age) and an adult Peregrine Falcon at 1520 which raised the reason’s record count to 47. 11 hours (761.12) BAEA 11 (263), NOGO 3 (121), GOEA 122 (3669), GYRF 1 (6), PEFA 1 (47) TOTAL 138 (6035)
Mount Lorette [Day 37] (Michael Woertman (to 1500) and Cliff Hansen (after 1500)) Conditions were similar to those at P-SL with the temperature rising to 9C at 1700 from a low of 0C and it was still 8C at 1845, ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 30 km/h, ridge winds were strong SW-W all day and cloud cover was 80-100% altostratus, cumulus, altocumulus and lenticular. A total of 35 raptors migrated between 0801 and 1733 with peak movement of 13 birds between 1000 and 1100. The flight was dominated by 28 Golden Eagles, 20 of which moved before noon. 11 hours (430.16) BAEA 2 (86), SSHA 1 (57), NOGO 4 (24), GOEA 28 (2187) TOTAL 35 (2427)

October 29 [Day 64] (Valley View site) Temperatures ranged from -7C to 0C, ground winds were light variable until 1400 when they became mainly N-NNE gusting to 60 km/h and ridge winds were mainly WNW also becoming strong after 1400 resulting in spectacular displays of blowing snow. Cloud cover was 70% cumulus at 0800 but quickly thickened to 100% altostratus and cumulus for the rest of the day producing very gloomy conditions. Raptor movement was slow and sporadic between 0854 and 1529, with only a juvenile Bald Eagle seen subsequently at 1649 as the very high winds and blowing snow appeared to stop all movement. The flight was dominated by 22 Golden Eagles: 14adults, 1subadult, 5 juveniles and 32 birds of undetermined age. A single Common Redpoll was the 105th bird species for the season.11 hours (750.12) BAEA 5 (252), NOGO 1 (118), RLHA 1 (49), GOEA 22 (3547) TOTAL 29 (5897)
Mount Lorette [Day 37] (Joel Duncan) The temperature rose to 1C from a low of -4C, ground winds were SW gusting to 30 km/h after 1330 and SW ridge winds also became strong after 1300. 100% altostratus cloud also gave gloomy conditions until 1700 when a small break to the west allowed a welcome but brief burst of sunshine. The total of 24 migrant raptors recorded between 0948 and 1522 included 22 Golden Eagles (16a,2sa,4u), and as at P-SL movement slowed and then stopped when strong ridge winds developed. 10 hours (419.16) BAEA 1 (84), GOEA 22 (2159), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 24 (2392)

October 28 [Day 63] (Valley View and North Burmis sites) There was a further 10 cm of fresh snow on the ground and -3C, but the Livingstone Ridge was almost clear at 0745 and prospects for movement appeared good. At 0840, however, snow began that became heavy after 0910 and by the time it had stopped a further 5 cm had accumulated. Both ground and ridge winds were light all day from the W and the Livingstone Ridge was not fully clear of cloud until after 1545. Cloud cover was mainly 100% stratus all day and the temperature briefly rose to 2C at 1400, falling back to -3C by 1845. Because of the light winds and low cloud cover I asked Dawn, and later Phil, to watch from the eastern side of the ridge where between 1322 and 1606 they counted 37 migrant raptors, 35 of which occurred before 1522. As the Livingstone Range cleared raptors started moving strongly along the ridge visible from the west and after 1522 only 2 more birds were seen from the North Burmis (eastern site). A total of 62 birds was recorded from the Valley View site and the day’s combined total was 99. The first migrant was the season’s 96th Northern Harrier seen from the Valley View site at 1306, and birds moved until the last 3 of the day’s 20 Bald Eagles (15a,2sa,3j) went south at 1810. The total of 69 Golden Eagles comprised 45 adults, 12 subadults, 6 juveniles and 6 birds of unknown age. 11 hours BAEA 20 (247), NOHA 1 (96), RLHA 5 (48), UB 2 (7), GOEA 69 (3525), UE 2 (4) TOTAL 99 (5968)
Mount Lorette [Day 36] (Peter Allen) Because of illness Peter did not arrive at the site until 1430 when the temperature was -2C which then gradually dropped to -4C by 1850. Ground winds were variable and ridge winds SW but both were light, and cloud cover was initially 70% stratocumulus becoming 100 stratus after 1500, but the Fisher Range remained clear all day. The only migrant raptor seen was an adult Bald Eagle at 1732. 4.33 hours (409.16) BAEA 1 (83) TOTAL 1 (2368)

October 27 [Day 62] (Valley View site) There was 8 cm of fresh snow on the ground at 0745 and steady snow continued to 1200 bringing a further 4cm. Flurries continued after 1200 but the ridges began to clear after 1300 as SW winds to 20 km/h developed, raising the temperature briefly to 4C from the low of -1C. The ridges never fully cleared and at 1545 the wind changed to NNE bringing more snow that became heavy after 1700 again completely obscuring the ridges and dumping another 7 cm of snow by 1800. The period of partial clearing saw a movement of 16 raptors between 1308 and 1528, with birds moving south from Bluff Mountain after 1500 as the Livingstone Ridge again became obscured by cloud. Three female Cassin’s Finches were the first recorded since September 21. 10.33 hours (728.12) NOGO 2 (117), GOEA 14 (3456) TOTAL 16 (5769)
Mount Lorette [Day 35] (George Halmazna) Weather conditions at Lorette were much more conducive to raptor migration with the temperature ranging from -1C to 4C, light ground winds and moderate SW winds on the ridges that changed to N after 1500 bringing low cloud that obscured what had hitherto been a mainly clear Fisher Range ridge. Cloud cover was 80-100% stratus all day and although there was 40 cm of fresh snow on the ground at 0745 the rest of the day was snow-free until flurries developed after 1500. Both the first and last migrant raptors of the day were Rough-legged Hawks at 1004 and 1447 respectively, but the bulk of the day’s 113 migrants were Golden Eagles (104: 89a,15j), 43 of which moved between 1300 and 1400. The highlight of the day was a grey morph Gyrfalcon which was the first recorded at the site this season. 10.5 hours (404.83) BAEA 4 (82), SSHA 1 (56), RLHA 3 (16), GOEA 104 (2137), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 113 (2367)

October 26 [Day 61] (Valley View site) The temperature was 3C at 0800 and rose to 4C at 1000 before falling to 1C throughout the afternoon. Ground winds were variable gusting to 50 km/h and ridge winds were strong WNW until 1020 when steady wet snow/sleet started to fall obscuring all ridges until 1735 when snow changed to drizzle and the Piitaistakis Ridge partially cleared. Between 0837 and 0932 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 5 Golden Eagles flew south being buffeted in the high winds and that proved to be it for the day. 10.5 hours (717.79) RLHA 2 (43), GOEA 5 (3442) TOTAL 7 (5753)
Mount Lorette [Day 34] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature rose to 4C at 1000 from a low of 3C falling to 2C at 1800. Ground winds were light SW-W (and occasionally E) while ridge winds were moderate to strong W-SW diminishing in the afternoon and becoming S, and cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus all day. The Fisher Range was variably draped in cloud but only became fully obscured around 1800 when sleet began to fall. The raptor flight comprised 29 Golden Eagles that migrated between 0918 and 1618 with peak movement of 7 between 1200 and 1300. 10 hours (394.33) GOEA 29 (2033) TOTAL 29 (2254)

October 25 [Day 60] (Valley View site) The temperature ranged from -4.5C to 6C but variable ground winds gusting to 40 km/h made observation uncomfortable. Ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong, and it was cloudless until 1200 but by 1300 there was 100% altostratus which gradually thickened throughout the afternoon. Raptor migration was slow in the morning with the first Golden Eagle appearing at 0836 and by noon only 13 birds had moved. Things improved in the afternoon with another 54 birds recorded before 1600 after which things slowed down considerably with only 9 more birds seen, the last of which was at 1712. Of the day’s 76 migrant raptors 67 were Golden Eagles (55a,6sa,6j) and a further 7 were Bald Eagles (4a,1sa,2j). A single Cooper’s Hawk brought the season’s total to 300 for the first time ever on a RMERF count. 11.16 hours (707.29) BAEA 7 (227), COHA 1 (300), RLHA 1 (41), GOEA 67 (3437) TOTAL 76 (5746)
Mount Lorette [Day 33] (Bill Wilson) Temperatures ranged from -9C to 7C, ground winds were light SE-SSW occasionally gusting to 20 km/h while ridge winds were W moderate, and cloud cover was similar to that at P-SL: cloudless to 1100 and 100% altostratus after 1200. The first Golden Eagles were seen at 0828 and 0831 but the 3rd didn’t appear until 1204 after which movement was fairly steady peaking at 15 (4 Bald and 11 Golden Eagles) between 1500 and 1600 with the last Golden Eagle recorded at 1738. The total flight of 47 birds comprised 9 Bald Eagles and 38 Golden Eagles. 11.16 hours (384.33) BAEA 9 (78), GOEA 38 (2004) TOTAL 47 (2225)

October 24 [Day 59] (Valley View site) The temperature was 5C at 0800 and rose to 9C between 1100 and 1130 but fell to 1.5C at 1400 after a cold front passed south bringing 2 hours of snow and obscured ridges. Ground winds were variable gusting to 26 km/h before 1130, and were mainly NE gusting 14 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were moderate WNW all day. Morning cloud cover was 60-80% cumulus, altocumulus and altostratus, and after the front passed it was 80-30% cumulus giving excellent observing conditions. Raptor movement was slow but steady up to the passage of the front, with the first Rough-legged Hawk moving at 0812 and a total of 23 birds counted by 1132. After the ridges cleared movement significantly increased, with 28 raptors moving between1411 and 1500, peaking at 45 (18 Bald Eagles and 27 Golden Eagles) between 1700 and 1800, with a further 15 birds moving between 1800 and 1844. Golden Eagles (110: 91a,11sa,8j) dominated the flight, with Bald Eagles (29: 21a,2sa,4j,2u) also moving strongly for the fourth consecutive day. An adult Peregrine Falcon at 1434 was the 46th of the season. The combined species count of 157 brings the total movement for the last 4 days to 1197 migrant raptors, but the total of 5670 is still 709 below average for this date at the site, while the 3370 Golden Eagles is 611 below average. There was little passerine movement but 3 Mountain Bluebirds flying high to the south at 1812 were the first to be seen since October 2. 11.33 hours (696.13) BAEA 29 (220), SSHA 6 (1015), COHA 1 (299), NOGO 4 (115), RTHA 2 (193), RLHA 3 (40), GOEA 110 (3370), MERL 1 (29), PEFA 1 (46) TOTAL 157 (5670)
Mount Lorette [Day 32] (Ron Dutcher) The temperature rose to a high of 5C from 1C, ground winds were light variable while ridge winds were moderate W all day, and cloud cover varied between 50% cumulus and 100% stratocumulus as brief snow squalls moved east from the Continental Divide throughout the day. The Fisher Range ridge remained clear all day, however. A total of 59 migrants raptors were recorded between 0937 and 1555 dominated by 55 Golden Eagles, 24 of which moved high and fast to the south between 1100 and 1200. 10.16 hours (373.17) BAEA 2 (69), RTHA 1 (17), GOEA 55 (1966), UU 1 (3) TOTAL 59 (2178)

October 23 [Day 58] (Valley View site) The temperature ranged from 4.5C to 7C but because of mainly WNW-N ground winds gusting to 40 km/h it felt much cooler. Ridge winds were mainly strong WNW all day, and cloud cover was 80-100% mainly altostratus and cirrus diminishing to 50% only after a disturbance brought rain and sleet between 1700 and 1750 which also obscured the ridges during this period. As yesterday early raptor movement was strong with the first bird, a Rough-legged Hawk, moving at 0826, 9 Golden Eagles recorded before 0900 and a further 23 between 0900 and 1000. All these birds glided south over the east-central part of the valley avoiding the Livingstone Ridge. After 1000 movement slowed but picked up again in the mid afternoon peaking at 36 birds between 1500 and 1600 of which 30 were Golden Eagles. Only 2 birds moved after the ridges cleared at 1800 with the last of the day’s 131 Golden Eagles moving high to the south at 1821. An adult Peregrine Falcon at 1523 raised the season’s record count to 45. Passerine migration was limited to 100 Bohemian Waxwings, 40 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 3 Red Crossbills which were the first for the season (bird species #104). 11.5 hours (684.8) BAEA 15 (191), SSHA 6 (1009), COHA 2 (298), NOGO 3 (111), RLHA 2 (37), GOEA 131 (3260), PEFA 1 (45) TOTAL 160 (5513)
Mount Lorette [Day 31] (George Halmazna) Temperatures ranged between 4C and 9C, ground winds were S-SW 0-10 occasionally gusting 25 km/h, ridge winds were SW mainly moderate all day and the ridges were mainly clear of cloud. A total of 75 raptors migrated between 0920 and 1830 with maximum passage of 14 birds (all Golden Eagles) between 1100 and 1400. The flight only involved two species: 12 Bald Eagles (5a,7j) and 63 Golden Eagles (47a,2sa,8j,6u). The highlights of the day, however, came after 1900 when the count was over with a Northern Saw-whet Owl singing near the parking area, and a Cougar which crossed the Nakiska Road in front of George’s car just after he had left the parking area. 11.5 hours (363.01) BAEA 12 (67), GOEA 63 (1911) TOTAL 75 (2119)

October 22 [Day 57] (Valley View site) It was finally a pleasant day with the temperature reaching 11C at 1600 from a low of 5C, ground winds NNW switching to SW at 1250 generally 10-15 gusting 25 km/h, ridge winds moderate WNW all day and 5-70% cumulus cloud cover providing sunny conditions for most of the day. Raptor movement continued where it left off yesterday with the first 2 Golden Eagles appearing at 0819 and 17 birds passing south before 0900. The day’s maximum passage was 48 birds between 1100 and 1200 at which time a day similar to yesterday’s appeared to be in the offing, but the pace dropped in the afternoon before picking up again after 1600 with the last 2 of the day’s 226 Golden Eagles (196a,11sa,19j) flying high to the south at 1841. Bald Eagles again moved strongly with the total of 36 (23a,9sa,4j) being the highest daily count so far,12 Sharp-shinned Hawks finally put the species total for the season above the 1000 mark, and the Northern Harrier at 1410 was only the season’s 2nd adult male in the record total of 95 so far. There was little songbird movement but a Belted Kingfisher at 1020 was the 103rd bird species for the season and the first ever in October. 11.67 hours (673.3) BAEA 36 (176), NOHA 1 (95), SSHA 12 (1003), NOGO 1 (108), RTHA 1 (191), RLHA 1 (35), GOEA 226 (3129) TOTAL 278 (5353)
Mount Lorette [Day 30] (Joel Duncan) Temperatures ranged from 0C to 8C, ground winds were mainly light SW while ridge winds were light to moderate W, and cloud cover started at 70% altocumulus and gradually diminished to 20% by the end of the day. A total of 85 migrant raptors moved between 1006 and 1838 of which 81 were Golden Eagles (44a,10sa,6j,21u), with maximum movement of 17 birds late in the day both between1600 and 1700, and from 1700 to 1800. Three American Tree Sparrows were the first seen this season 11 hours (351.51) BAEA 3 (55), SSHA 1 (55), GOEA 81 (1848) TOTAL 85 (2044)

October 21 [Day 56] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to 8C at 1400 from a low of -1C and was still 6C at 1900. Ground winds were mainly light SW-W but occasionally gusted to 25km/h, and ridge winds were moderate W all day. Cloud cover was 70% lenticular, altocumulus and cumulus at 0800 but quickly thickened and was mainly 100% stratocumulus, cumulus and altostratus for the rest of the day. Ridges were clear until just before 1900 when some cloud draped the Livingstone Range and the forecast rain failed to materialise with only a light drizzle starting at 1900. The first raptor was a Bald Eagle at 0816 and movement was steady until 1100 by which time 41 birds had moved. After 1100 the pace picked up considerably and raptors moved continuously until the last Golden Eagle moved south at 1838. The combined species total of 602 is the highest for the season as is the Bald Eagle total of 33 (29a,4j) and the Golden Eagle count of 529 (429a,14sa,8j,15u), which is also the second highest count for the site since we started formal counts here in 2006. Two hourly counts saw the movement of over 100 raptors: 106 birds between 1200 and 1400 (92 of which were Golden Eagles) and 107 between 1700 and 1800 (of which 88 were Golden Eagles). Northern Harrier (2), Cooper’s Hawk (3), American Kestrel (1) and Peregrine Falcon (1 adult) all increased their season-record totals and the kestrel was also the second latest recorded at the site. Despite today’s large movement we are still 911 and 760 birds below average for this date for cumulative combined species and Golden Eagles respectively. Passerine migrants included 18 European Starlings, 90 Bohemian Waxwings and 360 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and no fewer than 4 Great Horned Owls were singing during the twilight. 11.75 hours (661.63) BAEA 33 (140), NOHA 2 (94), SSHA 26 (991), COHA 3 (296), NOGO 6 (107), RTHA 1 (190), GOEA 529 (2903), AMKE 1 (65), PEFA 1 (44) TOTAL 602 (5075)
Mount Lorette [Day 29] (Peter Allen) The temperature ranged from -2C to 9C at 1800, ground winds were light variable, ridge winds were moderate SW all day and cloud cover was essentially 100% stratus all day although the ridges remained clear. The first of the day’s 184 Golden Eagles (168a,4sa,11j) moved at 0853 and the second was not seen until 1019 but thereafter movement was steady with 41 birds moving between 1500 and 1600 at maximum and the last Golden Eagle was recorded at 1816. The Golden Eagle total is the 3rd highest for the season so far as is the combined species total of 191 although non-Golden Eagle species only accounted for 8 of the total. 11.5 hours (340.51) BAEA 6 (52), SSHA 1 (54), UA 1 (3) GOEA 184 (1767) TOTAL 191 (1959)

October 20 [Day 55] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a high of 5.5C at 1600 from a low of 1C, ground winds were S-SW 0-5 km/h and ridge winds appeared to be light S, and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus all day. Light rain fell to 0900, from 1235 to 1420, from 1510-1530 and after 1630 when it became moderate. All ridges were obscured until noon when some clearing occurred with the Livingstone Ridge briefly only having 20% cloud cover at 1500, but the stratus quickly lowered again and by 1700 the mountains were again hidden. Raptor movement was very sporadic during periods of reduced cloud cover and between rain episodes with 6 of the day’s 15 migrants moving between 1220 and 1239. The 5 Golden Eagles moving along the Livingstone Ridge often disappeared into cloud, and the last bird of the day was an adult grey morph Gyrfalcon at 1616. Migrating songbirds also took advantage of breaks in the weather with 145 American Robins, 111 European Starlings, 25 Bohemian Waxwings, 700 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 7 Pine Siskins moving. A Song Sparrow that stayed around the site all day was surprisingly the first to be seen for the count [species #162] and was the 102nd species for the season. 10.33 hours (649.88) BAEA 1 (107), NOHA 1 (92), SSHA 4 (965), GOEA 5 (2374), MERL 2 (28), GYRF 1 (5), UF 1 (3) TOTAL 15 (4473)
Mount Lorette [Day 28] (George Halmazna) Temperatures ranged from 1C to 4C, ground winds were N 0-8 km/h while ridge winds were calm in the morning becoming light NNE in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% stratus all day with the exception of 1300-1400 when it briefly cleared producing 30% blue sky over the valley. Ridges were obscured all day and drizzle until noon was replaced after 1600 by rain. Despite the weather there was some sporadic raptor movement above the valley with 16 of the day’s 27 migrants moving between 1400 and 1500 including all 4 Golden Eagles and all 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks. The flight was dominated, however, by 17 Bald Eagles (13 adults, 1 subadult and 3 juveniles) which is the highest count for the species so far this season. There was little passerine movement but a few water birds migrated including 2 Common Loons, 2 Canada Geese, 9 Common Goldeneye and a female Green-winged Teal. 10 hours (329.01) BAEA 17 (46), SSHA 6 (53), GOEA 4 (1583) TOTAL 27 (1767)

October 19 [Day 54] (Valley View site) It was -1C and winds were calm to SE 5 km/h to 0915 with light SE-S upper flow, and 80-90% stratocumulus cloud cover. At 0915 fog moved from the south and obscured all ridges and when the valley fog cleared around noon the ridges remained hidden in low stratus cloud for the rest of the day. The temperature reached 6.5C at 1400 and winds were light SSE to SW. An adult Bald Eagle that moved unenthusiastically south along the Livingstone Ridge at 0826 proved to be the day’s only migrant raptor. The cool, calm early morning conditions, however, found two Great Horned Owls and a Northern Pygmy-Owl in fine voice and at 0740 they were joined by a Northern Saw-whet Owl singing sporadically from an aspen grove to the west. This is the first record of the species for the count [species #161] and was the 100th for the season. A flock of 20 Bohemian Waxwings flying on the ridge just before the fog rolled in provided the season’s 101st species. 10 hours (639.55) BAEA 1 (106) TOTAL 1 (4458)
Mount Lorette [Day 27] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature ranged from 1C to a high of 5C at 1400, valley winds were light and ridge winds NE light to moderate, cloud was 100% fog clearing at 1000 to reveal a low stratus cover, and the ridges were obscured all day. Only five raptors made their way slowly south along the valley beneath the cloud between 1330 and 1435. 10.5 hours (319.01) BAEA 2 (29), UA 2 (2), RLHA 1 (13) TOTAL 5 (1740)

October 18 [Day 53] (Valley View site) Temperatures ranged from 7C to 12C, ground winds were SW to WNW gusting 28 km/h to 1100 but thereafter light and ridge winds were WNW all day moderate to strong to 1030, moderate to 1730 and then light to moderate. Cloud cover ranged from 100 to 40% cumulus, stratocumulus and cirrus and ridges were clear all day. Raptor migration was the most diverse for many days and 57 birds of a total of 123 were not Golden Eagles. The 11 Rough-legged Hawks was the highest count of the season so far, and Sharp-shinned Hawk (25) and Red-tailed Hawk (7) had their highest counts since October 1. Two Cooper’s Hawks and single Northern Harrier and Peregrine Falcon (an adult) raised their record season’s totals to 293, 91 and 43 respectively. Although Golden Eagles moved fairly steadily between 0813 and 1800 only 66 birds were seen (53a,9sa,4j) and movement became slower as ridge wind velocity diminished after mid afternoon. Maximum raptor movement was 28 birds between 1300 and 1400.11.75 hours(629.55) BAEA 10 (105), NOHA 1 (91), SSHA 25 (961), COHA 2 (293), RTHA 7 (189), RLHA 11 (34), GOEA 66 (2369), PEFA 1 (43) TOTAL 123 (4457)
Mount Lorette [Day 26] (Bill Wilson) The temperature rose to 7.5C from a low of 1C and fell to 4C at 1900, ground winds were N-NE generally light but occasionally gusted to 20 km/h, ridge winds were WNW light to moderate all day and cloud cover was 60-100% cumulus with ridges mainly clear all day. The flight of 56 migrant raptors was dominated by 51 Golden Eagles (43a,1sa,2j,5u) that moved between 0913 and 1833. Non-raptor migrants included 2 Common Loons, a single flock of 150 Bohemian Waxwings and 3 Rusty Blackbirds. 12 hours (308.51) BAEA 2 (27), SSHA 2 (47), RLHA 1 (12), GOEA 51 (1579) TOTAL 56 (1735)

October 17 [Day 52] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson, which allowed me to make presentations at the Canmore Festival of Eagles today) It was a warm day with the temperature reaching 19C from a low of 9C, ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day and cloud cover ranged from 60-100% cumulus, cirrus and altostratus. The ridges were clear all day but light rain showers developed between 1640 and 1815. Raptor movement started early with the first Golden Eagle seen at 0744 and by 1300 171 Golden Eagles had moved south and the prospect of a significant total appeared to be in the offing. The flow slowed in the afternoon, however, with the last bird going south at 1817, but the final count of 269 Golden Eagles was still the second highest of the season so far, as was the combined species total of 293. The highest hourly count was 43 between 0900 and 1000, and the age structure of the Golden Eagle flight was 164 adults, 7 subadults, 39 juveniles, and 59 birds of undetermined age as many birds were flying very high above the Livingstone Ridge. There was a fair representation of other raptor species including the season’s 4th Gyrfalcon: a grey morph of undetermined age. 11.92 (617.8) BAEA 9 (95), SSHA 9 (936), COHA 2 (291), NOGO 1 (101), UA 1 (35), RLHA 1 (23), GOEA 269 (2303), GYRF 1 (4), UU 1 (11) TOTAL 294 (4334)
Mount Lorette [Day 25] (Ron Dutcher) Temperatures ranged from 4C to 14C, ground winds were light all day while ridge winds were SW moderate to strong, cloud cover varied between 100% to 50% stratocumulus and cumulus, and despite rain that fell up to 1100 and again between 1600 and 1700 the ridges were clear all day. Because of the rain the first raptor, the first of the day’s 34 Golden Eagles, did not appear until 1125 but thereafter movement was steady but sparse and generally very high above the Fisher Range until around 1725. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the passage of 4 Peregrine Falcons over a 1.5 hour period during the middle of the afternoon, which are the first to be seen from the site this season. 10.42 hours (296.51) SSHA 1 (45), GOEA 34 (1528), PEFA 4 (4), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 40 (1679)

October 16 [Day 51] (Valley View site) It was another reasonably warm day with temperatures ranging from 4.5C to a high of 9C at 1400 which persisted to 1900 when it dropped to 8C. Ground winds were variable SW to N generally 5-15 km/h but occasionally gusting 40 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate to strong all day WNW to 1600 then W. Cloud cover ranged from 70-100% variously lenticular, altostratus, altocumulus, cumulus, stratocumulus, cirrostratus and cirrus, and the Livingstone Ridge to the north was heavily draped in cloud between 1300 and 1830 although this didn’t appear to affect the flow of raptors. Yesterday’s late movement led me to expect an early start today and this appeared to be the case with the first Golden Eagle moving at 0753. The second bird, however, did not appear until 1008 but subsequent movement was fairly steady for the rest of the day peaking at 33 between 1600 and 1700, with the last 2 Golden Eagles gliding high to the south at 1847. The flight comprised 122 adults, 13 subadults and 22 juvenile birds. The Golden Eagle recorded at 1645 brought the season’s combined species total to 4000, and 4 minutes later 3 Golden Eagles raised their season’s species total over 2000. There was also a reasonable scattering of other raptors with the highest Bald Eagle count (4) since October 9 and the highest Sharp-shinned Hawk (9) and Northern Goshawk (3) counts since October 1. 12 hours (605.88) BAEA 4 (86), SSHA 9 (927), NOGO 3 (100), RTHA 1 (182), RLHA 1 (22), GOEA 157 (2034) TOTAL 175 (4040)
Mount Lorette [Day 24] (George Halmazna) The temperature reached a high of 11C at 1500 from a low of -7C, falling to 7C at 1900. Ground winds were S generally around 10 km/h but occasionally gusting to 30 km/h, while ridge winds were SW moderate to strong until around 1530 when they became light to moderate. Cloud cover was 10-60% cirrostratus and altostratus to 1300 after which 100% stratocumulus developed that gradually thinned to 40% at 1900. The flight of 115 raptors was dominated by 111 Golden Eagles (94a,3sa,11j,3u) that moved between 0842 and 1637 with maximum movement of 22 birds between 1200 and 1300. Birds moved high above the Fisher Range ridge until 1500 with some disappearing into the base of clouds, but after the ridge winds abated birds moved above the valley to the west of the ridge. The only apparent songbird migrants were flocks of 30 and 16 Bohemian Waxwings flying south. 12 hours (286.09) NOGO 2 (20), RLHA 2 (11), GOEA 111 (1494) TOTAL 115 (1639)

October 15 [Day 50] (Valley View site) The temperature at 0715 was 5C, rose to 8.5C at 1200 and was still 5.5C at 1900. Ground winds ranged from W to N occasionally gusting 25 km/h while ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 30-90% mixtures of cumulus, altocumulus, altostratus, cirrus and stratocumulus giving excellent observing conditions and although cloud drape lingered over the ridges until 1200 they were completely clear in the afternoon. Conditions were ideal for Golden Eagle flight and birds moved high above the Livingstone ridge in a steady stream between 0807 and 1855 with almost no breaks. Fourteen birds had moved south by 0900 and every hour between 1100 and 1900 had at least 20 birds with maximum passage of 41 between 1500 and 1600. The total of 268 Golden Eagles is the second highest of the season and comprised 218 adults, 27 subadults, 22 juveniles and 1 bird of unknown age. Only 5 other migrant raptors were seen including the season’s 3rd Gyrfalcon, an adult grey morph, at 1830. 12 hours (593.88) SSHA 2 (918), COHA 1 (289), NOGO 1 (97), GOEA 268 (1877), GYRF 1 (3) TOTAL 273 (3865)
Mount Lorette [Day 23] (Joel Duncan) The temperature rose from -2C to 8C at noon where it stayed until 1700, ground winds were SW generally light and ridge winds were moderate W, and cloud cover ranged from 80% cumulus and altostratus in the morning to 10% cirrus at 1900. All but 2 of the day’s 51 migrant raptors were Golden Eagles which moved from 0910 to 1757 with a maximum count of 14 between 1700 and 1800. The flight comprised 29 adults, 5 subadults, 5 juveniles and 10 birds of undetermined age. The only other migrants were a juvenile Northern Harrier and a light morph Rough-legged Hawk. Several of the non-raptor species observed yesterday were still present but a single American Coot was a first record for the season. 10.5 hours (274.09) NOHA 1 (5), RLHA 1 (9), GOEA 49 (1383) TOTAL 51 (1524)

October 14 [Day 49] (Valley View site) The starting temperature was -6C but rose to 7C at 1500 before falling to 0C after 1800. Ground winds were light WSW to W all day and ridge winds were W light to moderate becoming moderate WNW after 1800. Cloud cover was 100% stratus, cumulus and stratocumulus all day except between 1500 and 1730 when it reduced to 90% allowing occasional sunny breaks. There was 8 cm of fresh snow on the ground at 0715 and light snow continued to fall until 0930, but during the rest of the day there were only occasional light snow flurries or rain showers. All ridges were obscured until 0830 when they substantially cleared but variably retained 10-20% cloud cover throughout the day and the main Livingstone Range to the north remained substantially cloud covered all day. The first raptor migrant was a Merlin at 1018 and the first Golden Eagle moved south at 1116 after which they moved steadily until 1820 with 50 of the day’s 127 birds occurring between 1500 and 1700. Until noon the eagles moved very low, generally below ridge height, but during the afternoon they glided high often above cloud draping the ridge, or soared high on occasion being lost in cloud. The flight comprised 108 adults, 8 subadults, 10 juveniles and 1 bird of undetermined age. A juvenile Northern Harrier at 1118 raised the season’s record count to 90. A juvenile Northern Shrike was the 3rd record of the species this season, and the only obvious songbird migrants was a single flock of 21 southbound American Robins at 1205. 12 hours (581.88) NOHA 1 (90), NOGO 1 (96), RTHA 2 (181), GOEA 127 (1609), MERL 1 (26) TOTAL 132 (3592)
Mount Lorette [Day 22] (Peter Allen) The temperature rose to 2C from a low of -5C, ground winds were light and variable while ridge winds were SW light to moderate, and cloud cover was 100% stratus in the morning breaking up after noon to 30-40% altostratus and cirrus providing excellent observing conditions. Both E and W ridges were obscured until 1100 after which they cleared with occasional cloud drape for the rest of the day. The first migrant raptor was a Golden Eagle at 1056 but 22 of the total of 36 migrants moved between 1500 and 1715 with the last of the day’s 31 Golden Eagles moving at 1745. As yesterday most Golden Eagles flew low from Skogan Pass and had trouble finding lift with most moving below the top of the Fisher Range ridge. There was a good variety of non-raptor species including 3 Blue-winged Teal, 2 Killdeer, 1 Wilson’s Snipe, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Song Sparrows, 4 Lincoln’s Sparrows, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 50 Dark-eyed Juncos, 7 Rusty Blackbirds, 11 Red Crossbills and 3 White-winged Crossbills. 10.75 hours (263.59) BAEA 2 (25), NOHA 1 (4), NOGO 1 (18), GOEA 31 (1334), MERL 1 (4) TOTAL 36 (1473)

October 13 No observation possible (Valley View site) I spent 8 hours at the site hoping that ridges would clear but gave up at 1520 and when I checked again at 1730 nothing had changed. The temperature ranged from –9C to -6C, winds were mainly light WSW becoming NE 10-15 km/h at 1500, upper winds appeared to be N, low overcast cloud obscured all ridges and light snow persisted all day. On this date last year we counted 637 Golden Eagles and this year’s Golden Eagle count is now 1120 birds behind the 2006-8 average.
Mount Lorette [Day 21] (George Halmazna) The temperature ranged from -10C to -4C with N ground winds all day light in the morning but gusting to 25 km/h in the afternoon more than offsetting the effects of the “warming trend”. All ridges were obscured until 1100 and the west remained obscured all day but the east started to clear from the SSE but was never more than 40% clear and by 1600 all ridges were again obscured. Snow stopped around 1200 and restarted after 1530. Despite the unpromising conditions Golden Eagles started to move after 1120 and persisted until 1630 with 27 of the day’s 74 birds moving between 1300 and 1400. Most of the birds were flapping low below the cloud, moving from Skogan Pass to the eastern side of the Kananaskis Valley and thence to the SE following the Evan-Thomas Creek Valley. The age structure of the flight was 67 adults and 7 juveniles and for the last week the average count of juveniles at both sites has been around 10% which is significantly lower than during the same period last year. New bird species for the site this season were 7 Tundra Swans flying to the W and 4 Rusty Blackbirds: 3 males and a female, and the season’s second Pacific Loon flew to the SSW at 1320. 11.25 hours (252.84) GOEA 74 (1303) TOTAL 74 (1303)

October 12 [Day 47] (Valley View site) The starting temperature at 0715 was a season low -21C warming to a high of -5C at 1400-1500 and falling to -11C at 1900. Ground winds were light and mainly SW to 1600 after which they were SE and SSE gusting to 16 km/h, and ridge winds were light to moderate E also becoming moderate SE after 1600. The day was cloudless resulting in very welcome sunshine until 1700 when 20% cumulus developed which thickened to 80% by 1900 with cloud spilling onto the ridges from the east and partially obscuring them. Because of the calm conditions the first migrant Golden Eagle was not seen until 1119 and at 1135 the second bird was the second latest Osprey ever recorded at the site which established a new record count for October of 4 birds as well as raising the seasonal record to 49. Golden Eagles started moving strongly after1228 and continued in an almost unbroken stream of 175 birds (or streams as again they moved to east and west as well as occasionally overhead) until 1641 after which only 2 more were seen with the last at 1708. The Golden Eagle flight comprised 129 adults, 17 subadults, 16 juveniles and 17 birds of unknown age. The last raptor of the day was the 4th Red-tailed Hawk (all light morph calurus) at 1740. A Northern Pygmy-Owl at 1045 and a female Evening Grosbeak at 1520 were both second records for the season. 12 hours (569.88) OSPR 1 (49), BAEA 3 (82), RTHA 4 (179), RLHA 1 (21), GOEA 179 (1482) TOTAL 188 (3460)
Mount Lorette [Day 20] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature rose to 5C from a low of -19.5C and fell to -8C at 1800. Ridge winds were light to moderate NW all day and cloud cover started at 60% altocumulus which diminished to 30% at 1100 before thickening gradually throughout the afternoon reaching 1005 stratus after 1600. Cloud started draping the Fisher Range at noon and by 1600 all ridges were obscured. Very light snow began to fall at 1400 becoming steady light snow by late afternoon. A total of 69 Golden Eagles moved, as at P-SL, to the east, west and overhead between 0945 and 1658, but the highlight of the day occurred at 1126 with the passage of the season’s first Broad-winged Hawk: a juvenile light morph. 11 hours (241.59) BWHA 1 (1), GOEA 69 (1229), UU 1 (2) TOTAL 71 (1363)

October 11 [Day 47] (Valley View site) It was a similar day to yesterday with the temperature briefly reaching -6C at 1200 from a start of -13C and falling to -12C at 1900. Ground winds were variable but generally light and the upper flow was light E all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus until 1300 after which it began to slightly break reducing to 70% altocumulus and altostratus at 1900. There were a few light snow flurries in the morning but the ridges essentially remained clear all day. The first raptor was an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk at 0844 and the first Golden Eagle was at 1052 but they didn’t begin to move steadily until after 1130. Because of the light winds Golden Eagles moved to the south both on the Livingstone Ridge to the east and Bluff Mountain to the west and occasionally over the valley, and the flight peaked between 1400 and 1500 when 38 birds were seen. The last of the day’s 124 Golden Eagles (92a,8sa,15j,9u) went south at 1730. This is only the 3rd time this month that the Golden Eagle count has exceeded 100 birds and the species total is currently 728 birds below the 2006-8 cumulative average for this date. The only Red-tailed Hawk seen was an adult dark morph “Harlan’s Hawk” that soared low overhead much to the delight of the observers. 12 hours (557.88) BAEA 1 (79), NOHA 1 (89), SSHA 1 (916), NOGO 2 (95), RTHA 1 (175), GOEA 124 (1303) TOTAL 130 (3272)
Mount Lorette [Day 19] (Bill Wilson) The temperature rose to -6C from a low of -12C and fell to -10C by 1900. Ground winds were variable and light and ridge winds appeared to be light to moderate and mainly W. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus to 1100 after which it gradually cleared until it was cloudless by 1900. There was 10 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow persisted early in the morning. The western ridges were mainly obscured by cloud all day, and the Fisher Range to the east was variably obscured 10-30% for most of the day. It was a good day of raptor movement dominated by Golden Eagles that provided 236 of the day’s 248 migrants. The first bird seen was a Merlin at 0915 and the first Golden Eagle moved at 1055 with 191 of the Golden Eagles seen between 1300 and 1700, maximum passage being 61 from 1500-1600. The last Golden Eagle was a bird going to roost at 1829 and the last raptor of the day was the 7th Bald Eagle which is the highest count for the species so far this season. A female Red-breasted Merganser was only the second record for the site and a high-flying Pacific Loon was the first for the season. 11 hours (230.59) BAEA 7 (23), SSHA 1 (44), COHA 1 (10), NOGO 1 (17), GOEA 236 (1158), MERL 2 (3) TOTAL 248 (1292)

October 10 [Day 46] (Valley View site) It was another cold day starting at -12C at 0715, briefly rising to -6C at 1600 before falling to -11C at 1900. Ground winds were light all day mainly WSW and aloft were also light E until 1800 when they switched to N. Cloud cover was 100% stratus until 1830 when the cloud finally broke reducing to 60% altostratus at 1900. Light snow persisted until 1420, but the ridges were just visible and only became clear after the snow stopped. The only bird seen before noon was a very dark adult male Merlin that flew from the north and perched on a tree for 2 minutes before continuing south. The bird showed all the characters of F.c.suckleyi (“Black Merlin”), a subspecies normally confined to the Pacific coast, and is a new record for the count. Golden Eagles started to move in low numbers after 1200 while the snow was still falling, but increased significantly after it stopped at 1420, peaking at 20 birds between 1605 and 1632 after which migration suddenly ceased for the day. The 51 Golden Eagles counted comprised 25a, 9sa, 16j and 1u, and the only other raptors counted were 2 adult Bald Eagles and an adult female Northern Harrier. An American Three-toed Woodpecker flying high to the south at 1430 was the 99th bird species seen this season, and a Purple Finch (male) was only the second seen this season. 12 hours (545.88) BAEA 2 (78), NOHA 1 (88), GOEA 51 (1179) MERL 1 (25) TOTAL 55 (3142)
Mount Lorette [Day 18] (Ron Dutcher) Because of heavy ground fog in the valley Ron didn’t start the count until 1100 and watched from the parking lot of the Nakiska ski hill until 1600 in order to see above the fog, before going down to the Hostel Hill observation site for the rest of the day. The temperature high was -2C at 1300 and fell to -8C at 1800, and both ground and ridge winds were light all day, E to 1530 and subsequently W. Cloud cover was 100% until early afternoon after which a blue patch over the middle of the valley gradually expanded to cover 70% of the sky by late afternoon. The Fisher Range was not completely clear of cloud until 1600, but the first migrant Golden Eagle moved low to the south at 1540 and the last 6 of the day’s 32 birds were seen at 1810. There was little lift and most of the birds moved low against the Fisher Range ridge with much flapping. A flock of 45 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches was the first record of the species this season. 7.75 hours (219.59) GOEA 32 (924) TOTAL 32 (1044)

October 9 [Day 45] (Valley View site after 1100) After spending 1.5 hours (it normally takes 35-40 minutes) climbing to the ridge top in drifts often above my knees I found a temperature of -15C with E-SE winds up to 11 km/h and about 20 cm of fresh snow. By 1000 I was so cold that I decided to go down again, but not before finding fresh Cougar tracks just to the north of the site, the animal having recently crossed the ridge from west to east. The temperature at the Valley View site was a much more pleasant -9C, which rose to -6C at 1400 before falling to -13C at 1900 under a cloudless sky, and light snow persisted until 1330. Winds were light all day initially E and becoming SW-W after 1330, and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus to1400 breaking up to 40-50% cumulus to1700 after which it was cloudless. The first raptor was a Rough-legged Hawk at 1228, and the first Golden Eagle was at 1304 but concerted movement didn’t begin until after 1400 peaking at 25 birds between 1600 and 1700 with the last of the day’s 48 Golden Eagles (32a,6sa,10j) moving at 1834. An Osprey at 1215, looking most incongruous flying against the snow covered mountains, raised the season’s record total to 48, and the 19 Bald Eagles (12a,5sa,2j) that moved between 1543 and 1809 was the highest count so far this season. At 1327 a smaller goose flying west above the Crowsnest Valley with 6 Canada Geese turned out to be a Greater White-fronted Goose [bird species # 95] which is a new species for the count [#160] and is also a bird that is not on the Crowsnest Pass checklist. More prosaically 4 south-bound European Starlings were the 96th species for the season, a Wilson’s Snipe flying high to the south over the valley was the 97th and represented a first fall record for the count, and a Steller’s Jay at 1757 was the 98th bird species seen so far. I shall probably continue to watch for the Valley View site until it warms up a bit! 11.75 hours (533.88) OSPR 1 (48), BAEA 19 (76), RTHA 1 (174), RLHA 3 (20), GOEA 48 (1128) TOTAL 72 (3087)
Mount Lorette [Day 17] (George Halmazna 0715-1300, Des Allen 1300-1915) The temperature at 0715 was -19C and dropped further to -21C before rising to -4C between 1300 and 1700 after which it fell to -11C at 1900 under a cloudless sky. Winds were variable and light all day, and cloud cover reached a maximum of 60% altostratus at 1000 reducing to 10% at 1400 and was cloudless after 1700. The first raptor of the day was a Northern Goshawk at 1156 but the first of the day’s 51 Golden Eagles wasn’t seen until 1405, they peaked at 17 between 1700 and 1800 and the last went south at 1820. Not only was the count of Golden Eagles close to that at P-SL but the age structure was also gratifyingly similar: 30a, 3sa, 7j and 11u. 12 hours (211.84) BAEA 1 (16), NOGO 1 (16), GOEA 51 (892) TOTAL 53 (1012)