September 30 [Day 37] The temperature was 0C at 0800 but fell to -1C as steady snow started to fall at 0825 which persisted to early afternoon under light upslope (NE to E) winds. The ridges slowly started to clear after 1500 and the cloud cover fell to 20% at 1900 but the Livingstone Range to the north never fully cleared. Winds switched from E to SW gusting to15 km/h after 1800 when the temperature reached the day’s high of 1C before falling back to 0C at 1900. A single Merlin flew south at 0821 just before the heavy snow started and no further raptors were seen until 1557 when 2 Golden Eagles appeared out of the clouds and glided south quickly followed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk. A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and 2 more Golden Eagles, the last at 1822, completed the day’s count of 7 birds. 8.67 hours (458.13) SSHA 1 (831), RLHA 1 (6), GOEA 4 (512), MERL 1 (21) TOTAL 7 (2278)
September Summary No full days were lost to the weather with only counts on September 20 and 30 being adversely affected by weather. All 30 days in the month were spent in the field (371.4 hours) both days and hours being monthly records for the site and 5.88% and 15.33% above the 2006-8 average respectively. The combined species count of 2115 was 5.49% above average and was the second highest September count. Seven species achieved September record counts while 4 equaled previous high counts. New highs were set by Osprey (44: +181%), Cooper’s Hawk (262: +61.4%), Northern Goshawk (82: +79.6%), Broad-winged Hawk (44: +238%), Rough-legged Hawk (6: +157%), American Kestrel (55: +143%) and Peregrine Falcon (40: +87.5%), while highs were equaled by Swainson’s Hawk (2: +20%), Ferruginous Hawk (3: +200%), Merlin (21: +43.2%) and Prairie Falcon (10: +25%). Two further species, Northern Harrier (59: +24.6%) and Sharp-shinned Hawk (772: +4.84%), occurred in higher than average numbers. Only 3 species occurred in lower than average numbers: Bald Eagle (30: -9.09%), Red-tailed Hawk (137: -9.87%) and, most significantly, Golden Eagle (503: -25.59%).
Mount Lorette [Day 10] (George Halmazna) The weather was much better at Lorette with the temperature rising to 9C from a low of -3C, winds generally light becoming NE 6-10 gusting 15 km/h at noon and becoming light again after 1500. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus in the morning reducing to 50% cumulus in the early afternoon and increasing again to 80% cumulus and altostratus by the end of the day, all giving good observation conditions. The first migrant raptor was a Cooper’s Hawk at 1050 and the first of the day’s 76 Golden Eagles was recorded at 1115 with the last moving south at 1759. Up to around 1400 birds migrated very low and generally below ridge level, but after 1400 all birds moved very high well above the ridge. Maximum movement was 1300-1400 when 36 migrants were seen. The total of 98 migrant raptors was the second highest total of the season and comprised a season high 9 species. The most common songbird migrants were 60 Ruby-crowned Kinglets and 44 American Robins. 12.5 hours (134.67) BAEA 4 (10), NOHA 2 (3), SSHA 9 (38), COHA 1 (7), NOGO 2 (11), RTHA 2 (15), RLHA 1 (3), GOEA 76 (355), PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 98 (449)

September 29 [Day 36] The temperature reached 10C from a low of -2C and fell to 4C at 1900. Winds were W all day gusting 30-50 km/h in the morning and 60-70 km/h in the afternoon, and cloud cover was 10-30% altostratus in the morning increasing and thickening to 60-100% altostratus, cumulus and cirrus in the afternoon. Despite the fact that 11 raptor species were seen, the flight was dominated by Golden Eagles which provided 101 of the total of 130 migrants: the highest count of the species so far this season. The Golden Eagle flight comprised 57 adults, 18 subadults, 23 juveniles and 3 birds of unknown age. Ospreys (2), Northern Harrier (1), Cooper’s Hawk (4) and American Kestrel (1) all increased their seasonal record totals. Movement began with the first Golden Eagle at 0943 and continued steadily all day until the last Golden Eagle glided high to the S at 1924, the latest migrant raptor yet seen this season. Passerine movement was essentially non-existent. 12.45 hours (449.46) OSPR 2 (45), BAEA 1 (32), NOHA 1 (85), SSHA 14 (830), COHA 4 (275), NOGO 2 (87), RTHA 1 (158), GOEA 101 (508), AMKE 1 (64), MERL 2 (20), PRFA 1 (10) TOTAL 130 (2271)
Mount Lorette [Day 9] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature rapidly rose from 3C at 0800 to 13C at 0900 where it remained until 1500 before reaching the day’s high of 14C at 1600. Ground winds were SW to 20 km/h but ridge winds were strong SW-SSW all day, and cloud cover was 5-50% cumulus, cirrus and altostratus giving generally favourable observation conditions. The only migratory raptor species seen was Golden Eagle with 39 birds moving between 0839 and 1714, with maximum hourly movement of 9 birds between 1500 and 1600. Passerine movement at Lorette was also essentially non-existent. 12 hours (122.17) GOEA 39 (279) TOTAL 39 (351)

September 28 [Day 35] (Doug and Teresa Dolmen after 1000) The temperature ranged from 4C to 9C with variable light winds to 1600 after which SW winds gusting to 30 km/h raised the temperature to 14C. Cloud cover was 80-100% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus to 1300 after which it thinned to 10% altostratus before thickening to 40% at the end of the day. Raptor movement was initially slow with the first Golden Eagle at 1145 and by 1400 only 8 birds had been seen. Subsequently the pace quickened with a good movement of Golden Eagles peaking at 49 birds between 1500 and 1700 and with the last Golden Eagle seen at 1840. The 70 Golden Eagles is the highest total so far and comprised 21 adults, 10 subadults, 24 juveniles and 15 birds of unknown age. Other raptor movement was sparse but included an Osprey and 2 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (1a,1j). Songbirds were again scarce and the ridge in the early morning was eerily quiet for almost the first time this season. 12.5 hours (437.01) OSPR 1 (43), BAEA 1 (31), SSHA 7 (816), UA 1 (33), BWHA 2 (45), RTHA 2 (157), UB 2 (5), GOEA 70 (407), UU 2 (9) TOTAL 91 (2141)
Mount Lorette [Day 8] (George Halmazna) The temperature rose to 12C from a low of -5C, it was calm to 1100 and then the wind was N 15-30 km/h for the rest of the day, and cloud cover was 40-80% cirrus and cirrostratus to 1500 after which it became cloudless. The presence of smoke produced gloomy conditions in the morning. Probably as a result of the north winds migrating raptors couldn’t maintain lift on the ridges and moved low over the whole width of the Kananaskis Valley. Despite this there was strong raptor movement between 1110 and 1815 with 103 of the day’s total of 122 being Golden Eagles (57a,5sa,35j,6u), both being high counts for the season. One of the 3 Red-tailed Hawks was the season’s first “Harlan’s Hawk” and 10 Sharp-shinned Hawks was a season high count. Non-raptor movement was thin, but highlights were a single Western Grebe flying to the S at 0757 (only the second record for the site), and a migrating juvenile dark-morph Parasitic Jaeger at 1317 provided the 3rd record for the site. 13 hours (110.17) OSPR 1 (3), SSHA 10 (29), COHA 1 (6), NOGO 3 (9), RTHA 3 (13) GOEA 103 (240), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 122 (312)

September 27 [Day 34] The temperature only rose to 6C from a low of 1C. Winds were light SE to1130 then E only reaching 18 km/h in the late afternoon and skies were cloudless producing a pleasant sunny day that felt much warmer than the temperatures suggest. It was a splendid day of raptor migration with a season high total of 14 species mostly moving fairly low overhead or close to the ridge providing an excellent workshop on plumage types for the lucky visitors on the ridge. Five Ospreys equaled the season’s highest daily count and increased the record total to 42. The 5 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa,2j) was the highest count so far, and 5 Northern Harriers (2 adult females, 3j) increased their record count to 84. Cooper’s Hawks continue to move strongly with 16 increasing the record total for the season to 268. Two juvenile light morph Broad-winged Hawks upped the record count to 43, while the 12 Red-tailed Hawks demonstrated a wide variety of plumages: 5 light adult, 2 light juvenile, 1 intermediate juvenile and 2 dark adult calurus Red-tails; 1 juvenile “Krider’s Hawk” (borealis var) and 1 adult dark morph harlani. Golden Eagles (41: 15a,11sa,14j,1u) equaled the season’s high count but numbers are still low compared to this day last year (156) and in 1997 (146). Falcon movement was strong until 1300 with 11 American Kestrels being the second highest count ever at the site and raising their record total to 63; Merlins (all columbarius) had their highest movement this season at 6 and there were single Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. Birds moved between 0856 and 1830 with 32 of the day’s 142 migrants occurring between 1400 and 1500. Kudos to Phil and Keith for finding high flying birds, and keeping track of them against the pure blue sky. There was a reasonable passerine movement including a single Horned Lark which was the 87th bird species seen this season. 12.5 hours (424.51) OSPR 5 (42), BAEA 5 (30), NOHA 5 (84), SSHA 32 (809), COHA 16 (268), NOGO 2 (85), UA 2 (32), BWHA 2 (43), RTHA 12 (155), RLHA 1 (5), GOEA 41 (337), AMKE 11 (63), MERL 6 (18), PEFA 1 (41), PRFA 1 (9) TOTAL 142 (2050)
Mount Lorette [Day 7] (Bill Wilson) The temperature rose to 12C from a low of -6C, skies were cloudless all day and ground winds were variable 5-10 km/h only occasionally gusting 20 km/h. A season-high total of 70 raptors of 6 species moved between 0951 and 1914 with 15 birds and 12 of the day’s 51 Golden Eagles seen between 1800 and 1900. The Golden Eagle total is the highest at either site this season and suggests that the main movement may be finally starting. One of the 5 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult “Krider’s, and both Rough-legged Hawks were dark morphs. Passerine movement was dominated by American Robins (59), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (29) and American Pipits (12). 12.5 hours (97.17) BAEA 3 (6), NOHA 1 (1), SSHA 7 (19), RTHA 5 (10), RLHA 2 (2), GOEA 51 (137), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 70 (190)

September 26 [Day 33] It was a little cooler with the temperature reaching 16C from a low of 12C, winds were W strong all day regularly gusting above 80 km/h in the afternoon, and morning cloudless skies gave way after noon to 5-30% cumulus cover. Raptor movement started at 0859 and was generally persistent but slow through much of the day with the only strong movement occurring when 24 birds moved between 1600 and 1700, and the last bird was the 29th Golden Eagle of the day at 1836. There was a reasonable variety of birds seen with 10 species occurring despite the strong winds, with the highlight being another 4 Peregrine Falcons bringing the season’s total to an unprecedented 40 birds. Because of the high winds passerine movement was sparse. 12.5 hours (412.01) BAEA 3 (25), NOHA 2 (79), SSHA 33 (777), COHA 12 (252), NOGO 5 (83), UA 3 (30), RTHA 9 (143), RLHA 1 (4), UB 1 (2), GOEA 29 (296), UE 1 (2), MERL 1 (12), PEFA 4 (40), UU 1 (7) TOTAL 105 (1908)
Mount Lorette [Day 6] (Ron Dutcher) Winds were also strong W until the end of the day when they abated, and smoke again increased during the day sometimes partially obscuring the ridges. Raptor movement was again poor with only 5 birds of 4 species moving, and passerine movement wasn’t much better. 11 hours (84.67) SSHA 1 (12), COHA 1 (5), RTHA 1 (5), GOEA 2 (86) TOTAL 5 (120)

September 25 [Day 32] The warm weather persisted with the temperature ranging from 9.5C to 19C. Winds were S-SE light to moderate until 1235 when they switched to SW and then W after 1500 gradually increasing in velocity, peaking at 58 km/h at 1900. There was a slight smoke haze until noon, and cloud cover was generally 5-30% cirrus until 1800 when spectacular altostratus/lenticular cloud developed reaching 60% at 1900. It was a good day of raptor migration with a season high 163 birds of 12 species moving between 1006 and 1854, peaking between 1300 and 1400 at a season high 42 birds. Two Ospreys increased the record seasonal total to 37 and the bird that passed high to the S at 1306 was carrying a fish in its talons. The 5 Northern Harriers brought the season’s total to a record 77 birds, and the 28 Cooper’s Hawks was the highest total for the season and also established a new record for the site of 240 birds. The 16 American Kestrels was the highest single day total for the species on any RMERF count and brought the total for the season to 52: another record. The late movement of 2 Peregrine Falcons at 1825 and 1829 brought the day’s total to 4 and the season’s total to yet another record 36 birds. Golden Eagle is the only species that is somewhat underperforming at the moment with only 24 birds moving today, but the promised cooler weather starting on Sunday should provide an impetus for their southward movement. Migrant passerines included 29 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 22 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 17 Mountain Bluebirds, 36 American Robins, 16 Cedar Waxwings and 15 Yellow-rumped Warblers, while a single flock of 9 Black-billed Magpies flying high to the S east of the ridge at 1047 also looked like they were migrating. 12.5 hours (399.51) OSPR 2 (37), BAEA 3 (22), NOHA 5 (77), SSHA 56 (744), COHA 28 (240), NOGO 10 (78), UA 2 (27), RTHA 9 (134), RLHA 1 (3), GOEA 24 (267), AMKE 16 (52), MERL 2 (11), PEFA 4 (36), UU 1 (6) TOTAL 163 (1803)
Mount Lorette [Day 5] (George Halmazna) The temperature ranged from 1C to 21C, ground winds were generally light S, only briefly gusting to 17 km/h, and cloud cover was 10-40% cirrus with minor altocumulus for most of the day reaching 70% in the late afternoon. After 1345 smoke from the controlled burn reappeared and was often thick enough to obscure adjacent mountains. It was another disappointing raptor count with only 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1sa) moving between 1600 and 1700. The highlight of the day was a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker which is only the 5th record for the site and the 2nd fall record. Passerine movement was dominated by 83 Ruby-crowned Kinglets and 44 American Robins, all of which moved before noon. 12.75 hours (73.67) GOEA 3 (84) TOTAL 3 (115)

September 24 [Day 31] The temperature was 16.5C at 0800, rose to 22C and was still 20C at 1900. Winds were WNW gusting to over 60 km/h until 1600 when they backed to W and slightly moderated. Cloud cover was a 100% mixture of altostratus and smoke all day, although it became thin at times in the late afternoon, and smoke haze was pervasive all day. Raptor migration started at 1019 with a Sharp-shinned Hawk and by 1137 16 birds had been counted. There was then a gap until 1313 when movement recommenced but in a sporadic fashion with bursts of birds interspersed with quiet periods, and the last bird, the day’s only Bald Eagle, was seen at 1845. The maximum count was 1600-1700 with 24 migrants, 13 of which were Golden Eagles providing the most sustained movement of the species so far this season. Of note was a season-high 6 Peregrine Falcons (3a,1j,2u) most of which glided south at impressive speeds, and a single Osprey raised the season’s record count to 35. Only 19 Sharp-shinned Hawks were recorded today, but Northern Goshawks (11: 7a,1j,3u) moved strongly for the first time since September 5. The most common songbird migrants were 35 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 43 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 16 Mountain Bluebirds and 50 Pine Siskins. An Orange-crowned Warbler was the first in 8 days and a Blackpoll Warbler was the first for the season [#86] and only the site’s second record. 12.5 hours (387.01) OSPR 1 (35), BAEA 1 (19), NOHA 3 (72), SSHA 19 (688), COHA 8 (212), NOGO 11 (68), UA 3 (25), RTHA 5 (125), GOEA 35 (243), PEFA 6 (32), UU 1 (5) TOTAL 93 (1640)
Mount Lorette [Day 4] (Joel Duncan) It was another hot day with the temperature again reaching 25C from a low of 7C. Winds were S-SW not exceeding 20 km/h and the sky was cloudless. After 1500 smoke from the controlled burn to the W created a thick haze. No migrant raptors were seen, but the day did have a highlight: 4 Black Swifts flying high providing the first record at the site since September 2004. 12 hours (60.92) TOTAL 0 (112)

September 23 [Day 30] It was another hot day with the temperature 15C at 0800 rising to 23.5C by late afternoon and still at 21C at 1900. Winds were initially NW-N gusting 30 km/h until 1315 when they switched to W gusting to 40 km/h and over 50 km/h after 1900. The sky was completely cloudless all day, but smoke drifted from the W starting at 1600 reaching 30% at 1700 before gradually dissipating, which gave considerable relief to the eyes of Doug, Teresa, Keith and myself who had spent most of the day searching the blue for high flying migrants. It was another solid day of raptor movement with 114 migrants of 13 species moving between 0917 and 1850 with 96 of the birds occurring between 1300 and 1800. Sharp-shinned Hawks (55) were yet again the commonest raptor, with 16 Cooper’s Hawks taking the species’ total over 200 for the season. Golden Eagles again moved steadily but in relatively low numbers with 22 birds comprising 6 adults, 8 subadults and 8 juveniles. The biggest surprise was the passage of 2 adult Ferruginous Hawks one being a normal light morph but the other at 1420 showed a combination of a typical light morph tail, body and head, but with black (with some white mottling) under-wing coverts: a beautiful but bizarre bird!. Non-raptor migration was strong and persisted until the westerlies kicked in. Birds moving comprised 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Blue Jays, 150 Red-breasted Nuthatches (a seasonal high), 9 Golden-crowned and 52 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 10 Mountain Bluebirds, 3 Townsend’s Solitaires, 16 American Robins, 1 American Pipit, 30 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 5 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 Cassin’s Finch and 61 Pine Siskins. A Northern Pygmy-Owl being mobbed by the 3 Blue Jays and a variety of chickadees, kinglets and bluebirds was the first record of the season [bird species # 85]. The hot weather had a few butterflies on the wing including a Long-Dash Skipper and a couple of Dark Wood Nymphs, both considerably later than their normal flight periods. 12.5 hours (374.51) OSPR 1 (34), BAEA 1 (18), NOHA 4 (69), SSHA 55 (669), COHA 16 (204), NOGO 3 (57), UA 3 (22), RTHA 2 (120), FEHA 2 (10), GOEA 22 (208), AMKE 1 (36), PEFA 2 (26), PRFA 1 (8) TOTAL 114 (1547)
Mount Lorette [Day 4] (Jim Davis) The temperature ranged from 3C to 25C, initially calm conditions gave way after 1030 to W-SW winds 10-15 gusting 25 km/h and cloudless skies were relieved between 1500 and 1800 by smoke from a controlled burn immediately to the W, but which also produced falling ash and resulted in stinging eyes. Raptor migration comprised 18 birds of 4 species between the first of the day’s 9 Golden Eagles at 1120 and the last 2 of 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks at 1638. Unusual was the passage of a single male American Goldfinch which is a rarity at any time at the site, and a flock of 40 Common Redpolls that flew low overhead was very early. Four species of warbler occurred: 10 Yellow-rumps, 5 Townsend’s, 1 MacGillivray’s (a female), and 2 Common Yellowthroats. 12.25 hours (49.92) BAEA 2 (3), SSHA 6 (11), RTHA 1 (4), GOEA 9 (81) TOTAL 18 (112)

September 22 [Day 29] For the first day of autumn it didn’t feel very autumnal with the temperature at 0800 10C rising to 22C at 1600, and it was still 20C at 1900. Winds were WNW-W all day generally 20-30 km/h and only occasionally gusting 40 km/h, and cloud cover was 10-30% cirrus and altostratus for most of the day, briefly increasing to 70% very diffuse cirrus at 1600 before becoming cloudless after 1730. Despite 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks coming through at 0854 morning movement was slow with only 10 birds seen before noon. The pace quickened considerably in the afternoon peaking at 34 birds between 1600 and 1700 and the last of the day’s 134 migrants, a Cooper’s Hawk harassing the last migrant Golden Eagle, moved at 1856. Once again Sharp-shinned Hawks (69) dominated the flight although most went unaged as they flew high against a largely blue sky. Golden Eagles (22: 4a, 8sa, 10j) moved steadily throughout the afternoon, and there was a fair sprinkling of other raptors including a juvenile Peregrine Falcon that glided low overhead at 1304 dangling what appeared to be a broken leg. All the 12 Red-tailed Hawks were of the race calurus, with 11 light morphs (4a, 7j) and 1 adult dark morph. There was a strong and varied songbird movement, especially during the early morning, including 29 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper (the first for the season [#84], only the second seen on the ridge and a first September record), 18 Golden-crowned and 28 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 17 Mountain Bluebirds, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 48 American Robins, 12 Cedar Waxwings, 24 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 4 White-crowned Sparrows, 17 Dark-eyed Juncos and 51 Pine Siskins. The first bird of the day was the first Great Horned Owl of the season [#83] flying near the parking area at 0700. 12.67 hours (362.01) BAEA 2 (17), NOHA 3 (65), SSHA 69 (614), COHA 14 (188), NOGO 5 (54), UA 2 (19), RTHA 12 (118), GOEA 22 (186), AMKE 3 (35), PEFA 1 (24), UU 1 (4) TOTAL 134 (1433)
Mount Lorette [Day 3] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature ranged from 3C up to an amazing 26C at 1700, ground winds were generally S light and ridge winds also appeared to be light although the absence of cloud all day made it difficult to assess. The day’s 3 migratory Golden Eagles flew S between 0935 and 1019, and that was it for what was otherwise a very pleasant day! 12.67 hours (37.67) GOEA 3 (72) TOTAL 3 (94)

September 21 [Day 28] The temperature rose to a high of 12C from a low of 12C and winds were WNW and occasionally W 30-60km/h all day. The sky was cloudless at 0700 but cirrus and altostratus started to develop at 0800 reaching 100% at 1400 and staying between 70% and 90% for the rest of the day generally giving excellent observing conditions. Raptor movement was slow in the morning with only 9 birds moving before noon, but was strong throughout the afternoon peaking at 31 birds between 1300 and 1400, with the last bird, a Golden Eagle, observed at 1851. The combined species total of 156 is the highest so far this season and the flight was again dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks with 75 being the second highest count of the season. Golden Eagles also had their second highest count with 39 birds (5a, 15sa, 19j) moving and Bald Eagles had their highest count so far at 4 (3a, 1j). Both Osprey (2) and Broad-winged Hawk (1 light morph adult) increased their site-record counts to 33 and 41 respectively, and 3 more adult Peregrine Falcons brought the season’s total to 23. One of the 6 Northern Harriers seen was the first adult male of the season: 54 of the 62 birds seen so far have been juveniles. Non-raptor migrants included 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 4 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 13 Golden-crowned and 8 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Townsend’s Solitaires and 25 American Robins, but for the first time this season no warblers were recorded. Of the 19 Dark-eyed Juncos seen, 9 were hyemalis (“Slate-coloured”) and 1 was a male mearnsi (“Pink-sided”). 12.75 hours (349.34) OSPR 2 (33), BAEA 4 (15), NOHA 6 (62), SSHA 75 (545), COHA 17 (174), NOGO 2 (49), BWHA 1 (41), RTHA 7 (106), GOEA 39 (164), PEFA 3 (23) TOTAL 156 (1299)
Mount Lorette [Day 2] (George Halmazna) The temperature ranged from -3C to 18C, ground winds were light W and ridge winds were light to moderate all day and cloud cover was 10-100% altocumulus thinning to 40% cirrus late in the day. As yesterday, Golden Eagles dominated the flight of 40 raptors with 31 moving steadily (and slowly) along the Fisher Range between 0815 and 1810. Passerine movement included 2 Barn Swallows, 40 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 14 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 42 American Robins, 36 Cedar Waxwings and 1 White-throated Sparrow. 12.5 hours (25) OSPR 1 (2), SSHA 1 (5), COHA 1 (4), NOGO 3 (6), RTHA 3 (3), GOEA 31 (69) TOTAL 40 (91)

September 20 [Day 27] The temperature at 0800 was 4.5C and although there was 90% stratocumulus cloud cover all the mountains were clear. Rain started at 0820 and at 0940 winds shifted from W to E-NE bringing sleet and hail, and between 1410 and 1500 heavy wet snow (1 cm on the ground) lowering the temperature to 0.5C. During this period all ridges were obscured, but at 1500 winds again shifted to the W and the mountains to the north almost instantly cleared but only for 10 minutes as the low cloud re-condensed and again obscured everything to around 1700 when all ridges finally cleared. The last 3 hours of the day had almost cloudless skies, a temperature of 5C and W-WNW winds gusting 30 km/h which felt much colder than the near freezing temperature during the snowstorm. The first migrant raptor, a juvenile Northern Goshawk, came through at 1632 when the mountains to the north were still wreathed in cloud, but after 1718 movement became steady and the next two hours produced 12 and 16 migrants respectively and 4 birds moved after 1900 with the last of the day’s 16 Sharp-shinned Hawks going south at 1919. The highlight of the raptor movement was the season’s first Rough-legged Hawk at 1758 [species #82] occurring 8 days earlier than it had been seen before at the site. Despite the weather there was some songbird movement comprising 6 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 8 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 8 Townsend’s Solitaires, 1 Hermit Thrush (the first for the season and bird species # 81), 2 American Robins, 6 American Pipits, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 3 Chipping Sparrows, 13 White-crowned Sparrows and 23 Dark-eyed Juncos of 3 different subspecies. A Pileated Woodpecker calling at 0930 was the 80th bird species of the season, and a Ruffed Grouse in the upper sub-alpine forest immediately east of the ridge was the highest ever seen at the site. 13 hours (336.59) SSHA 16 (470), COHA 4 (157), NOGO 2 (47), RLHA 1 (1), GOEA 8 (125), MERL 1 (9), PRFA 1 (7) TOTAL 33 (1143)
Mount Lorette [Day 1] (Bill Wilson) This was the first day of the comparative count at Mount Lorette where the temperature was 6C at 0800 falling to 4C at noon and again at 1930 after reaching a high of 13C. Rain and showers persisted to noon and then gradually cleared with most of the afternoon experiencing 40-60% Cu which reduced to 5% at 1900. Winds were NNE 5-20 km/h in the morning switching to W in the afternoon which were moderate at ridge level. All ridges were obscured until 1300. The first of the day’s 51 migrant raptors was a subadult Golden Eagle at 1258, with maximum movement of 18 (1300-1400) and 13 (1400-1500), and the last birds moving at 1817. The flight was dominated by 38 Golden Eagles (12a, 7sa, 13j, 6u) with 6 other species comprising the remaining 13 migrants. 12.5 hours OSPR 1, BAEA 1, SSHA 4, COHA 3, NOGO 3, GOEA 38, AMKE 1 TOTAL 51

September 19 [Day 26] (Vance Mattson) The temperature was 13C at 0815 rising to 18.5C at 1300 and falling to 12C after 1800. Winds were mainly strong WSW to W all day gusting 75-85 km/h throughout the afternoon, and cloud cover was 30-80% altostratus and cumulus giving excellent viewing conditions after 1300. Despite the high winds raptor movement was steady and fairly continuous between the first Sharp-shinned Hawk at 0815 and the day’s only Northern Goshawk at 1933 which was the latest migrant seen so far this season. Sharp-shinned Hawks (18) and Cooper’s Hawks (2) were less prominent than during the last week but Golden Eagles (41: 7a, 2sa, 28j, 4u) moved steadily all day and this is the earliest day on any RMERF fall count that over 40 birds have been counted. Three Ospreys increased the species’ record count to 31, and a single unaged Peregrine Falcon flew south at 1314. Despite the wind there was some songbird movement comprising 5 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 14 Mountain Bluebirds, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 8 American Robins, 3 American Pipits and 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers but no sparrows or finches were seen. 12 hours (232.59) OSPR 3 (31), BAEA 1 (11), NOHA 2 (56), SSHA 18 (454), COHA 2 (153), NOGO 1 (45) UA 1 (17), RTHA 1 (99), GOEA 41 (117), AMKE 3 (32), PEFA 1 (20), UU 1 (3) TOTAL 75 (1110)

September 18 [Day 25] It was an almost ideal day both for migration and observation with the temperature climbing to 19.5C from a low of 10C, W winds generally between 25 and 40 km/h and 50 to 90% cirrus and altostratus cloud cover providing an excellent backdrop to high flying birds. The day’s count of 150 migrant raptors was the highest so far this season with birds of 11 species moving between 0854 and 1823, and the 1000th bird of the season, a Golden Eagle, flew south at 1626. The flight was dominated by a season high count of 91 Sharp-shinned Hawks and a season high equaling 22 Cooper’s Hawks, many of both species remaining un-aged as they moved very high in the afternoon. The 2 Ospreys brought the season’s total to a site-record 28 birds, while 2 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (a and j) and an adult light morph Swainson’s Hawk increased their season’s record counts to 40 and 7 respectively. One of the 13 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult dark morph “Harlan’s Hawk”. A count of 10 Golden Eagles (1a, 3 sa, 6j) continued the slight increase in migrant numbers of the last three days, and the only disappointment after a week of good falcon movement was that today only a single male American Kestrel was recorded. Passerine movement was sparse and included 21 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 6 Golden-crowned and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 9 Mountain Bluebirds, 8 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 White-crowned Sparrows and 11 Oregon Juncos, while finches continue to be very uncommon with only single Cassin’s Finch and American Goldfinch moving today. The songbird highlight, however, was a Grey-cheeked Thrush at 0841 which was the 79th bird species of the season and only the 4th record for the site. 12.5 hours (311.59) OSPR 2 (28), BAEA 1 (10), NOHA 4 (54), SSHA 91 (436), COHA 22 (151), NOGO 2 (44), UA 1 (16), BWHA 2 (40), SWHA 1 (7), RTHA 13 (98), GOEA 10 (76), AMKE 1 (29) TOTAL 150 (1035)

September 17 [Day 24] As yesterday the temperature was 16C at 0800 but then dropped to 14.5C by 1300 before reaching a high of 16.5C at 1500 and fell to the day’s low of 13C at 1900. Winds were initially SW switching to W after 1000 reaching a maximum of 70 km/h at 1300 before moderating to 30-40 km/h later in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 70-90% altocumulus, altostratus and cirrus to 1000 when dark cumulus cloud developed to 90% threatening but not producing rain. After 1400 the cumulus cloud lightened and progressively thinned to 20% by 1900 producing a mainly sunny afternoon. Raptor movement started early with the first of the day’s 4 American Kestrels flying south at 0608 and movement was steady until 1500 after which it became slow and sporadic, possibly as a result of adverse weather farther to the north. For the first time this season adult birds predominated in both the Sharp-shinned Hawk (21: 10a, 4j, 7u) and Cooper’s Hawk (12: 5a, 3j 4u) flights. Highlights were another 4 adult Peregrine Falcons and a single adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk, but Golden Eagles continue to just dribble south with 7 moving today (1a, 4sa, 2j). There was some songbird movement before the wind increased including 5 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 27 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 12 Mountain Bluebirds, 33 American Pipits, 9 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 8 Oregon Juncos, with a single female Purple Finch providing the season’s 78th bird species and a first September record for the site. Just after 0800 a summer pelage Long-tailed Weasel was hunting along the ridge top while a large Black Bear browsed berries to the east of the ridge. 12.5 hours (299.09) OSPR 1 (26), BAEA 1 (9), NOHA 4 (50), SSHA 21 (345), COHA 12 (129), NOGO 1 (42), UA 1 (15), BWHA 1 (38), RTHA 5 (85), GOEA 7 (66), AMKE 4 (28), PEFA 4 (19) TOTAL 62 (885)

September 16 [Day 23] The temperature was 16C at 0800, reached a season high of 24C and was still 21C at 1900. Winds were W 13-19 km/h until 1400 when they switched to SW and increased to 15-25 occasionally gusting 50 km/h. Cloud cover was 10-20% cirrus to noon, then cloudless to 1500 after which 10-20% scattered cumulus developed mainly to the NW which provided an excellent observation backdrop for the rest of the day. The first migrant raptors were 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks at 0932, but the third, a juvenile Northern Harrier, did not appear until 1304 after which movement was strong and fairly continuous until 1912, with the four hourly counts after 1300 yielding 22, 26, 18 and 25 birds respectively. The combined species count of 116 birds is the highest so far, as is the total of 13 species involved. Season high counts were recorded for Sharp-shinned Hawks (47: 8a, 29j, 10u), Cooper’s Hawks (22: 7a, 11j, 4u), Golden Eagles (12: 1a, 2sa, 9j) and Peregrine Falcons (4: 2a, 2u). Five light morph adult Broad-winged Hawks was the second highest count of the season, and there was a late movement of 3 columbarius Merlins. Passerine movement was light with the commonest migrants being 27 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 26 Ruby-crowned Kinglets and 15 Yellow-rumped Warblers, with the only slightly unusual bird being the season’s 4th Orange-crowned Warbler. 12.67 hours (286.59) OSPR 1 (25), BAEA 2 (8), NOHA 3 (46), SSHA 47 (324), COHA 22 (117), NOGO 2 (41), UA 3 (14), BWHA 5 (37), RTHA 6 (80), GOEA 12 (59), AMKE 3 (24), MERL 3 (8), PEFA 4 (15), PRFA 2 (6), UU1 (2) TOTAL 116 (823)

September 15 [Day 22] The barometric pressure rose 10 hPa overnight producing another delightful day with the temperature rising to 21.5C from a low of 12C. Winds were W all day varying between 7 and 30 km/h and cloud cover was initially 70% altostratus and cirrus reducing to 2% at 1300, but then cumulus cloud developed reaching 80% at 1900 resulting in excellent afternoon viewing conditions. The day got off to a good start with an adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk at 1049 and movement was fairly continuous until 1850 when the day’s 52nd raptor, an Osprey, flew high to the south. Sharp-shinned (20) and Cooper’s (10) Hawks again dominated the flight, and one of the day’s 8 Red-tailed Hawks was a juvenile dark morph “Harlan’s Hawk”. Other highlights were 2 adult Peregrine Falcons at 1153 and 1718 and 4 Ospreys, the last 3 of which moved after 1724. Once again only 3 Golden Eagles (1 subadult, 2 juveniles) migrated. There was a good passerine movement throughout the morning including 93 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 7 Golden-crowned Kinglets, a season-high 85 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 18 American Robins, 37 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Townsend’s Warbler, 2 Wilson’s Warblers and 4 White-crowned Sparrows. The avian highlight of the day, however, was a flock of 6 male Wild Turkeys that marched to the south in single file along the western edge of the ridge with their red neck wattles shining like rubies as they were backlit by the sun. This is the first time that the species has been recorded on the ridge-top and at 1,900 m they probably represent the highest ever record of the species in Alberta (and elsewhere?). The first wildlife sighting of the day was a large adult male Black Bear that crossed in front of my vehicle on the access road at 0650. 12.67 hours (273.92) OSPR 4 (24), NOHA 1 (43), SSHA 20 (277), COHA 10 (95), NOGO 2 (39), BWHA 1 (32), RTHA 8 (74), GOEA 3 (47), AMKE 1 (21), PEFA 2 (11) TOTAL 52 (707)

September 14 [Day 21] The temperature ranged from 10C to 19.5C with moderate to strong W winds all day peaking at 64 km/h at 1400. The sky was cloudless at 0800 but altocumulus, cirrus, lenticular and cumulus steadily increased throughout the day reaching 80% at 1900 and provided excellent viewing conditions most of the time. Although raptor migration stretched from 0904 to 1905, 32 of the day’s 45 migrants occurred between 1300 and 1600. The flight was again dominated by Sharp-shinned (16: 5a, 6j, 5u) and Cooper’s (a season-high 15: 1a, 11j, 3u) Hawks, and also included 2 more light morph Broad-winged Hawks (1a, 1j). Only 3 Golden Eagles (2sa, 1j) moved and it will probably take a change in the weather to induce more birds to move south, and there is presently little prospect of that happening. Passerine movement was fairly strong and varied and included 44 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 6 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 21 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 9 Townsend’s Solitaires, 2 Cedar Waxwings, 43 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Townsend’s Warbler, 5 Wilson’s Warblers, 3 Chipping Sparrows, 1 Lincoln’s Sparrow (a first fall record for the ridge and the 76th bird species for the season) and 9 Oregon Juncos. Around noon a juvenile plumage Oregon Junco, which was obviously a very late fledged bird, was seen begging for and receiving food from an adult female. 12.5 hours (261.25) NOHA 2 (42), SSHA 16 (257), COHA 15 (85), BWHA 2 (31), RTHA 6 (66), GOEA 3 (44), AMKE 1 (20) TOTAL 45 (655)

September 13 [Day 20] It was another cloudless day relieved only by an hour of 5% altostratus in mid-afternoon. The temperature only ranged from 13C up to 15C and winds were again upslope NE-E between 3 and 23 km/h. The day’s first raptor was a Sharp-shinned Hawk at 0921, but only 2 more birds migrated before noon. Between 1200 and 1400 there was a fairly strong movement involving 21 birds and it appeared as if a reasonable total would be achieved but only 5 more birds were seen for the rest of the day although the weather conditions appeared to be unchanged. Passerine movement was also thin with birds trickling south throughout the day again led by Yellow-rumped Warblers (25) and also including 5 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 9 Mountain Bluebirds, 4 Wilson’s Warblers and 1 Orange-crowned Warbler. Ravens were more common than usual and very vocal, and included a single flock of 27 birds flying high to the south at 1330. 11.75 hours (248.75) NOHA 4 (40), SSHA 12 (241), COHA 2 (70), RTHA 8 (60), GOEA 3 (41), PRFA 1 (4) TOTAL 30 (610)

September 12 [Day 19] The temperature reached 21C from a low of 13C under completely cloudless skies all day. Winds were WNW to W gusting to 28 km/h until 1500 when winds became light shifting to the S then after 1710 to the E. Despite the apparently favourable winds the first migrant raptor did not appear until 1208 and steady movement didn’t start until after 1300, after which birds moved fairly strongly until 1754. The flight was again dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks (33) and Cooper’s Hawks (11) with a leavening of Broad-winged Hawks (2), American Kestrels (4) and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon at 1447. Detection of the birds flying high against a pure blue sky was very challenging but thanks to the sharp eyes of Phil and Keith fewer birds were missed than would have been had I been alone. Songbird movement was again dominated by Yellow-rumped Warblers (56) but the most remarkable sight was a single flock of about 25 Townsend’s Warblers moving through at 0930. The species had not been recorded at the site for 7 days and the previous highest daily count this season was 8 birds. It was certainly by far the largest flock of the species that I have ever seen. A single female Evening Grosbeak at 0935 was the 75th bird species recorded this season. 12.25 hours (237) SSHA 33 (229), COHA 11 (68), NOGO 1 (37), BWHA 2 (29), RTHA 4 (52), GOEA 1 (38), AMKE 4 (19), PEFA 1 (9) TOTAL 57 (580)

September 11 [Day 18] The temperature was 10C at 0800 and rose to a high of 15C. Winds were upslope (mainly E) mostly light or even calm, with a maximum velocity of 14 km/h. Cloud cover was 40% cirrus at 1300 but was otherwise 5-10% until 1600 after which the sky was completely cloudless. It was the best raptor movement so far this season with 115 birds of 11 species moving between 0830 and 1751, with maximum movement of 27 birds between 1300 and 1400. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the movement of 26 Broad-winged Hawks including a single kettle of 14 birds at 1516 that soared very high along with an adult Bald Eagle before gliding south almost out of sight to the west of the ridge. This represents the highest single day count for the species at a RMERF count. Other species reaching season-high counts were Sharp-shinned Hawk (41: 7a, 31j, 3u), Cooper’s Hawk (14: 5a, 7j, 2u), Red-tailed Hawk (13: 7a, 6j), Golden Eagle (8: 3a, 1sa, 4j) and Prairie Falcon (2). Songbird movement was not as strong as yesterday except for a season-high count of 51 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and also included 7 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 26 American Robins, 1 Wilson’s Warbler, 2 Chipping Sparrows, 1 Brewer’s Sparrow and 1 Savannah Sparrow. A Say’s Phoebe at 0801 was a new species for the site [#159] and the 74th of the season, and a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel at 0812 was a new mammal for the study area [#29]. The site therefore has the probably unique coexistence of the mainly alpine Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and the mainly prairie Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel! There was a steady southward movement of Western White butterflies throughout the morning and a Green Comma was a seasonal first. Also a first was a single fall-flowering Prairie Anemone just north of the site. All in all a pretty good day! 12.5 hours (224.75) OSPR 1 (20), BAEA 2 (6), NOHA 3 (36), SSHA 41 (196), COHA 14 (57), NOGO 1 (36), UA 12 (11), BWHA 26 (27), RTHA 13 (48), GOEA 8 (37), UE 1 (1), AMKE 1 (15), PRFA 2 (3) TOTAL 115 (523)

September 10 [Day 17] Winds continued from the NW-W gusting to 42 km/h until 1300 when they became variable and light and after 1500 for much of the time it was calm. Temperatures ranged from 9 C to 15.5C and cloud cover was 20-80% cumulus all day giving excellent observing conditions. Although still sporadic, raptor migration was fairly strong and continuous with a season equaling high total of 56 birds of 10 species moving between 0834 and 1832. Season-high totals were achieved for Sharp-shinned Hawk (28: 4 adults, 17 juveniles and 7 unknown) and Cooper’s Hawk (9: 2 adults, 6 juveniles and 1 unknown) and the 2 juvenile Bald Eagles and 3 adult Peregrine Falcons equaled their season highs to date. One of 3 Northern Harriers was the first adult bird (a female) seen so far, and the last bird of the day was an adult dark morph Swainson’s Hawk which raises the season’s record count to 6. Non-raptor migration was strong until noon with the largest wave moving through between 0810 and 0830. Migrants included 1 male Red-naped Sapsucker (the 73rd bird species of the season), 3 female Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Warbling Vireo, 95 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 59 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 7 Mountain Bluebirds, 3 Townsend’s Solitaires, 15 American Robins, 62 American Pipits, 34 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Brewers Sparrow (a juvenile), 4 White-crowned Sparrows, 5 Oregon Juncos and 22 Pine Siskins. The total bird count of 418 is the highest for the season and the 31 species counted is the highest since August 29. 12.5 hours (212.25) BAEA 2 (4), NOHA 3 (33), SSHA 28 (155), COHA 9 (43), NOGO 3 (35), UA 1 (9), SWHA 1 (6), RTHA 4 (35), GOEA 1 (29), AMKE 1 (14), PEFA 3 (8) TOTAL 56 (408)

September 9 [Day 16] The temperature ranged from 6C to 13C and winds were again W generally below 50 km/h to 1300 but increased in the afternoon with maximum gusts to 89 km/h before again dropping below 50 km/h after 1800. Cloud cover was a mixture of 60-100% altostratus (at times forming an arch), cirrostratus, cumulus and altocumulus furnishing excellent viewing conditions throughout the day. Unfortunately there were few raptors to view with only 7 birds moving between 1228 and 1746. The last bird of the day was a subadult Golden Eagle which had a highly disheveled appearance with both wings lacking several primary and secondary feathers and with a very ragged tail. I wonder if this is what happens when an eagle tries to fly through winds like we have experienced in the last few days! The slightly calmer winds this morning produced a fairly good songbird migration including 10 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 House Wren, 18 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 35 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 7 Townsend’s Solitaires, 1 Swainson’s Thrush, 15 American Robins, 39 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 2 Wilson’s Warblers. A female Downy Woodpecker was the 72nd bird species of the season and the first new one added since September 4. 12.67 hours (199.75) SSHA 2 (127), COHA 1 (34), UA 1 (8), RTHA 1 (31), GOEA 2 (28) TOTAL 7 (351)

September 8 [Day 15] Once again winds were W strong all day gusting 55-72 km/h to 1400 and 80-86 km/h to 1900. The temperature ranged from 3C to 9C and cloud cover was 20 to 80% mainly cumulus with altostratus developing after 1800 with a Chinook Arch over the Livingstone Range by 1900. Raptor movement started fairly early with a Sharp-shinned Hawk going south at 0906 and by 1445 19 birds had been counted and it appeared that a good count was in the offing. With the increase in wind velocity in the afternoon, however, movement ceased with the sole exception of a Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1621. Passerine migration was also severely affected by the wind with only a handful of kinglets and a couple of warblers moving. A probable adult male black Black Bear walking north to the east of the ridge at 1111 was the 5th seen this season.12.5 hours (187.08) OSPR 1 (19), NOHA 1 (30), SSHA 7 (125), COHA 3 (33), NOGO 1 (32), RTHA 2 (30), GOEA 5 (26) TOTAL 20 (344)

September 7 [Day 14] Strong W winds prevailed all day with the wind rarely dropping below 50 km/h and gusting to 85 km/h from 1600-1800. The temperature at 0800 was just 4C and dropped to 3C at 1130 during one of several sleet and rain showers during the morning. The high was briefly 7.5C at 1500 but was again 4C at 1900. Cloud cover was 20-100% cumulus all day and for the first time this season the southern mountains of the Livingstone Range were obscured by cloud between 0900 and 1115. The first raptor migrant, a Cooper’s Hawk, was not seen until 1239 and the last bird, a Golden Eagle, that went south at 1839 was only the 13th migrant of the day. Highlights were an adult Peregrine Falcon at 1521 and 2 Ospreys bringing the total for the last 5 days to 16. Passerine movement was almost non-existent but did include the 5th House Wren of the season, and the day’s bird total of 33 individuals of 15 species was by far the lowest so far this season. 12.5 hours (174.58) OSPR 2 (18), SSHA 1 (118), COHA 2 (30), NOGO 3 (31), GOEA 4 (21), PEFA 1 (5) TOTAL 13 (324)

September 6 [Day 13] (Bill Wilson) The day’s maximum temperature of 12C was recorded at 0720 and fluctuated between 10C and 12C to 1700, with the exception of 1400 when it fell to the day’s low of 7C coincident with a rain shower, and dropping to 8C at 1900. Winds were WSW to W all day gradually increasing in velocity and becoming strong in the afternoon with maximum gusts of 85 km/h at 1800 and cloud cover was 100% cumulus and altostratus for much of the day. Raptor movement again started before 0800 and was slow but persistent until just after 1800 with a total of 15 birds tallied. The total of 5 migrant Golden Eagles (4 adults and 1 juvenile) was the highest so far this season, and a juvenile dark morph Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk was the second record of the subspecies so far. There was some passerine movement in the morning before the winds became strong including 4 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 13 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Mountain Bluebirds, 6 Townsend’s Solitaires, 1 Swainson’s Thrush, 14 American Robins, 3 American Pipits, 9 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 1 Wilson’s Warbler. 13.25 hours (162.08) OSPR 2 (16), SSHA 4 (117), NOGO 2 (28), UA 1 (7), RTHA 1 (28), GOEA 5 (17) TOTAL 15 (311)

September 5 [Day 12] (Bill Wilson) Temperatures ranged from 8C to 16C, upslope conditions returned with the wind mainly varying from ENE to ESE but never exceeding 20 km/h and cloud cover was generally 80-100% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus. Raptor movement started early with a Merlin at 0710 and persisted fairly steadily until 1628, after which no birds seen during the last 3 hours of the count. The combined species total of 55 is the highest so far this season, and 26 of the birds moved between 1300 and 1400. Of the total, 44 birds were accipiters including a season high total of 19 Sharp-shinned Hawks and a remarkable highest ever September daily count of 18 Northern Goshawks (4 adults, 9 juveniles and 5 of unknown age). The total of 4 Merlins was also the highest count so far, and a single juvenile Ferruginous Hawk brought the season’s total for the species to 8. No migrant Golden Eagles were seen, but on one occasion a resident adult Golden Eagle was seen to be associating with a juvenile bird. There was a fair movement of songbirds but no new species for the season were recorded. Three Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels at the site were both the first record for the season and the highest number ever seen at the site.13.25 hours (148.83) OSPR 3, SSHA 19 (113), COHA 3 (28), NOGO 18 (26), UA 5 (6), RTHA 3 (27), FEHA 1 (8), MERL 4 (5) 55 MIGRANTS (296)

September 4 [Day 11] The starting temperature was 7C and with WNW to W winds persisting it felt cool for the first time this season. The temperature rose to 16C but the wind maintained its velocity until 1900 when it finally fell below 20 km/h. Cloud cover ranged from 30-90% typical of strong winds aloft with a Chinook Arch developed overhead between 1000 and 1520 and with variable amounts of altocumulus and cirrus giving excellent observing conditions. Although the day’s first raptor, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, moved at 0924 migration was again slow and sporadic until after 1600 when 9 birds moved between 1623 and 1659. Unfortunately only 1 further migrant was seen, a juvenile Northern Harrier at 1710. As yesterday, most birds were flying very high including 5 Ospreys which equals the single-day high count for the species at the site. The only migrant Golden Eagle was a late subadult at 1412, and no juvenile bird was seen with the resident pair, the male of which is still displaying on occasion. The persisting high winds resulted in an early dearth of songbirds, but at 1350 a small mixed flock of chickadees, kinglets and warblers moved slowly through the trees to the east of the site, which included a first year female Blackburnian Warbler that was present for 10 minutes in ideal light to provide a first record both for the site (the 158th bird species) and for the Crowsnest Pass area. 12.5 hours (135.58) OSPR 5 (11), NOHA 1 (29), SSHA 6 (94), COHA 4 (25), RTHA 2 (24), GOEA 1 (12) TOTAL 19 (241)

September 3 [Day 10] The temperature was 17C at 0800 and rose to 22C at 1400, falling back to 16C at 1900. Winds were initially light S, becoming SW at 1010 and WSW after 1600, and wind speeds became increasingly strong gusting to 90 km/h by 1600 and 110 km/h after 1800. Cloud cover was initially 30-70% altostratus and altocumulus, but at 1010 dark cumulus moved from the SW bringing very light rain showers until mid afternoon, but did not produce the forecast thunderstorms. After 1500 the clouds progressively dissipated to 20% cumulus at 1900. There was a light movement of raptors before the winds increased including the season’s first Merlin (an adult female of the columbarius race), 2 Ospreys and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon, but between 1340 and 1609 no migrants were seen and it appeared that the high winds were preventing movement. Between 1609 and 1653, however, there was a flurry of activity with very high-flying birds including 2 more Ospreys, 2 adult Peregrine Falcons and the season’s first migratory Prairie Falcon, but subsequently the high winds finally shut everything down. There was a fairly good songbird movement in the calmer early part of the morning including 16 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 18 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 17 Yellow-rumped warblers, 3 Townsend’s Warblers and 5 Wilson’s Warblers. The highlights, however, were the site’s second ever Chestnut-backed Chickadee at 0806 (the first being Sept 19, 2006) and a first winter Lark Sparrow at 0908 which is a new species for the Crowsnest Pass area and the 157th recorded for the site. A single Cedar Waxwing flying south at 1207 was the 70th bird species recorded so far this season. A single Long-dash Skipper was also a first for the year and other butterflies on the wing were Northwest Fritillaries, Western Whites and a single Dark Wood Nymph before high winds ended their activity. 12 hours (123.08) OSPR 4 (6), SSHA 2 (88), COHA 2 (21), RTHA 1 (22), MERL 1 (1), PEFA 3 (4), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 14 (222)

September 2 [Day 9] After 6 days of upslope conditions, the winds today were W generally between 20 and 40 km/h but peaked at 64km/h at 1500. The temperature ranged from 14C to a season high 22C, and after a morning of cloudless skies up to 30% scattered cumulus developed greatly improving observation conditions, and after 1700 thin cirrus spread across the sky reaching 100% at 1900. The day’s raptor flight was dominated by accipiters with 15 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1 adult, 12 juveniles, 2 unknown), 5 Cooper’s Hawks (1 adult, 3 juveniles, 1 unknown) and 3 juvenile Northern Goshawks occurring out of a total of 27 migrants. Four American Kestrels (3 females, 1 male) were the only other raptor migrants. Although the resident pair of adult Golden Eagles was seen on several occasions they were not accompanied by a juvenile bird. Today saw the earliest movement so far with 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks and a Cooper’s Hawk seen between 0918 and 0931, but the migration also finished early with only a single goshawk occurring after 1616. Passerine movement was relatively thin but included 2 American Goldfinches which are uncommon on the ridge. The highlight of the day, however, was a single Vaux’s Swift that flew low to the south along the western rim of the ridge furnishing only the second record for the site and the first for a fall migration. 12.5 (111.08) SSHA 15 (86), COHA 5 (19), NOGO 3 (8), AMKE 3 (13) TOTAL 27 (208)

September 1 [Day 8] (Vance Mattson) The temperature ranged from 15C to 20C and winds were again mainly upslope E-NE varying from 0 to 20 km/h. Cloud cover ranged from 0 to 40% altostratus and altocumulus to 1600 after which cloud cover increased to 100% dark cumulus with thunder and rain developing to the south. Raptor movement was slow but steady between 1109 and 1645 with the flight again dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks (12), and also included the second Osprey of the season at 1242, and 2 juvenile Golden Eagles. On two occasions (at 1412 and 1551) the 2 resident adult Golden Eagles soared together with a juvenile bird suggesting that the pair may have produced a young bird this year. Passerine movement was the strongest in several days and included the highest Red-breasted Nuthatch movement in 5 days (19), single Western Wood-Pewee and Dusky Flycatcher, 13 American Pipits and season-first records of Yellow Warbler (1) and Savannah Sparrow (3). 11.83 hours (98.58) OSPR 1 (2), NOHA 2 (28), SSHA 12 (71), COHA 1 (14), GOEA 2 (11) TOTAL 18 (181)

August 31 [Day 7] The temperature rose to 21C from a low of 16C at 0800. Winds were N with extended calm periods to 1300 after which they became E to16 km/h, and skies were cloudless until 1600 after which towering cumulus rapidly developed producing sporadic thunder and distant showers. Raptor migration was rather slow and sporadic with 21 birds moving between 1203 and 1739, with the flight again dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks (10), one of which came close to knocking my cap off as it passed overhead. At 1319 the 7th Ferruginous Hawk of the count, an adult light morph, moved south, and the day’s only migrant Golden Eagle was a subadult at 1533. Passerine movement was again muted, and the day’s only new species was an adult California Gull that flew south at 1740 to give a first fall record for the site. 12.5 hours (86.75) NOHA 3 (26), SSHA 10 (59), COHA 2 (13), RTHA 3 (7), FEHA 1 (7), GOEA 1 (9), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 21 (163)
August Summary Seven days (86.75 hours) were spent at the site during the month, 16.7% and 33.86% above the 2006-2008 average respectively. The combined species total of 163 was a new monthly record beating the previous high of 101 set in 2006 and was 108.97% above the average count. New monthly high counts were set for Northern Harrier (26, +457%), Sharp-shinned Hawk (59, +106%), Cooper’s Hawk (equal with 2006 and 2007: 13, +39.3%), Northern Goshawk (5, +400%), Swainson’s Hawk (5, +1400%), Ferruginous Hawk (7, +600%), American Kestrel (9, +58.8%) and Peregrine Falcon (1, recorded for the first time in August). Five other species occurred in above average numbers: Osprey (1, +50%), Bald Eagle (2, +20%), Broad-winged Hawk (1, +50%), Red-tailed Hawk (21, +43.2%) and Golden Eagle (9, +42.1%). The only species occurring in lower than average numbers were the unrecorded Merlin and Prairie Falcon, although the latter was seen once as a resident bird.

August 30 [Day 6] The weather was a re-run of yesterday’s with the temperature ranging from 15.5C to 17C, upslope (E) winds generally 5-15 km/h and essentially cloudless skies with just a smudge of altostratus on the E and NE horizons. It was another steady day of raptor movement with 41 birds of 8 species counted between 1032 and 1820 which is the highest daily count so far this season and the second highest August count for the site. Northern Harrier (9), Sharp-shinned Hawk (16) and Cooper’s Hawk (6) all were season-high counts with all age-determined birds being juveniles. Less usual were an adult dark-morph Swainson’s Hawk at 1526 and an adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1716, and only 1 juvenile Golden Eagle moved past the site today. Once again passerine movement was rather thin and it will probably take a change in the current stable weather system to send another wave south. The only new species for the season was a Blue Jay that flew to the south past the site at 1115. 12 hours (74.25) NOHA 9 (23), SSHA 16 (49), COHA 6 (11), UA 1 (1), SWHA 1 (5), RTHA 5 (18), FEHA 1 (6), GOEA 1 (8), AMKE 1 (9) TOTAL 41 (142)

August 29 [Day 5] At 0800 the temperature was 15C which rose to 17C at 1000 where it remained until 1800 before falling to 16.5C at 1900. Once again winds were E generally 10-15 km/h becoming light after 1800 and cloud cover was 10-60% cirrus, altocumulus and altostratus giving sunny skies all day. Raptor movement was slow but steady between 1001 and 1504, followed by 3.25 hours of non-movement, then 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks and a Red-tailed Hawk occurred after1800 bringing the combined species total for August to 101 which equals the previous high count for the month set in 2006. Highlights were two light morph Ferruginous Hawks (an adult and a bird of unknown age) and 2 juvenile Golden Eagles. Songbird movement was also thin and sporadic but included season-first records of Swainson’s Thrush (2), Varied Thrush, American Redstart (just the second record for the ridge) and American Pipit (3), bringing the bird species count to 61 so far.12.33 (62.25) NOHA 2 (14), SSHA 8 (33), COHA 2 (5), RTHA 4 (13), FEHA 3 (5), UB 1 (2), GOEA 2 (7), AMKE 1 (8) TOTAL 22 (101)

August 28 [Day 4] The temperature was 16C at 0800 but only rose another 3.5C to a high of 19.5C. It was essentially calm until 1300 after which winds were easterly up to 15 km/h, and it was almost cloudless with only a thin layer of altostratus along the eastern horizon all day. After yesterday’s high variety of raptors today’s tally of 6 species seemed rather pedestrian, but the total of 30 migrants between 1050 and 1729 was a good count for this early in the season. The movement comprised 6 juvenile Northern Harriers, 11 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2 adults, 9 juveniles), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1 adult, 1 juvenile), 3 juvenile Northern Goshawks, 4 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 4 juvenile Golden Eagles. Fourteen of the birds moved between 1300 and 1500, but subsequently only 6 more migrants were seen. There was a reasonable passerine movement early in the morning which stopped abruptly around 0845 and included 55 American Robins but only a scattering of other species. New species for the season included a House Wren, a female MacGillivray’s Warbler and a Cassin’s Finch, while a Brown-headed Cowbird was, somewhat surprisingly, the first ever seen on a fall count at the site. A female Black Bear with two cubs seen at 1144 were a comfortable distance away to the north-east below the ridge, and for part of the afternoon I shared the site with 13 Bighorn Sheep ewes and lambs. 12.25 hours (49.92) NOHA 6 (12), SSHA 11 (25), COHA 2 (3), NOGO 3 (5), RTHA 4 (9), GOEA 4 (5) TOTAL 30 (79)

August 27 [Day 3] It was another warm sunny day with the temperature ranging from 12C to 18C. Winds were variable but mainly from the E, and generally light and even, on occasion, calm. Cloud cover varied from 5 to 50% cirrostratus, altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus giving good to excellent viewing conditions. Raptor movement was strong for this early in the season with 37 migrants of 12 species moving between 1126 and 1854 providing the third highest August count for the site. The gentle upslope winds probably contributed to the occurrence of 3 light morph unaged Swainson’s Hawks and 3 light morph Ferruginous Hawks (2 adults and 1 juvenile), the previous seasons’ high for both species at the site was just one! Also moving for the first time this season were 1 Osprey, 2 juvenile Bald Eagles, 6 juvenile Northern Harriers, 1 juvenile Coopers Hawk, 2 juvenile Northern Goshawks, a juvenile light morph Broad-winged Hawk and a subadult Golden Eagle, while Sharp-shinned Hawks (9) and American Kestrels (5) registered their highest counts to date. A non-migratory juvenile Golden Eagle was seen at 1538, but as it was chased away by the resident adult pair it is unlikely that it was their progeny. The total bird count for the day was 45 species including an excellent movement of passerines in the morning. These included 1 Western Wood-Pewee, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Dusky Flycatcher, 2 Cassin’s Vireos, 3 Warbling Vireos, 23 red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 26 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 38 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 5 Mountain Bluebirds, 4 Townsend’s Solitaires, 5 American Robins, 1 Tennessee Warbler, 23 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 8 Townsend’s Warblers, 1 Palm Warbler ( the earliest ever at the site), 1 Common Yellowthroat, 4 Wilson’s Warblers, 16 Chipping Sparrows, 1 Brewers Sparrow, 1 Clay-coloured Sparrow, 1 White-crowned Sparrow, 2 Oregon Juncos and 26 Pine Siskins. Clark’s Nutcrackers also moved south steadily throughout the day with 18 of the day’s 27 birds flying in a single flock at 1035. The first three days of the count have produced a total of 51 bird species: not bad for a narrow ridge at 1,900 m. 12.67 hours (37.67) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 2 (2), NOHA 6 (6), SSHA 9 (14), COHA 1 (1), NOGO 2 (2), BWHA 1 (1), SWHA 3 (3), RTHA 2 (5), FEHA 3 (3), UB 1 (1), GOEA 1 (1), AMKE 5 (7) TOTAL 37 (49)

August 26 [Day 2] It was a beautiful morning with winds below 10 km/h up to 1130, after which they increased from the west with maximum gusts of 60 km/h in the afternoon. The temperature ranged from 11C to 18C, and cloud cover was a mixture of 40-100% altostratus, altocumulus, cirrus and lenticular providing mainly hazy sunshine all day and an excellent observing backdrop. In contrast to yesterday’s disappointing start to the season, today provided the earliest ever double-figure combined species daily count at the site with 11 migrant raptors of 5 species moving between 1222 and 1845. Most surprising was an early adult dark morph Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk at 1345 with the other two Red-tails being juvenile light morph calurus. The day’s last two birds were a dark morph Swainson’s Hawk at 1836 and an unaged Peregrine Falcon that glided south at 1845. The resident pair of Golden Eagles appeared after 1800 with the male displaying, but so far there has been no sign of a juvenile bird. Again in contrast to yesterday, the calm conditions in the morning provided a good variety of songbirds including 1 Dusky Flycatcher, 1 Cassin’s Vireo, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 8 Mountain Bluebirds, 3 Townsend’s Solitaires, 14 American Robins, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 12 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 6 Townsend’s Warblers, 1 Western Tanager, 1 Clay-coloured Sparrow, 1 Brewer’s Sparrow, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 7 Oregon Juncos and 2 American Goldfinches. The total bird species count of 32 compares to just 15 yesterday. Butterflies were also on the wing including fairly common Northwestern Fritillaries and Dark Wood Nymphs, and a couple of Smintheus Parnassians. 12.5 hours (25) SSHA 4 (5), SWHA 1 (1), RTHA 3 (3), AMKE 2 (2), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 11 (12)

August 25 [Day 1] The temperature rose to 19C from a low of 12C under generally sunny skies with cloud cover ranging from 5 to70% mainly altostratus. Winds were WNW-W becoming strong after noon when they gusted to 88 km/h and rarely dropped below 60 km/h. The only migrant raptor seen was a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1009 and the only sighting of a resident Golden Eagle, an adult, came at 1745. Songbird movement was also thin with 14 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 15 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Townsend’s Warbler and 1 Wilson’s Warbler flying south along the ridge. A brown Black Bear seen near the base of the ridge to the NNE at 1515 was the first seen from the site this year. 12.5 hours (12.5) SSHA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (1)