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)

October 8 [Day 44] (Valley View site) The starting temperature was a season low -8C but it rose to 4C at 1600 before falling to -2C at 1700 after a cold front passed south at 1615. Ground winds were light variable, but ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong combing snow off the ridges until 1000, and cloud cover was 30-90% mainly altocumulus and altostratus giving excellent observing conditions until snow started and ridges rapidly became obscured after 1615. Raptor movement started early with the first Golden Eagle gliding south at 0732 followed 8 minutes later by 2 large falcons that were silhouetted against the early dawn light. The 4th bird, however, did not appear until 0939 and by noon only 15 birds had been recorded. The pace increased after 1200 with 30 more birds moving before 1400, 31 between 1400 and 1500 and 43 between 1500 and 1600 of which 30 moved in the first 15 minutes of the hour. Birds were obviously moving high and fast ahead of the approaching cold front with the last Golden Eagle moving south at 1611 just before the snow started. The flight of 121 birds was dominated by Golden Eagles (89: 50a,7sa,25j,7u) but there was a fair scattering of 7 other raptor species including the 5th latest Osprey recorded at the site raising the season’s record to 47, and the highest Rough-legged Hawk count (5) so far this season. 10 hours (522.13) OSPR 1 (47), BAEA 10 (57), SSHA 4 (915), COHA 6 (288), NOGO 1 (93), RTHA 3 (173), RLHA 5 (17), GOEA 89 (1080), UF 2 (2) TOTAL 121 (3015)
Mount Lorette [Day 16] (Joel Duncan) Because of an unexpected work emergency Joel didn’t arrive at the site until 1100 when the temperature was -1C which subsequently reached a high of 1C. Winds were light S until 1300 when they switched to N gusting 20 km/h and increased to gusts of 40 km/h as the cold front arrived at 1430 bringing snow. Cloud cover averaged 50% altostratus and cumulus to 1300 after which it was 100% stratus which progressively lowered and obscured most of the ridges by 1400. Raptor movement comprised 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 6 Golden Eagles, the last of which moved south at 1355. When the snow started Joel moved north to shelter under the eaves of one of the pump houses that serve the adjacent ski hill, and as the falling snow thickened an adult Grizzly Bear walked past him just 5 m away without appearing to notice him. The combination of weather and bear immediately ended any thought of prolonging the count and all that remained was driving the accident strewn trans-Canada Highway in white-out conditions back to Calgary. It was one of those days! 6 hours (199.84) SSHA 1 (43), RLHA 2 (8), GOEA 6 (841) TOTAL 9 (954)

October 7 [Day 43] (Valley View site) Snow fell to 1320 and again from 1600-1640. Ridges were completely obscured to 1100 after which parts of the Livingstone ridge became visible but it was not until 1730 that everything was finally clear. The temperature reached a high of 1.5C from a starting temperature of -2C and fell to -3C at 1900 as cloud cover was reduced to 60-70% cumulus. Ground winds were variable and light all day while ridge winds were E light to moderate until 1600 when they became N light. Despite the ridges remaining substantially in cloud there was some raptor movement starting at 1234 with birds either moving above the valley, moving below the cloud on the Livingstone ridge or moving south from Bluff Mountain to the W of the valley. After the afternoon snow event the ridges cleared and cloud cover was reduced but the very light winds meant that only 2 birds moved after 1700, the last being a Merlin at 1751. The flight included 22 Golden Eagles (10a,6sa,5j,1u), the first Red-tailed Hawks (4) for 5 days and a season high count of 4 Rough-legged Hawks. The raptor highlight, however, was the season’s second Gyrfalcon at 1514: an adult grey morph bird. Even more remarkable was the movement of a total of 389 Snow Geese in four separate flocks the largest of around 300 birds flying to the south in the snow in several closely associated skeins at 1135. A Northern Shrike (an adult) was the second for the season, and a briefly singing Barred Owl at 1730 was the 94th bird species for the season 12 hours (512.13) SSHA 5 (911), NOGO 1 (92), RTHA 4 (170), RLHA 4 (12), GOEA 22 (991), MERL 1 (24), GYRF 1 (2) TOTAL 38 (2894)
Mount Lorette [Day 15] (Peter Allen) There were snow flurries all day moving from the N and lasting an average of 40 minutes. Winds were N up to 10 km/h except during snow squalls when they reached 20-30 km/h. The temperature rose from 0C to 2C and fell to -3C at 1900, and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day thinning between 1230 and 1700 allowing hazy sunshine. The mountains to the W were obscured all day, but the Fisher Range to the E cleared between 1240 and 1630. Raptor migration was confined to a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk at 1416 and a subadult Golden Eagle at 1613, but there was a reasonable variety of songbirds including season’s first records for either site of Bohemian Waxwings (17) and Red Crossbills (14). The day’s highlight, however, was undoubtedly 2 Grey Wolves in the Hay Meadow at 1300. 11.67 hours (193.84) COHA 1 (9), GOEA 1 (835) TOTAL 2 (950)

October 6 [Day 42] The temperature rose to 5C from a low of 0C, but it felt much colder with NW to WNW winds gusting between 60 and 100 km/h for most of the day blowing snow from the 10 cm that fell on the ridge over the last two days. Cloud cover was a mixture of 40-100% altostratus, altocumulus, lenticular and cirrus giving an excellent observing backdrop throughout the day. There was steady raptor movement all day between 0848 and 1904 with 292 of the day’s 303 migrants being Golden Eagles (181a,34sa,67j,10u), with peak movement of 58 birds between1800 and 1900 when 56 Golden Eagles and the day’s only 2 Bald Eagles moved. Both the combined species and Golden Eagle totals are seasonal highs. There were few other birds on the ridge today but a flock of 40 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches were the first for the season [species #90] as was a juvenile Northern Shrike [#91]. At 1805 a flock of 12 Snow Geese [#92] flew high across the ridge towards the east, followed at 1832 by 19 more providing only the 3rd and 4th records for the site and the highest numbers ever recorded. After 1900 2 flocks of Canada Geese [#93] totaling 55 birds also flew high to the east, furnishing the latest seasonal first record for the species ever for the site. 12.5 hours (500.13) BAEA 2 (47), NOHA 1 (87), SSHA 6 (906), COHA 1 (282), NOGO 1 (91), GOEA 292 (969) TOTAL 303 (2856)
Mount Lorette [Day 14] (George Halmazna) The temperature rose from a low of -3C to a high of 10C and fell back to 5C at 1900. Ground winds were light to 1100 then variable S to NW 10-15 gusting 40 km/h while ridge winds were SW moderate to strong switching to NW after 1600. Cloud cover was 80-100% altostratus clearing from 1400-1530 to 40% cumulus and cirrus before subsequently thickening again to 100% stratus bringing snow to the west and rain to the site, and partially occluding the ridges late in the day. Golden Eagles also moved strongly here with a season high 421 birds migrating between 0805 and 1820 with a peak movement of 79 birds from 1000 to1100. By noon 205 Golden Eagles had moved south and although the pace dropped slightly in the afternoon movement remained steady. Many of the birds flew very high and were silhouettes against the sky so a high percentage of birds went unaged. 12.5 hours (182.17) OSPR 1 (4), BAEA 4 (15), SSHA 3 (42), COHA 1 (8), NOGO 2 (15), RLHA 1 (6), GOEA 421 (834) TOTAL 432 (948)

October 5 [Day 41] (Valley View site) Snow and flurries continued until the early afternoon and the Livingstone Ridge rapidly cleared after 1600 with the sky becoming cloudless by 1630. Lift was initially very poor but a Cooper’s Hawk managed to soar at 1736 and go south, and Golden Eagles managed to get airborne and glide south at 1753 and 1821. 2.5 hours (487.63) COHA 1 (281), GOEA 2 (677) TOTAL 3 (2553)
Mount Lorette [Day 13] (Cliff Hansen) Temperatures ranged from -2C to 7C with 100% cloud cover to 1030, and all ridges cleared by 1100 after which the sky rapidly cleared and it become cloudless after 1300. Ground winds were light S to SW and finally W never exceeding 10 km/h and ridge winds were mainly moderate SW. Apart from a Merlin at 1122 and a Northern Goshawk at 1340, raptor movement didn’t really get under way until 1827 when the first 3 of the day’s 12 Golden Eagles soared and went south, with the last 2 eagles of the day moving in rapidly fading light at 1927. 12 hours (169.67) NOGO 1 (13), GOEA 12 (413), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 14 (515)

October 4 No observation. Snow reducing to flurries by late afternoon, with the Piitaistakis Ridge partially clearing but the main Livingstone Ridge remained shrouded in cloud all day.
Mount Lorette (Bill Wilson) No observation possible because of snow all day obscuring all peaks and ridges.

October 3 [Day 40] I watched from the base of the ridge in steady rain from 0700, which changed to snow after 0830. Ridge winds were moderate NNE and although the high parts of the Livingstone Ridge to the west were perpetually in cloud, the Piitaistakis Ridge cleared briefly between 0800 and 0900 allowing the passage of a single Merlin. By 1030, with heavy snow falling, it became obvious that further clearing was not likely and I left. Today was organised as the Crowsnest Eagle Festival which unfortunately proved to have the worst weather of the season to date leaving a number of potential observers disappointed. 3.5 hours (485.13) MERL 1 (23) TOTAL 1 (2550)
Mount Lorette (Ron Dutcher) No observation possible because of heavy snow all day.

October 2 [Day 39] The temperature reached 4C at 1400 from a low of -1C and was down to 1C at 1800. Winds were W all day initially 19-22 km/h and then steadily dropping all day to 10-12 km/h at 1800. Cloud cover thickened rapidly during the morning reaching 100% altostratus and cumulus at noon, and thickened and lowered throughout the afternoon as first flurries moved from the west, then rain and sleet after 1600 and finally heavy wet snow after 1810. All mountain ridges were obscured after 1600, but up to then there was some raptor movement involving 39 birds 30 of which were Golden Eagles (30: 15a,6sa,8j,1u) the first of which moved at 0811. The bird of the day was the season’s first Gyrfalcon at 1443, a juvenile female grey morph bird [bird species #89] that was 9 days earlier than it has previously been recorded at the site and 4 days earlier than its earliest occurrence at Mount Lorette. The last bird was an adult male columbarius Merlin at 1554 just before the first rain started. There was also a fairly varied non-raptor migration including 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 3 Northern Flickers, 6 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 7 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 11 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Mountain Bluebirds, 7 Townsend’s Solitaires, 60 American Robins, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler and 5 Dark-eyed Juncos. The weather forecast for the following 3 days is not encouraging so this might be the last movement for a while. 11 hours (481.63) SSHA 5 (900), RLHA 2 (8), GOEA 30 (675), MERL 1 (22), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 39 (2549)
Mount Lorette [Day 12] (George Halmazna) Temperatures ranged from -2C to 8C, ground winds were light except around noon when SE winds briefly reached 12 km/h and the sky was 100% overcast all day except for occasional brief breaks. Visibility progressively deteriorated throughout the day with rain in the valley falling as snow higher up, and all ridges were obscured by 1600. No migrant raptors were seen, but songbird migrants included 41 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Varied Thrushes, 78 American Robins and 11 American Pipits. 11.5 hours (146.17) TOTAL 0 (501)

October 1 [Day 38] It was a cool day with the temperature only reaching 3C from a low of -1.5C with WNW to W winds gusting to 50 km/h. Cloud cover started at 10% altostratus and cumulus but increased after 0930 to 50-80% cumulus before diminishing to 30% after 1800, generally giving good observation conditions. Raptor migration started early with the first two Golden Eagles moving south at 0748 and after 0900 movement was strong all day until the last Golden Eagle was seen at 1855. The combined species total of 232, the Golden Eagle total of 133 (75a,21sa,28j,9u) and the Bald Eagle total of 13 (9a,3sa,1j) were all seasonal highs and an adult female Northern Harrier, an adult Peregrine Falcon and 5 adult Cooper’s Hawks all extended their species record counts. The 64 Sharp-shinned Hawks was the highest count since September 22, and 2 of the 8 Red-tailed Hawks were adult dark morph “Harlan’s Hawks”. The highest hourly count was 1100-1200 when a season high 56 raptors moved including 40 Golden Eagles. There was some songbird movement dominated by 98 American Robins, and a group of 3 Pine Grosbeaks were the first for the season [bird species # 88]. A single “Yellow-shafted” Northern Flicker was also a seasonal first. 12.5 hours (470.63) OSPR 1 (46), BAEA 13 (45), NOHA 1 (86), SSHA 64 (895), COHA 5 (280), NOGO 3 (90), UA 1 (34), RTHA 8 (166), GOEA 133 (645), PEFA 1 (42), PRFA 1 (11), UU 1 (10) TOTAL 232 (2510)
Mount Lorette [Day 11] (Joel Duncan) The temperature ranged from -4C to 8C with ground winds SW 10-20 km/h and W-NW ridge winds rated as moderate. Cloud cover increased to a maximum 90% cumulus and altostratus at 1300 before gradually decreasing again to 10% at 1900. Of the day’s total of 52 migrant raptors 46 were Golden Eagles that moved between 0825 and 1901 with 11 of the Golden Eagles seen between 1700 and 1800. Other migrants included a Herring Gull, 3 Townsend’s Solitaires and 18 American Pipits. 11.25 hours (146.17) BAEA 1 (11), SSHA 1 (39), NOGO 1 (12), RTHA 1 (16), RLHA 2 (5), GOEA 46 (401) TOTAL 52 (501)