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)