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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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