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)