March 20 [Day 19] (Cliff Hansen, with several assistants) Today was the 20^th anniversary of seeing the first migrant Golden Eagle soaring near Mount Lorette, that led to the start of systematic raptor counts at the site and eventually to the formation of the Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation. Since that time we have spent 3,106 days at each season's principal observing site spending there a total of 32,603 site-hours for a long-term average of 10.5 hours a day. During that time observers have counted, in both spring and fall, a total of 171,628 migrant raptors of 18 species including 12,506 Bald Eagles and 135,195 Golden Eagles. These numbers do not include the many reconnaissance and comparative counts conducted throughout the period at several different sites in Alberta and British Columbia.

With 180 Golden Eagles having been seen the previous day, hopes were high for splendid flypast to celebrate 20 years of observation, and 17 observers were on hand together with a TV crew from Global Television to witness the great event. The day, however, did not start auspiciously. The designated Principal Observer for the day phoned in sick, and Cliff had to scramble to get to the site at 1000 to take his place. The temperature at 1000 was only -4C and briefly reached a high of 0C at 1400 before falling at the end of the day to -1C. Ground winds were SW-SSW 5-15 gusting 20 km/h all day, and ridge winds were assessed at SW strong: the weather station on Olympic Summit (Nakiska Ridgetop) was not functioning. Cloud cover was 100% all day, altocumulus and altostratus to 1300 and stratus thereafter, the western ridges were 50-100% and the eastern ridges 20-100% obscured all day and light snow flurries occurred throughout. A total of only 8 migrant Golden Eagles (6a,1sa,1u) were seen from the Hay Meadow between 1114 and 1535, and a further adult Bald Eagle and 2 Golden Eagles (1a,1u) were seen by Brian McBride and Chris Hunt between 1500 and 1700 at the Lusk Creek site where it was -2C and overcast but clear. The highlight of the day was a Northern Shrike perched on a snag close to the site, that was briefly mobbed by an American Robin, and a flock of 12 Pine Grosbeaks early in the day was the only other notable sighting. Despite the weather and disappointing movement, everybody had a most enjoyable day reminiscing about former glories at the site, greatly assisted by coffee, muffins and doughnuts organised by our Treasurer Claire Bourret and sledded to the site by Board Member Sandy Graham: to both we extend many thanks. 9.5 hours (177.44) BAEA 1 (17), GOEA 10 (284) TOTAL 11 (303)

Beauvais Ridge No observation.