March 21
[Day 20] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) The temperature
high was again 0C between 1400 and 1600, rising from a low of -5C and
falling to -2C at 1950. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 25 km/h to
1800, after which they became light, and ridge winds were assessed as
SW strong to 1800 and then moderate (the Nakiska Ridgetop weather
station was again not functioning). Cloud cover was initially 50%
cumulus with some altocumulus developing after 0900, 90% cumulus and
altostratus between 1300 and 1600 and then 50-60% altostratus,
altocumulus and cumulus for the rest of the day. The western ridges
were 90% obscured at 1600 but clear to 20% obscured for the rest of
the day, and the east was clear all day. There were very light snow
flurries and very brief snow squalls but no accumulation. It was the
second highest raptor movement recorded this season with 43 birds
recorded between 0913 and 1834, with 26 birds (2 Bald Eagles and 24
Golden Eagles) seen between 1700 and 1800, and 9 birds (1 Bald Eagle,
8 Golden Eagles and 1 unidentified eagle) between 1800 and 1834. The
flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (1a,1sa,2j), 38 Golden Eagles
(28a,3sa,4j,3u) and 1 unidentified eagle. 12.08 hours (189.52) BAEA 4
(21), GOEA 38 (322), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 43 (346)
Upper Frank
site
(Denise Coccioloni-Amatto and Raymond Tole, 1515-1700) Light winds
and 90% low cloud cover resulted in birds moving low to the north
against the Livingstone Ridge and the 1.75 hours of observation
yielded around 50 Golden Eagles. As snow fell in the area until early
afternoon, this may have represented a late day movement similar to
that observed at Mount Lorette.
Beauvais
Ridge (Peter
Sherrington 1535-1705) The temperature was 3C, winds were W moderate
to strong and cloud cover was 70% stratocumulus and cumulus giving
hazy sunshine. The mountains of the Waterton Main Ranges to the south
were periodically obscured by cloud and snow. No migrants were seen,
but a resident adult Northern Goshawk and a resident adult Golden
Eagle were seen.
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