April 2 [Day 30] (George Halmazna, assisted by Ron Dutcher) The temperature at 0700 was -2C, rose to 6C at 1700 and was still 4.5C at 1900. Ground winds were variable SW-SE 2-10 gusting to 38 km/h in mid-afternoon, but diminishing late in the day, while ridge winds were strong SW all day gusting to 126 km/h at 1600. Cloud cover was 90-100% stratus, cumulus, altostratus and cirrostratus until 1600 when it diminished to 20% for the rest of the day. The western ridges were 60% obscured by snow in the morning, but were completely clear after 1200 and the eastern ridges were clear all day. Despite the apparently good observing conditions only 5 Golden Eagles (3a,1j,1u) were seen, the first not occurring until until 1455 and the last passing at 1530. An unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk made up the day's disappointing tally of just 6 migrant raptors. Ron left for Lusk Creek at 1500, but saw no birds moving there. The lack of birds even extended to ravens, with only 4 being seen all day and other bird species included the long-staying Northern Shrike, the season's first Townsend's Solitaire, 47 American Robins and 13 Common Redpolls. 12.83 hours (296.83) SSHA 1 (7), GOEA 5 (825) TOTAL 6 (892)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine moved to the WNW and is in the northern part of the Chena River State Recreation Area about 70 km ENE of Fairbanks. She is now about 400 km to the SSE of where she was on this date last year.