April 22 [Day 48] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Cliff Hansen) The last day of the spring 2012 count started with a temperature of -2C at 0600 that rose to a high of 18C at 1500 and 1600 and was still 15C at 2000. Ground winds were initially WSW (occasionally SE) 2-7 km/h, but by 0900 they were SW gusting to 25 km/h, and after 1100 10-20 gusting 40 km/h, while ridge winds were strong WSW to SW gusting to a maximum of 104 km/h at 1500. The count ended with the highest daily total since April 15 with 22 birds moving between 0807 and 1958 with 14 of the birds occurring after 1800. The first 2 birds moved along the western ridges but the rest were generally first seen over or approaching Mount Lorette and probably originated from Wasootch Creek having moved to the NW below and east of the Fisher Range ridge. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j,1u), 2 Red-tailed Hawks of unknown race, morph or age and 16 Golden Eagles (2a,1sa,10j,3u). Other birds included 1 drumming Red-naped Sapsucker, 1 Tree Swallow, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Mountain Bluebirds, at least 22 American Pipits, 40 Bohemian Waxwings and 1 Song Sparrow. 14 hours BAEA 2 (90), SSHA 2 (25), RTHA 2 (52), GOEA 16 (1034) TOTAL 22 (1259)

LORETTE SUMMARY COUNT (March 1 to April 22)

(With the variance from the average of the 1993-2011 spring counts for the period in parenthesis)

DAYS 48 (-1.3%)

HOURS 495.4 (-8.1%)

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 (-100%)

OSPREY (OSPR) 1 (-40.6%)

BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 90 (-49.3%)

NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 2 (-50.6%)

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 25 (+8.7%)

COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 6 (-8.1%)

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 16 (-26%)

Accipiter sp. (UA) 7

BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) (-100%)

SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 0 (never recorded in this count period)

RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 52 (+107.6%)

FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 (-100%)

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 7 (-53.3%)

Buteo sp. (UB) 3

GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 1034 (-62.8%)

Eagle sp. (UE) 4

AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 2 (+123.5%)

MERLIN (MERL) 5 (-18.8%)

GYRFALCON (GYRF) 1 (-17.4%)

PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 3 (+235.3%)

PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 1 (-52.5%)

Falco sp. (UF) 0

Unidentified Raptor (UU) 0

TOTAL 1259 (-59.1%)

April 21 [Day 47] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Chris Hunt) The temperature rose to a high of 12C between 1600 and 1800 from -3C and was 6.5C at 2030. Ground winds were W to 1100, SW to 1800 and then S, 5-10 km/h to noon, with gusts to 22 km/h to 2000 after which it was 5-10 km/h again, while ridge winds were probably SW light to moderate. Cloud cover was initially 10% cirrostratus becoming 40% at 1100 and decreasing after 1200 to 10% for the rest of the day with a trace of cumulus developing after 2000. The only migrant raptors seen were 2 unaged Bald Eagles that glided high overhead as silhouettes at 1258 and 1 juvenile Golden Eagle at 1922. Other birds included 5 American Pipits, 36 dark-eyed Juncos and 1 male Brewer's Blackbird, while butterflies comprised 1 Mourning Cloak and 6 Milbert's Tortoiseshells. 13.33 hours (481.4) BAEA 2 (88), GOEA 1 (1018) TOTAL 3 (1237)

April 20 [Day 46] (Terry Waters) Heavy rain obscured all ridges until 1300, when the temperature was 5C that reached a high of 10C at 1800, ground winds were SW 20-30 gusting 50 km/h all afternoon, while ridge winds were SW-WSW gusting to 84 km/h at 1300 and 42-55 km/h in the late afternoon. The 100% low stratus cleared after 1300 giving way to 70-80% cumulus for the rest of the day. The eastern ridges cleared quickly after 1300 as did the western ridges which, however, clouded over again to 70% from 1500 to the end of the day. The only migrant raptor seen was an adult male columbarius Merlin that flew low and fast to the north over the centre of the valley. Other birds in a rather thin day included 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Mountain Bluebirds and 14 Dark-eyed Juncos. 5 hours (468.07) MERL 1 (5) TOTAL 1 (1234)

April 19 [Day 45] (Terry Waters) The temperature was -4C at 0830, rose to a high of 9C from 1500-1900 and was 7C at 1900. Ground winds were light SE at first becoming light SW at 1100 and SW 10-20 gusting 30 km/h after 1400 before they diminished late in the day, while ridge winds were moderate SW with a maximum gust of 67 at 1800. Cloud cover was initially 10% scattered cumulus which gradually increased throughout the day reaching 80% cumulus and stratocumulus by late afternoon. Viewing conditions were excellent and there was a slow but steady movement of raptors with 11 birds seen between 1125 and 1710. Five adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks all moved to the north above the centre of the valley, and 1 adult Bald Eagle and 5 Golden Eagles (2sa,3u) moved to the NW from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette. A single Greater Yellowlegs was presumably one of those seen yesterday, while other bird species included 4 Tree Swallows, 3 Mountain Bluebirds, 2 Varied Thrushes, 36 American Robins, 4 Bohemian Waxwings, 12 Dark-eyed Juncos and 1 male Red-winged Blackbird. 10.5 hours (463.07) BAEA 1 (86), RTHA 5 (50), GOEA 5 (1017) TOTAL 11 (1233) 

April 18 [Day 44] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) the day's high temperature was 9C at 1700, rising from a morning low of 5C and falling to 3.5C at 2000. Ground winds were S 5-10 gusting 15 km/h to 1400 after which they were variably SW-SE 5-10 gusting 15 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were mainly moderate SW-WSW gusting to 56 km/h in mid-afternoon. Low stratus and fog obscured everything until 0900 after which the ridges started to clear and were all clear by 1100. The cloud cover began to break slightly at 0900 producing 80-100% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus to 1900 and 80-90% altocumulus and altostratus after that. Two short but intense snow squalls briefly obscured everything from 1430 to 1455 and from 1935 to 1955. Once again raptor movement was disappointing with only 1 juvenile Golden Eagle at 1530 and 1 adult Golden Eagle at 1914, although the resident pair was seen briefly clasping talons during a courtship flight. Other birds seen included the season's first 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 10,75 hours (452.57) GOEA 2 (1012) TOTAL 2 (1222)

April 17 [Day 43] (Joel Duncan) The temperature at 0900 was 2C, fell to the day's low of 1C at 1000, rose to a high of 3C at 1500 and was still 2C at 1900. Ground winds were NE all day 8-15 gusting 30 km/h while ridge winds were light to moderate SW (occasionally WSW or SSW) gusting to 29 km/h at 1400. Cloud cover was initially 100% low altostratus that produced very light snow flurries, which gradually decreased to 30% altocumulus, cumulus and altostratus at 1500 before increasing again to 70% at the end of the day. All ridges were obscured until 1100 after which they gradually cleared with the east fully clear at 1330 and all ridges clear at 1500. Raptor movement was disappointing with only 3 birds seen: 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1140 and 2 adult Bald Eagles at 1242. Because of the lack of birds Joel moved to the Lusk Creek site from 1700 to 1900 but found that it was no better there. A flock of 25 Dark-eyed Juncos in the Hay Meadow included 2 male “Pink-sided” Juncos (J.h.mearnsi). 10 hours (441.82) BAEA 2 (85), SSHA 1 (23) TOTAL 3 (1220)

April 16 [Day 42] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0600 was -5, rose to a high of 7C at 1600 before falling to 3.5C at 1900. Ground winds were calm or light S , gusting to 17 km/h at 1100, and light SW after 1200, while ridge winds were moderate SSW gusting to 57 km/h, becoming WSW late in the day. Cloud cover was initially 60% cumulus and stratus becoming 100% cumulus and altostratus at 1100 which thinned slightly to 90% after 1600. Despite the apparently favourable conditions only 9 raptors migrated between 0659 and 1449: 3 juvenile Bald Eagles, 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 unaged Golden Eagle and 2 columbarius Merlins (1 adult male, 1u). In compensation 34 other species of bird were recorded, all but one before noon, including 4 Trumpeter Swans, 21 Tundra Swans, 2 Buffleheads, 1 Killdeer, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 45 American Robins, 1 American Pipit and 1 Brewer's Blackbird. Mammal tracks included the season's first Grizzly Bear (very fresh!), Cougar, Bobcat and Pine Marten. 13.5 hours (431.82) BAEA 3 (83), SSHA 2 (22), RTHA 1 (45), GOEA 1 (1010), MERL 2 (4) TOTAL 9 (1217)

April 15 [Day 41] (Bill Wilson) Yesterday's weather persisted to 1100 when the very light snow stopped and the ridges slowly began to clear. The temperature at 0605 was -5C, rose to 1C between 1400 and 1800 and dropped to -1C at 2000. Ground winds were N-NNE 2-10 gusting 20 km/h all day, while ridge winds were WSW-SW light to moderate. The 100% stratus cloud cover persisted to 1100 when it reduced to 60% stratus and cumulus and at 1300 and 1400 it was down to 30% before it again thickened to 100% slightly broken stratus for the rest of the day after 1500. The eastern ridges began to emerge from cloud at 1100 when they were 10% visible and slowly increased to 20% clear at 1300 and were completely clear at 1700, while the western ridges were 100% obscured to 1300, became 20% visible at 1600 and did not fully clear until 1900. Despite the conditions, the first bird of the day, an adult male Northern Harrier flew north at 0941, the first 2 Golden Eagles followed at 0955 and 12 migrants had been seen before the ridges started to clear at 1100. Almost all of the 49 migrant raptors recorded moved low below the cloud in front of the flanks of mount Allan to the west, while after 1543 the birds were located over Hummingbird Plume Hill before they moved to the NW over Skogan Pass, or flew to the NE past the south face of Mount Lorette. Several birds soared high into the low cloud and were not seen again. The combined species count of 49 was the highest since April 7 and comprised 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u), 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 4 Northern Goshawks (2a,2u), 2 Red-tailed Hawks (1 adult light morph calurus and 1 undifferentiated dark morph) and 38 Golden Eagles (11a,7sa,15j,5u), the latter being the highest count since April 6. The highest single hour count was 12 (3 Northern Goshawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 8 Golden Eagles) between 1100 and 1200, and the 2 Golden Eagles seen at 1543 finally put the season's total for the species above 1000 which is about 1600 below the average total for this time. Songbirds seen at the site included 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Townsend's Solitaires, 4 Mountain Bluebirds, 170 American Robins, 28 Dark-eyed Juncos and 1 Western Meadowlark. 14.25 hours (418.32) BAEA 1 (80), NOHA 1 (2), SSHA 2 (20), COHA 1 (6), NOGO 4 (16), RTHA 2 (44), GOEA 38 (1008) TOTAL 48 (1208)

April 14 [Day 40] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) It was yet another day of poor weather with very light snow becoming moderate after 0900 and with periods of heavy wet snow after 1100 that lead to an accumulation of around 5 cm by mid afternoon. The ridges were completely obscured and cloud cover was 100% low stratus all day. Ground winds were light W-SW all day and ridge winds were calm to 1100 after which they were light N-NNE. The starting temperature was 1.5C which fell to 0.5C from 1300 to 1540, which is when the observers finally gave up on the day. At 1413 a juvenile Bald Eagle soared low and flew to the SW and at 1530 what was assumed to be the same bird flapped low to the north above the river and was regarded as a migrant. Apart from the eagle, the day produced 30 other species of bird including the season's first Pacific Wren that was seen feeding with Ruby-crowned Kinglets. 8.16 hours (404.07) BAEA 1 (79) TOTAL 1 (1159)

April 13 [Day 39] (Terry Waters) The temperature at 0915 was 3C which rose to a high of 7C between 1300 and 1800 and was 6C at 1845. Ground winds were light SW all day occasionally gusting to 20 km/h, and ridge winds were probably W moderate to strong. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and stratocumulus which reduced to 80% after 1500, and observing conditions were good all day. The eastern ridges were clear all day and the west was 20% obscured for most of the day except around noon when it reached 60%. From 1900 rain and sleet moved in from the north and low cloud developed on the ridges. There was a fairly steady stream of raptors with 29 birds moving between 1056 and 1655, of which 13 occurred between 1500 and 1655. All but one of the birds moved high along the Fisher Range before crossing the Kananaskis Valley to Mount Lorette. The flight comprised 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 small indeterminate Accipiter, 4 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 19 Golden Eagles (10a,4sa,5j) and 2 Peregrine Falcons (1a,1u). Songbird numbers near the site were thin but included a Western Meadowlark. 9.5 hours (395.91) SSHA 1 (18), COHA 1 (5), NOGO 1 (12), UA 1 (7), RTHA 4 (42), GOEA 19 (971), PEFA 2 (3) TOTAL 29 (1158)

April 12 NO OBSERVATION Rain all day: ridges obscured.

April 11 [Day 38] (Jim Davis) The temperature was -3C at 0730, rose to a high of 14C at 1500 and was still 10C at 2000. It was calm in the valley until noon after which ground winds were N 8-10 km/h gusting to 23 km/h around 1600, while ridge winds were NNE-N 6-15 km/h after 1100. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cirrus, reducing to 70-80% cirrostratus after 1500. Ridge tops were clear all day but the altostratus cloud was often static just above the ridges and when they dissipated after 1500 the following hour produced the day's peak movement of 15 birds. It is possible that before 1500 high-flying birds were moving above the low cloud and could not be seen. Despite this it proved to be an interesting day of raptor movement after two lean days, with a total of 47 birds of a season-equaling 9 species moving between 0851 and 1902, including 3 species seen for the first time this season: 1 Osprey, that was the last bird of the day, 1 adult dark morph Gyrfalcon seen at 1744 and 1 Prairie Falcon. The rest of the flight comprised 8 Bald Eagles (1a,1sa,6j), 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a,2u), 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 10 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (7 light morphs (6a,1j), 2 rufous (intermediate) morphs (1a,1j), and 1 adult dark morph), 1 indeterminate Buteo, 17 Golden Eagles (5a,1sa,2j,9u) and 2 unidentified eagles. Movement was slow but steady throughout the day with just the single peak of 15 birds between 1500 and 1600. Most of the early flight involved relatively low birds flapping north above the centre of the valley, but after mid afternoon birds were seen to the west gliding towards the NW and only a few birds were detected over the Fisher Range to the east. It is possible that these birds were moving ahead of a widespread weather system that threatens to bring rain and snow to the area over the next couple of days. There were also good numbers and variety of non raptors, with season first records of a pair of Hooded Mergansers, 1 male Red-naped Sapsucker, 1 Savannah Sparrow and a pair of Purple Finches. Other bird species included 10 Northern Flickers, 6 Varied Thrushes, 47 American Robins, 9 Mountain Bluebirds, 2 Song Sparrows, 49 Dark-eyed Juncos, 2 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 12 Common Redpolls, while a comma butterfly (Polygonia sp.) was also on the wing. 12.5 hours (386.41) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 8 (78), SSHA 4 (17), COHA 1 (4), NOGO 1 (11), RTHA 10 (38), UB 1 (3), GOEA 17 (952), UE 2 (4), GYRF 1 (1), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 47 (1129)

April 10 [Day 37] (Joel Duncan) The temperature at 0900 was 3C which rose to a very pleasant 13C at 1700 and was still 10C at 2045. Ground winds were E-NE 5-12 gusting to 23 km/h, becoming moderate SW in the mid-afternoon, while ridge winds were calm-SSW light to moderate. Cloud cover was 30-70% thin cirrostratus giving excellent observing conditions all day. Migration conditions, however, were apparently not excellent as the only migrant raptors seen were a subadult Bald Eagle at 1832 and an adult Northern Goshawk at 1841, both of which flew directly to the north from the northern end of the Fisher Range. Some compensation was the variety of non-raptor bird species including season-first records of 3 Tree Swallows, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 American Pipits and 1 male Rusty Blackbird, while a Wilson's Snipe was heard winnowing for the first time and the Say's Phoebe was still hanging around the meadow. The first of the year's butterflies, 2 Mourning Cloaks, were on the wing as was the first mosquito late in the day. 11.75 (373.91) BAEA 1 (70), NOGO 1 (10) TOTAL 2 (1082)

April 9 [Day 36] (George Halmazna) The temperature high was 9C at 1600 and 1700 from a morning low of -5C, and it was still 6.5C at 1930. Ground winds were calm to light SSW to 1300 after which they gusted to 20 km/h, changed to SE then N after 1400 becoming light again at the end of the day. The ridges were mainly calm to 1100 and again after 1900, and were probably light to moderate SSW-N in between. Cloud cover was 80-100% altostratus and altocumulus to to 1400 after which it slowly changed to cirrus, reducing to 30% after 1700. It was a disappointing day for raptor migration with only 7 birds moving between 1305 and 1712, with 4 of the birds occurring between 1305 and 1400. The flight was 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and only 2 Golden Eagles (1sa,1j). A Say's Phoebe foraging with Mountain Bluebirds in the Hay Meadow for most of the afternoon, was the first flycatcher of the season. 13 hours (362.16) BAEA 3 (69), SSHA 1 (13), RTHA 1 (28) GOEA 2 (935) TOTAL 7 (1080)

April 8 [Day 35] (Bill Wilson) It was a chilly -9.5C at 0625 but the temperature rose to 6.5C at 1700 and was 3C at 2000. Ground winds were initially SSW 0-5 km/h, but after 1100 they were variable SE-NE, generally calm to light but occasionally gusting to 25 km/h, while ridge winds were calm to SSW 6 km/h until the late afternoon when they became NE 21-27 gusting 38 km/h. It was cloudless until 1100 when a trace of cumulus developed that increased to 20% at noon, was 5% from 1300 to 1800 and subsequently 20% cumulus and cirrus for the rest of the day. A total of 28 migrant raptors moved between 1043 and 1839 but only 6 birds had been seen before 1600 before the peak movement of 7 Golden Eagles occurred between 1600 and 1700. The flight comprised 8 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Northern Goshawks of unknown age and 18 Golden Eagles (4a,5sa,8j,1u) The 72% immature Golden Eagle count is the highest so far this season. Most of the birds soared or glided high over the centre of the valley before heading to Skogan Pass and on towards the NW. The count of 82 American Robins included 45 feeding together in the Hay Meadow at 1920 along with a varied Thrush, 2 European Starlings and a Dark-eyed Junco. 13.75 hours (349.16) BAEA 8 (66), NOGO 2 (9), GOEA 18 (933) TOTAL 28 (1073)

April 7 [Day 34] (Jim Davis and Cliff Hansen) Cliff arrived at the Hay Meadow at 0735 and watched there to 1700. Jim joined Cliff at 0754 and at 1300, when the weather deteriorated, went to Lusk Creek and watched there until 2010. The starting temperature at the Hay Meadow was -6C and rose to a high of 3C at 1700, while the temperature at Lusk was 1C throughout. Ground winds at the Hay Meadow were variable W-WSW-SW mainly light but occasionally reaching 15 km/h, and limited data from the Nakiska Ridgetop indicated light to moderate SW-SSW ridge winds. At Lusk Creek it was calm to 1430 when 30 km/h NW winds brought snow to 1640, after which they became light. Cloud cover at the Hay Meadow was initially 10% cumulus and altostratus that thickened to 80-90% after 1000, snow fell between 1215 and 1345 obscuring all the ridges, which subsequently remained more or less clear for the rest of the day. At Lusk it was cloudless until the NW wind rapidly brought 100% low stratus and snow, but after 1640 it was clear to the N and E but a wall of cloud remained static to the S. At Hay Meadow a total of 24 migrants (3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 juvenile Cooper's Hawk, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 indeterminate small Accipiter, 5 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (4 light and 1 rufous), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 8 Golden Eagles (6a,2sa), 1 indeterminate eagle and 1 male American Kestrel) moved between 0939 and 1704, with only 7 of the birds moving after 1300 and only 1 after 1500. At Lusk Creek 14 birds were seen between 1338 and 1449, they shut down for 1.16 hours as the snow fell, then there was a secondary peak as 9 birds moved between 1700 and 1800, and the last Bald Eagle went north at 2009. The count at Lusk comprised 4 adult Bald Eagles, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 9 adult Red-tailed Hawks (8 calurus of which 6 were light morphs, 1 rufous and 1 dark, and 1 adult dark morph harlani), 13 Golden Eagles (7a,1sa,2j,3u) and 1 columbarius Merlin of unknown age and sex. It appeared that the Lusk birds increased as the Hay Meadow birds declined so the movement was probably displaced to the east by the weather; the 2 counts can probably be legitimately combined. This being the case, the 9 species seen today is the highest diversity seen so far this season, and the combined-site total of 54 birds has finally pushed the total season 's count over 1000 birds. The non-raptor highlight at the Hay Meadow site was a loose flock of 5 Fox Sparrows (4 were probably of the locally breeding race schistacea, and 1 was the eastern and northern race iliaca), 6 Song Sparrows and the season's first White-crowned Sparrow, while the Lusk count was enlivened by 730 Bohemian Waxwings that occurred in 8 flocks. 12.58 hours (335.41) BAEA 7 (58), SSHA 2 (12), COHA 2 (3), NOGO 3 (7), UA 1 (6), RTHA 14 (27), RLHA 1 (7), GOEA 21 (915), UE 1 (2), AMKE 1 (2), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 54 (1045)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone (Mark Sherrington 1145-1530) The temperature was 2-4C, winds were mainly W-NW gusting to 40 km/h and cumulus cloud cover went from 10% to 1300, to 60% at 1400 and quickly reduced to 5% at 1430. There were extensive snow squalls to the south, west and north that periodically hit the site. Migration conditions were good and most birds glided to the north low above or just below the ridge. The 13 migrants counted between 1145 and 1518 comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 10 Golden Eagles (7a,2sa,1u) and 1 Prairie Falcon. 3.75 hours BAEA 2, GOEA 10, PRFA 1 TOTAL 13

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine covered the last 70 km to the NE and is now in her home range where she presumably nested last year. Many thanks Elaine for another highly instructive journey and congratulations and thanks to Rob Domenech and his colleagues from the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana.

April 6 [Day 33] (Terry Waters, assisted by Pat Bulman) Terry was greeted by 10 cm of fresh snow at the site where the temperature was -10C at 0830, which rose to 5C at 1700 and was 3C at 1900. Ground winds were generally light SW-NNW, occasionally gusting to 15 km/h, while ridge winds were also mainly light SW-SSW reaching 14 km/h at 1600. The sky was cloudless to 1100 when scattered cumulus developed that reached 80% at 1400 before dissipating to 30% at the end of the day. A few light snow flurries occurred between 1300 and 1600 that briefly obscured both the eastern and western ridges which were otherwise clear all day. A total of 93 raptors of a season-high 8 species migrated between 0905 and 1804 with 25 of the birds moving between 1700 and 1800. The flight comprised 8 Bald Eagles (5a,3sa), 1 adult male Northern Harrier (the first of the season), 3 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 4 unidentified small accipiters (that were probably also Sharp-shinned Hawks), 5 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 69 Golden Eagles (52a,6sa,11j) and the first American Kestrel of the season, a male. Surprisingly (and rather depressingly) for the time of year both the combined species and Golden Eagle totals were the 4^th highest of the season. The percentage (almost 25%) of immature Golden Eagles was the highest of the season so far. The calm conditions resulted in a lot of soaring flight with most of the birds seen before 1300 moving along the western route and subsequently over the centre of the valley and finally high over the Fisher Range to the east. Song birds seen included 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Varied Thrushes, over 70 American Robins, 1 Song Sparrow and 4 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 10.5 hours (322.83) BAEA 8 (51), NOHA 1 (1), SSHA 3 (10), NOGO 1 (4), UA 4 (5), RTHA 5 (13), RLHA 1 (6), GOEA 69 (894), AMKE 1 (1) TOTAL 93 (991)

The further adventures of “Elaine” On April 5 Elaine continued to move to the ENE and on April 6 she flew another 45 km to the NE and is now less than 70 km from her summer range north of the upper North Fork of the Chandalar River in the eastern Philip Smith Mountains. 

April 5 NO OBSERVATION (Terry Waters) Heavy wet snow fell all day, the temperature was around -4C and the mountains were totally obscured all day. Terry checked Lusk Creek a couple of times during the day but conditions were the same there.

April 4 [Day 32] (Jim Davis) The temperature was -1C to 1100 and -2C for the rest of the day, and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day. It was calm until 0950 when NE winds developed that gusted to 40 km/h, heavy snow began to fall and the hitherto clear mountains became completely obscured in a couple of minutes. At 1000 Jim left for Lusk Creek where there was still some visibility (c500 m), snowfall was lighter and the wind NE at 10 km/h, but conditions there gradually deteriorated and the count was abandoned for the day at 1230. The only migrant raptors seen were 5 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (4 light and 1 rufous morph), 2 seen from the Hay Meadow at 0901 and 0944 and 3 at Lusk Creek at 1057, 1058 and 1109. Before the weather system arrived the almost snow-free Hay Meadow was full of feeding songbirds including 5 Canada Geese, 1 Northern Flicker, 5 Mountain Bluebirds (3 males, 2 females), 6 Varied Thrushes, 48 American Robins, 3 Bohemian Waxwings, 149 “Slate-coloured” morph Dark-eyed Juncos of the race cismontanus and 10 “Oregon” morphs. When the NE wind arrived at 0950 the birds took off en masse and within a couple of minutes the meadow was empty. 5 hours (312.33) RTHA 5 (8) TOTAL 5 (898)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine moved about 150 km to the north and has reached the SE part of the Philip Smith Mountains near Wiseman on the Dalton Highway, 25 km WSW of Big Lake. She is now less than 100 km SSW of the area where she spent the summer last year and it appears that she will arrive there on about the same date as she did last year. Amazing!

April 3 [Day 31] (Joel Duncan, assisted by Cliff Hansen) The temperature was 2C at 0900, rose to a very pleasant 13C at 1400 and was still 12C at the end of the day. Ground winds were SW 5-10 km/h all day, gusting up to 23 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SSW-SW gusting 74-86 km/h. Cloud cover was cirrostratus all day, 80-100% to 1300 after which it gradually dwindled to 5% after 1700, and the mountains were clear all day. Despite these apparently excellent migration and observing conditions only one migrant raptor was seen, an adult Peregrine Falcon (the season's first) that flew to the north at 0902. Cliff was at the Lusk Creek site from 1600, and was joined there at 1730 by Joel, but no migrant raptors were seen. From the Hay Meadow site single adult resident Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle were noted, and songbirds seen included 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5 male Mountain Bluebirds, 17 American Robins, 1 Brown Creeper and the season's first Fox Sparrow. 10.5 hours (307.33) PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (893)

Oldman River Valley Commenting on the low counts at Mount Lorette Bev Garbutt writes that she is also noticing a lack of eagles in her study area near the Oldman River west of the Porcupine Hills. Presently her daily count of mainly Bald Eagles is 10-14, mainly juvenile birds, compared to an average daily count at this time of year of around 50 birds. She also notes that she has only seen about 8 Golden Eagles so far this year. This is interesting because if Golden Eagle movement was being displaced to the east by poor weather conditions in the mountains, this area is exactly where I would expect them to be seen.

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine flew about 200 km to the NW, crossed the Yukon River and is now near the Dall River at 150^o W about 30 km S of the Arctic Circle

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. 

April 1 [Day 29] (Bill Wilson) The temperature at 0730 was 0C, rose to a high of 6C at 1600 and fell to 1C at 2000. Surface winds were SW 5-15 gusting 35 km/h decreasing in the last couple of hours of counting and were S 2-5 at the end of the day, while ridge winds were strong SW gusting to 104 km/h to 0800, then mainly moderate SW gusting to 45 km/h to 1700 after which they were variably W-S light. Cloud cover was essentially cumulus all day, initially 5%, then 30-60% between 0900 and 1200 and 80-100% for the rest of the day giving good observing conditions. The only precipitation was a few flurries after 1900, but there was 3 cm of fresh snow on the ground at the start. The western ridges were obscured up to 20% throughout the day, but the east remained clear except during brief snow squalls late in the afternoon. A total of 58 migrant raptors were recorded between 0824 and 1825, with the flight peaking at 10 birds (2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Northern Goshawk and 7 Golden Eagles) between 1300 and 1400, although the maximum Golden Eagle passage was 9 between 1000 and 1100. All the birds moved high from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette, although late in the day they were only seen after they had arrived at Mount Lorette. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 3 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1u), 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (the 3 former species each having their highest counts for the season), 1 indeterminate Buteo and 49 Golden Eagles (39a,3sa,2j,5u). The Northern Shrike still lingered around the meadow, 2 Varied Thrushes sang and 12 of the day's 17 American Robins flew north in a single flock. 13.16 hours (284) BAEA 1 (43), SSHA 3 (6), NOGO 2 (3), RTHA 2 (3), UB 1 (2), GOEA 49 (820) TOTAL 58 (886)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine moved to the WNW and finished the day near the headwaters of the North Fork of the Salcho River, about 130 km E of Fairbanks. She is now some 300 km SSE of where she was on this date last year.

March 31 [Day 28] (Jim Davis assisted by Cliff Hansen) The temperature was -8C at 0700, rose to a high of 5C at 1300 and remained there until 1900. It was initially calm with light to moderate SW winds developing after1000, while ridge winds were mainly moderate SW-SSW gusting between 44 and 85 km/h. Cloud cover at the start was 40% stratus and cumulus, increasing to 60% at 1000 and thickening to 100% stratus at 1400 when rain and snow began obscuring all the ridges at which time the count moved to the Lusk Creek site. At the Hay Meadow site a Rough-legged Hawk perched in a tree from 0833 and the first migrant Golden Eagle was seen at 0942. The last Golden Eagle was seen from there at 1336 by which time 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, the Rough-legged Hawk and 8 Golden Eagles (6a,1j,1u) had been recorded. At Lusk Creek it was calm until 1900 when a S wind to 20 km/h developed, and cloud cover was 100% stratus, but there was a slow but steady stream of migrant raptors after 1431 and especially between 1700 and 1800 when some clearing of the weather produced 11 Golden Eagles between 1700 and 1734 followed by a blank 1.5 hours. A total of 15 birds were seen there comprising 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk (the first for the count this season) and 13 Golden Eagles (9a,1j,3u). The highlight of non-raptor movement at Mount Lorette was a flock of 12 Northern Flickers flying north about 10m above the centre of the valley at 1111, while at Lusk Creek about 500 Bohemian Waxwings occurred in three flocks. 12.16 hours (270.84) BAEA 1 (42), SSHA 1 (3), RTHA 1 (1), RLHA 1 (5), GOEA 21 (828) TOTAL 25 (828)

March summary This year's March count was characterized by higher than average temperatures, a prevalence of very strong SW downslope winds and higher than average snowfall and low cloud obscuring the ridges. Only 3 full days were lost to weather, but several other days were shortened and a total of 8 days (including those lost) had 0 migrants, a further 5 days saw the passage of only 1 bird and a total of 17 days had a passage of 10 or less birds. Compared to the averages of the previous 19 March counts (1993-2011) the 28 days and 270.84 hours spent in the field were 3.27 and 12.83% below average respectively. The combined species total of 825 is 65.95% below average and is the second lowest ever (behind the count of 743 in 2009). The total of 771 Golden Eagles is 66.42% below average and the 42 Bald Eagles are 60.6% below average and both species represent the second lowest counts ever behind counts of 684 and 36 respectively in the 2009 count. Of the other 3 species who's average occurrence during the month is above 2, the 1 Northern Goshawk is 90.9% below average, the 1 Red-tailed Hawk is 75.6% below average and, bucking the trend, the 5 Rough-legged Hawks are 86.27% above average. It is interesting to note that the percentage of immature Golden Eagles is still low suggesting that the April count still holds some promise of significant movement. Final march count: 28 days (270.84) TUVU 0, OSPR 0, BAEA 42, NOHA 0, SSHA 3, COHA 1, NOGO1, BWHA 0, SWHA 0, RTHA 1, FEHA 0, RLHA 5, GOEA 771, AMKE 0, MERL 1, GYRF 0, PEFA 0, PRFA 0, UA 1, UB 1, UE 1, UU 0 TOTAL 825.

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine moved about 35 km to the W and is now near the headwaters of the Salcho River, west of the Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve, which puts her about 50 km SE of where she was on March 30 last year.

March 30 [Day 27] (Terry Waters) All the mountains were obscured until 1100 when there was partial clearing at which point Terry went to Lusk Creek where conditions were slightly better. Temperatures there ranged from -1C to 0C, ground winds were SW 10-20 gusting 30 km/h, ridge winds were moderate SSW gusting to 57 km/h and 40% altostratus cloud cover became 100% low stratus as snow reached the area at 1330 and at 1400 Terry gave up for the day. An adult Bald Eagle at 1220 was the only migrant seen. 3 hours (258.68) BAEA 1 (41) TOTAL 1 (803)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine moved about 20 km to the NW

March 29 [Day 26] (Alan Hingston 0715-1000, then Terry Waters) The temperature rose to a high of 5C from 1100 to1400 from a morning low of 1C, and was 3C at the end of counting. Ground winds were initially light SW but were 10-20 gusting 30-40 km/h between 1000 and 1300, after which they became light again, while ridge winds were SW-SSW moderate to strong gusting to 99 km/h in the morning but decreased to less than 20 km/h at 1400. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus initially, that diminished to 30% at 1100 before quickly thickening to 100% stratus with flurries starting at 1400 turning to snow after 1500. The western ridges were 50% obscured in the morning and 100% after 1400, while the eastern ridges were clear to 1630, but by 1640 all ridges were obscured and the observers moved to the Lusk Creek site. A total of 9 birds, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 8 Golden Eagles (6a,1sa,1u) were seen from the Hay Meadow between 0822 and 1300, and the move to Lusk Creek only added 1 more unaged Golden Eagle before the weather finally terminated the count at 1730. A resident Golden Eagle was seen displaying from the Hay Meadow and other birds seen there included 14 American Robins and 1 Western Meadowlark. 10.25 hours (255.68) RLHA 1 (4), GOEA 9 (750) TOTAL 10 (802)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Today Elaine flew WNW to 65 km west of the Alaska-Yukon border and ended the day about 100km N of Tetlin Junction, again very close to where she was on this date last year.

March 28 [Day 25] (Alan Hingston, assisted by Cliff Hansen) The high temperature was 10C at 1500 and 1600, from a low of -1C at 0715, and it was 4.5C at 1900. Ground winds were mainly south 10-15 gusting 20 km/h, except in the late afternoon when brief squalls from the SW created gusts of around 40 km/h. Ridge winds were probably SW moderate to strong all day, gusting to almost 100 km/h in the late afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 100% cumulus and altostratus to 1100 after which it was 50-60% mainly cumulus giving good observing conditions. Apart from some sporadic cloud drape on the eastern ridges in the morning the mountains were clear all day. From the Hay Meadow site the observers counted a rather disappointing 51 Golden Eagles (37a,14u) between 0819 and 1835 with 34 birds seen before 1400 and only 3 moving after 1700. Because of the poor late afternoon movement Cliff moved to the Lusk Creek site between 1845 and 2010 and saw a further 10 adult Golden Eagles and a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk between 1911 and 1947; these birds are included in today’s tally. Most of these birds were flying high to the W or WNW and appeared to be heading back to the Front Range route. Other birds seen near the Hay Meadow included 16 American Robins, 50 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Western Meadowlark and 12 Pine Grosbeaks. 12.83 hours (245.43) RLHA 1 (3), GOEA 61 (741) TOTAL 62 (792)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1210-1235) There was a short-lived movement of birds seen from my house between 1212 and 1231 involving 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 male adult Northern Harrier, 1 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 2 adult Golden Eagles all of which glided high from the “Big Hill” towards the W or WSW. Migration conditions appeared good with a temperature of 7C, moderate to strong WSW winds and 90% cumulus and stratus cloud, but periodic checks throughout the day yielded no more birds. By mid afternoon the weather had deteriorated and the Continental Divide to the SW was mainly obscured for the rest of the day. 0.42 hours (24.5) BAEA 1 (29), NOHA 1 (1), RTHA 1 (5), GOEA 2 (132) TOTAL 5 (176)

The further adventures of “Elaine” On March 27 Elaine was in the western Pelly Mountains of southern Yukon, about 35 km NW of Little Salmon Lake which put her more or less at the same latitude as she was time last year. By March 28 she was about 75 km east of the Alaska border, WSW of Dawson, very close to where she was on this date last year. 

March 27 [Day 24] (Joel Duncan assisted by Alan Hingston) The temperature was 1C at 0930, rose to a high of 7C at 1400 and was 2C at 1945. Ground winds were calm to light in the morning, SW 10-20 gusting 35 km/h in the afternoon to 1700 after which they were again light, and limited data from the Nakiska Ridgetop weather station indicated moderate to strong SW winds at ridge level. Cloud cover was initially 70% cumulus, altostratus and cirrostratus that cleared to 20% at 1500 and was subsequently 30% altocumulus to the end of the day. Clear skies to the west made location of raptors difficult in the middle of the afternoon. Raptor movement was initially slow with the first 2 Golden Eagles not being seen until 0958 and no birds at all were recorded between 1310 and 1500. Concerted movement, however, started at 1500, peaked between 1800 and 1900 when 40 Golden Eagles passed and the last 2 Golden Eagles of the day were seen at 1903. The combined species count of 137 is the third highest of the season and comprised a season-high 9 Bald Eagles (all adults), 1 adult Northern Goshawk (the first migrant bird of the season, although resident goshawks have been seen most days), 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks (also the first of the season) and 125 Golden Eagles (69a,9sa,1j,46u). The movement after 1500 was high with birds appearing over the northern end of the Fisher Range before gliding to Mount Lorette and on to the NW. There was a good variety of non-raptors near the site including a Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Clark's Nutcrackers, 1 male Mountain Bluebird, 4 American Robins, 2 Song Sparrows and 1 male House Finch, the last being rare in the valley. 10.25 hours (232.6) BAEA 9 (40), NOGO 1 (1), RLHA 2 (2) GOEA 125 (680) TOTAL 137 (730)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1240-1415, 1535-1650 and casual observations after 1712) While taking a break from report writing at 1240 I noticed birds moving high to the W from the “Big Hill” east of my house, which is the continuation to the NW of the Beauvais Ridge. I observed for 1.58 hours and recorded 16 Bald Eagles (13a,2sa,1j), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 2 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 1 adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk (which I believe is the first March record for any RMERF count), 16 Golden Eagles (11a,3sa,2j) and 1 adult male columbarius Merlin. The temperature was 5C, winds moderate W and 60% cirrus and cumulus giving excellent observing conditions. Between 1535 and 1650 I observed from the Gladstone Valley site where the temperature was 8C, winds W moderate to strong and 60% cumulus and cirrus cloud. Birds again moved high, mainly to the W and 1.25 hours yielded 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk and 10 Golden Eagles (9a,1sa). After1720, non-systematic observation from my house added 1 adult Bald Eagle and 5 Golden Eagles the last 2 of which were seen at 1832. A Tree Swallow at 1434 was the first for the year: could this be spring? 3 hours (24.08) BAEA 18 (28), SSHA 2 (2), NOGO 2 (2), RTHA 2 (5), FEHA 1 (1), GOEA 31 (130) TOTAL 57 (171)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By March 26 Elaine had moved about 100km to the WNW in southern Yukon and is presently about 120 km ESE of where she was on this date last year. If she continues on her present bearing she will soon be back on the track that she followed last year.

March 26 [Day 23] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0700 was -3C, rose briefly to 5C at 1100 and was 1.5C at 1630. It was essentially calm to 1100, then winds were variably light SE to NE for the rest of the day, and limited data from the Nakiska Ridgetop weather station indicated NE winds 10-19 km/h between 1000 and 1100. Cloud cover was 100% stratus all day, and snow moved in from the west around noon. By 1300 the west was 90% and the east 80% obscured, and by 1400 all ridges were obscured and remained so for the rest of the day. There was, however, some movement of Golden Eagles along the western ridges in the morning, with 14 birds (11a,3u) moving slowly from Mount Kidd to Olympic Summit to Mount Collembola and then to the NW over Skogan Pass between 1052 and 1122. The only other raptor seen was a hunting resident adult Northern Goshawk, and other birds included 8 American Robins, 30 Bohemian Waxwings and a flock of 3 chickadees that comprised 1 Black-capped, 1 Boreal and 1 Mountain Chickadee. 9.5 hours (222.35) GOEA 14 (555) TOTAL 14 (593)

Beauvais Ridge No observation. Snow started around 0830 and persisted to the early afternoon, but the mountains were obscured all day.

The further adventures of “Elaine” By March 25 Elaine had moved a fair distance to the NW to about 30 km N of Watson Lake in southern Yukon Territory.

March 25 [Day 22] (Bill Wilson) The temperature was -12C at 0700, rose to a high of 11C at 1600 and 1700, and was 2C at 1950. Ground winds were SW 2-10 gusting 20 km/h all day, and ridge winds in the afternoon were SSW-WSW 5-24 gusting 40 km/h. It was cloudless to 1100 after which 50-80% altostratus developed to 1300 becoming 100% to 1700, after which it was 10-50% cirrostratus to the end of the day. After yesterday's late eagle movement an early start today was to be expected but the first Golden Eagle was not recorded until 1157 and by 1600 only 11 Golden Eagles had been counted. Things subsequently picked up, however, and a further 53 Golden and 6 Bald Eagles were seen, with 27 birds (2 Bald Eagles and 25 Golden Eagles) occurring between 1800 and 1900, and the last 2 Golden Eagles moved to the NW at 1908. The final count of 70 raptors was 6 Bald Eagles (3a,3j) and 64 Golden Eagles (58a,1sa,5u). Non-raptor species included 3 American Robins, 1 singing Dark-eyed [Oregon] Junco and 6 Pine Grosbeaks. 12.83 hours (212.85) BAEA 6 (31), GOEA 64 (541) TOTAL 70 (579)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1430-1700) The temperature during the period fell from 2C to -1C, winds were N-NE 5-10 gusting 15 km/h and cloud cover was 100% very thin cirrostratus giving hazy sun. There was a fairly steady movement of raptors between 1443 and 1649, the flight comprising 5 adult Bald Eagles, 1 unaged Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 53 Golden Eagles (50a,3sa). A light morph Rough-legged Hawk was considered a non-migrant. The birds all appeared low over the ridges to the east, soared high then flow with mainly flapping flight and little gliding either to the W or to the WNW. A migrating Northern Shrike flew high to the north at 1606. 2.5 hours (21.08) BAEA 5 (10), COHA 1 (1), RTHA 1 (3), GOEA 53 (99) TOTAL 60 (114).

March 24 [Day 21] (Terry Waters, assisted by Cliff Hansen) After sitting out two days of winter weather Terry was finally rewarded with a decent day. A cloudless sky at 0830 allowed the temperature to drop to a season-low -17C, but it rose to 3C between 1400 and 1700 and was still 1C at 1900. Ground winds were light SSW all day, and ridge winds were probably similar. Skies remained clear until noon when altostratus cloud developed that reached 100% by 1400 and stayed that way for the rest of the day giving hazy sunshine and excellent observing conditions. Migration conditions also proved to be favourable as a total of 163 migrant raptors were seen between 1128 and 1845, which is the second highest count this season. Most of the birds seen before 1500 moved on the western ridges, generally from Mount Kidd to Mount Allan then on to Pigeon Mountain. The hourly counts during this period were 1128-1200 (21), 12-1300 (26), 13-1400 (7) and 14-1500 (9). Between 1500 and 1600 only 1 Golden Eagle was seen, and when the flow started again the birds appeared above the northern end of the Fisher Range, soared high (with a maximum of 8 birds seen soaring together) before crossing the Kananaskis Valley to Mount Lorette and onwards to the NW. Hourly counts after 1600 were 16-1700 (38), 17-1800 (47) and 1800-1845 (14). The flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a,1sa), the seasons first Cooper's Hawk (a juvenile that flew low to the north above the observers), the season's first 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u), 1 indeterminate small Accipiter, and 155 Golden Eagles (144a,6sa,5u) which is the second highest count of the season. Other birds included 25 Canada Geese flying very high to the NE around 1400, 1 male Belted Kingfisher, the season's first American Crow, 1 American Robin and 12 Common Redpolls. 10.5 (200.02) BAEA 4 (25), SSHA 2 (2), COHA 1 (1), UA 1 (1), GOEA 155 TOTAL 163 (509)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington) No observation as the mountains to the south were obscured all day. During the morning I visited the Livingstone Gap and was surprised to find the Livingstone ridge there completely clear, although unbroken stratus persisted immediately east of the mountains, through which I heard a flock of Snow Geese migrating high towards the north, just east of the ridge. During the early to mid afternoon the Piitaistakis Ridge at the southern end of the Livingstone Range was partially enveloped in cloud, but clearly birds were getting through to Mount Lorette.

The further adventures of “Elaine” For the last 3 days Elaine has been moving almost due west and today she was about 18 km west of the confluence of the Liard and Ketchika Rivers, just under 50 km south of the Yukon-BC border.

March 23 NO OBSERVATION Heavy snow fell all day and all ridges were obscured.

The further adventures of “Elaine” On March 21 Elaine was near the Rocky Mountain front, just WNW of Klunchesi Lake, about 110 km SW of Fort Nelson. This is the third day that she has spent in the area. After moving rapidly to the NW through the Alberta Front Ranges she has slowed significantly since entering NE British Columbia, possibly because of adverse weather conditions. Since March 14 she has only covered around 125 km.

March 22 NO OBSERVATION Heavy snow fell all day and all ridges were obscured.

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington 1600-1800) 1C, moderate to strong WSW winds and 60-100% cirrus and cumulus cloud cover giving hazy sunshine. The mountains to the south were clear. An adult Bald Eagle moved high to the NW at 1647, 2 adult Golden Eagles followed at 1712 and a light morph Rough-legged Hawk flew to the NW at 1740. They are the first migrants seen at the site since March 14. 2 hours (18.58) BAEA 1 (5), RLHA 1 (1), GOEA 2 (46) TOTAL 4 (54)

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.

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.

March 19 [Day 18] (George Halmazna) The temperature at 0715 was -9C, rose to a high of 2C at 1500 and was -0.5C at 1930. Ground winds were calm to SE 5 km/h to 1400 and thereafter SE 5-8 gusting 12 km/h. The only data from Nakiska Ridgetop were 1300-1500 which indicated SW-WSW winds 26-36 gusting 46-51 km/h, and they were probably light to moderate SW earlier in the day. It was initially cloudless, but cumulus and altocumulus cloud quickly developed reaching 60% at 1000 and 100% in the afternoon. The western ridges were up to 60% obscured after 1400 and after 1730 up to 30% of the Fisher Range was obscured. There was 3 cm of fresh snow on the ground in the morning, but snowfall during the day was limited to flurries after 1400 and very light snow after 1700. Overall the day provided excellent observing conditions, that contributed to a season high count of 186 migrant raptors, almost double the total for the first 18 days of the count! The flight comprised 6 adult Bald Eagles and 180 adult Golden Eagles that moved between 0840 ( a Bald Eagle; the first Golden Eagle was seen at 0932) and 1624 when 2 Golden Eagles moved to the NW. The hourly counts were 09-1000 (2), 10-1100 (0), 11-1200 (26), 12-1300 (62), 13-1400 (16), 14-1500 (24), 15-1600 (48) and 16-1700 (2). The relatively calm conditions resulted in most birds moving over the western part of the valley until 1400, after which the movement progressively shifted towards the eastern part of the valley adjacent to but not above the Fisher Range ridge, and during the late movement they appeared over the northern end of the Fisher Range and moved directly to Mount McGillivray or to Skogan Pass, bypassing Mount Lorette to the south. Other birds were uncommon, but the day produced 7 mammal species: 2 Snowshoe Hares, 4 American Red Squirrels, 1 American Mink, 2 Coyotes, 2 White-tailed Deer, 17 Elk, and 18 Bighorn Sheep. 12.25 hours (167.94) BAEA 6 (16), GOEA 180 (274) TOTAL 186 (292)

Beauvais Ridge No observation.

Steeples, near Cranbrook, BC (Vance Mattson) Vance reports: “Poor weather here so far, so I have spent a limited amount of time at the site (around 40 hours), but 40 Bald Eagles, 4Rough-legged Hawks, 4Red-tailed Hawks and 90 Golden eagles have been seen so far. Things picked up today, and Golden Eagle mating was also observed. All the local Red-tailed Hawks seem to be back (I have counted 8 so far) and the swans are also populating the Wetlands; starlings and robins are back too.”   

March 18 [Day 17] (Bill Wilson , assisted by Doug Pedersen) The temperature was -8C at 0720, rose to a high of 3C from 1500 to 1800 and was 0C at 1945. Ground winds were variable to NE 2-5 occasionally gusting 10 km/h to 1700 after which they were NE 5-15 gusting 20 km/h, while limited data from the Nakiska Ridgetop indicated NNE-NE winds 6-12 km/h between 1500 and 1800. Cloud cover was initially 10% altostratus that became 80% by 0900 and 100% after 1100, providing excellent observing conditions. A season-high total of 25 migrant raptors moved between 0842 and 1843 with 11 of the birds (1 Bald Eagle and 10 Golden Eagles) seen between 1600 and 1700. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, a season-high count of 23 Golden Eagles (22a,1u) and the season's first columbarius Merlin of unknown age and sex. Many of the birds were first located soaring over Mount Lorette or even farther to the NW over Mount McGillivray suggesting that the birds were moving there from east of the Fisher Range over Wasootch Creek. The relatively calm conditions resulted in soaring flight being seen for the first time this season. 12.42 hours (155.69) BAEA 1 (10), GOEA 23 (94), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 25 (106)

Please note that next Tuesday, March 20 is the 20^th anniversary of sighting the first Golden Eagle over Mount Lorette during a general survey conducted by Des Allen and myself, that led to the start of systematic monitoring of eagle migration through the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. We hope that present and past observers, members of RMERF and and members of the general public can come to the Hay Meadow site to help us celebrate. The weather forecast is good and the eagles could well be moving in spectacular numbers: they certainly have a lot of catching up to do! See you on Tuesday.

Peter

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington 1400-1430 and 1700-1730) The first visit saw a temperature of 4C, light to moderate NNE winds and 100% uniform altostratus cloud giving hazy sunshine, but no raptors were seen. On my second visit the temperature was 2C, winds were moderate NW and the mountains to the south were mainly obscured and by 1730 snow had moved in and obscured the Beauvais Ridge. A single adult resident Golden Eagle was the only raptor seen. 1 hour (15.08) TOTAL 0 (50)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Elaine today moved about 37 km north of where she was on March 16.

March 17 [Day 16] (Doug Pedersen, assisted by Cliff Hansen) There was 3 cm of fresh snow on the ground at 0750. The temperature of -5C at 0750 rose to 1C at 1400 and stayed there for the rest of the day. Ground winds were very light to 1600 after which they were N 6-11 km/h, and ridge winds were also mainly light S-SW. Cloud cover was again 100% stratus all day and the ridges were 50% obscured to 0900, 70% obscured at 1000 and subsequently 100% obscured for the rest of the day. Light snow fell to noon and again after 1600. No migrant raptors were seen although 2 resident adult Bald Eagles were noted. This is the third consecutive day with zero migrants and the 6^th this season. The Golden Eagle count remains at only 71 and were are only 4 days away from the average median passage date for the species! 10.16 hours (143.27) TOTAL 0 (81)

Beauvais Ridge No observation (poor weather: snow for most of the day but rapid clearing after 1800 may augur well for tomorrow)

March 16 [Day 15] (Terry Waters) The weather was again poor with snow falling to 1100 when the ridges cleared until 1500 after which snow flurries and showers resumed. Terry then repaired to Lusk Creek where conditions were just as bad and finally gave up at 1630. The temperature was 0C at 0830, -3C at noon at 0C at 1630, ground winds were steady SW 5-10 km/h while ridge winds were SW-SSW calm to moderate with occasional gusts over 90 km/h, and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day. No raptors were seen. Other bird species included a Pileated Woodpecker and 6 White-winged Crossbills, and when the ridges were clear pairs of Common Ravens could be seen engaging in courtship pursuit flights at ridge-top level. 5.5 hours (133.11) TOTAL 0 (81)

Beauvais Ridge No observation (poor weather)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Elaine remained where she was yesterday, near to Sikanni Chief in NW British Columbia.

March 15 [Day 14] (Terry Waters, assisted by Cliff Hansen) The temperature was 1C at 0830, 5C at 1200 and 2C at 1730. Ground winds were SW 20-30, gusting to 50 km/h around noon while ridge winds were strong SW all day. Cloud cover was 100% low stratus all day with the western ridges 50-100% obscured and the eastern ridges progressively occluded and reached 100% at 1430 at which time the observers moved to the Lusk Creek site. Flurries were experienced all day at Hay Meadow, and although the ridges were clear at Lusk Creek the observers were greeted by light rain. No migrant raptors were seen at either site, although 1 adult Bald Eagle and 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1j) were resident near the Hay Meadow site. A singing Varied Thrush at 0900 was a first for the season. 8 hours (127.61) TOTAL 0 (81)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1600-1630) 6C, moderate WSW winds, 100% stratus, light rain and all mountains to the south obscured. No resident or migrant raptors and no prospect for them either. 0.5 hours (14.08) TOTAL 0 (50)

The further adventures of “Elaine” Elaine continued moving NNW and was near the Alaska Highway about 100 km N of the Peace Arm of Williston Lake, S of the settlement of Sikanni Chief.

March 14 [Day 13] (Cliff Hansen) There was a further 2 cm of fresh snow overnight and it was -7C when Cliff arrived at the site at 0815. The temperature managed to rise to 0C between 1500 and 1700 before falling back to -4C at 1940. Ground winds were SW 5-15, gusting to 20 km/h in the afternoon, while ridge winds were strong SW all day and reached 141 km/h at 1900, producing spectacular plumes of blowing snow on the ridges all day. Initial cloud cover was 30% altostratus and cumulus to the west that by 1300 had become 100% before diminishing again to 30% cirrostratus at 1900. The western ridges were 20-80% occluded all day, but the eastern ridges were clear with the exception of the blowing snow. A total of 17 migrant raptors, 3 Bald Eagles (2a,1j), 1 indeterminate Buteo, and 13 Golden Eagles (9a,2j1u), moved high over the Fisher Range and on to Mount Lorette between 0951 and 1726. Movement was slow but steady all day with at least one raptor seen each hour and with a peak movement of only 3 birds between 1500 and 1600. Other birds were scarce, but fresh Canada Lynx tracks were noted near the site. 11.42 hours (119.61) BAEA 3 (9), UB 1 (1), GOEA 13 (71) TOTAL 17 (81)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1600-1750) The temperature was 2C, winds W-WSW strong and 80% altocumulus, cirrus and cumulus cloud cover giving hazy sunshine and excellent viewing conditions. A total 34 raptors, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 32 Golden Eagles (31a,1sa), migrated high to the NW in just 61 minutes between 1638 and 1739. A total of 9 birds ( 8 Bald Eagles (7a,1sa) and 1 adult Golden Eagle) also moved from the north to roost during the same period. 1.83 hours (13.58) BAEA 1 (4), RTHA 1 (2), GOEA 32 (44) TOTAL 34 (50)

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine had moved to the NW and was just north of the eastern end of the Peace Arm of Williston Lake near the settlement of Hudson's Hope.

March 13 [Day 12] (Joel Duncan) There was 20 cm of fresh snow on the ground at 0900 and a further 5 cm fell during the day. The temperature at 0900 was 4C which proved to be the high for the day and it was -2C at 1530 when Joel finally decided that raptor migration was out of the question. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h and ridge winds were SW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and all ridges were obscured except for a short period between 1300 and 1450 when the Fisher Range cleared briefly, and light to heavy snow fell all day. Not surprisingly, no migrant raptors were seen, although 5 Canada geese flew to the north and 38 Pine Grosbeaks, a Song Sparrow and 2 Dark-eyed Juncos were also recorded at the site. 6.5 hours (108.19) TOTAL 0 (64)

Beauvais Ridge No observation

The further adventures of “Elaine” By the end of the day Elaine was about 35 km SE of Moberly Lake in NE British Columbia after having flown over Tumbler Ridge earlier in the day.

March 12 [Day 11] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Brian McBride) The temperature was -4C at 0820, rose to a high of 2C at 1400 and was -1C at 1900. Ground winds were SW 5-15 gusting 25 all day, while ridge winds were strong SW gusting to 129 km/h in the early afternoon. Cloud cover was 20-30% cumulus, altostratus and cirrostratus to 1400, that rapidly increased to 100% cumulus and altostratus at 1500 and 100% stratus after 1700. The western ridges were 5-20% obscured to 1500, then 90-100%, and the eastern ridges quickly clouded over to 80% after 1500. Light snow started at 1800. A total of 11 migrant raptors, 1 adult Bald Eagle and 10 Golden Eagles (3a,1j,6u, were recorded at the Hay Meadow site between 1132 and 1732. Because of the weather conditions Brian and Leona moved to the Lusk Creek site where between 1430 and 1640 they recorded 11 more migrant raptors: 2 adult Bald Eagles and 9 Golden Eagles (8a,1j). Because of the deteriorating weather conditions at Hay Meadow, the two counts have been combined in the total. The only other migrants seen were a flock of 11 Canada Geese flying high to the NE over the Fisher Range at 0930. 11 hours (101.69) BAEA 3 (6), GOEA 19 (58) TOTAL 22 (64)

Beauvais Ridge No observation 

March 11 [Day 10] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Brian McBride) [NOTE: time change from Mountain Standard Time to Mountain Daylight Time] The temperature at 0720 was 0C but rose to a high of 7C between 1200 and 1400 before falling again to 0C at 2000. Ground winds were SW-WSW 2-15 gusting 30 km/h all day, and ridge winds were mainly strong SW-SSW gusting 50-95 km/h. Cloud cover was 5% cumulus and cirrus to 1100, 50-80% stratocumulus and cumulus to 1400 and 100% stratus thereafter. The western ridges were obscured by flurries of up to 30 minutes in the afternoon but generally observing conditions were excellent. The day yielded a season-high count of 14 Golden Eagles between 0842 and 1506, with 6 of the birds moving between 1400 and 1500. All the birds moved high to the NW above the Fisher Range. Among the 9 other bird species recorded were a Belted Kingfisher and a male Red-winged Blackbird. 12.25 hours (90.69) GOEA 14 (39) TOTAL 14 (42)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1500-1615) It was 7C with strong WSW winds and 100% stratus cloud cover, with all the mountains of the Waterton Main Ranges to the south obscured. Not surprisingly, only 2 non migratory Rough-legged Hawks were recorded.

March 10 [Day 9] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature at 0940 was 4C and rose to a high of 8C at 1500 and 1600 before falling to 4C at 1830. Ground winds were SW 10 gusting 30 km/h reaching 45 km/h in mid-afternoon, and ridge winds were strong SW-SSW gusting 129 km/h at 1300. Cloud cover was 60% cumulus to 1200 and then 50-90% cumulus, cirrus and altostratus for the rest of the day, giving excellent observing conditions. A season-high total of 14 raptors migrated between 1133 and 1640 peaking at 6 birds (1 Bald and 5 Golden Eagles) between 1400 and 1500. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle and 13 Golden Eagles (10a,1j,1u). The non-raptor highlight of the day was the season's first Western Meadowlark that Cliff photographed in the Hay Meadow at 1345. 8.29 hours (78.44) BAEA 1 (3), GOEA 13 (25) TOTAL 14 (28).

Beauvais Ridge No observation

The further adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453)

Elaine, an adult female Golden Eagle was captured and fitted with a transmitter during the third week of October, 2010 by Rob Domenech and his colleagues from the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana. She spent the winter of 2010-11 in the Paradise Valley just south of Livingstone, Montana and just north of Yellowstone National Park. In the spring of 2011 she moved north, roosting for a night (March 12) along the way on Bluff Mountain just west of our Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site and the next day crossed Mount Lorette on her way north. By early April she had reached the southern flank of the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range in northeastern Alaska where she spent the summer. Rob informed me that it was not known if she bred there.

In the fall of 2011 Elaine started her southward journey on October 1 and had reached the Yukon by October 7, and then slowly moved to the SE and on October 26 she was in the northernmost part of the Rocky Mountains of NE BC. Four days later she was in northern Montana having moved rapidly along the Front Range expressway, after which she continued to make a a leisurely progress south before wintering again in Paradise Valley in southern Montana.

This spring Elaine probably entered Alberta on March 8 and after moving up the Front Ranges spent the night of March 10 in the vicinity of Mount Lorette. She was probably one of the birds seen by Cliff today.

You can follow her progress on a map on the seaturtle.org site via the link on our website.

March 9 [Day 8] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Chris Hunt) It was another warm day with the temperature reaching 11C at 1200 that fell to 4C at 1800. Surface winds were WSW 5-10 gusting 20-25 km/h to 1600 after which they became SW for the rest of the day, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SSW that gusted to 169 km/h at 0800 and to 122 km/h at 1400. Initial cloud cover was 90% altostratus and altocumulus reducing to 40% altostratus and cumulus at 1200 before steadily increasing to 100% by the end of the day. The western ridges were completely obscured after 1400, while the eastern ridges were 20% obscured at 1500 and 100% obscured at 1800; light rain started at the site at 1700. Once again conditions proved to be unfavourable to raptor movement and the only migrant seen was an unaged Golden Eagle at 1621. Not one raven was seen on the ridges all day and the only other sighting of note was a flock of 100 Bohemian Waxwings late in the day. 8.33 hours (70.15) GOEA 1 (12) TOTAL 1 (14)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1500-1700) The story here was much the same with strong westerly winds producing 60% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus cloud cover and a temperature of 12C. The only migrants seen were single adult Bald and Golden Eagles that moved together high to the NW at 1539, while an adult Bald Eagle, a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and a pair of adult Golden Eagles were non-migratory. 2 hours (10.5) BAEA 1 (3), GOEA 1 (12) TOTAL 2 (16)

March 8 [Day 7] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature at 1000 was 3C and rose to 7C between 1400 and 1600 before falling to 5C at 1830. Ground winds were 5-15 km/h gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon, while ridge winds were mainly SW moderate to strong gusting to 112 km/h resulting in extensive snow pluming from the ridges. Cloud cover was initially 60% altostratus and cirrus with lenticular cloud forming after 1200 and with an arch developing at 1800 that occupied 90% of the sky. Despite good viewing conditions afforded by the cloud the only migrant raptor seen was an adult Golden Eagle at 1316; an adult Bald Eagle flying south at 1717 was considered to be resident. Other bird species were also hard to find and a European Starling found dead at the pump-houses was probably the one seen two days previously. 8.5 hours (61.82) GOEA 1 (11) TOTAL 1 (13)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1500-1700) There was an 80% altostratus cloud cover forming an arch resulting from strong WSW winds, and the temperature was 7C. Only one migrant Golden Eagle was seen, an adult at 1624, and a further adult Golden Eagle, 2 adult Bald Eagles and a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk were either resident or moving south to roost. 2 HOURS (8.5) GOEA 1 (11) TOTAL 1 (14)

March 7 [Day 6] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Anita Walker) The temperature was -10C at 0800 and fell to -12C at 0900 before reaching a high of 0C at 1400. Ground winds were light E-S until noon after which they were SW 5-10 gusting 25 km/h, while ridge winds were strong WSW-SW with plumes of snow combing off the ridges all day. Cloud cover was 5-10%. Only 2 migrant Golden Eagles were seen at 1329 and 1416, both of which were adult and both moved from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette. Cliff had to leave for a meeting at 1500 and unfortunately his replacement was sick and unable to relieve him so it was a short day. A male Northern [Red-shafted] Flicker inspecting holes in the pump-house was the first for the season. 7.33 hours (53.32) GOEA 2 (10) TOTAL 2 (12)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington, 1500-1715). The temperature was 1C, winds were strong WSW and it was cloudless until 1700 when 20% cirrus developed. A total of 5 migrants were seen between 1519 and 1549 and all moved high above the Beauvais Ridge to the NW presumably heading towards the southern end of the Livingstone Range. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 3 adult Golden Eagles. In addition 9 raptors heading south to roost were counted, 8 of which moved between 1624 and 1724. The “roosters” comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a,2sa), 4 Rough-legged Hawks (3light, 1dark) and 1 adult Golden Eagle. 2.25 hours (6.5) migrants: BAEA 1 (2), RTHA 1 (1), GOEA 3 (10) TOTAL 5 (13); roosters: BAEA 4 (11), RLHA 4 (7), GOEA 1 (3) TOTAL 9 (21)   

March 6 [Day 5] (Joel Duncan) The mountains continued to be obscured until mid afternoon after which they quickly cleared but by the end of the day they were all obscured again. The temperature at 1200 was -7C and rose to a high of -5.5C, ground winds were calm to variable, 0-6 km/h while ridge winds appeared to be light or possibly moderate and cloud cover was 70% cumulus and stratocumulus between 1200 and 1630 after which it was 90% stratocumulus. At 1305 2 adult Bald Eagles moved north above the Fisher Range ridge followed 1 minute later by 2 adult Golden Eagles, and that comprised the day's raptor movement. Single Common Goldeneye, Killdeer and European Starling were all firsts for the season, and the Song Sparrow was still present near the site. 6.5 hours (45.99) BAEA 2 (2), GOEA 2 (8) TOTAL 4 (10)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington) I spent 2.5 hours between 1500 and 1730 at the site and observed 1 adult Bald Eagle and 7 Golden Eagles (6a,1sa) moving either to the N or to the WNW from the ridge that is located SW of Beauvais Lake. A single light morph Rough-legged Hawk moved south to roost at 1705. The temperature was -6 to -4C, winds were N 3-10 km/h and cloud cover was initially 70% cumulus and stratocumulus quickly reducing to 20% by the end. 2.5 hours (4.25) migrants: BAEA 1 (1), GOEA 7 (7) TOTAL 8 (8); roosters: RLHA 1 TOTAL 1 (12)

March 5 NO OBSERVATION Steady moderate to heavy snow fell all day.

March 4 [Day 4] (Bill Wilson) There was 3 cm of fresh snow at the site and the temperature low was -4C rising to 6C at 1200 and 1300 and was 2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were variable N-NE-E 2-8 gusting 13 km/h to 1100 after which they were SW 5-15 gusting 30 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were SW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus to 1400 after which it was 100% low stratocumulus that obscured all the ridges. Very light snow that had fallen all day became steady moderate snow after 1400. Four single Golden Eagles (3a,1u) moved along the Fisher Range at 1135, 1143, 1213 and 1357 before the ridge became obscured. Other birds noted were 1 adult non-migratory Bald Eagle, 13 Common Ravens, 4 American Dippers, 20 Bohemian Waxwings and 1 Song Sparrow. 10.16 hours (39.49) GOEA 4 (6) TOTAL 4 (6)

Beauvais Ridge (Peter Sherrington) Between November 25 and February 5 I conducted late afternoon reconnaissance counts from the deck of Phil Hazelton's home on the Gladstone Valley road about 5 km SSE of Beaver Mines. The combined species count over 46 days (102.22 hours, an average of 2.22 hours/day) was a remarkable 922 raptors of 9 species comprising 571 Bald Eagles, 3 Northern Harriers, 6 Northern Goshawks, 5 Red-tailed Hawks, 274 Rough-legged Hawks, 49 Golden Eagles, 3 Merlins, 1 Gyrfalcon, 9 Prairie Falcons and 1 unidentified eagle. All the birds were moving from the north and the movement did not appear to be connected to the Livingstone Range migration monitored at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site. These birds were initially assumed to all be migrants explained by the exceptionally mild nature of the winter weather. When the movement persisted into February, however, It became apparent that at least some of this movement represented birds moving south late in the day to roost in the foothills and mountains in the area. On the last day of observation, for example, 11 of the evening's 17 Bald Eagles soared high together over the ridge just before 1700 before the descended behind the ridge presumably to roost together in or near the Mill Creek Canyon. Most of the November and December movement was almost certainly true migration while the February movement was equally certainly roosting behaviour. It is probable that mid December to early January represented a mixture of the two, which may prove impossible to differentiate.

Today I spent 2.25 hours (1530-1715) at the site and counted 11 birds moving south to roost: Bald Eagle 7 (2a,2sa,3j), Rough-legged Hawk 2 (1 light, 1 dark) and Golden Eagle 2 (1a,1j). No migrants were seen. 2.5 hours migrants TOTAL 0 (0); roosters: BAEA 7 (7), RLHA 2 (2), GOEA 2 (2) TOTAL 11 (11)

March 3 [Day 3] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Chris Hunt and Anita Walker) It was the warmest day so far with a morning low of -1C that rose to 6C at 1400 and was still 4C at 1700. Ground winds were initially SW then W after 1100 10-20 gusting 30-40 km/h, while SW ridge winds gusted to 130 km/h at 1300. Cloud cover was initially 50% altostratus (forming an arch to the east) and cumulus, becoming 100% stratocumulus and cumulus at 1500. Snow started at 1600 with the western ridges becoming 90% obscured by mid afternoon and the mountains to the south were obscured all day, although the Fisher Range to the east remained clear. No migrant or resident raptors were seen, and only 5 bird species were noted: 1 Grey Jay, 4 Common Ravens, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee and 4 American Dippers. 10 hours (29.33) TOTAL 0 (2)

March 2 [Day 2] (Terry Waters) The temperature reached 0C at 1400 from a low of -7C and was -3C at the end of the day. Ground winds were SW 20 gusting 40 km/h all day while SW ridge winds gusted to 92 km/h at 1300 and 1400. Cloud cover was 80% altocumulus and lenticular for much of the day and the mountains to the west were up to 40% obscured. The only migrant raptor was an adult Golden Eagle that moved along the Fisher Range at 1440. Only 3 other bird species were seen: 5 Common Ravens, 2 Boreal Chickadees and 4 American Dippers. 9 hours (19.33) GOEA 1 (2) TOTAL 1 (2)

Introduction 2011 is the 21^th consecutive year that a spring raptor count has been conducted at the Mount Lorette site. In 1992 an 8-day reconnaissance count established that Golden Eagles moved to the north in significant numbers through the Rocky Mountain Front Ranges. Most of the birds moved along the Fisher Range, crossing the Kananaskis Valley to Mount Lorette before continuing their migration to the northwest. A 48 day (393 hour) count at the site in the spring of 1993 yielded 4140 migrating Golden Eagles and the following year a 70 day (649 hour) count produced 4213 birds which remains the highest spring count ever for the species at Mount Lorette. Between 1994 and 2007 extensive spring counts averaging 82 days (897 hours) were conducted at the site with a maximum count in 2005 of 94 days (1238 hours). Despite the steady increase in observer effort during this period, the number of migrating Golden Eagles counted has steadily and significantly decreased since 1995. In 2006 RMERF conducted it first complete fall count at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site near the Crowsnest Pass in SW Alberta and in 2008-10 also conducted full spring counts there. During this period extensive comparative counts were made at Mount Lorette between March 1 and April 15 which is coincident with the height of the Golden Eagle migration and during which period over 90% of the population moves north. Observer effort from 2008-10 at Mount Lorette averaged 43 days (487 hours) with a maximum count of 46 days (519 hours) in 2010 when no days were lost to inclement weather. In 2011 the count period was extended by 1 week (March 1 to April 22) and we plan to observe during the same period this spring.

Cliff Hansen is again coordinating the Lorette count this spring and would welcome volunteers to assist the Principal Observers at the site. If you are interested in helping you can contact him at 403-673-2422 or 403-609-0691 (cell), or just turn up at the site with your binoculars and warm clothing!

March 1 [Day 1] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker and Chris Hunt). There was only 1-2 cm of patchy snow in the Hay Meadow at the start of the count despite above average snowfall on the mountains to the west. The temperature at 0900 was -15C that rose to -3C at 1500 and was -6C at 1700. Ground winds were initially E 0-3 km/h, then NE, ENE and finally N 5-15 km/h, while ridge winds appeared to be moderate W. It was initially cloudless but by 1000 cloud cover was 60% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus and after1200 it was 100% stratus and altocumulus until the end of the day. Snow started at 1700 after which all ridges were obscured. The only migrant raptor was an early subadult Golden Eagle at 1334, although single adult non-migrant Bald Eagle and Northern Goshawk were also recorded. A flock of about 30 White-winged Crossbills was seen near the parking area. 10.33 hours (10.33) GOEA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (1)

Coming soon . . .

Daily reports of the Mount Lorette Spring Count will appear here soon.