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.