Friday, March 23, 2012


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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