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.