September 29 [Day 10] (Terry Waters) The strong winds of the last six day finally subsided, and ground winds were generally calm to light all day switching from W to NE after 1400. Ridge winds were variable and moderate to 1400 when they became NNE and N after 1700 with a maximum gust of 45 km/h. The temperature was -2C at the start but rose to 21C at 1700 before rapidly falling to 9C at 1900 after the sun dipped behind the mountains to the west. It was almost cloudless to noon after which 10-20% cirrocumulus developed reaching 40% late in the day. The first migrant raptor, a juvenile Golden Eagle, moved from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range at 1045, but all other 29 Golden Eagles appeared low at the northern end of the Fisher Range and hugged the ridge as they moved south. The Golden Eagle flight comprised 15 adults, 8 subadults and 7 juveniles, and the only other raptors recorded were 2 adult Bald Eagles, and single Sharp-shinned Hawk (un-aged), Cooper’s Hawk (adult) and Northern Goshawk (adult). There was little passerine movement, but the highlight of the day was a single Greater White-fronted Goose that flew high to the south above the valley at 1625 to provide the first ever record for the site and the 246th species recorded there.
12.5 hours (105.59) BAEA 2 (10), SSHA 1 (21), COHA 1 (3), NOGO 1 (4), GOEA 30 (193) TOTAL 35 (246)