November 15 [Day 55] (George Halmazna, Cliff Hansen after 1530) It was a pleasant day for the last day of the count with the temperature reaching a high of 5.5C at 1200 from a low of -2C and it remained at 5C at 1700. Ground winds were light and variable, while ridge winds were strong WSW-SSW all day with a peak gust of 120 km/h at 1300. Cloud cover was 90% cumulus at the start and thickened throughout the day reaching 100% cumulus and altostratus after 1600 and the ridges were clear all day. Despite the conditions no migrant raptors were seen making this just the second active count day this season to draw a blank, the other being the first day of the count on September 20. In compensation there were some non-raptor migrants seen including 22 Canada Geese, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, 13 Common Redpolls, 4 Pine Siskins and 5 Evening Grosbeaks, and a Northern Shrike was also present at the site. A northern cold front is forecast to arrive overnight bringing cold temperatures and snow for at least the next week so it is appropriate to finish the count today. 9.5 hours (578.63) No migrant raptors.

MOUNT LORETTE FINAL COUNT (September 20 to November 15, 2010)
DAYS 55
HOURS 578.63

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0
OSPREY (OSPR) 4
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 165
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 6
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 67
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 15
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 34
Unidentified Accipiter (UA) 16
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1
SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 0
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 44
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 1
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 23
Unidentified Buteo (UB) 9
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 3222
Unidentified eagle (UE) 12
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 2
MERLIN (MERL) 2
GYRFALCON (GYRF) 0
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 4
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 4
Unidentified Falco (UF) 1
Unidentified raptor (UU) 10

TOTAL 3642

November 14 [Day 54] (Bill Wilson) It was the warmest day since November 7 reaching 8C at 1300 and 1400 from a low of -1C, and it was still 5C at 1710. Ground winds were light and variable in the morning and W 3-10 gusting 20 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were strong, mainly SW all day gusting to 117 km/h in the morning and to 124 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% cumulus and altostratus to 0830 bringing snow flurries to the west that persisted to 0930, but by 1100 it had cleared to 5% cumulus before it again gradually increased reaching 80% cumulus by 1700. Mounts Lorette and MacGillivray and the western ridges were periodically obscured during the morning flurries, but all peaks and ridges were clear in the afternoon. A total of 16 migrant raptors moved between 1023 and 1612 with hourly high counts of 4 birds between 1100 and 1200 (3 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle), and 1500-1600 (1Bald Eagle and 3 Golden Eagles). The flight comprised 7 Bald Eagles (6a, 1u) and 9 Golden Eagles (5a, 3j, 1u). Non-raptor migrants included 2 adult Herring Gulls, 28 Common Mergansers in two flocks, 3 Belted Kingfishers and the third Pine Grosbeak of the season. 10 hours (569.13) BAEA 7 (165), GOEA 9 (3222) TOTAL 16 (3642)

November 13 [Day 53] (Ron Dutcher) The temperature high was 4C between 1100 and 1500, rising from a low of 0C at 0900 and falling to 3C at 1700. Ground winds were moderate to strong W to variable gusting to 50 km/h and ridge winds were strong SW-WSW gusting to 142 km/h in the morning and 162 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 60% cumulus at 0900 reaching 100% at 1300, thinning to 10% at 1500 after which it again thickened to 50% cumulus and altostratus. Raptor movement was very sparse with only 4 adult Golden Eagles seen with single birds occurring at 0955, 1034, 1230 and 1604. 8.83 hours (559.13) GOEA 4 (2313) TOTAL 4 (3626)

November 12 [Day 52] (Terry Waters) The temperature reached a high of 4C at 1400 from a low of 0C and was 2C at 1600. Ground winds were light S-SW all day and ridge winds were strong WSW in the morning gusting to 150 km/h and moderate SW in the afternoon gusting to 90 km/h. Initial cloud cover was 100% stratus gradually breaking up to 20% cumulus at 1400 before increasing again to 50% at the end of the day. A total of 18 migrant raptors moved between 0920 and 1550 with highest hourly counts of 4 birds between 1400 and 1500, and 1500 to 1600. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 unidentified small Accipiter and 14 Golden Eagles (7a, 1sa, 6u). Other birds included 15 Canada Geese, 14 Bohemian Waxwings and 5 White-winged Crossbills, and the Northern Hawk-Owl again visited the site from 1100 to 1130. 8 hours (550.3) BAEA 1 (158), SSHA 1 (67), NOGO 1 (34), UA 1 (16), GOEA 14 (3209) TOTAL 18 (3622)

November 11 [Day 51] (Cliff Hansen) It was another cool day with a temperature of -9C at 1000 which rose to 1.5C at 1400 and was 0C at 1700. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h between 1200 and 1500, but before and after that period they were variable and light, and ridge winds were SW to SSW moderate in the morning gusting to 50 km/h and strong in the afternoon gusting to 84 km/h. Cloud cover was 80-90% all day: cirrus in the morning with altocumulus and lenticular cloud developing in the afternoon. Raptor movement was restricted to the period 1443-1534 during which time 2 adult Bald Eagles and 6 Golden Eagles (4a, 2sa) moved south. The highlight of an otherwise rather slow day was, however, the season’s first Northern Hawk-Owl that visited the site between 1615 and 1700 and which for 15 minutes was vigorously mobbed by a couple of Grey Jays. 7.75 hours (542.3) BAEA 2 (157), GOEA 6 (3195) TOTAL 8 (3604)

November 10 [Day 50] (Cliff Hansen) It was again cool with a starting temperature of -8C which rose to 0.5C at 1300 and briefly to the day’s high of 2C at 1400. Ground winds were variable and light, not exceeding 5 km/h, while ridge winds were light to moderate NE to 1100 after which they were mainly moderate SSW-SW gusting to 78 km/h. An initial cloud cover of 100% altocumulus reduced to 50% cumulus at noon and it was cloudless after 1500. Raptor movement was slow and sporadic with a juvenile Bald Eagle at 1006, 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a, 1u) at 1142 and 2 adult Golden Eagles at 1206. There was then a long break until 1630-1653 when 4 more Golden Eagles passed, none of which could be aged because the light conditions reduced them to silhouettes. The only notable song bird was a single Common Redpoll, which have been anything but common this fall. 9.33 hours (534.55) BAEA 1 (155), COHA 2 (15), GOEA 6 (3189) TOTAL 9 (3596)

November 9 [Day 49] (George Halmazna) Cool air persisted with a high temperature of only 1.5C at 1300 from a low of -5C, and it sporadically snowed for the first 2 hours of the count. Ground winds were calm to very light in the morning becoming SW in the afternoon still mainly light but gusting to 20 km/h at 1400, while ridge winds were SW-SSW all day mainly moderate but occasionally gusting to 120 km/h in the morning and to 84 km/h in the afternoon. An initial cloud cover of 90% stratus gradually reduced throughout the day to 40% stratus and cumulus. There was again a fairly strong raptor movement with a total of 46 birds recorded between 0816 and 1542 with maximum hourly counts of 9 birds in each of the 3 hours between 1000 and 1300. With the exception of 2 adult Northern Goshawks all migrants were eagles: 14 Bald Eagles (9a, 5j) and 30 Golden Eagles (26a, 4j). There were few passerine migrants but a late American Pipit was notable, and the morning snow produced fresh Canada Lynx tracks near the site. We were planning to finish the count on November 10 but because of the movement of 100 raptors during the last 2 days we shall try to find observers to extend the count to at least Sunday November 14. 10.5 hours (525.22) BAEA 14 (154), NOGO 2 (33), GOEA 30 (3183) TOTAL 46 (3587)

November 8 [Day 48] (George Halmazna) The passage of a cold front brought snow overnight and the temperature only reached 3C at 1400 from a low of -2C. Ground winds were variable and light, never exceeding 5 km/h but ridge winds were moderate SSW to WSW in the morning becoming strong and gusting to over 100 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% stratus in the morning obscuring the ridges that didn’t fully clear until 1600, but by 1700 the cloud had reduced to 30% cumulus. Despite the conditions there was a fairly strong raptor movement with a total of 54 birds tallied between 1057 and 1555 with a peak movement of 19 birds (3 Bald Eagles and 16 Golden Eagles) between 1300 and 1400. The flight comprised 9 adult Bald Eagles, 1 juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (the first recorded since October 29), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 43 Golden Eagles (40a, 2sa, 1j). The front also triggered a good movement of waterfowl with 23 Tundra Swans, 3 Trumpeter Swans, 500 Canada Geese (in 11 flocks) and 60 Mallard going south, while 2 American Tree Sparrows, 1 Snow Bunting and 9 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches were also recorded. 10.5 hours (514.72) BAEA 9 (140), COHA 1 (13), NOGO 1 (31), GOEA 43 (3153) TOTAL 54 (3541)

November 7 [Day 47] (Bill Wilson) (NOTE: change to Mountain Standard Time) The temperature was a balmy 8C at 0700 (MST) and rose to 11.5C at 1400, but quickly fell to 7.5C at 1500 and was 2.5C at 1700. Ground winds were mainly SW 2-7 gusting 15-20 km/h, but ridge winds were strong SW until they moderated after 1500, gusting up to 185 km/h in the morning and to 65 km/h after 1500. Cloud cover was initially 50% stratus, cumulus and cirrus to the west, but cumulus cloud steadily increased reaching 100% stratocumulus at 1430 which began to occlude Lorette and the mountains to the west and, after 1500, the Fisher Range. There were a few light showers in the morning and early afternoon but steady rain began at 1500 which only stopped around 1700 as darkness closed in. A total of 46 eagles migrated between 0859 and 1650 comprising 41 Golden Eagles (29a, 5j, 7u) and 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa, 2j). Peak movement was 14 birds (all Golden Eagles) between 1100 and 1200 and movement remained steady until the rain began at 1500. Notable non-raptor records included a Common Loon, 1 Common Redpoll and 5 Pine Siskins. 10.16 hours (504.22) BAEA 5 (131), GOEA 41 (3110) TOTAL 46 (3487)

November 6 [Day 46] (Ron Dutcher) The temperature reached 14C from a low of -1C and remained at 9C at 1800, ground winds were N less than 5 km/h until 1000 after which they became S-SW 15-20 gusting 50 km/h for the rest of the day and ridge winds were SSW-SW moderate to strong in the morning becoming very strong in the afternoon with maximum gusts close to 200 km/h. Cloud cover was 90-50% cumulus all day, with light rain falling to 1030 and up to 40% of the western peaks and ridges obscured throughout the day. Cloud was heavy to the south largely obscuring the mountains. The only migrant raptors recorded were 7 Golden Eagles (5a, 1sa, 1u) moving between 1040 and 1632. 9.58 hours (494.06) GOEA 7 (3069) TOTAL 7 (3441)

November 5 [Day 45] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature again reached 17C between 1200 and 1400 from a low of 13C which was also the temperature at 1800. Surface winds were calm to light to 1300 after which they were mainly SW 5-15 gusting 30 km/h, and ridge winds were strong SSW (occasionally SSE-ESE) gusting to 170 km/h at 1300. Cloud cover was 10-20% altocumulus and cirrus to noon after which 20-30% lenticular cloud developed to the east and after 1700 50% cumulus and cirrus providing good observing conditions for much of the day. A total of 28 migrant raptors moved between 0941 and 1755 comprising 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 small unidentified Accipiter, 23 Golden Eagles (8a, 2j 13u) and 3 small unidentified raptors. Peak movement was 5 birds between 1100 and 1200, and 1300 to1400, and most birds moved high and well to the east accounting for the high percentage of unaged Golden Eagles and unidentified birds. There was no passerine movement but single American Tree Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill and Pine Grosbeak were recorded at the site. 10 hours (484.48) BAEA 1 (126), UA 1 (15), GOEA 23 (3062), UU 3 (10) TOTAL 28 (3434)

November 4 [Day 44] (George Halmazna) It was an amazingly warm day for early November with the temperature reaching 17C at 1400 and 1500 from a low of -1C, and it was still 11C at 1800. Ground winds were generally calm to light SW occasionally gusting 30-50 km/h between 1100 and 1500 and were almost calm after 1600. Ridge winds were moderate N-NNE gusting to 74 km/h to 1300, then moderate variable NE-SE gusting to 85 km/h. The sky was cloudless to 1500 after which 30-80% cirrus, cirrostratus and cirrocumulus developed. The first Golden Eagle of the day moved at 0836, peak movement was 19 birds (of which 18 were Golden Eagles) between 1100 and 1200 and by 1242 50 Golden Eagles had been recorded, but subsequently only 6 more birds moved and the last Golden Eagle was seen at 1554. The 17th Golden Eagle of the day recorded at 0959 was the 3000th of the season. The total count was 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 56 Golden Eagles (50a, 6j). Other birds proved to be scarce but included 152 Bohemian Waxwings and 5 White-winged Crossbills. 10.75 hours (474.48) BAEA 3 (125), RLHA 1 (23), GOEA 56 (3039) TOTAL 60 (3406)

November 3 [Day 43] (Cliff Hansen) Joel was the designated Principal Observer today, but was unwell and phoned Cliff who arrived at the site at 1150 when the temperature was still 0C before it rose to a high of 11C at 1600 and was still 4C at 1800. Ground winds were light SW all day, as were ridge winds in the morning after which they became moderate to strong gusting 55 km/h by late afternoon. It was cloudless until 1600 when 10% altocumulus developed that reached 40-50% after 1700. The morning’s calm conditions suggested that despite the late start it is unlikely that birds were missed. The first of the day’s 69 migrants wasn’t seen until 1308 after which movement was brisk with 23 more birds recorded before 1400, 26 between 1400 and 1500, and a further 19 migrants were seen after 1500 with the last passing at 1759. The flight comprised 10 Bald Eagles (8a, 1sa, 1j), 2 unaged Northern Goshawks, 54 Golden Eagles (34a, 1sa, 13j, 6u) and 3 unidentified eagles. There was no passerine movement but a flock of 50 Bohemian Waxwings fed on an insect hatch above the Kananaskis River. 6.83 hours (463.73) BAEA 10 (122), NOGO 2 (30), GOEA 54 (2983), UE 3 (12) TOTAL 69 (3346)

November 2 [Day 42] (George Halmazna) Rain continued overnight, falling as snow to the west and throughout much of the morning, and although the eastern ridges were clear all day the western mountains only fully cleared after 1400. The temperature reached a high of 7C at 1400 from a low of 3C, ground winds were S-W 2-4 occasionally gusting 20 km/h to 1300 after which they were mainly SW 15-20 gusting 45 km/h dropping to 5-10 gusting 30 km/h at the end of the day, and ridge winds were moderate SW all day gusting to 100 km/h. Initial cloud cover was 90% stratus diminishing to 50-60% stratus and cumulus after noon and 30% cumulus late in the day. A total of 45 migrant raptors of 5 species moved between 1012 and 1730 with peak counts of 10 birds from 1100 to 1200, and 1700 to 1800 which was the only time in the day that the eagles soared above the Fisher Range. The flight comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 2u), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1u), 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 36 Golden Eagles (34a, 2u). Probable non-raptor migrants were a Common Loon flying south at 0815, 50 Canada Geese flying south in 4 flocks, 12 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 170 Bohemian Waxwings, the season’s first Pine Grosbeak, and 3 Pine Siskins. 10.5 hours (456.9) BAEA 3 (112), SSHA 3 (66), NOGO 2 (28), RLHA 1 (22), GOEA 36 (327) TOTAL 45 (3277)

November 1 [Day 41] (George Halmazna) It was a warm day for the beginning of November with the temperature rising to 11C at 1300 from a low of 6C and it was still 8C at 1800. Ground winds were SW mainly 20-30 km/h gusting almost to 60 km/h to 1500 after which they became light, while ridge winds were strong WSW-SSW gusting to between 150 and 216 km/h through most of the day. Cloud cover was initially 80% altostratus becoming 100% stratocumulus after 1300 with snow and partial obscuring of the western ridges after 1400 and rain beginning at the site after 1500. The eastern ridges began to be covered in cloud after 1300 and all ridges were obscured after 1700. A total of 25 migrant raptors were recorded of which 22 were Golden Eagles (21a, 1u) that moved between 0838 and 1528 with 11 of the birds occurring between 1400 and 1500. The other migrants were 1 adult Bald Eagle and 2 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks. Probable songbird migrants comprised 1 Varied Thrush, 13 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 European Starling and 1 Snow Bunting, the first of the season. 10.5 hours (446.4) BAEA 1 (109), SSHA 2 (63), GOEA 22 (2893) TOTAL 25 (3232)

October 31 [Day 40] (Bill Wilson) The warming trend continued with the temperature reaching 10.5C at 1400 from a low of 4C and it was still 6C at 1800. Ground winds were mainly SW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h while ridge winds were strong SW-WSW gusting over 100 km/h all day reaching 138 km/h at 1100. Cloud cover was mainly 90-100% cumulus reducing briefly to 80% in early afternoon, and very light rain showers moved from the west for much of the day. Despite the high winds there was an excellent raptor movement for the end of October with no fewer than 209 migrant raptors passing between 0833 and 1747, the first 200+ day at the site since October 10. Movement was strong all day with 19 birds from 0900-1000, and at least 20 birds/hour for every hour up to1800, with high counts of 31 between 100 and 11 and 30 between 1400 and 1500. The total of 203 Golden Eagles (148a, 13j, 42u) was by far the latest ever 200+ count at Mount Lorette, the previous latest being on October 22 in 1995 (311), 2003 (260) and 2004 (207). Other migrant raptors were 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk and 1 large unidentified raptor at 1336 that was the only bird seen moving south above the western ridges all day. Passerine migrants comprised 35 Bohemian Waxwings, 30 White-winged Crossbills and 3 Pine Siskins. 11.08 hours (435.9) BAEA 3 (108), SSHA 1 (61), GOEA 203 (2871), UU 1 (7) TOTAL 209 (3207)

October summary Of the 18 counts conducted by RMERF at Mount Lorette since 1992 (one full count was at Plateau Mountain in 1997) all but 4 have included the whole of October excepting up to 2 days lost because of poor weather conditions. The years 1992, 2002, 2006 and 2007 had a significant number of non-weather days lost and are not included in the following comparison that involves the average of the 14 complete October counts at the site, with variance from average in parentheses. A total of 29 days (-4.31%) and 318.5 hours (+0.16%) were spent at the site during the month during which 2870 migrant raptors of 15 species were counted. This total was 14.43% below average and represents the third lowest October combined species count at the site, higher than only 2008 (2234) and 2009 (1979), which was a count severely affected by poor weather conditions. The 2 Ospreys were the highest counted on a complete count (although 3 were recorded in 2006), and the only other species occurring in above average numbers were Red-tailed Hawk (20: +85.7%), Ferruginous Hawk (1: only the second October record), American Kestrel (1: +18.2%), Peregrine Falcon (4: +44.4%) and Prairie Falcon (3 : +179%). The 2648 Golden Eagles recorded were 10.9% below average following very low October counts for the species in 2008 (2047) and 2009 (1831). Compared to the average of full October counts 1993-2005 (the last year of full-season counts at the site) this year’s count was 16.2% below average and would have been the second lowest count compared to counts in this period, higher only than the 2588 counted in 2004. All other species were below average: Bald Eagle 78 (-55.3%), Northern Harrier 4 (-24.6%), Sharp-shinned Hawk (27 (-64.8%), Cooper’s Hawk 8 (-9.57%), Northern Goshawk 16 (-52%), Broad-winged Hawk 1 (-79.4%), Rough-legged Hawk 20 (-57.1%), and Merlin 2 (-50.9%). Gyrfalcon was unrecorded for only the 5th time in the 14 full October counts conducted at the site.

October 30 [Day 39] (Ron Dutcher) It was a slightly warmer day with a high temperature of 8C at 1600, with starting and finishing temperatures of -2C and 7C respectively. Ground winds were S-SW gusting to 50 km/h while ridge winds were yet again strong SW frequently gusting well over 100 km/h, and it was essentially cloudless all day. A total of 23 raptors migrated between 0925 and 1630 with maximum movement between 1400 and 1500 when 10 of the day’s 21 Golden Eagles (17a, 3j, 1u) were recorded. The only other raptor migrants were 1 adult Bald Eagle and an undifferentiated Buteo, and non-raptor migrants comprised 20 Bohemian Waxwings and an American Tree Sparrow. 9.42 hours (424.82) BAEA 1 (105), UB 1 (9), GOEA 21 (2668) TOTAL 23 (2998)

October 29 [Day 38] (Terry Waters) The temperature reached a high of 6C at 1300 from a low of -2C and was 3C at 1700. Ground winds were mainly light S-SW occasionally gusting 15 km/h, but ridge winds were strong SW all day gusting in excess of 100 km/h. Cloud cover ranged from 50-80% altocumulus to 1400 after which it gradually dwindled to 10% at the end of the day. The day’s total of 76 migrant raptors was the highest for 8 days as was the total of 69 Golden Eagles (42a, 11sa, 7j, 9u) that moved between 0940 and 1718. Other migrants were 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1j), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 1 unidentified eagle. Peak movement was 1200 to 1300 when 17 birds (16 Golden Eagles and 1 Northern Goshawk) moved. The only non-raptor migrants were 46 Bohemian Waxwings and 2 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 9 hours (415.4) BAEA 2 (104), SSHA 1 (60), COHA 1 (12), NOGO 1 (25), RTHA 1 (44), GOEA 69 (2647), UE 1 (9) TOTAL 76 (2975)

October 28 [Day 37] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature briefly reached a high of 4.5C at 1500 from a low of-2C and remained at 4C for the rest of the day. Ground winds were calm to 1000 then S-SSW mainly light gusting to 15 km/h at 1500, and ridge winds were SSW-WSW moderate in the morning but gusting to 100 km/h by late afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus all day, with up to 20% cumulus developing in the afternoon giving good observing conditions except for a light haze on Mount Lorette and the western ridges. A total of 33 raptors migrated between 1227 and 1746 of which 30 were Golden Eagles (21a, 1j, 8u), 14 of which moved between 1601 and 1638 but for the rest of the day migration was slow and sporadic. The only other raptors were 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 small indeterminate Accipiter and a large indeterminate bird that appeared briefly above the Fisher Range. A flock of 75 Bohemian Waxwings were the only songbird migrants. 10.08 hours (406.4) BAEA 1 (102), UA 1 (14), GOEA 30 (2578), UU 1 (6) TOTAL 33 (2899)

October 27 [Day 36] (Terry Waters) After a couple of cool days the temperature rose to a high of 8C at 1500 from a low of -4C and was 4C at 1800. Ground winds were light SW all day, ridge winds were moderate SW-WSW occasionally gusting over 100 km/h and cloud cover was 80-90% altocumulus diminishing to 20% cumulus and cirrus by late afternoon affording excellent viewing conditions all day. The first of the day’s 21 migrant raptors did not appear until 1140 and movement was slow until after 1600 when 15 of the birds were recorded, 10 of which were between 1700 and 1750. The flight comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 19 Golden Eagles (14a, 2sa, 1j, 2u) and 1 unidentified eagle. Most movement was from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range with many birds high above the ridge. The only non-raptor migrants were 1 Common Loon flying high to the south at 1620, and 3 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 10.5 hours (396.32) BAEA 1 (101), GOEA (2548), UE 1 (8) TOTAL 21 (2866)

One Golden Eagle that will not be counted by us this year is a bird that was found dead near Jasper National Park on October 6. Rob Domenech of the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana has informed us that she was found along Highway 93 and he speculates that she was probably struck by a vehicle while feeding on road-kill, as there are no power lines in the area she was located. This 5.4 kg bird was caught at their Aspen Grove bait station on October 28, 2008 and designated as Golden Eagle C-90. She was a rather thick legged individual requiring a 9C band and had an impressive 149mm footpad. She was subsequently reported in Denali National Park, Alaska, during the months of June and July 2010 where she was apparently observed and photographed for over two months by hundreds of visitors. This is Raptor View’s first eagle to be encountered twice at two different locations more than 16 km apart, but it is very unfortunate that it should have happened in this way.

October 26 [No observation] Low stratus cloud obscured the ridges all day.

October 25 [Day 35] (Joel Duncan) It was a cool day with the temperature only reaching 2C between 1300 and 1500 from a low of 0C at 0900. It was calm to1100 then ground winds were NNE 10-15 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate SW gusting to 87 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus all day producing occasional light snow flurries and all ridges were obscured to 1000 after which the Fisher Range cleared but Mount Lorette and the western ridges remained in cloud until after 1400. The cloud base, however, remained close to ridge level for the rest of the day. Two Bald Eagles (1a, 1j) and 2 Golden Eagles (1j, 1u) moved between 1214 and 1329 and the only other migrant was a light morph Rough-legged Hawk at 1629. There was no apparent songbird movement. 8.5 hours (385.82) BAEA 2 (100), RLHA 1 (21), GOEA 2 (2529) TOTAL 5 (2845)

October 24 [Day 34] (Bill Wilson) The cooling trend continued with the temperature reaching 8C at 1700 from a low of -2.5C, falling to 6C at 1830. Ground winds were SE-S, occasionally SW 0-5 occasionally gusting 12 km/h, and ridge winds SSW-SW, occasionally SE, mainly light to moderate but gusting above 60 km/h on occasion. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1800 after which it became slightly broken. A total of 32 Golden Eagles (21a, 3sa, 6j, 2u) moved between 0823 and 1800 with 11 birds occurring between 0800 and 0900 and a further 5 from 0900 to 1000 promising a significant movement, but subsequently no hour yielded more that 3 birds. The 9 Bald Eagles recorded was the highest total since October 5 and comprised 5adults, 1 late subadult and 3 juveniles, and the only other migrant raptor was a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk. The Golden Eagle movement was along the eastern route from Mount Lorette to the Fisher Range, but most of the Bald Eagles moved to the west of the site. Again there was no apparent songbird movement. 11.16 hours (337.32) BAEA 9 (98), RLHA 1 (20), GOEA 32 (2527)

October 23 [Day 33] (Ron Dutcher) The temperature reached a high of 9C between 1500 and 1700 from a low of -3C and was still 7C at 1800. Ground winds were very variable but generally light occasionally gusting to 15 km/h, while ridge winds were S-SW light to moderate (and even calm at times), gusting to 60 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 80% very thin cirrus which changed to 50% cumulus around noon and thickened to 100% stratocumulus after 1630 and although rain appeared to threaten in the late afternoon all ridges remained clear. Raptor movement was relatively slow with 20 birds moving along the Fisher Range between 1158 and 1739, of which 15 were Golden Eagles (8a, 1sa, 3j, 3u). Other raptors were 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a, 1u), and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. There was no apparent songbird movement, but the interactions of 4 Moose (1 male, 2 females and a juvenile) in the Hay Meadow proved to be entertaining. 10.25 hours (366.16) BAEA 2 (89), RTHA 2 (43), RLHA 1 (19), GOEA 15 (2495) TOTAL 20 (2798)

October 22 [Day 32] (Terry Waters) Unseasonably high temperatures continued reaching 13C at 1500 from a low of -5C and remaining at 12C at 1800. Ground winds were light variably, but mainly SW and ridge winds were SW-S moderate to strong gusting to 90 km/h. An initial cloud cover of 10% cirrus increased to almost 100% altocumulus by 1200 becoming 90% stratocumulus after 1600 providing an excellent backdrop against which to locate birds. Of 69 migrant raptors recorded 65 were Golden Eagles (41a, 9sa, 7j, 8u) that moved between 0920 (the only bird moving west of the site) and 1801. Morning movement was slow but became steady in the afternoon with peak movement of 15 birds between 1700 and 1800. Other migrants were 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, and an adult Peregrine Falcon flying south at 1431. Passerine migrants included 26 Bohemian Waxwings, 35 European Starlings and 22 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and 2 White-throated Sparrows were the first reported from the site this season. 10 hours (355.91) BAEA 2 (87), SSHA 1 (59), GOEA 65 (2480), PEFA 1 (4) TOTAL 69 (2778)

October 21 [Day 31] (Cliff Hansen) It was another warm day with the temperature reaching 17C between 1500 and 1700 from a low of -5C, and it fell to 9C at 1800. Ground winds were light S-SE all day whereas ridge winds were WSW-SW moderate to strong gusting to 78 km/h after mid-afternoon, and it was mainly cloudless with occasional development of up to 5% altocumulus or cirrus cloud. After a couple of days of thin Golden Eagle migration today saw 81 birds (50a, 2sa, 6j, 23u) move between 0932 and 1757. Movement was initially slow and low, but the pace quickened after noon when each hour up to 1800 produced at least 10 birds with peak movement between 1323 and 1357 involving 19 birds. Most birds in the afternoon appeared over the Fisher Range and several appeared to be moving to the east of the ridge. The only other raptors recorded were single adult Bald Eagle, unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk and juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk. There was no obvious song bird movement, but a Northern Pygmy-Owl serenaded the observers as they left the site. 10.42 hours (345.91) BAEA 1 (85), SSHA 1 (58), RTHA 1 (41), GOEA 81 (2415) TOTAL 84 (2709)

Six hours at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site (1000-1600) yielded a disappointing total of 27 migrant raptors of 6 species. Apart from the first hour when there was some cirrus cloud, the rest of the day was a “blue-out” against which the eagles were flying very high on the moderate W winds. Doug, Teresa, Pat, Dawn and Denise recorded 3 Bald Eagles, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk, 2 unidentified accipiters, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 18 Golden Eagles.

October 20 [Day 30] (Terry Waters) Unseasonably high temperatures returned reaching 16C at 1400 from a low of -4C, and it was still 14C at 1800. Ground winds were SE-SW generally light, gusting to 15 km/h around noon, and ridge winds were SSW-SW moderate in the morning becoming strong in the afternoon gusting to 150 km/h by late afternoon. The morning was mainly cloudless with up to 10% cirrus increasing to 80% after 1500 and 90% at the end of the day giving good observing conditions. A total of 21 Golden Eagles (11a, 2sa, 2j, 2u) moved between 1121 and 1605 with 10 of the birds occurring between 1500 and 1600. All birds were first seen above the Fisher Range and many were very high and hard to see. Other migrants were 1 adult Bald Eagle, 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, and 1 light morph unidentified Buteo. Other migrants were very thin and comprised 57 Bohemian Waxwings in 3 flocks and 3 Pine Siskins. 10.25 hours (335.49) BAEA 1 (84), SSHA 2 (57), NOGO 1 (24), RTHA 2 (40), UB 1 (8), GOEA 21 (2334) TOTAL 28 (2625)

October 19 [Day 29] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature reached a high of 7C at 1800 from a low of 4.5C and was still 7C at 1800. Ground winds were calm initially then SW 5-15 km/h for the rest of the day while ridge winds were mainly strong SSW-WSW gusting to 115 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and altocumulus at 0900 that gradually reduced during the day reaching 10% at 1800, but generally providing excellent observing conditions. Raptor movement, was disappointing, however, with the total of 8 Golden Eagles (4a, 2j, 2u) being the lowest on an active field day since September 27. Birds moved between 1132 and 1609 with 4 of the birds moving between 1234 and 1250. The only other migrant raptor noted was a small Accipiter, and the only probable migrant songbirds were a flock of 9 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 10 hours (325.24) UA 1 (13), GOEA 8 (2313) TOTAL 9 (2597)

October 18 [Day 28] (Joel Duncan) The temperature rose to11C at 1500 from a morning low of -4C and fell to the day’s low of -7C at the end of the day. Ground winds were SW all day 10-20 occasionally gusting 30 km/h and ridge winds were strong W-WSW gusting to 112 km/h at 0900 and 107 km/h at 1700. Cloud cover was cirrus and altostratus all day initially 30% but increasing to 50-60% for most of the day briefly reaching 90% at 1600. A total of 58 raptors of 5 species migrated between 0826 and 1852 with maximum passage of 14 birds between 1400 and 1500 following a lull from 1200 to 1400. All but 6 of the migrants were Golden Eagles with the 52 birds comprising 25 adults, 6 subadults, 7 juveniles and 14 birds of undetermined age, while the other birds were 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, single indeterminate Accipiter and eagle, 1 adult Peregrine Falcon harassing a Golden Eagle at 0950 and 2 Prairie Falcons doing the same thing around noon. The only non-raptor migrants were 45 Canada Geese and 56 Bohemian Waxwings, while a Northern Pygmy Owl sang near the site and a Song Sparrow was the first seen there for several days. 11 hours (315.24) BAEA 1 (83), UA 1 (12), GOEA 52 (2305), UE 1 (7), PEFA 1 (3), PRFA 2 (4) TOTAL 58 (2588)

October 17 [Day 27] (Bill Wilson) It was another cold start to the day with a season low temperature of -10C at 0700, rising to 4C between 1400 and 1600 and falling again to -3C at the end of the day. Ground winds were mainly SE-S 2-5 gusting 10 km/h to 1400 after which they were W and ridge winds were SW-SSW moderate to strong. It was cloudless to 1715 after which up to 20% cirrostratus and altostratus developed to the W, but by the end of the day it was cloudless again. There was a good movement of migrant raptors with 179 birds of 5 species moving between 0836 and 1902, although poor lift conditions early in the night meant that strong movement did not begin until after 1300 with highest hourly counts of 33 (1600-1700) and 32 (1700-1800). The flight was dominated by 179 Golden Eagles (90a, 14sa, 45j, 22u) which is the highest count for 6 days, and other migrants were 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa), 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1u Northern Goshawk, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and 1 unidentified raptor. Non-raptor migrants included 2 Common Loons, 3 American Robins, 130 Bohemian Waxwings and a late Yellow-rumped Warbler, while a pair of Great Horned Owls duetted early in the morning and a couple of Brown Creepers were unusual visitors at the count site. 12.25 hours (304.24) BAEA 3 (82), SSHA 2 (55), NOGO 1 (23), RLHA 1 (18), GOEA 171 (2253), UU 1 (5) TOTAL 179 (2530)

October 16 [Day 26] (Ron Dutcher) It was a cold start to the day with a temperature of -7C the lowest so far this season, which rose to 4C between 1400 and 1600 and was 2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were variable SE to N all day while ridge winds were SSW-SW light to moderate, and cloud cover was initially 80% cirrus and cirrocumulus reducing to 30% around noon before gradually increasing to 60% by the late afternoon, generally providing excellent observing conditions. A total of 83 migrant raptors of 6 species moved between 1101 and 1820 with a peak movement of 38 birds between 1400 and 1500. The flight comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 unidentified Accipiter, 3 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a, 2u), 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), and 70 Golden Eagles (46a, 8sa, 8j, 8u). There was almost no passerine movement, but a very fresh track of a Grey Wolf in the 3 cm of fresh snow at the site was the non-bird highlight of the day. 10.33 hours (291.99) BAEA 3 (79), SSHA 1 (53), NOGO 3 (22), UA 1 (11), RTHA 3 (38), RLHA 2 (17), GOEA 70 (2082) TOTAL 83 (2351)

This was the day of the Festival of Eagles at Canmore which for the first time was held downtown and not at the Collegiate High school as has previously been the case. This put us further away from the Fairholm Range along which most movement occurs, but in compensation the weather was the best that it has been for the Festival in several years and the mainly cirrus cloud cover made finding migrants fairly easy, although it was not possible to age most birds at the distance from which we were observing. A total of 42 migrants of 5 species were recorded between 1155 and 1629 comprising 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 2sa), 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk, 3 Rough-legged Hawks and 34 Golden Eagles. Most of the birds moved to the SE along the Fairholm Range before crossing the Bow Valley after which they would have been picked up by Ron and his crew over Mount Lorette about 10 to15 minutes after leaving us. The great advantage of the new Festival location was demonstrated by the fact that it attracted over 2000 visitors during the day.

October 15 [No observation] (Terry Waters) A cold front moved south over the area during the night reducing the temperature to -5C, bringing heavy snow that persisted to 1130 and completely obscuring the ridges until late in the day.

I spent 10.33 hours at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site with Greg Stempien who had spent the previous 2 days driving 2,600 km from Iowa to spend a couple of days at the site. Having followed the blog for a number of years he wanted to see it for himself. The weather, however, did not appear auspicious as the site experienced unstable conditions associated with the front that was dumping snow on the Mount Lorette site, and we experienced low temperatures, W winds gusting to 80 km/h that diminished to 15-30 km/h in the afternoon, and 60-100% cloud cover that brought periods of snow, flurries and hail until mid afternoon. Surprisingly, there was quite a good raptor movement with 47 migrants of 10 species moving between 0913 and 1740, with many of the birds flying low and close to the ridge top much to the delight of Greg. The flight comprised 1 Osprey, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 unidentified small Accipiter, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 5 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 29 Golden Eagles (14a, 6sa, 7j, 2u), 1 juvenile grey morph Gyrfalcon, 3 Peregrine Falcons (2a, 1j) and a Prairie Falcon. There was also a variety of non-raptors moving including 3 American Robins, 18 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches, 40 Pine Siskins and, more unusual for the site, a flock of 20 Snow Geese flying high to the south at 1344, 4 Herring Gulls (3a, 1 first winter bird) at 1255 and a single Northern Shrike flying high to the south west of the ridge at 1325.

October 14 [Day 25] (Peter Sherrington) The temperature reached a high of 18C at 1600 from a morning low of 10C and it was still 14.5C at 1900. Ground winds were S-SW light to moderate gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon, ridge winds were very strong SW all day gusting to 150 km/h, and it was cloudless for most of the day with 10-30% cirrus sporadically developing in the afternoon. A total of 39 migrant raptors of 5 species were recorded between 1028 and 1806 with 20 of these birds moving between 1500 and 1700. Of the total 31 birds were Golden Eagles (27a, 1sa, 3j) and the bird recorded at 1557 was the 2000th of the season. Other migrants were 2 adult Bald Eagles, an unaged Northern Goshawk, a juvenile dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 4 Rough-legged Hawks (2 light and 2 dark morphs). Apart from Common Ravens other birds were virtually absent but small flocks of 5 Clark’s Nutcrackers and 5 White-winged Crossbills were probably migrating. 12 hours (281.66) BAEA 2 (76), NOGO 1 (19), RTHA 1 (35), RLHA 4 (15), GOEA 31 (2012) TOTAL 39 (2268)

October 13 [Day 24] (Peter Sherrington) The temperature reached a high of 15C between1500-1700 from a morning low of 2C and was 8.5C at 1900. Ground winds were SE-W light in the morning becoming light moderate in the afternoon gusting to 25 km/h, while ridge winds were strong SW gusting to 120 km/h after 1400. Cloud cover was 100-80% altostratus and cirrostratus all day with a Chinook Arch over the Fisher Range for most of the day providing excellent viewing conditions. Again there were only a few raptor species moving with 91 of the day’s 96 migrants being Golden Eagles (74a, 8sa, 5j, 4u) that moved between 0836 and 1802, with the last bird of the day being the day’s third Northern Goshawk. The other raptor migrants were an adult Bald Eagle and a light morph Rough-legged Hawk. Golden Eagle movement was fairly steady all day and peaked at 18 birds between 1400 and 1500. Passerine migrants included 13 American Robins, 50 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 23 Bohemian Waxwings. 12 hours (269.66) BAEA 1 (74), NOGO 3 (18), RLHA 1 (11), GOEA 91 (1981) TOTAL 96 (2229)

October 12 [Day 23] (Joel Duncan) The temperature reached a high of 10C at 1500 from a low of 6C at 0900 and was 7C at 1900, ground winds were SW all day 10-20 gusting 30 km/h, ridge winds were strong SW with gusts reaching 110 km/h after 1500, and cloud cover was initially 100% stratocumulus diminishing to 30% cirrostratus and cumulus after 1500. Only 41 migrant raptors moved between 0902 and 1851 and of these 38 were Golden Eagles (24a, 6sa, 2j, 6u), the other raptors being a subadult Bald Eagle and 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks. Movement for much of the day was slow and sporadic and no birds were seen between 1200 and 1400, but the busiest hour of 1400-1500 followed when 8 Golden Eagles moved, 6 of which occurred at one time. Passerine numbers were also thin but included 9 Golden-crowned Kinglets, an American Robin, and an American Tree Sparrow. 10.5 hours (257.66) BAEA 1 (73), RLHA 2 (10), GOEA 38 (1890) TOTAL 41 (2133)

October 11 [Day 22] [Day 22] (Doug Pedersen) Temperatures were somewhat cooler rising to 10C at 1400 from a low of 0C and remaining at 6C at the end of the day. Ground winds were light SW all day and ridge winds were moderate WSW to SW with strong gusts after 1600 that exceeded 100 km/h after 1800. Patchy valley fog to 1000 affected visibility, then 70-90% stratocumulus diminished to 50% altostratus at noon, to 30% cirrus and cirrostratus at 1500 and 5% cirrus by the end of the day. A total of 198 migrant raptors of 5 species were counted between 0805 and 1856 of which 191 were Golden Eagles (116a, 9sa, 18j, 46u). Movement was fairly steady all day with peak movement of 32 Golden Eagles between 1300 and 1400. Much of the movement around mid-day was above the valley, but by late afternoon birds were moving very high above the Fisher Range. Other migrant raptors were 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1u), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and an unidentified light morph Buteo. Non raptor migrants included 1 Common Loon, an unidentified gull, 60 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches in two flocks and 73 Bohemian Waxwings. 12.33 hours (247.16) SSHA 2 (52), NOGO 2 (15), RTHA 1 (34), RLHA 1 (8), UB 1 (7), GOEA 191 (1852) TOTAL 196 (2092)

October 10 [Day 21] (Bill Wilson) The temperature was a surprising 14C at 0700 rising to a high of 19C, and falling to the day’s low of 9C at 1900. Ground winds were SSW-NNW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h for most of the day, gusting to 40 km/h in mid-afternoon, and ridge winds were strong SW all day gusting to 150 km/h in the morning and to 110 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 90-100% altostratus and cumulus all day and light rain fell between 1530 and 1630 followed by showers for the rest of the day. There was steady Golden Eagle movement all day between 0805 and 1914 which peaked at 46 between 1000 and 1100 and 42 between 1100 and 1200, with only the rain producing a zero hour between 1700 and 1800, and 9 birds moved after 1900. The 249 Golden Eagles comprised 148 adults, 2 subadults, 27 juveniles and 72 birds of undetermined age, and movement was both along the Fisher Range and over the eastern half of the valley including some birds that moved high overhead. Other raptor movement was very sparse and comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 large Accipiter, 2 dark morph Rough-legged Hawks, and a Merlin of undetermined race, sex or age. Passerine movement was again thin and included 20 Pine Siskins, 15 Bohemian Waxwings and 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets. 12.33 hours (234.83) BAEA 1 (72), UA 1 (10), RLHA 2 (7), GOEA 249 (1663), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 254 (1896)

October 9 [Day 20] (Ron Dutcher) The temperature reached 16C from a low of 7C and was still 15C at 1800, ground winds were generally SW 10-15 gusting 20 km/h, ridge winds were SW moderate to strong usually gusting 50-60 km/h and occasionally to 90 km/h, and cloud cover was initially 20% altocumulus and cumulus diminishing to 0% at noon with cirrostratus developing after 1430 reaching 50% at 1500 and 100% at 1700. A total of 87 migrant raptors moved between 0945 and 1800 with most birds moving along the Fisher Range ridge many of which were not detected until they reached Mount MacDougall to the SE of the site. Of the total 81 were Golden Eagles (50a, 8j, 23u) and the only other raptors recorded were 2u Cooper’s Hawks, 1 unidentified Buteo, 1 unidentified large falcon and 2 unidentified raptors. Again there was no passerine movement, but an adult and a juvenile Northern Shrike were seen hunting close to the river. 10.83 (222.5) COHA 2 (11), UB 1 (6), GOEA 81 (1414), UF 1 (1), UU 2 (4) TOTAL 97 (1642)

October 8 [Day 19] (Terry Waters) The temperature reached 17C at 1400 from a low of 5C and remained there for most of the day. Winds were SW light all day reaching 11 km/h around noon and ridge winds were SW mainly moderate gusting to 51 km/h at 0800 but not exceeding 35 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 20% altocumulus reaching 100% altostratus after 1500 which reduced to 70% by the end of the day. The first Golden Eagle was at 0931 and raptor movement was thereafter fairly steady all day apart from a sag in numbers between 1300 and 1500 when only 7 birds passed, and the maximum hourly passage was 29 birds between 1600 and 1700, the last bird being recorded at 1820. Golden Eagles were again the dominant migrant providing 117 (88a, 11sa, 11j, 7u) of the day’s 122 migrants and the last four days have produced 908 migrant Golden Eagles. Other migrants were 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 adult Northern Goshawks and the season’s second Peregrine Falcon. A Northern Pygmy-Owl at 1730 was the first for the season but there was no noticeable passerine movement. 9.75 hours (211.67) SSHA 2 (50), NOGO 2 (13), GOEA 117 (1333), PEFA 1 (2) TOTAL 122 (1555)

October 7 [Day 18] (Cliff Hansen) The warm weather continued with the temperature reaching 22C at 1500 from a low of -2C, ground winds were light SW all day reaching 10 km/h around noon while ridge winds were calm or light to 1400 after which they were moderate SW gusting to 40 km/h by 1900. It was cloudless to 1400 after which up to 50% lenticular cloud developed which had dissipated to 20% by the end of the day. It was another day of strong Golden Eagle movement with 274 birds (164a, 10sa, 45j, 55u) moving between 1043 and 1907 when the last bird of the day roosted at the northern end of the Fisher Range ridge. Early movement when the wind was light involved a lot of soaring over the Fisher Range involving kettles of up to 10 birds and these conditions produced the best hourly movement of the day with 78 Golden Eagles recorded between 1200 and 1300. After the ridge winds increased after 1400 birds moved to the SE very high above the Fisher Range. Other migrant raptors were 5 adult Bald Eagles, including the first migrant of the day at 1030, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a, 1u), 2 unidentified small accipiters, 2 Red-tailed Hawks of which one was an adult light morph calurus and the other an adult “Krider’s” Hawk (which is rare at the site), and 1 unidentified eagle. There was no significant non-raptor movement noted. 11.75 hours (201.92) BAEA 5 (71), SSHA 4 (48), UA 2 (9), RTHA 2 (33), GOEA 274 (1216), UE 1 (6) TOTAL 288 (1433)

Doug and Teresa Dolmen spent 7 hours at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site and recorded 226 migrant raptors, including 206 Golden Eagles, between 1120 and 1700, and when they left eagles were still moving south. Golden Eagle movement peaked at 92 between 1300 and 1400, while 1400-1500 yielded 42 and 1500-1600 43. Winds were moderate W all day and it was high overcast, and by 1430 the eagles were flying high and to the west of the ridge over the middle of the Gold Creek valley, which made locating and aging the birds a challenge. Other raptors recorded were 1 Osprey, 2 Bald Eagles, 9 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 2 Northern Goshawks, 2 unidentified accipiters and 2 unidentified eagles.

October 6 [Day 17] (Terry Waters) It was a delightful day with the temperature reaching 22C at 1600 from a low of -1C, with light ground and ridge winds peaking at 10 km/h and cloud maximum cloud cover was 5% in the morning and cloudless thereafter. Apart from an unaged Golden Eagle seen at 0950, steady raptor movement did not get under way until around 1130, with most Golden Eagles rising on thermals above the northern end of the Fisher Range before moving slowly to the southeast along the ridge. Of the day’s total of 151 raptors, 143 were Golden Eagles (7a, 21sa, 37j, 4u) that peaked at 33 birds moving between 1700 and 1800 that including a single kettle of 8 birds. The last bird was seen at the relatively early time of 1756 and a couple of minutes later a small single-engine monoplane, that had been flying low up and down the valley for much of the afternoon, flew very low to the east just above the north Fisher Range ridge where the eagles had been moving. The passage of the aircraft and the ceasing of the eagle movement could well be related! Earlier in the day, at 1222, what was probably a tourist helicopter passed very close to a Golden Eagle moving over Mount Lorette and caused the bird to make an abrupt change of course with it moving south over Olympic Summit instead of crossing the Kananaskis Valley to the Fisher Range as all the other birds over Lorette did that day. We shall follow up on both incidents as such encounters endanger both the birds and the occupants of the aircraft. Other raptor movement was sparse comprising single Bald Eagle (j), Sharp-shinned Hawk (u), Cooper’s Hawk (u), Northern Goshawk (j), unknown small Accipiter, 2 Red-tailed Hawks: 1 adult light calurus and 1 of unknown race, age and morph, and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. There were very few passerine migrants and despite the beautiful weather and the spectacular Golden Eagle movement of the previous day there were no visitors to the site. 11.75 hours (190.17) BAEA 1 (66), SSHA 1 (44), COHA 1 (9), NOGO 1 (11), RTHA 2 (31), RLHA 1 (5), GOEA 143 (942), UE 1 (6) TOTAL 151 (1145)

October 5 [Day 16] (Jim Davis) All ridges were obscured at 0710 so Jim went to the Lusk Creek site (which was clear but nothing was moving) and returned to the Hay Meadow site just as the cloud was beginning to lift at 0840. By 0900 the initial 100% stratocumulus cloud cover had cleared to 20% and after 1200 the sky was completely cloudless. The temperature rose to 15C at 1300 from a low of 3C and was back down to 4C at 1900, ground winds were light all day initially NW 0-5 km/h to 1000 and after SE-S 5-10 km/h, and ridge winds were generally moderate gusting to 40-60 km/h peaking at 87 km/h at 1700. The first migrant raptors were 3 Golden Eagles at 0856 but by noon only 9 further migrants had been logged, but in the afternoon movement became increasingly strong with 84 birds moving between 1600 and 1700, movement peaking at 121 from 1700 to 1800, 77 between 1800 and 1900 and 15 moving after 1900 with the last Golden Eagle recorded at 1916. The most crowded minute was at 1750 when 21 Golden and 2 Bald Eagles moved simultaneously. The combined species total of 407 is the highest so far this season as was the total of 374 Golden Eagles (265a, 30 sa, 50j, 29u). This compares to Golden Eagle high counts for the last 4 years of 421 (2009), 382 (2008), 310 (2007) and 255 (2006). Other raptors were 1 Osprey, 17 Bald Eagles (14a, 3j), 3 Northern Harriers (1a male and 1a female, which moved south together, and 1u), 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk, 2 unidentified small Accipiters, 1 adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk (the first for the site this season), 2 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light, 1 rufous), 1 light morph adult Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified dark Buteo, 1 male American Kestrel and the season’s first columbarius Merlin, a bird of unknown sex or age. The 11 species of raptor recorded is also a season’s high. Non raptor migrants were also in evidence including a late flock of 15 Barn Swallows, 9 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and a single Cedar Waxwing (but no Bohemians!). The main Golden Eagle movement is now well under way, so your help at the site, especially in the afternoons, would be greatly appreciated. 12.67 (178.42) OSPR 1 (4), BAEA 17 (65), NOHA 3 (6), SSHA 2 (43), COHA 1 (8), UA 2 (6), BWHA 1 (1), RTHA 2 (29), RLHA 1 (4), UB 1 (5), GOEA 374 (799), AMKE 1 (2), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 407 (994)

October 4 [Day 15] (Joel Duncan) Rain fell overnight but it had stopped before observation began at 0730, and it was another warm day with the temperature reaching 19C from a morning low of 9C and falling to the day’s low of 7C at 1900. Ground winds were S-SW 5-10 km/h all day, while ridge winds were mainly strong all day gusting between 50 and 80 km/h. Cloud cover was 90-100% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus to 1300 after which it rapidly cleared to 10-30% altostratus and cirrus giving a sunny afternoon. Golden Eagles again dominated with 45 birds (29a, 4sa, 4j, 9u) counted out of a total flight of 58 birds that moved between 0820 and 1858. Other migrants were 1 Osprey, 9 Bald Eagles (5a, 1sa, 3j), 1 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 1 unidentified eagle. About 40 of the day’s migrants moved between 1100 and 1400. There was some passerine movement mainly involving 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 20 American Robins, 30 Bohemian Waxwings and 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers. 12 hours (165.75) OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 9 (48), SSHA 1 (41), RTHA 1 (27), GOEA 45 (425), UE 1 (5) TOTAL 58 (587)

October 3 [Day 14] (Bill Wilson) It was another warm day with the temperature reaching 21C from a low of -1C and it was still 16C at 1900, ground winds were calm to light (0-5 km/h) and variable for most of the day, occasionally gusting SW 15 km/h, but ridge winds were moderate to strong SW all day gusting on occasion to 100 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 50% cumulus increasing to 70-100% stratus and cumulus after 0900 giving good observing conditions. The first migrant raptor, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, was not recorded until 1112 and the first Golden Eagle not until 1152 and by 1305 only 3 migrants had been logged including an adult Peregrine Falcon, the first for the season, at 1252. With the exception of 1400-1500 (5 birds), subsequent movement was steady with 22 birds moving between 1300 and 1400, 21 from 1500 to 1600, 20 from 1600 and 1700, 19 from 1700 to 1800 and 20 from 1800 to 1900, with the day’s last Golden Eagle still going south at 1903. The count included a season high count so far of 104 Golden Eagles (51a, 4sa, 35j, 14u) along with 1 female/juvenile Northern Harrier, 2u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and an adult Peregrine Falcon. Other migrants included 31 Canada Geese, a probable 1st winter California Gull, 41 American Robins, 52 Bohemian Waxwings, 16 White-winged Crossbills and 14 Pine Siskins. The only mammals seen were the 25 visitors to the site who enjoyed both the weather and the raptor movement. 12.83 hours (153.75) NOHA 1 (3), SSHA 2 (40), COHA 1 (7), RLHA 2 (3), GOEA 104 (380), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 111 (529)

October 2 [Day 13] (Ron Dutcher) The temperature rose to a high of 24C from 0C and was still 21C at 1900, ground winds were calm to light all day, mostly westerly, and it was essentially cloudless all day with occasional traces of cirrus in the afternoon. Ridge winds, however, were strong all day with gusts near or above 90 km/h after 1500. Smoke haze gave hazy sunshine conditions and made detailed plumage determination difficult with birds moving to the west appearing only as silhouettes, although after noon most movement was along the eastern ridge. A total of 26 raptors of 5 species were recorded: 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1j), 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk (u), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a, 1u), 4 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a, 3u), 13 Golden Eagles (4a, 4j, 5u) and 3 unknown Buteos moving too high for specific identification. 12 hours (140.92) BAEA 3 (39), SSHA 1 (38), COHA 2 (6), RTHA 4 (26), GOEA 13 (276), UB 3 (4) TOTAL 26 (418)

October 1 [Day 12] (Terry Waters) The temperature peaked at a remarkable 25C for October 1, from a low at 0730 of -5C. Ground winds were initially calm becoming SSE mainly 5-10 km/h and occasionally gusting 15 km/h for the rest of the day, and ridge winds were S-SSW gusting to 35 km/h to noon and after N-NNE 30-40 gusting 70 km/h. It was cloudless for most of the day with up to 20% cirrus and cirrocumulus developing around 1300. The first Golden eagle was seen at 1104 and the second at 1355 after which raptor movement was steady at 5 to 8 birds an hour peaking at 18 between 1700 and 1740 after which movement ceased. Most birds appeared to be moving to behind the Fisher Range and wind conditions may have shifted the movement to the east. The flight comprised 6 Bald Eagles (4a, 2j), 3 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 unidentified Accipiter, 40 Golden Eagles (17a, 9sa, 14j, 4u), 4 unidentified eagles and 1 Prairie Falcon that was hunting at 0745 but was considered to be a migrant. A Northern Shrike was the first for the season, 43 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches moved south in 3 flocks and 2 Varied Thrushes were giving sub-songs early in the morning. 11.5 hours (128.92) BAEA 6 (36), SSHA 3 (37), UA 1 (4), GOEA 40 (263), UE 4 (4), PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 55 (392)

I spent 9 hours on the Piitaistakis Ridge (0900-1800) with a few members of the Crowsnest Pass Conservation Association, and we enjoyed temperatures that rose to the low 20s C, light winds initially from the SSE then W in the afternoon, and 0-30% cirrus and cirrocumulus cloud cover. The day’s first bird, a Sharp-sinned Hawk, moved south at 1059 and the second, a Golden Eagle, did not appear until 1219 and by 1400 only 20 migrants had been recorded. Things then picked up substantially with 47 birds passing between 1400 and 1500 and a further 37 between 1500 and 1600 before the movement slowed with only a further 24 birds moving before the last Sharp-shinned Hawk was seen at 1718. There was a good variety among the 128 migrant raptors seen with 11 species recorded. The flight was 6 Bald Eagles (4a, 1sa, 1j), 1 juvenile Northern Harrier, 57 Sharp-shinned Hawks (22a, 11j, 24u), 8 Cooper’s Hawks (2a, 4j, 2u), 2 Northern Goshawks (1j, 1u), 3 unidentified Accipiters, 3 light morph juvenile Broad-winged Hawks, 10 Red-tailed Hawks of which 7 were calurus (2a and 1u light morphs, 1a and 3j dark morphs) and 3 were harlani (2a, 1j), 33 Golden Eagles (22a, 1sa, 8j, 2u), 1 female American Kestrel, 1 adult male columbarius Merlin, 2 adult Peregrine Falcons and 1 unidentified small raptor.

September 30 [Day 11] (Peter Sherrington) The temperature was -8C at 0800, reached a high of 15C between 1500 and 1730 and was still 12C at 1900. Ground winds were calm to 3km/h until 1240 when they changed to N-ENE generally 10-15 gusting 20 km/h for the rest of the day. Ridge winds were N all day gusting to 50 km/h to 0900 and then light to light-moderate for the rest of the day. There was not even the trace of a cloud all day and the blue-out conditions made detection of migrant raptors difficult. Movement before 1400 was mainly above the western ridges, and in the afternoon mainly along the Fisher Range to the east, but several birds moved above the valley and birds could turn up anywhere at any time. A total of 91 migrant raptors of a season-high 9 species moved between 0949 and 1840 with 40 of the birds moving between 1300 and 1500. The flight included the season’s first Ferruginous Hawk, a light morph adult, at 1145 and the first Rough-legged Hawk at 1549. Four species had their strongest movement so far this season: 20 Bald Eagles (12 adults, 5 subadults and 3 juveniles), 13 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a, 1j, 9u), 6 Northern Goshawks (4a, 1j, 1u) and 14 Red-tailed Hawks, 9 of which were light calurus (7a, 1j, 1u), 4 dark calurus (2a, 1j, 1u) and 1 bird was of unknown race, age or morph. The 30 Golden Eagles comprised 15 adults, 6 subadults, 6 juveniles and 3 birds of unknown age. Much kudos is due to Joan, Ed and Chris for helping find the birds against a pure blue backdrop. 11.83 hours (117.42) BAEA 20 (30), NOHA 1 (2), SSHA 13 (34), COHA 1 (4), NOGO 6 (10), UA 2 (3), RTHA 14 (22), FEHA 1 (1), RLHA 1 (1), GOEA 30 (223), UU 2 (2)

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)

September 28 [Day 9] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature was 16C at 0800 rising to 18C at noon with W winds 5-10 gusting 20 km/h and 90% altocumulus cloud cover. At 1230 a passing disturbance changed the wind direction to NE 10-20 gusting 30 km/h, reduced the temperature to 9C by 1300 at which time rain started to fall under 100% low stratus cloud cover. Cliff left the site at 1430 as the rain became heavy, but returned to the Mount Allan Viewpoint at 1645 as the ridges were beginning to clear. By 1700 the temperature had risen to 16C, winds were variable and the ridges had again more or less cleared. Ridge winds were SSW strong gusting to 110 km/h in the morning, becoming variable, moderate gusting to 90 km/h to 1700 after which they became SW strong gusting to 120 km/h. The only raptors seen before the rain started were single non-migratory Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, and the first migrant Golden Eagle was not seen until 1720. A further 6 Golden Eagles moved before 1830 with the flight of 9 birds comprising 5 adults and 4 birds of undetermined age. Songbirds were quite sparse and included 80 Pine Siskins, 17 American Robins and single Yellow-rumped Warbler, Savannah Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco, but a single Red Admiral butterfly was the first seen at the site in a while. 9.08 hours (93.09) GOEA 9 (163) TOTAL 9 (211)

September 27 [Day 8] (Joel Duncan) The Environment Canada weather station on the Nakiska Ridgetop to the west of the site recorded SW winds all day rarely dropping below 100 km/h, gusting between 120 and 165 km/h and peaking at 195 km/h and 193 km/h at 1200 and 1600 respectively. Wind velocities may well have been even higher on the Fisher Ranger ridge to the east! Ground winds were SW mainly 20-30 gusting 60 km/h, and cloud cover was 10-30% altocumulus giving sunny skies all day. The temperature was 15C at 0900, rose to 21C between 1400 and 1700 and was still 18C at 1900. Not surprisingly there was no obvious movement of raptors but an adult dark morph “Harlan’s Hawk” hunting above Hummingbird Plume Hill at 1116 was the first seen at the site this season and was regarded as a migrant. After drawing a blank at the Hay Meadow site, at 1615 Joel left for the Lusk Creek site to see if birds were being blown to the east, but although the wind was lighter no migrant birds were seen. Despite the winds a reasonable number of songbirds were seen including 25 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 2 White-winged Crossbills, 21 Pine Siskins, 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers and a White-breasted Nuthatch, and a female or juvenile Harlequin Duck was on the Kananaskis River. 10.25 hours (84.01) RTHA 1 (8) TOTAL 1 (202)

September 26 [Day 7] (Bill Wilson) The temperature was already 14.5C at 0700 and reached a high of 17C before dropping to the day’s low of 12.5C at 1900, ground winds were SSW 10-20 gusting 30 km/h and ridge winds were also SSW moderate to strong. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus and cumulus, thickest to the west, which produced occasional very light rain showers. A total of 25 migrant raptors moved in a pattern similar to yesterday between 0906 and 1854, a Golden Eagle that was still moving south at 1900. The flight comprised 2 Ospreys (the first of the season), 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Northern Goshawk, 20 Golden Eagles (8a, 2sa, 6j, 4u) and the season’s first American Kestrel, a female. Once again there was a good variety and numbers of non-raptors around the site including 150 Bohemian Waxwings flying south, 15 Red Crossbills, 9 White-winged Crossbills, 25 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 35 American Robins, 13 Yellow-rumped Warblers, while a flock of 15 Canada Geese flew high above the valley towards the south. Visitors were again plentiful with a total of 30 at the site today. 12.67 hours (73.76) OSPR 2 (2), SSHA 2 (20), NOGO 1 (3), GOEA 20 (154), AMKE 1 (1) TOTAL 26 (201)

September 25 [Day 6] (Jim Davis) Winds were again SW strong all day at ridge level and even gusting to 60 km/h on the valley floor. The temperature was 13C at 0700 and rose to 24C at 1300 and was still 18C at 1830, cloud cover was cirrostratus with minor cumulus to 1400, after which 5-30% altostratus formed an arch over the Fisher Range. Again migrant eagles moved from Heart Mountain to the south behind the Fisher range, and most were very high. A total of 26 migrants moved between 0840 and 1854 with a peak of 8 birds between 1200 and 1300: Bald Eagle 3 adults, 8 un-aged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 unidentified small Accipiter, 1 juvenile light calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 11 Golden Eagles (6a, 1j, 4u) and the season’s first Prairie Falcon. The warm weather produced a season high total of 49 visitors to the site who were of assistance in locating high-flying birds. There were also good numbers of non-raptors at the site including 43 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Townsend’s Warbler, 65 Pine Siskins and a season first Common Redpoll, but the highlight was a single Black Swift seen on three occasions. It is interesting to note that when we visited the site after a pre-migration workshop on the afternoon of September 12 Black Swifts were feeding above the Kananaskis River all the time that we were there (2.33 hours), the highest count at one time being 37 birds which was probably the biggest single flock of the species ever recorded in Alberta. 12.5 hours (61.09) BAEA 3 (8), SSHA 8 (18), NOGO 1 (2), UA 1 (1), RTHA 1 (7), GOEA 11 (134) PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 26 (175)

September 24 [Day 5] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature ranged from 5C to 12C, ground winds were SW-W up to 20 km/h, but ridge winds were strong SW all day causing most high-flying migrants to be buffeted. Cloud cover was 20-100% mainly altocumulus, initially to the west and subsequently developing into a Chinook Arch. A total of 33 migrant raptors moved between 1006 and 1925 comprising 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult light calurus Red-tailed Hawk, and 31 Golden Eagles (6a, 1sa, 5j, 19u) the aging of which was challenged by the height of the flight and lighting that produced mainly silhouettes. The maximum movement was 8 Golden Eagles between 1400 and 1500. Songbird movement was mainly American Robins with 30 birds flying south in two flocks, and a Blue Jay was the first for the season. 11.67 hours (48.59) SSHA 1 (10), RTHA 1 (6), GOEA 31 (123) TOTAL 33 (149)

September 23 [Day 4] (Jim Davis) The temperature reached a high of 13C at 1300 from a low of -3C, and it was still 8C at 1945. Ground winds were calm to light to 1015 after which they were SW gusting 40 km/h diminishing somewhat after 1600 and ridge winds were SW moderate to strong all day. It was cloudless to 1100 after which mainly altocumulus cloud gradually developed reaching 100% after 1300. The good migration conditions and excellent viewing conditions produced a season high total of 95 migrant raptors that moved between 0855 (the season’s first Cooper’s Hawk) and 1902 when the day’s 7th Sharp-shinned Hawk went south. The flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles, 1 juvenile Northern Harrier (the season’s first), 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (all of indeterminate age), 2 Cooper’s Hawks (1a, 1u), I adult Northern Goshawk, 2 adult Red-tailed Hawks (light morph calurus) and a season high 79 Golden Eagles (61a, 3sa, 5j, 10u). The busiest hour was 1000-1100 with 28 migrants moving of which 25 were Golden Eagles. Once again the birds appeared to be moving from Heart Mountain to the Fisher Range bypassing Mount Lorette, and the rate of movement appeared to diminish as the wind velocity increased. Migrant passerines included 8 Orange-crowned Warblers, 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Townsend’s Warbler, 1 American Redstart and 10 Barn Swallows. 12.5 hours (36.92) BAEA 3 (5), NOHA 1 (1), SSHA 7 (9), COHA 2 (2), NOGO 1 (1), RTHA 2 (5), GOEA 79 (92) TOTAL 95 (116)

September 22 [Day 3] (Cliff Hansen) The sky was cloudless all day, the temperature rose to 12C from a low of -2C, ground winds were SSW generally below 10 km/h and ridge winds were moderate. None of the 16 raptor migrants recorded passed over Mount Lorette, but appeared over the northern end of the Fisher Range probably having come from Heart Mountain. Birds moved between 1334 and 1901 and comprised 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light adult, 1 intermediate juvenile) and 12 Golden Eagles (1a, 5sa, 3j, 3u). As yesterday no birds passed over Mount Lorette and all movement was to the east of the site. The warmer weather saw 3 butterfly species on the wing: Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, Mourning Cloak and Green Comma. 11.67 hours (24.42) BAEA 1 (2), SSHA 1 (2), RTHA 2 (3), GOEA 12 (13) TOTAL 16 (21)

September 21 [Day 2] (Joel Duncan) Low cloud persisted in the morning and observation didn’t start until 1100 after which clearing began and by 1800 all ridges were clear. Temperatures ranged from 3C to 5C, ground winds were NE 5-10 km/h and upper winds in the afternoon appeared to be SW moderate becoming light moderate by the end of the day. The first migrant raptor of the count was an adult Bald Eagle at 1447 and single Sharp-shinned Hawk (juvenile), Red-tailed Hawk (dark calurus adult) and a juvenile Golden Eagle moved south before an unidentified Buteo at 1800 closed the day’s proceedings. Passerines included 35 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Wilson’s Warblers, 2 Mountain Bluebirds, 31 American Pipits and 2 Lapland Longspurs, but the highlight of the day was an adult Black Bear in the Hay Meadow which hung around for long enough for Joel to get a good photograph. 8.5 hours (12.75) BAEA 1 (1), SSHA 1(1), RTHA 1 (1), UB 1 (1), GOEA 1 (1) TOTAL 5 (5)

The clearing of the Livingstone Ridge in late morning, after a week in the clouds, was celebrated by a visit by Denise, Pat, Dawn and Keith to the Piitaistakis site between 1115 and 1530 (4.25 hours) during which time they counted at least 25 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 1 dark morph Ferruginous Hawk, 18 Golden Eagles (9 adults and 9 juveniles) and 2 Prairie Falcons.

September 20 [Day 1] (Cliff Hansen and Joel Duncan) Bad weather persisted in the area for the sixth straight day with all ridges and peaks remaining obscured throughout the day. The temperature ranged from 3C to 5C, winds were N light to moderate and cloud cover was 100% low stratocumulus. Light rain and drizzle developed into heavy rain, turning to snow at 1530 at which point the observers wisely retreated. Not surprisingly no migrant raptors were seen, but a resident Osprey was observed at Lorette Ponds on the way in. Passerines near the site included 30 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Wilson’s Warblers and 8 American Robins. 4.25 hours (4.25) No migrant raptors (0)

Introduction This is the 19th consecutive season that RMERF has conducted at least one fall count in the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. In 1992 an extensive reconnaissance count of 33 days was made at Mount Lorette and subsequently full counts (75 to 101 days) were conducted there up to 2005, with the exceptions of 1997 when a full count occurred at Plateau Mountain, and 2002 when circumstances limited observations at Lorette to only 14 days. From 2006 to 2009 the principal observation site was moved to the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone ridge near the Crowsnest Pass, during which time daily comparative counts of around 40-45 days were conducted at Mount Lorette timed to coincide with the main movement of Golden Eagles. This year it proved impractical to conduct a count at the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site, but it was decided to again do an extended count at Mount Lorette. This count is planned to go from September 20 to November 10.