May 19 [Day 84] Drizzle and light rain began as I arrived at the parking area at 0915 and persisted to 1120, but the rest of the day provided almost ideal migration conditions. The wind, which was initially S-SE and light, progressively moved to SW and then W steadily increasing in velocity from 20 km/h at 1400 to 30 km/h at 1700 and 40 km/h at 1900; cloud cover after the rain stopped was 70-90% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus giving a perfect viewing backdrop, and the temperature rose to 16C from a starting temperature of 7C. The first raptor migrant, a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk, moved by at 1258 and subsequent movement was slow but steady and involved 7 species, with 3 additional non-migrant species seen (Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon). At 1415, the 2^nd Swainson’s Hawk of the season, a light morph adult, moved north above the ridge, and the last 2 birds of the day (and of the count) were an adult Peregrine Falcon at 1736 and a juvenile light morph Broad-winged Hawk at 1843. There were no migrant Golden Eagles and the resident pair was seen occasionally after 1700 with the male still gamely displaying. A Warbling Vireo singing at the parking area, two Chipping Sparrows on the ridge and a Barn Swallow flying over the ridge towards the west at 1535 were all seasonal firsts. The non-raptor highlight of the day, however, was a flock of 21 American White Pelicans soaring over the Crowsnest Valley south of the site at 1233 18 of which slowly made their way up the valley with much soaring finally disappearing behind Turtle Mountain at 1250. The other 3 glided back to the east. It was a good last day of the 2008 spring count! 10.5 hours (975.5) BAEA 1 (453), SSHA 1 (196), COHA 2 (39), BWHA 1 (7), SWHA 1 (2), RTHA 2 (227), PEFA 1 (6) TOTAL 9 (4204)

May summary (compared to 1994-2008 Mount Lorette count averages). We spent 19 days (234.3 hours) in the field during the month and most of the time was spent on the ridge. Four days were significantly affected by inclement weather. The days and hours are 35.7% and 48.5% above average respectively. The combined species count of 339 birds is the second highest RMERF May count (after the 460 at Mount Lorette in 1999) and is 141.1% above average. Seven species were new high May counts: Turkey Vulture 5 (+775%), Bald Eagle 21 (+124.4%), Northern Harrier 7 (+166.7%), Northern Goshawk 27 (+1412%), Broad-winged Hawk 5 (+288.9%), Red-tailed Hawk 30 (+233.3%), and Prairie Falcon 5 (+1067%). Most other species were above average: Osprey 7 (+38%), Sharp-shinned Hawk 83 (+148.8%), Cooper’s Hawk 21 (+177.4%), Swainson’s Hawk 1 (+27.3%), Ferruginous Hawk 1 (+133.3%), Golden Eagle 111 (+89.7%), Merlin 2 (+40%) and Peregrine Falcon 2 (+155%). The only species occurring in below average numbers are Rough-legged Hawk which was unrecorded in May for just the 3^rd time, American Kestrel 3 (-31.1%) and Gyrfalcon which has only been recorded in May once, in 1995.

May 18 [Day 83] Although the forecast called for winds of up to 20 km/h, for most of the day winds were gusting between 40 and 60 km/h from the W-WNW, with the temperature ranging from 15C to 20C. The sky was ideal for viewing with 30-80% mainly cumulus and cirrus cloud cover. Raptor movement was surprisingly good starting at 0953 with a juvenile rufous morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk through to a Cooper’s Hawk at 1810 which was the only adult bird seen today. Nine of the day’s 19 migrants moved between 1234 and 1400, and the total of 5 Golden Eagles comprised 2 subadult and 3 juvenile birds. The resident pair of Golden Eagles was seen soaring together with the male still displaying suggesting that she is not nesting, and is unlikely now to do so at this late juncture. A Cassin’s Vireo singing near the site at 1122 was the first of the season, and a Hoary Elfin was a new butterfly species for the site. Because of today’s strong raptor movement I am planning to watch tomorrow but the start may be delayed as I need to catch up on some sleep. 12.67 hours (965) OSPR 1 (21), SSHA 7 (195), COHA 1 (37), NOGO 1 (137), RTHA 4 (225), GOEA 5 (2981) TOTAL 19 (4195)

May 17 [Day 82] This was the warmest day yet with a high of 23.5C from a low of 14C. Light westerly winds prevailed until 1100 when they progressively increased in velocity and changed to WNW after 1400: by the end of the day they were gusting to 45 km/h. Cloud cover was 60-90% mainly altostratus and cirrus all day. Apart from a juvenile Northern Goshawk at 0824 all the raptor movement was after 1300, and with the exception of 2 subadult Golden Eagles all the migrants were juvenile birds. I was greeted at the site this morning by 9 Bighorn rams, and before the wind increased the day was delightful. Vesper Sparrows were singing for the first time and male Townsend’s Solitaires were in splendid voice during prolonged aerial displays with two birds performing side-by-side on occasion. At least 4 Brown-headed Cowbirds flew high to the west over the ridge during the morning, but the most unusual bird was a male Belted Kingfisher that also flew high to the west at 0935: both species were new for the ridge top. Tomorrow will be the last day of the 2008 spring count. 12.5 hours (952.3) SSHA 2 (188), NOGO 3 (136), RTHA 2 (221), GOEA 5 (2976) TOTAL 12 (4176)

May 16 [Day 81] From a low of 12C the temperature rose to a season-high 20C at 1800, but we were spared yesterday’s high winds with calm to light winds up to 1200 then W-WNW gusting 25-30 km/h for the rest of the day. The cloudless sky was relieved by the development of cirrus cloud between 1000 and 1500 which also gave welcome relief to the eyes. There was again a good late-season count of 19 raptors of 8 species, between a juvenile Northern Goshawk at 1049 and 1854 when a juvenile male Sharp-shinned Hawk flew north with a juvenile female Prairie Falcon with considerable mutual antagonism despite their size difference. All the accipiters counted were juveniles as was the only Golden Eagle to move today at 1119: maybe we are finally running out of them. The highlights of the day were 2 Turkey Vultures each of which glided to the north low overhead: a juvenile at 1509 followed at 1648 by an adult. Two male Brown-headed Cowbirds seen by Dawn as she climbed the ridge at 1011 and 2 Violet-green Swallows feeding over the ridge at 1840 were both firsts for the site. Two Snowshoe Hares on the ridge early in the morning were in brown pelage appropriate for the rapidly melting snow conditions, and Western Whites were the first for the season and one of 5 butterfly species found on the ridge today. 12.67 hours (939.8) TUVU 2 (8), SSHA 7 (186), COHA 2 (36), NOGO 2 (133), RTHA 1 (219), GOEA 1 (2971), AMKE 2 (4), PRFA 1 (17), TOTAL 19 (4164)

May 15 [Day 80] The temperature rose to a season-high 17C from a low of 7C, with W-WNW winds gusting between 30 and 65 km/h all day: it was like spending the day inside a hair-drier! Apart from some altostratus low to the horizon before 0900 the day was completely cloudless and finding and keeping birds flying high in the blue in the binoculars with the strong gusty winds took a lot of effort. The day’s total of 21 migrant raptors is not a bad late-season count and again the flight was dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks and Golden Eagles, all of which were immature as were the Cooper’s Hawk and 2 Northern Goshawks. The female American Kestrel that flew along the ridge at 1820 was only the second for the season and the first since the anomalously early male seen on March 19. Passerine migration was confined to 6 American Pipits and 5 Pine Siskins, and a very noisy pair of copulating Clark’s Nutcrackers at the site at 1610 was briefly diverting. Counts of 86 Bighorn Sheep and 27 Elk were season highs, and single Green Comma and Red-disked Alpine were the first butterflies seen on the ridge this year. 12.5 hours (927.2) NOHA 1 (28), SSHA 9 (179), COHA 1 (34), NOGO 2 (131), RTHA 2 (217), GOEA 5 (2970), AMKE 1 (2) TOTAL 21 (4145)

May 14 [Day 79] The day started out rather as yesterday finished with 100% altocumulus and altostratus cloud, N-NW winds gusting 30 km/h and a temperature of 2C. Between 1000 and 1130 north-south jet-stream cloud passed overhead giving way to 40-60% cumulus for the rest of the day as the pressure rose and the temperature reached 10C. To ensure that the illusion of spring arriving did not become too real the wind remained WNW to NW gusting to 40 km/h for the rest of the day. The only raptor to move before noon was a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1018, but after 1330 there was a steady stream of birds up to the last juvenile Golden Eagle seen by Keith below the ridge at 1840. The total of 32 migrants is the 3^rd highest total for the month and the 12 Sharp-shinned Hawks is the second highest total for the month so far. Of the 17 accipiters counted all were juveniles with the exception of 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, and all the 11 Golden Eagles were also juveniles. The raptor of the day was an adult dark morph Broad-winged Hawk that flew low overhead at 1756 bringing the seasonal total to 6 and setting a new RMERF spring record for the species. The bird of the day, however, was the site’s first Sandhill Crane (probably a juvenile “Greater” Sandhill Crane) that flew to the west above the Crowsnest Valley at 1355. In my experience the species is very rare in the mountains. The only obvious passerine migrants were a total of 11 American Pipits that flew to the north above the ridge throughout the day. 12.67 hours (914.7) BAEA 2 (452), NOHA 1 (27), SSHA 12 (170), COHA 1 (33), NOGO 4 (129), BWHA 1 (6), GOEA 11 (2965) TOTAL 32 (4124)

May 13 [Day 78] Another 1 cm of snow fell overnight but the rest of the day was precipitation-free. Winds were W-WNW gusting 30-70 km/h all day, the temperature rose to 4.5C from a low of 0C, and cloud cover was 100% cumulus and altostratus all day. The first migrant raptor was a juvenile Golden Eagle at 0831, but the second bird, a juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk did not appear until 1105 and subsequent movement was only one or two birds an hour until the 3rd juvenile Golden Eagle went north at 1806. The 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks brought the season’s total to 158 passing the highest ever Mount Lorette count for the species of 155 in 1999. High winds ensured that passerines were scarce on the ridge, but the total of 61 Bighorn Sheep seen in 2 groups to the north was a high count for the year. 12.67 (902) OSPR 1 (20), SSHA 4 (158), COHA 1 (32), NOGO 1 (125), RTHA 1 (215), GOEA 3 (2954) TOTAL 11 (4092)

May 12 [Day 77] There was 10 cm of fresh snow on the ridge but everything was clear until 0910 when snow began which persisted with a few breaks until 1735 adding another 4.5 cm. Winds were N-NE gusting up to 25 km/h until 1800 when they shifted to SW-WSW followed by a general clearing. To add to the fun there were occasional thunder showers and at 1435 a simultaneous lightening flash and thunder clap occurred right overhead in a snow pellet white-out which left me tingling for a few minutes. Through all this the temperature only ranged from 0C to 2C all day: it must be spring! There were only two relatively clear periods and in the first a juvenile dark morph Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk flew by at 0954 and in the second an Osprey went north at 1350. During this second clear period 3 resident adult Golden Eagles flew together to the south. As might be expected songbirds were not much in evidence but 4 Brewer’s Blackbirds flew high over the ridge towards the west at 0836 and the season’s first two Cedar Waxwings were perched west of the ridge at 1340. 12.67 hours (889.3) OSPR 1 (19), RTHA 1 (214) TOTAL 2 (4081)

May 11 [Day 76] I returned home from the Gala at 0030 and after what seemed to be 5 minutes sleep I was climbing the ridge at 0730. At 0740 heavy wet snow began which turned to rain at 0900 when I collected the equipment and went down to the Valley View site where I watched the rain fall until 1730 when I finally gave up. The peaks were obscured all day and although the ridge appeared after 1600 there was little prospect of movement. 10 hours (876.7) No migrant raptors

May 10 [Day 75] (Vance) The winds were W and occasionally SW all day gusting to 45 km/h with stratocumulus and cumulus cloud cover ranging from 50-100% and temperatures that rose to 5 from a low of -1.5C. Movement was fairly steady after 1100 and dominated by eagles with 6 Bald and 11 Golden Eagles tallied, the last of which moved at 1830. The Golden Eagle flight comprised 1 subadult, 9 juveniles and 1 unaged bird, and the resident pair was again in evidence with the male displaying but no sign of nesting. The RMERF fundraising Gala at Bragg Creek in the evening was a great success, in large part owing to the wonderful organization of our Treasurer Claire to whom we all owe a great debt of thanks. 13.5 hours (866.7) BAEA 6 (450), NOHA 1 (26), SSHA 2 (154), GOEA 11 (2951), UU 1 (6) TOTAL 21 (4079)

May 9 [Day 74] The day started with heavy wet snow falling with everything obscured, but it stopped at 0800 leaving 8.5cm fresh on the ground. I climbed to the ridge where the wind was NE-E gusting to 40 km/h and -4C which left a little to be desired in the comfort department, and light snow continued to 1310 after which there were periods of snow and flurries to 1810 with generally overcast skies. The clouds began to break by late afternoon, the wind dropped and by 1900 it was calm, sunny and the temperature had risen to 0C. Because of the conditions only three migrants were seen including a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1752 which I first saw soaring well to the south. It slowly glided northward towards me and soared high immediately to the south, then continued to glide to the north. Suddenly I was aware of the bird plummeting vertically to the ground in a hunting stoop just to the south of the site and by running to the edge of the hill I saw it perched on the ground empty-taloned where it was immediately mobbed by two resident ravens. The eagle raised its hackle feathers and looked splendidly fierce for a few seconds before flying to the west with the ravens in hot pursuit, where it soared again before gliding to the north. Meanwhile the Columbian Ground Squirrel that was the intended meal was giving its call note every couple of seconds for several minutes, either as an “all clear” signal or as a “where’s my clean underwear?” call. The most notable non-raptor sighting was 4 American Crows flying west at 1410, the first time in three field seasons that I have seen them above the ridge. 12.75 hours (853.2) BAEA 1 (444), GOEA 1 (2940), PRFA 1 (16) TOTAL 3 (4058)

May 8 [Day 73] I again watched from the Valley View site and with moderate to strong W winds on the ridge all day this time it proved to be the right decision. Cloud cover was 70-100% cumulus, stratus and, late in the day, cirrus and after some early morning cloud drape the mountains were clear all day except for the day’s only serous snow/hail event from 1810 to 1850 when everything was obscured. The temperature at the base of the ridge reached 7C from a low of 1.5C. The favourable winds and clear ridges allowed a reasonable movement of 17 raptors between 0951 and 1905, the highlight of which was an adult light morph Broad-winged Hawk at 1116 which was the 5^th of the season and equals the highest count for a RMERF spring count. The 10 Golden Eagles comprised 3 subadults and 7 juveniles, but it is doubtful if the birds would have reached Mount Lorette today as a snowfall of 20-30cm was forecast for the Kananaskis Valley. 12.67 hours (840.4) BAEA 1 (443), SSHA 2 (152), COHA 2 (31), BWHA 1 (5), GOEA 10 (2939), PRFA 1 (15) TOTAL 17 (4055)

May 7 [Day 72] After having been soaked the day before and with thunderstorms forecasted today I decide to watch from the Valley View site. In the event I could have been on the ridge as showers were brief and confined to the afternoon and the thunder comprised only a few rumbles. Both the ground and ridge winds were light all day and cloud cover was 100% cumulus/stratus apart from mid afternoon when it cleared to 80-90%. Raptor movement was very sparse and all but one of the 8 birds seen occurred between 1141 and 1212, with an additional Sharp-shinned Hawk flying north at 1509. The unsettled weather is supposed to stay until Friday, but we shall see! 11 hours (827.7) SSHA 3 (150), COHA 3 (29), NOGO 1 (124), GOEA 1 (2929) TOTAL 8 (4038)

May 6 [Day 71] Conditions were calm until noon when NE-NNE winds developed bringing snow pellet, hail and rain showers that became heavy after 1515 necessitating a hasty retreat from the ridge. The morning saw a few sunny breaks in the stratocumulus cloud cover, but after the wind shift the mountains were often shrouded in cloud and after 1515 everything was obscured. The temperature rose to 6C from an initial 3.5C but fell to 2C by 1500. No migrant raptors were seen and there was little other movement with the exception of two medium-sized shorebirds flying high to the north at 0915 tantalizingly just too far to the west to allow specific identification. 9 hours (816.7) No migrant raptors

May 5 [Day 70] Winds were again westerly all day, light in the morning and gradually increasing to 40 km/h in the late afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus all day giving rather gloomy conditions and the temperature started at 5C and rose to 11C. The calm conditions precluded early movement and the first bird, a juvenile Northern Goshawk, wasn’t seen until 1133. After that, however, movement was steady until 1500 when it slowed to a trickle until 1844 when the last 4 Golden Eagles of the day came through in a 12 minute period. The last bird of the day was a juvenile Bald Eagle at 1929. Eleven of the day’s 36 migrants moved between 1200 and 1300 which included the 4,000^th migrant of the season which was a Golden Eagle at 1218, and an11 minute period that saw the passage of 3 Turkey Vultures, an adult dark morph “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk, a juvenile Golden Eagle and an adult Peregrine Falcon. The Golden Eagle count comprised 2 subadults and 11 juveniles, and the resident pair was seen soaring together on occasion, but never near a visible nest site. On a couple of occasions the male vigorously mobbed a resident Red-tailed Hawk only to have the tables quickly reversed with the eagle beating a hasty retreat closely pursued by the hawk! The recent list of bird species apparently out of place on a mountain ridge was augmented at 1334 by our first Great Blue Heron flying high to the north just east of the ridge. The first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the year was singing at 0745, but the most spectacular bird of the day was undoubtedly a male Dusky Grouse in full display strutting with a fully fanned tail and expanded scarlet nuchal sacs set off in their coronas of snow white exposed under-feathers. 12.83 hours (807.7) TUVU 3 (6), OSPR 1 (18), BAEA 3 (442), NOHA 1 (25), SSHA 7 (147), COHA 1 (26), NOGO 3 (123), UA 1 (8), RTHA 2 (213), GOEA 13 (2928), PEFA 1 (5) TOTAL 36 (4030)

May 4 [Day 69] (Bill) Winds were westerly all day gusting to 30 km/h by mid-afternoon, and cloud cover ranged from 2%-100% altostratus and altocumulus cloud cover giving sunny skies, or hazy sunshine after 1300. The temperature rose to a very pleasant 14C from a low of 4C. Raptor migration was slow but steady for much of the day with 9 of the day’s 28 birds occurring between 1600 and1700. The highlight of the day was the 11^th Ferruginous Hawk of the season, a light morph adult. Only 3 Golden Eagles were recorded: 2 subadults and 1 juvenile. The other highlights were both species not expected to be seen on a mountain ridge at 1900 m and both were new species for the site. At 1115 2 American White Pelicans glided high from the south, soared high in front of Turtle Mountain and drifted high over to the site, and at 1632 a male Yellow-headed Blackbird flew high from the ridge towards the SW. Other passerine migrants included 9 Townsend’s Solitaires, 5 American Robins, 2 American Pipits and 21 Bohemian Waxwings. 13.67 hours (794.9) OSPR 1 (17), BAEA 4 (439), SSHA 2 (140), COHA 1 (25), NOGO 2 (120), UA 2 (7), RTHA 8 (211), FEHA 1 (11), GOEA 3 (2915), MERL 1 (18), PRFA 1 (14), UU 2 (5) TOTAL 28 (3994)

May 3 [Day 68] (Bill) West winds gusting to 20 km/h gave way to variable light winds after 1000, thin altostratus and cirrus cloud yielded to thickening cumulus cloud after 1130 and the temperature ranged from 2C to 10.5C. Probably because of the light winds raptor movement was very sporadic between 1133 and 1827 with only 13 birds counted including 5 Golden Eagles (2 subadults, 1 juvenile and 2 of indeterminate age). A calling Mourning Dove early in the morning just above the parking area was a new species for the study area, and 3 Brewer’s Blackbirds flying above the ridge to the WSW at 0903 were a first for the site. Probable migrants included 21 Townsend’s Solitaires, 18 American Robins, 10 Bohemian Waxwings , 23 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and 4 American Pipits which were the first of the season. 14 hours (781.2) BAEA 1 (435), SSHA 3 (138), COHA 1 (24), NOGO 2 (118), RTHA 1 (203), GOEA 5 (2912) TOTAL 13 (3966)

May 2 [Day 67] It was a rare calm day on the ridge with no significant wind until after 1400 when it briefly gusted from various quarters to 15 km/h. The temperature rose to 10.5C from a low of 0C, and 20-60% cumulus cloud cover for most of the day made locating birds relatively easy although unlike yesterday few were close to the ridge. Movement was very sporadic with most birds moving during periods of SW winds, with a period between 1225 and 1510 with no movement at all. Notable were the 4^th Broad-winged Hawk (adult light morph) and 13th “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk (adult dark) of the season and all 11 migratory Golden Eagles were immature, 1 subadult and 10 juveniles, the last of which came through at 1911. When I arrived at the ridge top the site was occupied by 6 Dusky Grouse and males were heard hooting throughout the day. New species for the season were Savannah Sparrow and a singing Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Tree Swallow and a winnowing Wilson’s Snipe were recorded for the first time from the ridge. At 1008 a Blue Jay and a Steller’s Jay flew together to the west. 13 hours (767.2) NOHA 2 (24), SSHA 5 (135), COHA 1 (23), NOGO 2 (116), BWHA 1 (4), RTHA 1 (202), UB 1 (4), GOEA 11 (2907) TOTAL 24 (3953)

May 1 [Day 66] Again the weather forecast was completely wrong and instead of rain it was a day of sunshine with the temperature rising to 5C from a low of -3C and a mainly WNW wind gusting to 30 km/h to ensure that the day was not too enjoyable. Cloud cover was cumulus, cirrus and cirrostratus gradually increasing from 5% early in the morning to 80% at the end of the day providing an excellent observing backdrop. Again there was no early movement and the first bird, an adult Northern Harrier, didn’t appear until 1056 and steady migration only started after noon after which it was steady until the last 2 Golden Eagles glided north at 1935. Many of the birds moved low overhead giving ample opportunity to study details of plumage. Immature Golden and Bald Eagles have dominated the flight for the last couple of weeks, but now young birds of other species are becoming more common with all 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 4 Northern Goshawks and 4 of the 17 Sharp-shinned Hawks being juveniles. All the 26 migrant Golden Eagles were immature: 6 subadults and 20 juveniles. The 3^rd Broad-winged Hawk of the season, a light morph adult, flew low overhead at 1739. For the first time this season I observed a resident Golden Eagle carrying prey (probably ground squirrels) towards the west on two occasions, probably a male going to present food to the female: maybe breeding is getting closer! On the ridge Townsend’s Solitaires were anything but solitary as I counted 19 there, many of which were singing. For the first time there was a variety of finches moving: 46 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 2 Red Crossbills, 3 White-winged Crossbills and a single Pine Siskin. 13 hours (754.2) OSPR 2 (16), BAEA 2 (434), NOHA 2 (22), SSHA 17 (130), COHA 4 (22), NOGO 4 (114), BWHA 1 (3), RTHA 4 (201), GOEA 26 (2896), MERL 1 (17), PRFA 1 (13) TOTAL 64 (3929)

April 30 [Day 65] So much for the weather forecast! I spent the day on the ridge after all, where it was sunny all day with 10-40% cumulus cloud cover. The wind initially was from the NW gusting 70 km/h and with a starting temperature of -4C it felt a little chilly. The wind progressively backed to WNW and finally W and moderated to gusts of 25-40 km/h as the pressure rose rapidly after 1500, and the temperature reached a high of 3C. As yesterday early movement was slow with the first bird, a juvenile Golden Eagle appearing at 0942 and by 1300 only 6 migrants had passed. Subsequent movement was steady peaking at 14 birds between 1500 and 1600 and the last bird, the first Swainson’s Hawk of the season (an adult light morph), moved north at 1855. This is the first time the species has been recorded in April on an RMERF count. Other notable birds were the second Broad-winged Hawk of the season (a light juvenile) and the 5^th Gyrfalcon (an adult grey morph, probable female) which flew low overhead giving a splendid view in the bright sunlight. Two of the Red-tailed Hawks were dark morph “Harlan’s Hawks” (one a juvenile), and the 21 migrant Golden Eagles comprised 5 subadults and 16 juveniles but there was no sign of the resident birds today. Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches continue to move in good numbers with 289 flying north along the ridge with the largest flock containing about 150 birds. 12.75 hours (741.2) SSHA 15 (113), NOGO 1 (110), UA 1 (5), BWHA 1 (2), SWHA 1 (1), RTHA 4 (197), UB 1 (3), GOEA 21 (2870), MERL 2 (16), GYRF 1 (5), PRFA 1 (12) TOTAL 49 (3865)

April summary (compared to 1993-2008 Mount Lorette count averages). We lost 4 complete days to inclement weather during the month and a further 4 days had the count curtailed by the weather.We spent 26 days in the field (-8.7%) but the 324.6 hours spent was almost exactly average for the month (+0.8%). The combined species total of 1212 was the 3^rd highest total ever (+44.2%) and included 17 species: the only species not recorded was American Kestrel, only the second time it has been absent from an April count. The Golden Eagle count of 646 was 5.8% above average making it the 6^th highest April count and the 121 Bald Eagles were 33.6% above average and the 3^rd highest April count. New monthly high counts were made for Osprey (14, +156.1%), Northern Harrier (19, +188%), Sharp-shinned Hawk (112, +210.5%), Northern Goshawk (49, +221%), Red-tailed Hawk (172, +519%), Ferruginous Hawk (9, +3275.0% (!) and Prairie Falcon (8, +328.6%). Turkey Vulture (3, +800%), Broad-winged Hawk (2, +275%) and Gyrfalcon (3, +400%) equaled the previous highs, and Merlin (13, +91.2%) and Peregrine Falcon (4, +172.7%) were both second highest counts. Cooper’s Hawk (17) was 66.7% above average and Swainson’s Hawk was recorded for the first time on an April count. The only species occurring in less than average numbers were Rough-legged Hawk (5, -69.8%) and American Kestrel (0, -100%).

April 29 [Day 64] I started the day on the ridge but when light rain turned to wet snow at 1005 I retreated to the Valley View site where I spent the rest of the day. Rain persisted until 1350, after which the rest of the day was dry, with the temperature at the base of the ridge reaching 9C. Ridge winds were moderate westerly all day, and mid afternoon was sunny with 60-70% mainly cumulus cloud before the clouds thickened again after 1700. A single Sharp-shinned Hawk that moved along the ridge at 0816 was the only migrant before the rain started, and movement only really began at 1410 after which there was a fairly steady stream of birds until the last Bald Eagle went north at 1924. Compared to the last few days there was little specific variety and the flight was dominated by Golden Eagles, the total of 29 comprising 1 adult, 5 subadults and 23 juveniles. Again compared to recent days the resident Golden Eagles were hardly in evidence today. The forecast for the next two days is for overcast conditions with rain or snow so I shall probably watch from the Valley View site (if at all!) until Friday. 12.67 hours (728.5) BAEA 2 (432), NOHA 1 (20), SSHA 6 (98), NOGO 1 (109), RTHA 4 (193), GOEA 29 (2849) TOTAL 43 (3816)

April 28 [Day 63] We finally made it to the ridge top to observe for the first time this season with the site snow-free but with several metres of snow packed on the lee side of the ridge. Even at 1900 m the temperature rose to 13.5C from a low of 6C, and it was mainly sunny with 30-60% cumulus cloud cover for most of the day. The wind was westerly all day gusting to around 40 km/h until 1715 after which gusts were in the vicinity of 70 km/h, and after 1615 smoke haze developed which lingered until the end of the day. Despite the wind it was good to be back up high and to appreciate again close views of migrating raptors, and there were fairly good numbers to see with 67 birds of 11 species (and 2 additional subspecies) moving: the 3^rd highest count this month. The movement started late with only 4 birds seen by 1100 and the first Golden Eagle migrant didn’t appear until 1331 but then movement was steady until the passage of the last bird at 1854. The 5 Northern Harriers (all adults: 2 males and 3 females) was the highest count this season, and one of the day’s 8 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult “Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk” which glided close along the ridge at 1654 for a first site record. A juvenile light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1405 was the 10^th record of the species this season, and all the 22 Golden Eagles were immature: 4 subadults and 18 juveniles. The closest birds of the day, however, were the three resident Golden Eagles that glided by moving low to the north over the ridge at 1848, and despite much display by the male (or males) during the day, the female still shows little sign of nesting. Passerine movement along the ridge comprised 1 Mountain Bluebird, 2 American Robins and 83 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 12.75 hours (715.8) OSPR 3 (14), BAEA 2 (430), NOHA 5 (19), SSHA 17 (92), COHA 2 (18), NOGO 1 (108), RTHA 8 (189), FEHA 1 (10), GOEA 22 (2820), MERL 3 (14), PRFA 1 (11), UU 2 (3) TOTAL 67 (3773)

April 27 [Day 62] The day started where it left off yesterday with a cloudless sky but 100% thin cirrostratus cover quickly developed that progressively thickened to altostratus by noon and the afternoon was quite gloomy after yesterday’s sun. The temperature started at 4C and rose to 15.5C and was still 13C at 1900, and ridge winds were moderate to strong westerly all day. The day’s count of 49 migrant raptors was reasonable for this stage of the season but after yesterday’s cornucopia it seemed rather plodding even though 11 species of migrant were tallied. Highlights again were the 3^rd Turkey Vulture (adult) and 4^th Peregrine Falcon (adult) of the season, and the total of 22 Golden Eagles comprised 2 adults, 6 subadults and 14 juveniles. Both resident Golden Eagles were on the aerie for about 10 minutes just before 0800 and again for 3 minutes at 1343, but spent most of the day away from the site. A female Pine Grosbeak was a season’s first at 1312: they have been very scarce this winter. I plan to start watching from the ridge top site tomorrow as the access road is now snow-free almost to the parking area. 12.33 hours (703.1) TUVU 1 (3), OSPR 2 (11), BAEA 6 (428), NOHA 1 (14), SSHA 7 (75), COHA 2 (16), NOGO 1 (107), UA 1 (4), RTHA 4 (181), GOEA 22 (2798), MERL 1 (11), PEFA 1 (4) TOTAL 49 (3706)

April 26 [Day 61] After the worst week’s weather we have ever encountered in April today was sublime with the temperature reaching 11.5C from a low of -6C under perfectly cloudless skies, with moderate WNW to W winds at ridge level. Raptor movement was book-ended by Sharp-shinned Hawks at 0928 and 2002 and between was a steady stream of birds of a season high 13 species. The combined species count of 146 birds was the highest since March 21 and the hourly counts at 1300-1400, 1400-1500 and 1500-1600 were progressively the highest yet for April at 23, 25 and 26 respectively. The counts for Osprey (4), Sharp-shinned Hawk (27), Cooper’s Hawk (5) and Red-tailed Hawk (24, including 2 “Harlan’s Hawks”) were the highest so far this season, and notable were the 2^nd Turkey Vulture (adult), 3^rd Peregrine falcon (adult) and 4^th Gyrfalcon (juvenile grey morph) of the season. The total of 73 Golden Eagles was the highest daily count since March 21 and comprised 6 adults, 11 subadults and 56 juvenile birds. Without the help of Nel, Keith and Raymond finding birds moving high in the blue-out the day’s count would have been somewhat less. The resident Golden Eagle pair was often seen soaring together with the male displaying, but there is still no sign of nesting behaviour: it’s getting late! 13.25 hours (690.7) TUVU 1 (2), OSPR 4 (9), BAEA 5 (422), NOHA 1 (13), SSHA 27 (68), COHA 5 (14), NOGO 2 (106), RTHA 24 (177), RLHA 1 (16), GOEA 73 (27776), GYRF 1 (4), PEFA 1 (3), PRFA 1 (10) TOTAL 146 (3657)

April 25 [Day 60] The ridges were clear until 0800 when snow began and everything was obscured until 1600 when it cleared for 20 minutes allowing the temperature to rise quickly to 6C and permitting the passage of the day’s only migrant, a Sharp-shinned Hawk. At 1620 the snow resumed, the temperature fell to -1C and after 1700 the snow became heavy and I abandoned the site with about 6 cm of fresh snow on the ground. 10.25 hours (677.5) SSHA 1 (41) TOTAL 1 (3511)

April 24 [Day 59] Prospects again looked poor early with steady snow and everything obscured until 1000 when the ridges quickly cleared, and the snow finally stopped at 1020. Cloud cover thereafter ranged from 100% to 70% cumulus and altostratus giving some welcome sunny periods that allowed the temperature to rise to 8C from a low of -7C. Ground winds were very light until 1530 when SW winds gusting to 20 km/h developed and the ridge winds were moderate westerly all day. Light snow flurries developed again in the late afternoon, and snow squalls to the south periodically interrupted the flow of raptors. The first migrant raptor was a Cooper’s Hawk at 1131 and movement was then steady until the last bird, the 32^nd Golden Eagle of the day, went north in a snow flurry at 1910. The total of 65 migrants is the second highest this month after April 01 (101) and the 18 birds between 1400 and 1400 is the highest hourly count so far this month. The count included the 3^rd Gyrfalcon of the season (a grey morph), the second Peregrine Falcon (an adult) and the highest daily counts so far of Osprey (3), Cooper’s Hawk (4) and Merlin (3). The Golden Eagle total was the highest since April 08 and comprised 2 adults, 5 subadults and 25 juveniles. Non-raptor migrants included 38 American Robins and 148 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, but the highlights were a Wilson’s Snipe flying north at 1420 (the first shorebird ever for this count), and a male Belted Kingfisher also flying north at 1534. 12.25 hours (667.2) OSPR 3 (5), BAEA 7 (417), SSHA 9 (40), COHA 4 (9), NOGO 2 (104), RTHA 3 (153), GOEA 32 (2703), MERL 3 (10), GYRF 1 (3), PEFA 1 (2) TOTAL 65 (3510)

April 23 No observation. All ridges were clear until 0740 when the snow began and by 0800 everything was obscured and stayed that way for the rest of the day.

April 22 [Day 58] The forecast called for yet more snow but the day was precipitation-free with the temperature rising to 4.5C from a low of -5C with moderate to strong westerly winds for most of the day. The cloud cover ranged from 95% early and late in the day down to 50% at 1600 giving some welcome sunshine, and the ridges were clear until 1800 after which cloud progressively enveloped the mountains. Raptor movement started at 1056 and peaked at 10 birds between 1600 and 1700 with the last Red-tailed Hawk seen at 1835. All 11 migrant Golden Eagles were juveniles, and the resident pair was again loosely associated with a third adult: at one time both (presumed) males displayed simultaneously. The Northern Goshawk at 1657 was the 100^th migrant of the season, and 1 of the 6 migrant Red-tailed Hawks was a Harlan’s. One unidentified swallow flew to the north at 1748, probably regretting that it had migrated at all. 10.25 hours (655) BAEA 4 (410), NOHA 1 (12), SSHA 5 (31), NOGO 5 (102), UA 1 (3), RTHA 6 (150), GOEA 11 (2671) TOTAL 33 (3445)

April 21 No observation. Snow showers and flurries all day. The Livingstone Ridge cleared for a couple of hours in the afternoon, but the mountains to the south remained obscured.

April 20 No observation. Snow all day with all ridges obscured.

April 19 No observation. Snow all day with all ridges obscured. The forecast is for these conditions to persist until at least Tuesday.

April 18 [Day 57] There were periods of wet snow and flurries for most of the day with only the period 1100 to 1300 being more or less snow free. Winds were light and variable but generally SE to SW in the valley and W-SW on the ridges. At least it was relatively warm with the temperature briefly reaching 7.5C at noon from a low of -0.5C at 0700 and then steadily falling to -0.5C again at 1800. The western ridges were at least partially occluded for most of the day, but the Livingstone Range was mainly clear for about 50% of the day. Raptor movement was mainly confined to the period 1100-1300 above the Livingstone Ridge, thereafter becoming sporadic and mainly above the valley as cloud increased on the ridges. The movement was dominated by Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed Hawks, the last of which flew north at 1746 after which heavy snow to the south prevented further movement. The resident male Golden Eagle occasionally displayed in various parts of its home range, but the most spectacular display was seen at1520 over the southern end of Bluff Mountain where two pairs of resident Red-tailed Hawks were soaring high. Two of the birds suddenly grasped talons and free-fell rotating at such a velocity that the birds were flung horizontally in opposite directions by the centrifugal force after about 4 seconds of fall. At 0913 a male Northern Goshawk flew low to the south in the snow carrying nesting material. The clear periods also saw some northward passerine movement including 94 American Robins and 180 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 11.58 hours (644.7) BAEA 1 (406), NOHA 1 (11), SSHA 7 (26), NOGO 1 (97), UA 1(2), RTHA 6 (144), GOEA 3 (2660), PRFA 1 (9) TOTAL 21 (3412)

April 17 [Day 56] A conspicuous Chinook Arch to the east gave way after 1100 to mainly cumulus cloud cover ranging from 20 to 70% giving mainly good observing conditions. Ridge winds were strong NW to W only moderating after 1900, and the temperature ranged from 3C to a high of 10C for much of the afternoon. The first migrant raptor of the day was a subadult Golden Eagle at 0920 but movement was generally slow until the afternoon with birds after 1700 moving very high above the Livingstone Range. The last bird was an adult Bald Eagle at 2007, the latest migrant recorded so far this season. The first Osprey of the season moved north at 1043, one day earlier than the 15-year average first occurrence at Mount Lorette, and was followed by a second at 1117. Sharp-shinned Hawks moved throughout the day for the first time, and only 1 of the 14 migrant Golden Eagles was an adult, the rest comprising 5 subadults and 8 juveniles. At 1436 the male resident Red-tailed Hawk (a light morph paired with a rufous morph female) was seen carrying nesting material for the first time, but the Golden Eagle pair was not seen to approach any of their nest sites today. 13.25 hours (633.2) OSPR 2 (2), BAEA 5 (405), NOHA 1 (10), SSHA 10 (19), COHA 1 (5), NOGO 3 (96), RTHA 3 (138), UB 1 (2), GOEA 14 (2657), UU 1 (1)

April 16 [Day 55] At -8C it was the coldest start since April 2 but it warmed up to 7.5C and it was mainly a pleasant day. Ground winds were very variable but the wind at ridge level was WNW moderate to strong all day, and cloud cover ranged from 5% cumulus early in the morning up to 100% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus at noon. The first bird, a subadult Golden Eagle, did not appear until 1000 but subsequent movement was fairly steady until 1952 when an adult male columbarius Merlin flew north. The day’s only Bald Eagle at 1631 was the 400^th of the season, and an adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1347 was the 9^th so far. The 26 Golden Eagles is the highest count in a week and comprised 2 adults, 7 subadults, 16 juveniles and 1 unaged bird. The resident Golden Eagle pair was again conspicuous for much of the day, often in the company of a tolerated third adult bird. At 1325 both the male and female visited the Bluff Mountain nest each for about 6 seconds 10 seconds apart: the first observed visit since April 5. At 1944 the residents were soaring high with the third adult to the SSE when the pair locked talons and fell while continuously rotating, disappearing behind a ridge. This is the first time I have observed this unusual courtship display in this species. Obvious passerine movement was confined to 220 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches moving north in 3 flocks. 13.17 hours (619.9) BAEA 1 (400), COHA 2 (4), NOGO 1 (92), RTHA 5 (135), FEHA 1 (9), GOEA 26 (2643), MERL 1 (7) TOTAL 37 (3349)

April 15 [Day 54] The day started with a light snow flurry, then the clouds cleared to 30% cumulus with sunshine. As yesterday, it didn’t last with snow flurries and showers persisting to 1710 when heavy snow developed depositing 2 cm by 1805, after which it cleared again. The temperature started at 0C, rose to 6.5C at 1500 and was -1C at 1900, and the upper winds were moderate WNW all day, although the ground winds varied considerably as squalls developed. A rapid rise in barometric pressure at the end of the day gives hope of better things tomorrow. There was raptor movement involving 7 species in the clear periods, with the first bird at 0828 an unidentified large falcon presenting a perfect silhouette against the eastern light and the last migrant, an adult Bald Eagle, moving between flurries at 1534. No birds moved after 1805 when things finally cleared up. The only passerine migrants were 204 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches in 5 flocks, and a female Purple Finch at the site was the first for the year. 12.25 hours (606.7) BAEA 1 (399), NOHA 1 (9), NOGO 3 (91), RTHA 4 (130), RLHA 1 (15), GOEA 3 (2617), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 14 (3312)

Mount Lorette (George) The temperature ranged from -5C to 5C with flurries in the morning developing into snow in the afternoon. 12 hours (495.6) No migrant raptors (1285). This was the last day of the Mount Lorette count for the season.

April 14 [Day 53] A brief shower ending at 0740 was the first rain of the season and gave way to a beautiful sunny spring morning that lasted until 0840 when rain started that, with a few sleet interludes, lasted until 1630. The temperature reached 9C from a low of 6C and ridge winds were moderate westerly all day. With the exception of early morning and late afternoon cloud cover was 100% stratus and the higher mountains of the Livingstone Range were periodically obscured in the afternoon. The first bird, a juvenile Bald Eagle, moved north at 0748 quickly followed by a Golden Eagle and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Before the rain became steady a further Golden Eagle and the 8^th Ferruginous Hawk of the season flew north and a third Golden Eagle and a goshawk moved in brief breaks in the rain. After the rain stopped an adult female Northern Harrier and a 4^th Golden Eagle completed the day’s count. There was a concerted songbird movement before the rain started including 26 American Robins, 21 European Starlings and 370 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches. 12.17 hours (594.5) BAEA 1 (398), NOHA 1 (8), SSHA 1 (9), NOGO 1 (88), FEHA 1 (8), GOEA 4 (2614) TOTAL 9 (3298)

Mount Lorette (Ron) There was 8 cm of fresh snow at the site, and snow continued to fall until 1230. Winds were light, and the mountains were cloud covered all day. 4.67 hours No migrant raptors.

April 13 [Day 52] At 0700 the temperature was 9.5C and rose to a high 19C at 1600 and was still 15C at 2000. Ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day, and for the first time ground gusts of 40 km/h did not cause wind-chill discomfort. An altostratus Chinook Arch hung over the Livingstone Range until 1530 when a mixture of cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus cloud developed, but much of the day was sunny. The day’s first raptor was a Northern Goshawk at 0952 and again subsequent movement was slow but steady until the passage of the last Golden Eagle at 1908. The Bald Eagle count of 13 was the highest this month and the total of 13 Golden Eagles comprised 2 adults, 3 subadults and 8 juveniles. The highlight of the day, however, was the season’s first Broad-winged Hawk, an adult light morph, at 1655 equaling the earliest occurrence of the species in 1996 at Mount Lorette. A male Red-naped Sapsucker was the first for the season, and non-raptor migrants included 2 Tree Swallows, 9 European Starlings, 1 Bohemian Waxwing and 121 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 13 hours (582.3) BAEA 13 (397), NOHA 1 (7), SSHA 2 (8), NOGO 3 (87), UA 1 (1), BWHA 1 (1), RTHA 4 (126), GOEA 13 (2610) TOTAL 38 (3289)

Mount Lorette (Bill) Similar weather conditions prevailed at Lorette with the temperature reaching 16.5C from a low of 5C, ground winds were WSW gusting 40 km/h with medium to strong westerlies aloft and 80% altostratus cloud in the morning diminished to give cloudless skies from 1100 to 1400 after which a mixture of cumulus and cirrus developed. Unfortunately, there was no similarity in raptor movement with the only migrants being a juvenile Bald Eagle at 1245 and a subadult Golden Eagle at 1548. 14 hours (478.9) BAEA 1 (83) GOEA 1 (1176) TOTAL 2 (1285)

April 12 [Day 51] It was the warmest day so far this season with the temperature rising to 16C from a low of -1C, with cloudless skies until 1730 when up to 20% cirrus cloud developed. Winds were W all day, light in the morning and moderate after noon. The light winds meant that the first migrant raptor, an adult female Northern Harrier, did not appear until 1055 and movement was then slow but steady for the rest of the day with the last migrant, a juvenile Golden Eagle, moving at 1925. Of the 16 Golden Eagles, 3 were adults, 5 subadults and 8 juveniles. An unaged light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1237 was the 7^th of the season. A Tree Swallow was the 2^nd of the year and the first butterflies were seen on the wing: 2 Satyr Commas and a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell. At the end of the day I checked the access road to the ridge but could only get halfway up it because of patches of thick snow so we shall continue to watch from the Valley View site for a few more days. 13.08 hours (569.3) BAEA 3 (384), NOHA 1 (6), SSHA 1 (6), NOGO 2 (84), RTHA 7 (122), FEHA 1 (7), GOEA 16 (2597) TOTAL 31 (3251)

Mount Lorette (Joel) There were similar weather conditions with the temperature ranging from -4C to 15C, generally 10-20% cirrostratus cloud cover and ridge winds moderate NW to WNW. The raptor count comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3 adults and 1 subadult) and 4 Golden Eagles (2 subadults and 2 juveniles) 13 hours (464.9) BAEA 4 (82), GOEA 4 (1175) TOTAL 8 (1283)

April 11 [Day 50] (Raymond and Denise) The temperature ranged from 0C to 9C, and most of the day was sunny with a 10-50% altostratus, cumulus and cirrus cloud cover, with ridge winds moderate W to SW. Movement was slow and sporadic between the first Golden Eagle at 1012 and the last at 1816, and the migratory Golden Eagle total of 8 was the lowest for a non weather affected day since March 1. Only 4 species of migrant were seen including 2 female or juvenile Northern Harriers. The resident Pair of Golden Eagles were seen copulating high on the Livingstone Range at 1816, but no approach to a nest site was observed. 13.17 hours (556.2) BAEA 7 (381), NOHA 2 (5), RTHA 7 (115), GOEA 8 (2581) TOTAL 24 (3220)

Mount Lorette (Ron) The temperature ranged from 5C to 12C, winds were moderate NW all day, and variable cumulus cloud cover gave good observing conditions. The only migrant raptors seen were 2 juvenile Golden Eagles at 1427 and an unidentified large Accipiter at 1540. 10.67 hours (451.9) UA 1 (3), GOEA 2 (1171) TOTAL 3 (1275)

April 10 [Day 49] The temperature rose to 6C from a low of -2C, but high humidity and ground winds gusting to 40 km/h made it feel much cooler. Ridge winds were W-WNW moderate to strong all day, and cloud cover generally ranged from 30-70% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus except for brief snow flurries after 1645 when the eastern peaks were periodically obscured for up to 20 minutes. Raptor movement started at 0953 with a Golden Eagle and was slow but steady up to the last bird, the second Cooper’s Hawk of the season, moving north in a flurry at 1944. There were only six migrant species today including only the 3^rd Northern Harrier (an adult female) so far, and 2 of the 9 Red-tailed Hawks were adult dark-morph Harlan’s. Of the 24 Golden Eagles 5 were adults, 10 subadults and 9 juveniles. Keith managed to get up on the ridge for about 3 hours and added 3 of the Golden Eagles that were hidden from us at the time by a snow squall. The resident pair was again seen widely, occasionally in the company of a third non-migrant adult bird, but no nest visit was observed. A male “Pink-sided” Junco (J.h.mearnsi) was the first seen this year and the fourth Dark-eyed Junco subspecies recorded in the last three days. 13.25 hours (543.1) BAEA 2 (374), NOHA 1 (3), COHA 1 (2), NOGO 2 (82), RTHA 9 (108), GOEA 24 (2573) TOTAL 39 (3196)

Mount Lorette No observation owing to a lack of observers.

April 9 [Day 48] It was again a pleasant day with good viewing conditions with the temperature ranging from -5C to 7.5C, moderate W winds aloft all day and 100% thin altostratus cloud giving way after 1200 to a mix of 60-100% cumulus and cirrus. Raptor movement started at 0836 when the first two of the day’s 27 Golden Eagles went north, peaked at 12 birds between 1400 and 1500 and dwindled after 1600 with the last of the day’s 10 Bald Eagles seen at 1940. The flight comprised 8 species and included the first ever Turkey Vulture seen at the site at 1110, the earliest ever seen on an RMERF count by 4 days, the first Peregrine Falcon of the season at 1320 and 2 dark morph adult Ferruginous Hawks at 1203 and 1312 which provided stunning views as they soared against white cumulus clouds in strong sunshine. The 15 Red-tailed Hawks included the season’s first juvenile calurus and an adult dark morph Harlan’s Hawk, and the 27 Golden Eagles included only 4 adult birds, with 14 subadults and 9 juveniles comprising the rest of the total. At 1307 a resident Prairie Falcon sliced into a dense flock of about 60 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and probably reduced them to a flock of around 59 birds! The resident Golden Eagles were again prominent throughout their range all day but didn’t appear to visit any nest site. Passerine movement included 12 American Crows, 9 American Robins and 325 (or 324!) Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 13.17 hours (529.8) TUVU 1 (1), BAEA 10 (372), NOGO 1 (80), RTHA 15 (99), FEHA 2 (6), RLHA 1 (14), GOEA 27 (2549), UE 1 (9), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 59 (3157)

Mount Lorette (Ron) The weather was very similar with a temperature range of -4C to 6.5%, light W-SW winds and 100% altostratus in the morning giving way to 50-70% cumulus and thin cirrus in the afternoon providing excellent viewing conditions. Despite this, raptor movement was confined only to a 46 minute period between 1159 and 1245, which included the first Cooper’s Hawk of the season and a single juvenile Golden Eagle. It is possible that low cloud south of the site may have prevented movement for the rest of the day. 11.83 hours (441.3) BAEA 2 (78), COHA 1 (1), RTHA 1 (3), UB 1 (1), GOEA 1 (1169) TOTAL 6 (1272)

April 8 [Day 47] A pleasant day with ground winds mainly SW not exceeding 15 km/h and ridge winds NW-W moderate all day. The temperature reached 6C from a low of -3C and until 1030 it was almost cloudless and then ranged from 5-40% cumulus until 2000 when a 70% cirrus cloud cover developed. I saw the first Golden Eagle at 0724 but the second did not appear until 0920 but subsequent movement was steady with maximum passage of 14 birds from 1800 to 1900, and the last bird of the day, a Red-tailed Hawk, went north at 1929. The total of 7 Red-tailed Hawks brings the season’s total to 84, two more than the previous spring high RMERF count at Mount Lorette in 1999. The fourth Ferruginous Hawk of the season, another adult light morph, went north at 1632, and 28 of the 42 Golden Eagles were immature birds: 14 adults, 16 subadults and 12 juveniles. If this relatively warm weather persists we may finally be able to get up on the ridge within a few days. 13.08 hours (516.7) BAEA 10 (362), SSHA 1 (5), NOGO 3 (79), RTHA 7 (84), FEHA 4 (4), GOEA 42 (2522) TOTAL 64 (3098)

Mount Lorette (George) Weather conditions were not conducive to migration and a single adult Golden Eagle moving slowly northwards was the only possible migrant of the day. 12.75 hours (429.4) GOEA 1 (1168) TOTAL 1 (1266)

April 7 [Day 46] Winds at ridge level were W moderate becoming moderate to strong after 1300, the temperature rose to 7C from a low of -0.5C and for most of the day cloud cover was 20-60% cumulus and cirrus giving mainly sunny conditions. At 1750 the winds shifted to NE bringing snow to 1835, with most of the ridges obscured, but it subsequently cleared allowing further raptor movement. The first Golden Eagle went north at 0839 and movement was fairly steady all day with the last Golden Eagle moving at 1951, the latest migrant so far this season. The 35 Golden Eagles comprised 17 adults, 5 subadults and 13 juveniles, and the 2 Rough-legged Hawks were the first since March 21. The resident Golden Eagle pair were seen displaying throughout their home range but were never seen to approach any of the nest sites. 12.92 hours (503.6) BAEA 5 (352), NOGO 4 (76), RTHA 7 (77), RLHA 2 (13), GOEA 35 (2480) PRFA 1 (8) TOTAL 54 (3034)

Mount Lorette No observation owing to a lack of observers.

April 6 [Day 45] The forecasted 70 km/h winds did not materialise and winds on the ridges were moderate WNW for most of the day. The temperature ranged from -1C to 6C and much of the day saw 100% overcast skies with altostratus and cumulus cloud. Raptor movement was slow but steady between 0858 and 1421 but subsequently only 2 more birds moved north with the last, a Red-tailed Hawk, at 1750. For the first time this season immature Golden Eagles (7 subadults and 2 juveniles) outnumbered adult (4) birds suggesting that the adult movement is now substantially complete. If this is the case it appears that we are once again heading for a low Golden Eagle count. A singing Cassin’s Finch at 1015 was the first for the season, and apart from 120 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches there was little passerine movement. 12 hours (490.7) BAEA 6 (347), NOGO 3 (72), RTHA 2 (70), GOEA 13 (2445) TOTAL 24 (2980)

Mount Lorette (Bill) The weather was similar with a temperature range of -2C to 6C, light to moderate W-SW winds and 100% altostratus and cumulus cloud cover for much of the day. The first bird was seen at 0723, maximum passage was early with 8 birds passing between 0800 and 0900, and the last bird went north at 2008, the latest seen at either site this season. The Golden Eagle count (21 adults, 4 subadults and 3 juveniles) was the first real movement at the site since March 1^st, and an adult Peregrine Falcon was the third record of the species this season. 14hours (416.7) BAEA 2 (76), GOEA 29 (1167), PEFA 1 (3) TOTAL 32 (1265)

April 5 [Day 44] Another pleasant day with a temperature high of 7C from a low of -3C, steady moderate NW to WNW winds all day, and 30-70% cumulus cloud allowing plenty of sunshine that has finally melted last weekend’s snowfall. The first raptor migrant was a Golden Eagle at 0914, and subsequent movement was slow but steady with no hour exceeding 9 birds and the last Golden Eagle was recorded at 1829. The 32 Golden Eagles comprised 19 adults, 7 subadults and 6 juvenile birds, and all the migrant Red-tailed Hawks were light morph adult calurus. In addition to the resident Golden Eagle pair, the female of which only visited the nest site for about 10 seconds today, there are also resident pairs of Northern Goshawk, Red-tailed Hawk (1 light and 1 rufous) and Prairie Falcon in the area. About 205 Grey-crowned Rosy-finches flew to the north, and a single flock of 30 swans flew high to the east over the Livingstone Range. A male hyemalis junco was the first seen this season. 12.25 hours (478.7) BAEA 4 (341), RTHA 10 (68), GOEA 32 (2432), PRFA 1 (7) TOTAL 49 (2956)

Mount Lorette (Ron) Morning snow in the Calgary area made it challenging to get to the site where 4 cm of fresh snow was on the ground. The temperature ranged from 4C to 6C, ridge winds were light to moderate W and cloud cover was mainly cumulus that towered in the late afternoon. Only 3 migrant raptors were recorded including the first Sharp-shinned Hawk of the season. 10.25 hours (402.7) SSHA 1 (1), GOEA 2 (1138) TOTAL 3 (1233)

April 4 [Day 43] At last, a spring-like day, with the temperature reaching 9C from a low of 0C, light to moderate WNW winds on the ridge and 100% thin altostratus cloud cover all day allowing hazy sunshine. Raptor movement was slow, starting at 1032 and peaking at 11 birds between 1200 and 1300 and tailing off thereafter with the last bird, the second Northern Harrier of the season, seen at 1838. The Golden Eagle count of 16 was the lowest for a non weather affected day since March 3. One of the 7 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult dark morph Harlan’s. The resident pair of Golden Eagles was in evidence all day with much vigorous displaying observed, but neither was seen to visit either of the nests. The day produced a season-high total of 31 bird species including 6 species of corvid: Grey, Steller’s and Blue Jays, Clark’s Nutcracker, Black-billed Magpie and Common Raven, and I saw the 7^th Alberta corvid species, American Crow, just after leaving the site. 12 hours (466.2) BAEA 8 (337), NOHA 1 (2), SSHA 1 (4), NOGO 1 (67), RTHA 7 (58), GOEA 16 (2400), MERL 1 (6) TOTAL 35 (2907)

Mount Lorette (Des and Joan) The temperature rose to 8C from a low of 0C, cloud cover of cirrus and cumulus gave way in late morning to 100% stratus, and winds were light to moderate W until 1700 when a cold front from the north backed the wind to NW, obscuring the peaks with the arrival of snow. Two pairs of Golden Eagles moved at 1427 and 1635, in each case one was adult and the second bird disappeared into the cloud base before an age assessment could be made. The second pair was closely followed by 2 Peregrine Falcons, the first to be seen at either site this spring. 11.67 hours (392.4) GOEA 4 (1136), PEFA 2 (2) UU 1 (2) TOTAL 7 (1230)

April 3 [Day 42] Winds were again moderate to strong WNW on the ridges all day and SW to variable in the valley. At least it was a bit warmer today with a high of 8C and a low of -2C, and there was plenty of cloud with 70-100% mainly altostratus and cumulus cover but generally thin enough to allow hazy sunshine. Raptor migration made up for relatively low numbers with the highest specific variety so far, with 8 species migrating between 0745 and 1930. Only one hour, 1500-1600 reached double figures with 12 birds moving. An adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1423 was the third for the season and sets a new high for RMERF spring counts, the 2 Merlins comprised adult males of both the races columbarius and richardsonii, and the 31 Golden Eagles comprised 20 adults, 7 subadults and 4 juveniles. The resident female Golden Eagle landed on the Bluff Mountain nest at 1021, followed 3 minutes later by the male, and the both remained there until 1049, the female moving material within the nest while the male perched on the rim occasionally preening. They were also seen together on the nest at 1809 but left shortly afterwards. With the exception of 5 American Robins at 1936 there was no northward non-raptor migration, but a total of 22 Canada Geese, 4 unidentified gulls and, at 1243, a flock of 9 Common Loons migrated high across the Livingstone Range towards the ESE. A male Mountain Bluebird was only the second for the season. 12.5 hours (454.2) BAEA 8 (329), SSHA 1 (3), NOGO 2 (66), RTHA 9 (51), FEHA 1 (3), GOEA 31 (2384), UE 1 (8), MERL 2 (5), PRFA 1 (6) TOTAL 56 (2872)

Mount Lorette (Brian) The temperature reached a high of 6C from a low of -2C, ridge winds were NW light to moderate all day and altostratus/cirrostratus cloud cover ranged from 50-100% giving good observation conditions. Unfortunately only 6 Golden Eagles (5 adults, 1 subadult) were counted between 1230 and 1936, but the resident male was seen throughout the day displaying, the earliest over the northern end of the Fisher Range at 0725. 12.83 hours (380.8) GOEA 6 (1132) TOTAL 6 (1223)

April 2 [Day 41] The weather remains cool with the temperature rising to 3C from a low of -12C, but to compensate it was sunny all day with 5-10% cumulus to 1300 and cloudless thereafter. Winds were initially light but became strong W-SW after 1400 only abating after 1900. Raptors were very hard to detect in the blue-out conditions but fortunately I had the help of half a dozen observers without whom the count would certainly have been lower. The first Golden Eagle did not appear until 1015 and movement was slow but steady until the last Golden Eagle went north at 1918. The 15 Red-tailed Hawks were all adult calurus with 11 light and 4 dark morphs, and the total was the highest so far this season. The Ferruginous Hawk, an adult light morph, was only the second of the season, and 16 of the 38 Golden Eagles were immature birds (8 subadults and 8 juveniles), the highest percentage so far. The resident pair was conspicuous all day with the male and occasionally both birds displaying at various sites, and copulation was observed at 1148 on a snag atop the ridge of Bluff Mountain. The female has obviously not yet decided where she wants to lay her eggs! The 25 bird species seen today was the highest so far this season with the highlight being the first Tree Swallow of the year at 1405. 12.5 hours (441.7) BAEA 6 (321), SSHA 1 (2), RTHA 15 (42), FEHA 1 (2), UB 1 (1), GOEA 38 (2353) TOTAL 62 (2816)

Mount Lorette (Joel and Des) The weather was almost identical to that at Piitaistakis including a high of 3C, blue skies all day and strong W winds combing the snow of the ridges in the afternoon. The day produced only 3 migrants: 1 Bald and 2 Golden Eagles. 12.25 hours BAEA 1 (74), GOEA 2 (1126) TOTAL 3 (1217)

April 1 [Day 40] The starting temperature was -10C and it briefly rose to 2C at noon before falling back to 0C for most of the afternoon. Winds were light to moderate WNW in the morning increasing after 1100 and becoming strong westerly after 1300 producing spectacular vertical plumes of snow rising some 500m above the peaks. There was early movement with the first Golden Eagle seen at 0726 and 11 passing before 0800, and it remained steady until 1300 after which no hour produced more than 8 birds although the last Golden Eagle went north at1919. We are now seeing a higher percentage of immature Golden Eagles and of the day’s total of 91, 6 were subadults and 6 juveniles. There was little non-raptor movement but the season’s first Northern Shrike sang briefly at 1018 before flying north, and at 1513 a flock of 6 Trumpeter Swans flew high to the east over the Livingstone Range. 12.5 hours (429.2) BAEA 4 (315), NOGO 3 (64), RTHA 2 (27), GOEA 91 (2315), PRFA 1 (5) TOTAL 101 (2754)

Mount Lorette (Brian) Winds were steady SW-W moderate to strong all day, the temperature rose to 2C from a low of -17C and cloud cover was only 5-20% cumulus making detection of high-flying birds difficult. Migration occurred between 0945 and 1930, but almost half the day’s total of 30 moved between 1100 and 1300. 12.58 hours (355.7) BAEA 3 (73), RTHA 1 (2), GOEA 26 (1124) TOTAL 30 (1214)

March 31 [Day 39] It was -16C under a cloudless sky at 0800, but cloud quickly developed after 0900 progressively thickening to 100% stratocumulus after 1700. Winds were light to moderate all day the ridge winds backing from NW initially to W by mid afternoon. The temperature climbed to 1C and occasional brief snow flurries in the afternoon gave way to heavy snow after 1850. The calm cool conditions meant that the first 4 Golden Eagles were not seen until 1136, and movement remained relatively slow until 1500-1600 when 61 birds (16 Bald Eagles, 2 Northern Goshawks and 43 Golden Eagles) moved, the highest hourly count so far this season. The pace subsequently dwindled with the last bird going through at 1829 just ahead of the snow. The 24 Bald Eagles and 8 Red-tailed Hawks are both season-high daily counts, and the total of 105 Golden Eagles included 3 subadult and 7 juvenile birds. Passerine migrants included 6 American Crows, 51 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 54 Common Redpolls, and a Barred Owl sang briefly at 1310 for the first time this season. 11.5 hours (416.7) BAEA 24 (311), NOGO 3 (61), RTHA 8 (25), GOEA 105 (2224) TOTAL 140 (2653)
March summary (compared to 1993-2008 Mount Lorette count averages). We spent 29 days (319.5 hours) in the field (+0.23% and +3.74% respectively) losing two full days to inclement weather. The combined species total of 2560 was 4.9% below average. The 262 Bald Eagles were the highest count ever (+127.3%), as was the 58 Northern Goshawks (+394%), 25 Red-tailed Hawks (+436%) and 7 Rough-legged Hawks (+218%). Ferruginous Hawk and American Kestrel were recorded for the first time in March. The Golden Eagle count of 2189 birds was 14.14% below average despite the fact that we had 12 days with counts above 100 birds (but none above 200 for the first time ever in March).

Mount Lorette (Ron) The temperature ranged from -16C to -3C with generally light S to W winds all day. Initially clear skies quickly gave way to increasing, thickening and lowering clouds and after 1400 the ridges were mostly obscured. Snow fell from 1400 to 1530 and then after 1700 becoming heavy after 1800. A single Golden Eagle moved at 1212, then 7 more and the first Red-tailed Hawk of the season between 1540 and 1620. 10.33 hours (343.1) RTHA 1 (1), GOEA 8 (1094) TOTAL (1180)
March summary This was the 16^th consecutive complete March count at the site and the 4^th consecutive year of full 31-day counts. The number of days and hours (343.1) are 7.2 and 11.4 above average respectively. Despite this the combined-species total of 1180 is 56.19% below average and 713 below the previous lowest count in 2007. Both Bald Eagle (70, previous low 79 in 1998) and Golden Eagle (1094, previous low 1782 in 2007) were also lowest-ever counts, 39.3% and 57.1% below average respectively. Most other species counts were low including 3 Northern Goshawks (-74.4%), 1 Red-tailed Hawk (-78.6%), 2 Rough-legged Hawks (-9.09%) and 2 Merlins (-14.3%).

March 30 [Day 38] It was an encouraging start to the day despite calm conditions and -15C as all the ridges were clear and there was only 70% high cloud cover. It didn’t last and at 0945 snow began again and the ridges quickly disappeared. There was some partial clearing of the ridges between 1300 and 1510 with the temperature rising to -1.5C, but everything closed in again with moderate snow falling at 1510 when I left, with 3 cm of snow additional to the 13 cm fresh on the ground in the morning. The partial clearing in the early afternoon allowed one migrant Golden Eagle to move north along Bluff Mountain after briefly soaring with the 2 displaying resident birds at 1305. 7.5 hours (405.2) GOEA 1 (2119) TOTAL 1 (2513)

Mount Lorette (Bill) The temperature ranged from -10C to -3C with mainly light winds all day. It snowed to 1100 and again after 1705, but in between raptors moved from 1126 to 1702, most of the birds being detected north of the site gliding to the NW. 12.17 hours (332.8) BAEA 3 (70), GOEA 15 (1086) TOTAL 18 (1171)

March 29 No observation. Heavy wet snow until late afternoon with the ridges obscured all day.

Mount Lorette (Joel) There was steady snow until 1700 when the ridges partially cleared. The temperature rose to -4C from a low of -8C. Joel’s persistence was rewarded by a single juvenile Bald Eagle flying low to the north at 1656, the only raptor seen all day. 11.25 hours (320.6) BAEA 1 (67) TOTAL 1 (1153)

March 28 [Day 36] (Raymond and Dawn) It was a remarkably calm day with winds generally 0-5 km/h in the valley and light at ridge level. The temperature ranged from -8C to a high of just 1.5C, despite sunny skies with variable cumulus cloud cover until after 1600 after which thickening altostratus cloud developed. The first Golden Eagle didn’t move until 1052, and subsequent migration was slow, peaking between 1400 and 1500 with the passage of 9 birds. The last migrant Golden Eagle was at 1641 after which movement stopped completely probably foreshadowing the snow that is forecasted for the next two days. Six of the 24 Golden Eagles and 3 of the 7 Bald Eagles were immature. 12.33 hours (397.7) BAEA 7 (287), NOGO 1 (58), GOEA 24 (2118) TOTAL 32 (2512)

Mount Lorette (Peter R) An initial clear sky gave way to up to 60% cumulus in the afternoon, the temperature ranged from a cool -18C to a high of 7C, and winds were mainly west 0-15 km/h occasionally reaching 20 km/h. Conditions appeared ideal for migration and for observation but only 3 Bald Eagles and 4 Golden Eagles (all adults) moved between 0850 and 1715. An otherwise slow day was enlivened by flocks of several hundred Bohemian Waxwings fly-catching over the river. 10 hours (309.3) BAEA 3 (66), GOEA 4 (1071) TOTAL 7 (1152)

March 27 [Day 36] Winds aloft were moderate to strong NW to W all day, and in the valley they gusted to 40 km/h in the afternoon making observation uncomfortable as the temperature briefly rose to a high of 4C from a low of -4C. Cloud cover was 70-100% cumulus and altostratus all day. Raptor movement started earlier than on the last few days with the first Golden Eagle appearing at 0816 and when 17 Golden Eagles moved between 1000 and 1100 I had visions of a big day. Subsequent movement, however, remained steady with a highest hourly count of 18 between 1600 and 1700, and the final combined species total of 101 was the first three-figure count since March 22. Non raptor migrants comprised 6 Canada Geese, 30 Bohemian waxwings and 95 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 12.17 hours (385.3) BAEA 3 (280), NOGO 3 (57), RTHA 3 (17), GOEA 90 (2094), MERL 1 (3), PRFA (4) TOTAL 101 (2480)

Mount Lorette (Brian) Conditions appeared ideal for migration with light to moderate W winds, 40-100% altostratus, cumulus and cirrostratus cloud and a temperature range of -4C to 2C, and the first Golden Eagle moved north at 0721, just one minute after the start of observation. When the last Golden Eagle went north at 1830, however it was only the 13^th of the day, 6 of which moved together at 1430! 12.42 hours (299.3) GOEA 13 (1067), UE 1 (3) TOTAL 14 (1145)

March 26 [Day 35] It was the most pleasant day in a while and actually felt spring like on occasion. The temperature briefly rose to 5C from a low of -10C, and W-SW winds were generally light to moderate both in the valley and aloft. The sky to 1030 and after 1700 had 100% altostratus cloud cover, but between we had 10-60% cumulus giving plenty of sunshine. The relatively calm conditions again precluded early movement and the first Golden Eagles did not appear until 1050 and subsequent movement often involved prolonged periods of soaring flight making migrants on occasion difficult to distinguish from resident birds. Movement was again fairly slow and steady with peak movement of 16 birds from 1400 to 1500, and the last Golden Eagles went north at 1911. The first Sharp-shinned Hawk of the season sped to the north at 1439, and 4 adult Red-tailed Hawks (1 dark harlani, 3 light calurus) was the highest count so far. The Golden Eagle at 1872 was the 2000^th of the season, and the total of 62 birds included 4 subadults and 3 juveniles, the highest percentage of immature birds so far. The season’s total of 277 Bald Eagles now exceeds by one the highest ever complete spring count at Mount Lorette achieved in 2001. Passerine movement was confined to a single flock of around 250 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and a Townsend’s Solitaire sang for the first time this year. 12.25 hours (373.2) BAEA 7 (277) SSHA 1 (1), RTHA 4 (14), GOEA 62 (2004), UE 1 (7) TOTAL 75 (2379)

Mount Lorette (Ron) There was light wind all day with altocumulus cloud cover and temperatures that ranged from -14C to 3C. The cloud cover gave an excellent backdrop to migrating birds that were, in the main, conspicuously absent, with only 10 migrants seen between 1351 and 1630. 12 hours (286.9) BAEA 3 (63), NOGO 1 (3), UA 1 (2) GOEA 4 (1054), UU 1 (2) TOTAL 10 (1131)

March 25 [Day 34] The cold air persisted with a low of -12C and a high of just 2C again. Winds were light until 1305 when moderate SW winds in the valley and W winds at ridge level developed. It was cloudless until 1300 when cumulus cloud moved from the west reaching 70% at 1800. The first migrant, a Bald Eagle did not appear until 1108 and movement was generally slow and sporadic thereafter with maximum passage of 18 birds from 1600m to1700, and the last Golden Eagle went north at 1916. The first Northern Harrier of the season, an adult male, was seen at 1614. Passerine migrants included 80 Bohemian Waxwings, 40 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches, 1 cismontanus (the first of the season) and 1 montanus Dark-eyed Juncos, and 2 (probable) California Gulls high over the Livingstone Range. 12.25 hours BAEA 6 (270), NOHA 1 (1), NOGO 2 (54), RTHA 1(10), GOEA 60 (1942) TOTAL 70 (2304)

Mount Lorette (Ron) The site experienced almost exactly the same weather except that maximum cumulus cloud cover of 70% occurred at 1600. The first migrant Golden Eagle was seen at 1051, but the second occurred almost 5.5 hours later at 1617 after which a further 27 Golden Eagles and 4 Bald Eagles migrated, the last moving at 1813. 11.75 hours (274.9) BAEA 4 (60), GOEA 29 (1050) TOTAL 33 (1121)

March 24 [Day 33] Winds were strong gusting over 80 km/h SW in the valley and NW to WNW on the ridge, moderating only after 1700. There was 5 cm of fresh snow on the ground and blowing snow was a problem until mid-morning. The temperature rose to 2C from a low of -4C, and cloud cover was mainly cumulus ranging from 80% at 1400 down to 5% by 1950. Raptor movement started late with the first Golden Eagle not appearing until 1038 and was very sporadic until after 1300 with a maximum movement of 29 birds from 1600 to 1700. No raptor was seen for almost an hour after 1802, but then 6 birds moved after 1900 with the last migrant Golden Eagle still moving north at 1940, the latest so far this season. With the exception of the first juvenile Northern Goshawk seen this season, all the migrant raptors were adults. 12.33 hours (348.7) BAEA 13 (264), NOGO 3 (52), GOEA 79 (1882) TOTAL 95 (2234)

Mount Lorette (Peter Roxburgh) There were strong SW winds aloft but valley winds only ranged from 5-20 km/h. Temperatures ranged from -5C to 5C and there was 100% stratocumulus cloud cover for most of the day with the ridges periodically draped or obscured. Raptors moved from 1040 to 1706 and a Northern Harrier is the first for either site this season. 10 hours (263.2) BAEA 5 (56), NOHA 1 (1), RLHA 1 (2), GOEA 19 (1021), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 27 (1088)

March 23 [Day 32] Winds were moderate to strong all day, and the temperature rose briefly to 5C from a low of -2C. Cloud cover was initially altostratus and cumulus with low stratus developing after 1400 that gradually enveloped the mountains as light snow became steady moderate snow after 1600, and by 1640 everything was obscured. Two Golden Eagles moved along the Livingstone Ridge at 0740, the earliest yet, and 2 more before 0800, and migration became steady after 1100 peaking between 1300 and 1400 when 20 birds moved. The last Golden Eagle was seen at 1535 as the peaks were beginning to be shrouded in cloud. A male Mountain Bluebird at 0944 was the first for the year and a flight of 10 Mallard at 1139 was a first record for the site. 10 hours (336.3) BAEA 4 (251), NOGO 3 (49), RTHA 1 (9), GOEA 71 (1803), PRFA 1 (3) TOTAL 80 (2139)

Mount Lorette (Bill) The temperature range was -5C to 7C with moderate to strong west winds. Initial cloud cover was 100% altostratus diminishing to 40% when stratus moved from the west beginning to obscure the peaks at 1500 and by 1700 everything was obscured with steady snowfall. Fifteen migrants passed between 0811 and 0900 raising hopes for a big total but only 77 were counted before the last bird went north at 1518. The 76 Golden Eagles comprised 74 adults, 1 juvenile and 1 unaged bird, closely comparable to the 71 at Piitaistakis-South Livingstone which comprised 68 adults, 1 subadult,1 juvenile and 1 unaged bird. 12 hours (252.3) BAEA 1 (51), GOEA 76 (1002) TOTAL 77 (1061)

March 22 [Day 31] Apart from 10% cumulus at 0800 and a wash of thin cirrostratus after 1900 the sky was cloudless all day. Despite the sunshine the temperature only rose to 4C from a low of -4C, and winds were moderate NW-SW becoming light after 1800. The first migrant flapped heavily to the north at 0916, and it was only after 1030 that air conditions allowed buoyant gliding flight. Movement thereafter was steady, albeit sporadic, with periods of up to 20 minutes with no birds followed by a concentrated burst of migrants. Eleven birds moved after 1900 with the last Golden Eagle gliding north at 1935. The total of 21 Bald Eagles was the second highest total for the season so far and the highest since March 9. An adult dark morph Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk at 1828 was the first for the season. Display activity of the resident Golden Eagles was again concentrated around the Bluff Mountain nest although neither bird visited it. Most spectacular was both birds soaring and interacting above Bluff Mountain at 0955 while being harassed by a Prairie Falcon that is also resident on the mountain. Passerine migrants were 28 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 90 Bohemian Waxwings, 60 of which flew high to the north along the ridge just before 1930. 12 hours (326.3) BAEA 21 (247), NOGO 4 (46), RTHA 1 (8), GOEA 105 (1732) TOTAL 131 (2059)

Mount Lorette (Joel) It was cloudless all day with calm or light winds in the valley and temperatures that ranged from -10C to 5C. Movement started at 1140 but the main movement did not start until after 1600 with the last bird seen at 1856. Single records of Rough-legged Hawk and Merlin were firsts for the season. 11.5 hours (241.2) BAEA 3 (50), NOGO 1 (2), RLHA 1 (1), GOEA 66 (926), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 72 (984)

March 21 [Day 30] Winds were WNW-W moderate to strong all day with 40-100% generally cumulus and altostratus cloud cover. After 1700 light flurries developed from the west with a period of snow from 1840-1910 when everything was obscured. The temperature range was -3C to 3C with the wind once again making for uncomfortable viewing. Raptor movement started slowly with the first Golden Eagle at 0858 and the rate only increased between 1500 and 1800 when 118 of the day’s 194 migrants moved. Just when it was looking like it would be a new season-high count the snow started and after it finished only two more birds went north: a Golden Eagle at 1924 and the second Merlin of the season at 1932. The resident Golden Eagle pair was obvious for much of the day, including displays over both nest sites: on two occasions the birds were observed to touch talons, but did not grasp. The only apparent passerine migrants were a total of 49 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, and the first Varied Thrush of the season sang briefly at 0821. 12 hours (314.1) BAEA 7 (226), NOGO 6 (42), RTHA 1 (7), RLHA 1 (11), GOEA 178 (1627), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 194 (1928)

Mount Lorette (Des) The temperature rose to 5C from a low of -10C; winds were light NW in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon, and thin cirrus cloud cover in the morning gave way to cumulus increasing to 80% in the afternoon before completely clearing late in the day. The only migrant raptors were Golden Eagles seen between 0923 and 1940. Most of the birds migrated high overhead down the valley in the morning, but moved increasingly to the east as the day progressed. Non-raptor highlights included over 400 (probable) California Gulls flying high to the east across the Fisher Range, and the first singing Song Sparrow of the year. 12 hours (229.7) GOEA 73 (860) TOTAL 73 (912)

March 20 [Day 29] Winds were moderate to strong WNW-W all day with 20-90% mainly cumulus cloud cover assisting detection of high-flying birds. Temperatures ranged from -4C to 5C but again the wind made for chilly observing. The first Golden Eagle moved high to the north at 0753 (the earliest yet) and the last was at 1924: 11hours and 31 minutes later. The pace of movement was remarkably consistent after 1000 with the highest hourly count only being 20 birds between 1800 and 1900. All of the 131 Golden Eagles counted were adults. The resident Golden Eagles were again in evidence and displaying all day, mainly to the north, and I managed to locate what is likely to be the active aerie high on a south facing buttress of what we call Morin Peak. Non-raptor migrants included two flocks of Tundra Swans (24 and 12) flying high to the east over the Livingstone Range in the morning. 12.08 hours (302.1) BAEA 4 (219), NOGO 4 (36), RTHA 1 (6), GOEA 131 (1449) TOTAL 140 (1734)

Mount Lorette (Doug) The weather was essentially a rerun of that of yesterday, and the raptor count was remarkably similar to that at Piitaistakis-South Livingstone. Movement was steady between 1012 and 1939, increasing after 1600 with the maximum passage of 32 birds between 1600 and 1700. 11.25 hours (217.7) BAEA 5 (47) GOEA 134 (787) UU 1 (1) TOTAL 140 (839)

March 19 [Day 28] Early calm and cloudless conditions gave way after 1000 to moderate SW-W winds with variable amounts of altostratus and cumulus cloud for the rest of the day. Temperatures ranged from -4C to 4C, but the wind made it feel much cooler. The first migrant was at 0820 but movement was relatively slow until after 1300 after which migration was steady until 1835 when it suddenly stopped. The busiest hour was 1300-1400 when 38 birds moved. The highlights were first RMERF March records for Ferruginous Hawk (a light morph adult at 1407) and American Kestrel (an adult male at 1430), and the second Gyrfalcon of the season at 1648. The resident pair of Golden Eagles was conspicuous all day with the first display flight seen at 0755 and the last at 1920. Most of the display is now over the Livingstone Range and the birds have not been seen anywhere near the Bluff Mountain nest for over a week. It is probable that the female has now opted for an aerie situated on the higher mountains north of the site. 12 hours (290) BAEA 5 (215), NOGO 2 (32), RTHA 2 (5), FEHA 1 (1), GOEA 153 (1318), AMKE 1 (1), GYRF 1 (2) TOTAL 165 (1594)

Mount Lorette (Doug) A lack of cloud until 1800 made the detection of high-flying eagles a challenge. Winds were moderate westerly again until 1800 when they abated, and the temperature ranged from -12C to 3C. The first Bald Eagle was seen at 0940, but the second migrant, a Golden Eagle, did not appear until 1152, and 44 of the day’s 104 Golden Eagles moved between 1800 and 1900. The last bird of the day was relatively late at 1934. 11.75 (206.4) BAEA 4 (42), GOEA 104 (653) TOTAL 108 (699)

March 18 [Day 27] The early morning was calm with cloud covering much of the Livingstone Range until 1050, when it cleared for about 10 minutes allowing 6 Golden Eagles to move north. Between 1100 and 1200 it snowed and everything was obscured. In the afternoon moderate and occasionally strong W winds established with snow flurries and periods of snow persisting until 1755, after which it was generally sunny with the cloud diminishing to 5% by 1900. The temperature ranged from -3C to 4.5C, with much fluctuation. After the initial brief burst of migrants, the afternoon saw a steady stream of raptors moving north between the snow showers with maximum passage of 29 birds occurring between 1500 and 1600, and with 9 birds moving after 1900, the last at 1916. The first Red-tailed Hawk of the season moved low above the valley with a conspicuously full crop at 1241. At 1830 the resident pair of Golden Eagles spectacularly soared and displayed against the backdrop of a nearly full moon suspended in a blue sky above the Livingstone Range. Passerine migrants included 4 American Robins and 80 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 12 hours (278) BAEA 5 (210), NOGO 2 (30), RTHA 3 (3), RLHA 3 (10), GOEA 106 (1165) TOTAL 119 (1429)

Mount Lorette (Joel) There was again strong westerly winds all day, with periods of snow and flurries, and temperatures from -1C to 4C. Raptor movement occurred between 1107 and 1820 but 14 of the day’s total of 35 Golden Eagles moved in a 5 minute period around 1800. 9.75 hours (194.7) BAEA 3 (38), GOEA 35 (549) TOTAL 38 (591)