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)

March 17 [Day 26] Strong W-WNW winds blew all day, with the temperature briefly reaching 5C from a low of -1.5C, and 40-80% cumulus cloud cover provided excellent viewing conditions. The first 3 Golden Eagles appeared at 0812, the earliest yet, and 13 had passed before 0900. The subsequent migration rate was fairly constant with each hour up to 1600 producing between 12 and17 birds including the season’s first Cooper’s Hawk at 1243. The three hours after 1700 saw the passage of 32, 25 and 24 birds respectively, and 5 moved after 1900, the last (a Bald Eagle) being at 1918. The Golden Eagle total of 192 and the combined species total of 201 are both season high counts for the site. Single flocks of 25 Bohemian Waxwings and 60 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches were the only passerine migrants. 12 hours (266) BAEA 6 (205), COHA 1 (1), NOGO 2 (28), GOEA 192 (1059) TOTAL 201 (1310)

Mount Lorette (Brian) There was strong westerly winds all day with almost cloudless skies in the morning but 20-70% cumulus and cirrus cloud cover in the afternoon. Movement started at 0906 with birds moving high overhead in mid valley until 1700 when birds finally started to move along the Fisher Range. The last bird was seen at 1818. 11.5 hours (184.9) BAEA 2 (35), GOEA 43 (514) TOTAL 45 (553)

March 16 [Day 25] Despite light snow, all the ridges were visible until 0950 when thick low stratus quickly enveloped everything until just after 1400, when they quickly cleared. Winds were westerly all day, light in the morning, but increasing to moderate or strong after 1500. The temperature briefly rose to 4C from a low of -6.5C. The first migrant appeared at 1400 and movement was relatively slow until 1600 when the pace quickened peaking between 1700 and 1800 when a season-high 45 migrants passed. The last Golden Eagle went north at 1915. The resident Golden Eagles only appeared late in the day, and the only passerine migrants were 50 Bohemian Waxwings and 20 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 10 hours (254) BAEA 15 (199), GOEA 111 (867), UE 1 (6) TOTAL 127 (1109)

Mount Lorette (Bill) All mountains were obscured until 1230 when they quickly cleared, and ridge winds were westerly moderate to strong. The first migrant Golden Eagle was seen at 1327, peak Golden Eagle movement was 1500-1600 (48 birds) and 1600-1700 (44 birds) and the 210^th went north at 1927 setting a season-high count. 12 hours (173.4) BAEA 7 (33), GOEA 210 (471) TOTAL 217 (508)

March 15 [Day 24] Conditions were calm and clear until 1030 when cloud rapidly enveloped the ridge which remained obscured for the rest of the day. Light snow started at 0900 and was steady from 1100 to 1800. 3.33 hours (244) No migrant raptors

Mount Lorette (Brian) All peaks and ridges were obscured and it snowed until 1410, when the northern end of the Fisher Range partially cleared, the only mountains to be consistently visible. The first Golden Eagle moved at 1425 and at 1500 10 adult Golden Eagles soared together over the northern end of the Fisher Range before gliding off into the cloud. The last eagle was just before 1800. 7 hours (161.4) GOEA 25 (261) TOTAL 25 (291)

March 14 [Day 23] With it snowing in the morning, the ridges obscured and a forecast of 5-10 cm of further snow, the prospect for the day was not good. I arrived at the site just before 1100 with snow still falling but with the southern part of the ridge clear. At 1145 the snow stopped leaving just 1 cm fresh on the ground, and by 1240 all peaks and ridges were clear. The temperature which was 0C at 1100 rose to 4C, and light to moderate SW-W winds established for the rest of the day. Apart from a few short flurries in the afternoon, sky conditions for observation were excellent with 70-90% cumulus, cirrus and altocumulus cloud cover. The first migrant Golden Eagle appeared at 1149 shortly after the snow stopped and by 1300 38 birds had moved to the north even though the higher peaks of the Livingstone Range were still shrouded in cloud until 1240. Oddly, after the peaks cleared movement slowed significantly until 1726 when the flow started again with 27 birds moving between 1800 and 1900 and 7 more after 1900, the last at 1924. The non-raptor highlight of the day was 3 male Common Mergansers flying high to the west over the Livingstone Range at 1301: they were the first ducks ever identified during a count at the site. The only passerine migrants were a flock of 23 Bohemian Waxwings flying north at 1915. 8.67 hours (240.7) BAEA 4 (184), NOGO 3 (26), GOEA 105 (756) TOTAL 112 (982)

Mount Lorette (Brian) The sky was cloudless until mid afternoon when high cirrus cloud developed making observation easier. Upper winds were NW moderate and the temperature high was 3C. Movement was slow but steady from 1030 to 1800. 11 hours (154.4) BAEA 1 (26), GOEA 20 (236) TOTAL 21 (266)

March 13 [Day 22] Winds were light all day mainly W to WSW, and the cloudless skies gave way after 1100 to gradually increasing cumulus then altostratus and cirrus cloud cover reaching 90% at 1900. The clear sky allowed the temperature to drop to -10C at 0800, reaching a high of 5C at 1600. The initial calm, cool conditions meant that the first migrant raptor did not appear until 1056, but subsequent movement was steady until 1800, after which only 4 birds were seen with the last, a Rough-legged Hawk, moving north at 1824. Peak movement was 32 birds between 1400 and 1500. Because of the conditions many of the birds flew high to the north west of the ridge, and most spent some time in soaring flight. The first Merlin of the season flew north at 1222. The combined species total of 172 and the Golden Eagle Total of 147 are both season-high counts. The daily total bird species count of 24 is also the highest so far this year. 11.33 hours (232) BAEA 18 (180), NOGO 4 (23), RLHA 2 (7), GOEA 147 (651), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 172 (870)

Mount Lorette (Alan) It was calm and cloudless all day with the temperature only reaching 2.5C from a low of -12C. The first of the season’s high 85 Golden Eagles appeared at 1020, but movement was slow until 1630 after which 65 birds migrated to the NW over Mount Lorette with the last moving at 1925. 11.5 hours (143.3) BAEA 5 (25), GOEA 85 (216) TOTAL 90 (245)

March 12 [Day 21] The ridge and upper winds were WNW all day moderate to strong up to 1400 and strong thereafter. In the valley the temperature ranged from -2C to (briefly) 4C and winds gusting to 60 km/h in the afternoon made for chilly viewing. In compensation for most of the day the cloud cover was 30-80% cumulus which greatly assisted in locating birds, most of which were migrating high above the ridge. Movement started early with 6 migrants before 0900 including the earliest Golden Eagle yet at 0822, but it was almost 1.5 hours later that the 7^th bird appeared. Migration was then slow but steady until 1400 when the pace quickened with the next 5 hours producing 107 of the day’s 136 migrants, which is the highest total so far, as also is the day’s count of 114 Golden Eagles. A male dark-eyed [Oregon] Junco was the 30^th species of the year, and other migrants included 12 Bohemian Waxwings and 7 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches. 11.5 hours (220.7) BAEA 17 (162), NOGO 5 (19), GOEA 114 (504) TOTAL 136 (698)

Mount Lorette (Alan) Conditions for migration appeared good with 20-60% cumulus cloud and W-WNW moderate to strong winds, but only 25 migrants were seen between 0925 and 1715, with 23 of the birds moving after noon. 10.5 hours (131.9) BAEA 5 (20), UA 1 (1), GOEA 19 (131) TOTAL 25 (155)

March 11 [Day 20] (Raymond) The wind was strong westerly all day, with cloud draping and occasionally obscuring the ridge. There was light rain up to mid morning and light snow flurries for much of the afternoon, and the temperature ranged from 2C to 5C. Despite the poor early conditions the first Golden Eagle went north at 0830, the earliest yet, and movement was slow but persistent all day until 1834 when the last Bald Eagle appeared. Five of the eagles could not be identified before they disappeared into the snow. The resident birds were only ever seen singly, and the only migrant passerines were a flock of 40 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches at 1757. 11.5 hours (209.2) BAEA 3 (145), GOEA 25 (390), UE 5 (5) TOTAL 33 (562)

Mount Lorette (Alan) Conditions were similar with rain in the early morning, snow from 1200 to 1400 and then flurries for the rest of the day, with strong SW winds all day. The 4 eagles seen moved between 1436 and 1650 11 hours (121.4) BAEA 1 (15) GOEA 2 (112), UE 1 (2) TOTAL 4 (130)

March 10 [Day 19] For most of the day thick altostratus cloud in the form of a Chinook Arch parked above the Livingstone Range providing an excellent backdrop against which to view migrants. The warm strong westerly winds raised the temperature to a season-high 11C from a low of 2C. The first Golden Eagle of the day was the earliest seen yet at 0839 (0739 MST) and the last was the latest yet at 1939, exactly 11 hours later. Movement was steady all day, the rate gradually increasing to a maximum passage of 22 birds from 1700 to 1800. The totals of 103 Golden Eagles and 5 Northern Goshawks are both season-highs. The resident pair perched and probably copulated on the Bluff Mountain ridge at 1525 and the female visited the nest at 1613 and stayed 72 seconds: the longest time yet observed. The morning saw the strongest passerine movement to date, including 7 American Robins (the first of the season), 2 Bohemian Waxwings, 70 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 70 Red Crossbills (also the first) and 57 Pine Siskins. An unidentified swan flying high to the south at 1031 was a first for the site. 11.83 hours (197.7) BAEA 15 (142), NOGO 5 (14), GOEA 103 (365) TOTAL 123 (529)

Mount Lorette (Joel) The last migrant of the day was an unidentified eagle moving almost in the dark at 1950. 10.17 hours (110.4) BAEA 3 (14), GOEA 40 (110), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 44 (126)

March 9 [Day 18] [NOTE change to Mountain Daylight Time: all times quoted are now MDT]. Before 1600 the sky had no more than 5% cumulus cloud making viewing difficult until high cirrus and altostratus cloud moved in from the west. The temperature ranged from -2C to 6C and ground winds were mainly W-WSW generally below 15 km/h except for mid afternoon when occasional gusts exceeded 80 km/h. At 1535 an exceptional gust sent everything at the site flying and when it subsided I was able to pick up the two halves of my broken spotting scope! Ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong all day giving excellent lift conditions. Raptor movement was steady and almost continuous between 0916 and 1918 with peak movement of 31 birds between 1700 and 1800. Both the Bald Eagle total of 22 (17a, 3sa, 2j) and the Golden Eagle total of 88 (87a, 1sa) were season-highs. The resident pair was again conspicuous and at 1554 the birds were observed copulating on the now usual grassy slope west of the ridge. The only passerine migrants were 3 European Starlings flying north at 1915. 11.33 hours (185.8) BAEA 22 (127), NOGO 1 (9), GOEA 88 (262) TOTAL 111 (406)

Mount Lorette (Bill) For the first time there was significant passage over the site between 0922 and 1932, but the totals were only about half of those at South Livingstone. We regret that Cliff Hansen, who has ably organized the count this spring, has seriously aggravated a knee condition as the result of trudging through deep snow to the site and will be unable to participate further in the count this season. We wish him a speedy recovery. 12 hours (100.3) BAEA 8 (11), NOGO 1 (1), GOEA 43 (70) TOTAL 52 (82)

March 8 [Day 17] Clear blue skies persisted until 1000 when cumulus and altostratus cloud gradually developed reaching 80% between 1500 and 1600 and diminishing to 5% at 1800. Temperatures ranged from -1C to 7.5C, and the winds initially from the north increased to moderate to strong W-WNW after 1400. Raptor migration was initially slow with only 6 birds moving before 1422 when the pace quickened and peaked between 1700 and 1800 with the passage of 8 Golden Eagles and 1 Bald Eagle. The main movement has not yet started, but any day now! The day’s pornithological event was earlier than usual with the resident pair copulating on the ridge-top above the nest at 1020. The female visited the nest for about a minute at 1530 before gliding 200 m to the south and perching on the cliff top. About 100 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flying to the north along the ridge were the only passerine migrants. 11.25 hours (174.5) BAEA 5 (105) NOGO 1 (8) GOEA 24 (174) TOTAL 30 (295)

Mount Lorette (Cliff) There was a season-high count of 9 adult Golden Eagles between 1230 and 1520 and the resident pair was observed hunting from time to time. A stonefly hatch along the Kananaskis River attracted about 150 fly-catching Bohemian Waxwings, two of which took exception to Cliff’s presence and made a creditable attempt to remove his toque! 11 hours (88.25) GOEA 9 (27) TOTAL 9 (30)

March 7 [Day 16] Winds were mainly W-SW all day, moderate in the morning and moderate to strong in the afternoon. The temperature ranged from 2C to 8C and variable altocumulus and altostratus cloud in the morning gave way to a complete blue-out after noon. The first Golden Eagle moved at 0843, the earliest yet this season, and by 1100 7 more raptors had moved north raising expectations of a strong movement. No eagle was then seen until 1342 and movement thereafter was sporadic but steady until the last Golden Eagle moved north at 1806. The last Bald Eagle of the day at 1706 was the 100^th seen this season. The resident pair again copulated in exactly the same place as the last two days at 1528, but this time the male landed directly on the female instead of perching beside her on the ground for a few seconds before mounting. A high intensity sky-dancing display by the male at 1732 was the most prolonged and spectacular seen so far this season. No bird was seen on the aerie today. Passerine migrants were 24 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 70 Bohemian Waxwings, and the Northern Pygmy-Owl was around for much of the day. 11 hours (163.3) BAEA 10 (100), NOGO 2 (7), GOEA 22 (150) TOTAL 34 (265)

Mount Lorette (Cliff) 11.25 hours (77.25) GOEA 2 (18) TOTAL 2 (21)

March 6 [Day 15] The starting temperature was -2C but N winds gusting to 50 km/k, and stronger aloft, made it feel much cooler. North winds persisted until 1330 when they shifted to SW to WNW of similar strength. The high was 7C and apart from a cloudless period from 1000 to 1330 the cloud cover was a useful 20-80% altostratus and cirrus. The morning N winds delayed the first migrant until 1034 and migration remained slow and sporadic until 1500 after which 27 of the day’s 39 migrants moved. Unlike yesterday no birds moved after 1800 with the last migrant migrating high over the Livingstone Range at 1758. With the exception of a subadult Bald Eagle, all the migrant raptors were adults. One of the resident Golden Eagles was displaying at 0710 and the pair was conspicuous west of the ridge all day. At 1319 the pair was observed copulating on the same snow-free hill as yesterday, where the female spent a number of periods up to1 hour 19 minutes perched. At 1650 the male flew north carrying a 1.2 m stick which it dropped and quickly recovered once, possibly to augment an alternate nest. At 1830, the pair soared high over the ridge then glided west where female briefly visited the aerie for the only time today, before gliding south, presumably to roost. The only probable passerine migrants were 35 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flying north at 1635. 11.25 hours (152.3) BAEA 10 (90), NOGO 1 (5), GOEA 28 (128) TOTAL 39 (231)

Mount Lorette (Brian): 11 hours (66) GOEA 2 (16) TOTAL (19)

March 5 [Day 14] Almost clear skies allowed the temperature to fall to -12C at 0720 and it only briefly rose to 3C at 1700. After 1000 the WNW winds gradually increased to strong by mid afternoon, and cloud cover was 20-40% cumulus until after 1800 when the sky became cloudless. The first migrant wasn’t seen until 1238 then movement was steady but slow until late in the day when 8 Golden Eagles and 1 Bald Eagle moved along the Livingstone Ridge after 1800 with the last migrant, which was the 100^th Golden Eagle of the season, still moving north at 1832. The count of 28 Golden Eagles is the highest so far this season and the strong late movement suggests that the main movement is beginning. The aerie is now adorned with fresh conifer branches and the resident pair was in evidence for much of the afternoon although neither bird was seen to visit the nest. At 1531 the female was perched on a snow-free slope to the SE, and was joined at 1542 by the male who, after perching beside her for about 10 seconds, copulated with her. At 1545 both birds took off and soared low over the hill, both performing low-intensity display flights. 11.33 hours (141) BAEA 4 (80) GOEA 28 (100) PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 33 (192)

Mount Lorette (Cliff): The highest Golden Eagle count of the season so far with birds moving from 1335 to 1734, and the resident pair was seen for the first time over Mount Allan with one bird displaying. 11.25 hours (55) BAEA 1 (3) GOEA 8 (14) TOTAL 9 (17)

March 4 No observation. It snowed all morning and flurries continued for much of the afternoon. It kept appearing that it was about to clear but cloud continued to drape the Livingstone Ridge all afternoon. Sunny conditions are forecast for the next four days, so I expect to see a marked increase in numbers of migrants.

Mount Lorette: It was a similar situation with the ridges never really clearing, with the only raptor seen being a probably non-migrating Northern Goshawk. The highlight of Joel’s day was a male Belted Kingfisher on the Kananaskis River. 10 hours (43.75), no migrant raptors.

March 3 [Day 13] A temperature range of -2C to 1C and strong W to WNW winds all day made observation uncomfortable, although 80-100% altostratus and cumulus cloud made detection of birds easy. The day started promisingly enough with 4 Bald Eagles and a Golden Eagle moving between 0939 and 0957, but thereafter migration was sporadic with most of the birds being buffeted by the strong winds. The female resident Golden Eagle perched above the aerie for about 40 minutes in mid morning while the male hunted, but no food exchange was observed and the nest itself was not visited. A flock of 40 Bohemian Waxwings was the largest seen so far this season. 10.75 hours (129.7) BAEA 4 (76), RLHA 1 (5), GOEA 11 (72) TOTAL 16 (159)

Mount Lorette 11 hours (33.75) GOEA 3 (6) TOTAL 3 (8)

March 2 [Day 12] The day started calm, cloudless and -5C with 40-60% cumulus cloud after 1100 and increasingly strong W-WNW winds developing after1300. Despite the mainly sunny skies the temperature high was only 3C. Movement started early with an adult Golden Eagle at 0941 and with a few lulls was fairly steady all day until 1750 when the last Golden Eagle moved north. With the exception of 1 subadult, all 25 Golden Eagles were adults, and of the 14 Bald Eagles, 11 were adult, 1 subadult and 2 juvenile. Both the Bald and Golden Eagle totals were season high counts to date. One of the resident Golden Eagles was hunting the ridge at 0748, and the aerie was visited at 1242. A resident bird hunting low and close to the observers at 1443 gave us a spectacular view. Migrant passerines comprised 97 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 5 Common Redpolls, and the first Pine Siskins (4) and European Starling of the season. 11 hours (119.2) BAEA 14 (72), NOGO 1 (4), GOEA 25 (61) TOTAL 40 (143)

Mount Lorette 11.75 hours (22.75) BAEA 1 (2), GOEA 1 (3) TOTAL 2 (5)

March 1 [Day 11] Snow fell until 0910 after which the ridges quickly cleared. Winds were strong WNW all day only moderating late in the day, the temperature reached 3C from a low of 0C, and apart from another period of snow/now pellets from 1625 to 1745 the skies were generally 40-80% cumulus. Raptor movement was slow with the first migrant Bald Eagles appearing at 1324 and it was only a late movement of 5 Bald Eagles between 1635 and 1647 that made the day’s total look better than it actually felt! After the resident Golden Eagle pair spent a fair bit of time on and around Bluff Mountain this week, one of the birds was seen on an aerie for the first time at 0931. The nest is on a recessed ledge high on an east-facing cliff of Bluff Mountain. At 1350, a bird (probably the female) was seen tearing prey and feeding while perched on a ledge above the nest, and the presumed male briefly joined her for a few seconds at 1430, possibly bringing prey. At 1402 a bird was seen flying from the nest, and a display flight was observed over the valley east of the nest site at 1250. A Northern Pygmy-Owl perched and sang close to the observers between 1000 and 1030 and again after 1800. 11 hours (108.2) BAEA 9 (58), GOEA 1 (36) TOTAL 10 (103)

Mount Lorette: 10 hours (10) BAEA 1 (1), GOEA 2 (2) TOTAL 3 (3)