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)