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)