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)