November 15 [Day 55] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) The temperature high was -5C at 0800 which fell to -7C at 0900, rose to -6C in mid-afternoon and was -7C at 1700. Ground winds were light SSW to noon and variable in the afternoon, mainly light but occasionally gusting to 15 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate SW-W with gusts to 69 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus and cumulus that reduced to 70% between 1100 and 1300, increased to 90-100% cumulus and altocumulus to 1500 after which it dwindled to 20% at 1700. The western ridges were largely obscured to 1500 after which they cleared, and the eastern ridges were mainly clear all day. The first migrant raptor was a juvenile Bald Eagle at 1115 with the first of the day's 8 Golden Eagles (6a,1sa,1u) appearing at 1219, the last three of which went south at 1639. At 1408 a resident juvenile Northern Goshawk made a low pass from a tree perch at a European Starling over the Hay Meadow, but the starling escaped and flew low to the north. Other migrants included 23 Canada Geese, 5 white-headed gulls flying south at 1600, 52 Pine Grosbeaks (including a single flock of 30 birds) and 30 Common Redpolls.

9.17 hours BAEA 1 (137), GOEA 8 (3469) TOTAL 9 (3896)

Corrigenda

October 10: subtract 1 RLHA (=9), add 1 MERL (=1) TOTAL 371

October 24: add 5 NOGO (=5) TOTAL 137

The total Golden Eagle count is 3466 (not 3469) and the total count is adjusted to 3899 (not 3896)

FINAL MOUNT LORETTE COUNT, FALL 2011 (September 20 to November 15)

The percentage variance from the average of 12 counts between 1993 and 2010 is given in parentheses. Excluded are the count at Plateau Mountain in 1997, an incomplete count in 2002, and the anomalously low (and also shorter) comparison counts conducted between 2006 and 2009.

DAYS 55 (-0.75)

HOURS 590.77 (+4.93)

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 0 (-100)

OSPREY (OSPR) 3 (+16.13)

BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 137 (-53.4)

NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 2 (-82.9)

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 113 (-24.7)

COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 33 (+32.89)

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 42 (-17.5)

Unidentified Accipiter (UA) 3

BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 0 (-100)

SWAINSON’S HAWK (SWHA) 0 (-100)

RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 28 (-22.8)

FERRUGINOUS HAWK (FEHA) 0 (-100)

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 41 (-29.8)

Unidentified Buteo (UB) 2

GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 3466 (-7.32)

Unidentified eagle (UE) 2

AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 2 (-33.3)

MERLIN (MERL) 6 (-20)

GYRFALCON (GYRF) 2 (-41.5)

PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 10 (+110.5)

PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 2 (0)

Unidentified Falco (UF) 3

Unidentified raptor (UU) 2

TOTAL 3899 (-11.69)

November 14 [Day 54] (Joel Duncan) The temperature at 1100 was -3C and rose to a high at 1400 of -2.5C before falling to the day's low of -7C at 1730. Ground winds were W-SW 5-10 occasionally gusting 15 km/h all day, while ridge winds were mainly SW-WSW moderate to strong with a maximum gust of 89 km/h at 1700. Cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus to 1700 after which it quickly cleared to 10% cumulus by 1730. Short (10 minute) periods of light snow occurred at 1400 and 1530 that obscured the west ridges, but the east remained clear all day. The only migrant raptor noted was an unaged Golden Eagle at 1555, and other bird species included 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 55 Bohemian Waxwings, 4 Dark-eyed Juncos, 53 Common Redpolls and 1 Evening Grosbeak.

6.5 hours (581.27) GOEA 1 (3461) TOTAL 1 (3887)

November 13 [Day 53 (Bill Wilson) Once again there was only a small diurnal temperature range from -1C at 0700 to a high of 0C at 1000 and 1100 which slowly dropped to the day's low of -3C at 1645. Ground winds were WSW 0-10 gusting 20 km/h for most of the day, but gusted to 35 km/h in mid-morning, while ridge winds were moderate to strong SW-WSW gusting to 116 km/h in the morning, but only 33-60 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 80-100% cumulus and stratus for most of the day, thickening after 1500 and very light snow flurries were experienced throughout the day. The eastern ridges were 10-30% (and briefly 50%) draped by cloud after 1100 while the western ridges were 70-90% obscured after mid afternoon. The first migrant raptor was a juvenile Bald Eagle at 0845 and the last was an adult Bald Eagle at 1432 while in between 7 Golden Eagles (5a,1j,1u) were counted. Six of the day's 9 raptors occurred between 1332 and 1432. There was a fair variety of other birds in relatively low numbers including 1 adult Northern Shrike, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 23 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Red Crossbill and 1 White-winged Crossbill (which perched together), 11 Pine Grosbeaks and 35 Common Redpolls.

9.75 hours (574.77) BAEA 2 (136), GOEA 7 (3460) TOTAL 9 (3886)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) On November 12 Elaine was still in the same general area that she has been since November 7, east of the northern end of Canyon Ferry Lake, SE of Helena, Montana.

November 12 [Day 52] (Cliff Hansen) The ridges started clearing after 1000 when the temperature was 0C which rose to the day's high of 1C at 1100 and 1500 and was still 0.5C at the end of the day. Ground winds were S-SW, calm to 5 km/h initially before increasing to 7-15 km/h with a maximum gust of 50 km/h at 1500 after which it was 0-10 km/h gusting 25 km/h for the rest of the day. Ridge winds were moderate to strong SSW-WSW with a maximum gust of 122 km/h at 1500. At 1600 the field sheets were ripped from the clipboard by a wind gust and had to be retrieved from the Kananaskis River. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus, cumulus and altocumulus all day and light snow fell all afternoon. The ridges progressively became enveloped in cloud throughout the day with the west 90% and the east 50% obscured by the end. Not surprisingly, these conditions only yielded one migrant raptor, an unaged Golden Eagle at 1142, and non-raptor species were also scarce.

6.58 hours (565.02) GOEA 1 (3453) TOTAL 1 (3877)

November 11 [Day 51] (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Chris Hunt) The temperature was 5C at 0700 and rose to a high of 6C between 1000 and 1200, falling quickly to 0C at 1700 after a cold front passed in mid afternoon. Yesterday's strong SW-SSW winds persisted throughout the morning with ground wind gusts between 26 and 55 km/h, moderating in the afternoon with gusts to 20 km/h, while ridge winds were strong SW all day gusting between 128 and 178 km/h in the morning and 61-78 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus all day giving gloomy conditions but a good observation background to the east and north. The cold front brought light snow between 1345 and 1730, and both the western and eastern ridges were substantially occluded between 1500 and 1620 after which they all quickly cleared. The only migrant raptors seen from the site were single juvenile Bald Eagles moving high above the Fisher Range at 1016 and 1209, but Chris Hunt reported a juvenile Golden Eagle flapping low towards the south over HW 40 at 1701 as he was leaving, a bird that could not be seen from the Hay Meadow site. Despite the strong winds there was a persistent movement of Common Redpolls (269) and White-winged Crossbills (28) towards the south throughout the morning, and other birds included 50 Bohemian Waxwings and 8 Pine Grosbeaks and an American Dipper that flew high to the west at 1452.

10.33 hours (558.44) BAEA 2 (134), GOEA 1 (3452) TOTAL 3 (3876)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) On November 10 Elaine was still in the same general area that she was on November 7.

November 10 [Day 50] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker and Chris Hunt) Temperatures were well above seasonal average with 7C at 0800 rising to a high of 8C at 1100 and 1200, and it was still 6C at 1700. Ground winds were W in the morning, 5-15 gusting 25 km/h and SW in the afternoon 5-15 gusting 50 km/h, while ridge winds were strong SW all day gusting 107-146 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 70% cumulus and cirrus becoming 100% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus at 1100 which gradually diminished to 50% cumulus at 1500 before thickening again to 90% cumulus and altostratus at the end of the day: observing conditions were generally good. The tops of the high mountains to the west were obscured all day, with the cloud lowering after 1300 causing 40% obscuring of the western ridges. The day's first Golden Eagle moved at 0948 followed by a Rough-legged Hawk at 0935, but these two birds comprised the day's busiest hour and when the last bird went south at 1605 the total was just 5 birds: 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 3 adult Golden Eagles and 1 columbarius Merlin of unknown sex and age. The very high winds also proved to be inimical to passerine movement with just a few small finches noted.

9.42 hours RLHA 1 (41), GOEA 3 (3451), MERL 1 (5) TOTAL 5 (3873)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) On November 9 Elaine was still in the same area that she was on November 7.

November 9 [Day 49] (Cliff Hansen). The temperature was -11C at 0800 but rose to a high of 4C between 1300 and 1600 and was still 2.5C at 1700. Ground winds were calm to light SW to 1000 after which they were SW 5-10 km/h with a maximum gust of 35 km/h at 1700, while ridge winds were moderate SW to 1300 after which they became strong with a maximum gust of 155 km/h at 1600. Cloud cover was 10% cumulus, altostratus and lenticular to 1300 after which it increased to 20-30% cumulus and lenticular until 1600 when it again increased to 60% with an altostratus arch forming east of the Fisher Range. The western ridges were 10% obscured at 1400 and by 1700 they were 40% obscured, but observing conditions in the afternoon were generally good as all birds moved high above the Fisher Range to the east. There was a reasonably strong raptor movement for November with 24 birds migrating between 1214 and 1613, which is the the second highest count for the month so far. The flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a,1j,1u), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 18 Golden Eagles (14a,1sa,1j,2u) and 1 Prairie Falcon. Finches continued to move including 100 Common Redpolls, 1 Pine Siskin and 100+ undifferentiated small finches.

9.5 hours (538.69) BAEA 4 (132), RLHA 1 (40), GOEA 18 (3448), PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 24 (3868)

November 8 [Day 48] (George Halmazna) There was very little temperature change throughout the day with a high of 1C at 1300 and a low of -1.5C at 1700. Ground winds were calm in the morning and light to moderate SW in the afternoon, while ridge winds were moderate SW-WSW all day gusting to 73 km/h at 1300. Cloud cover was 50% cumulus in the morning reducing to 10% between 1200 and 1500 after which it increased again to 50%. The raptor count was almost identical to yesterday's with 9 birds (1 late subadult Bald Eagle, 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 6 Golden Eagles (2a,4j)) flying from Mount Lorette to the SE above the Fisher Range between 0839 and 1440. There was some passerine movement in the morning, including 146 Common Redpolls, but none were seen after 1300 when even ravens were absent.

10 hours (529.19) BAEA 1 (128), RLHA 2 (39), GOEA 6 (3430) TOTAL 9 (3844)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) On November 7 Elaine flew SE to Montana's Big Belt Mountains and on November 8 was about 25km E of the northern end of Canyon Ferry Lake, SE of Helena.

November 7 [Day 47] (Joel Duncan) The temperature reached a high of 0C at 1300 from a low of -6C and was -2C at 1730. Ground winds were W-SW all day 10-15 km/h gusting to 28 km/h and ridge winds were moderate SSW-WSW gusting to 66 km/h at 1300. Cloud cover was 90% altostratus with up to 10% cumulus all day. Raptor movement was confined to 1017 to 1317 when 1 undifferentiated immature Bald Eagle, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 6 Golden Eagles (1sa,1j,4u) were recorded, with the eagles moving very high above the Fisher Range. Other birds included a female Bufflehead, 1 Northern Shrike, 65 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 American Tree Sparrows and 35 Common Redpolls.

10 hours (519.19) BAEA 1 (127), RLHA 1 (37), GOEA 6 (3424) TOTAL 8 (3835)

November 6 [Day 46] (Bill Wilson) (NOTE Change to Mountain Standard Time) The temperature at 0700 was a very chilly -15C, but it rose to a high of 0.5C at 1500 before falling to -4.5C at 1700. Ground winds were SE to variable 1-5 gusting 10 km/h all day, while ridge winds were light SSW-SW. Initial cloud cover was 80% altostratus that quickly reduced to 10% at 0900, increased again to 70% at 1100 before again diminishing leaving cloudless skies after 1400. A total of 23 raptors were recorded between 1120 and 1622, with 19 of these birds ( 6 Bald Eagles, 12 Golden Eagles and 1 Prairie Falcon) moving between 1433 and 1536. The flight comprised 9 Bald Eagles (5a,2sa,2j), 13 Golden Eagles (11a,1sa,1u) and 1 Prairie Falcon which, somewhat surprisingly, is the first of the season. The highlight of the non-raptor count was a very late first-winter Chipping Sparrow near the site, and other birds included 48 Canada Geese in 2 flocks (2 and 46!), 1 adult Northern Shrike, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, 3 Pine Grosbeaks and 85 Common Redpolls.

10.58 hours (509.19) BAEA 9 (126), GOEA 13 (3418), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 23 (3827)

November 5 [Day 45] (Jim Davis) The temperature reached a high of -1C at 1500 from a low of -8C and was down to -4C at 1810. Ground winds were calm to 1500 after which it was SW 8-11 km/h for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were also light SW and even occasionally calm. It was cloudless to 1500 after which it gradually increased to 20% altocumulus and cirrocumulus by 1800. Raptor movement started slowly with the first bird, a Northern Goshawk, not appearing until 1104 and the first Golden Eagles were not seen until 1341, Movement, however, steadily increased throughout the afternoon and peaked at 24 birds between 1600 and 1700, and by the time the last Golden Eagle went south at 1746 a total of 59 migrants of 7 species had been recorded, which is the highest count at the site since October 25. All the birds moved along the eastern route and were mainly picked up moving from Mount Lorette to the northern end of the Fisher Range. The count included a very late Osprey which was just the 3^rd of the season (the 2^nd being on October 3), is a first record for November and is by far the latest ever recorded at the site. Other migrants were 10 adult Bald Eagles, 2 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 1 unaged Northern Goshawk, 1 adult dark morph harlani Red-Tailed Hawk, 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 41 Golden Eagles (13a,3sa,14j,11u) which is the highest count since October 31 which was also 41 birds. Today yet again demonstrates the importance of continuing even when when several days of low counts make it appear that migration is essentially over. Other birds seen included 1 American Robin, 10 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 20 White-winged Crossbills and 11 Common Redpolls.

7.5 hours (498.61) OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 10 (117), COHA 2 (33), NOGO 1 (37), RTHA 1 (28), RLHA 3 (36), GOEA 41 (3405) TOTAL 59 (3804)

November 4 [Day 44] (Terry Waters) It snowed all morning and began to clear around noon, and Terry arrived at the site at 1330 where there was 3cm of fresh snow on the ground. The temperature at 1330 was -6C, rose to -2C at 1600 and was -4C at 1830. Ground winds were light NNE all day as probably were the ridge winds, although the Nakiska Ridgetop weather station failed to provide data all day. Cloud cover was 100% stratus all morning with all ridges obscured reducing to 50% stratocumulus and cirrus at 1500, with the west 50% obscured, Mount Lorette in cloud and the Fisher Range draped all afternoon. Not surprisingly raptor movement was very sporadic and comprised 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk at 1525, 1 adult Golden Eagle at 1609, 1 adult Bald Eagle at 1645 and 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew to the south in a flock of 95 Canada Geese at 1815. A total of 300 Canada Geese flew south in 4 flocks, a Townsend's Solitaire was at the site and a probable adult male Black Bear was near the meadow at 1330.

5 hours (491.11) BAEA 1 (107), SSHA 1 (112), RTHA 1 (27), GOEA 1 (3364) TOTAL 4 (3745)

November 3 [Day 43] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature at 0830 was 5C which along with 5C at 1300 was the high for the day, the low being 3C for the rest of the morning and at the end of the day. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 15 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SW gusting to 85 km/h at noon, but becoming light by late afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 20% cumulus and altostratus increasing to 90% at noon and the afternoon saw 50-90% cumulus and cirrus that gave good observing conditions despite the western ridges being hazy for much of the day. A total of 16 raptors migrated between 1037 and 1708 with a peak movement of 6 birds (1 Bald and 5 Golden Eagles) between 1600 and 1700, with all birds moving above the Fisher Range. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 small indeterminate Accipiter and 12 Golden Eagles (7a,2j,3u). A few flocks of Canada Geese flew high to the south in late afternoon including a V of 60 at 1825, and finches included 150 Common Redpolls, 110 Pine Siskins and a total of 260 which could have been either or both. Twenty-five students from the Siksika (Blackfoot) Reserve visited the site in the afternoon, that unfortunately coincided with a lull in the day's movement.

10 hours (486.11) BAEA 2 (106), SSHA 1 (112), UA 1 (3), GOEA 12 (3363) TOTAL 16 (3741)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) Rob Domenech has informed me at Elaine is holding up in the Bob Marshall area just south of Hungry Horse Reservoir, possibly because she is feeding on ungulate gut piles left by hunters. He notes that she stayed in their Nora Ridge/Lincoln study area for about 10 days last fall before again moving south, and he expects her to pick up her southerly track in a week or so and find her way to last year's wintering area south of Livingstone, Montana and north of Yellowstone National Park.

November 2 [Day 42] (Cliff Hansen) The temperature reached a high of 7C at 1600 from a low of 2C and remained at 5.5C at 1830. Ground winds were mainly SW all day 5-15 km/h gusting to 35-40 km/h, while ridge winds were strong WSW-W gusting above 100 km/h throughout the day and peaking at 150 km/h at 1700. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and altocumulus forming an arch after 1100, that thinned to 50% in the mid afternoon as the arch moved to the east, with 100% thin altostratus forming in the late afternoon. Despite excellent observation conditions only 3 migrant raptors were seen all day: 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk at 1526, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1658 and 1 unaged Golden Eagle at 1701. Other birds were also thin but included 75 Common Redpolls, 55 Pine Siskins, and 2 first-winter Ring-billed Gulls that flew low to the south above the river.

10.25 hours (476.11) SSHA 1 (111), RLHA 1 (33), GOEA 1 (1701) TOTAL 3 (3725)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) By the end of November 1 Elaine was 25 km ESE of where she was on October 31, still in the Lewis Range, and appears to have lost the southward momentum that quickly carried her from the southern Yukon to northern Montana in about 4 days.

November 1 [Day 41] (Joel Duncan, assisted by Cliff Hansen) Unfortunately Joel couldn't make it to the site until 1100 when the temperature was 2C which rose to a high of 3C at 1500 and fell to -0.5 at 1830. Ground winds were W-SW mainly 5-15 km/h which gusted to 30 km/h in mid-afternoon, ridge winds were moderate SW gusting to 58 km/h at 1400, and it was essentially cloudless all day. The late start probably didn't result in too many birds being missed as the first Golden Eagle was not recorded until 1405, and when the last Bald Eagle was noted at 1715 a total of only 14 migrants had been tallied: 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk and 10 Golden Eagles (2a,2sa,1j,5u). The highest hourly count was 6 Golden Eagles between 1400 and 1500, and all the birds were located over the Fisher Range, mainly gliding high but moving at ridge-top level late in the afternoon. Other birds noted included 1 Blue Jay, 50 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 American Tree Sparrow and a sudden influx of American Dippers with 6 present on the river near the site, probably brought lower by the onset of cooler weather.

7.5 hours (465.86) BAEA 3 (104), SSHA 1 (110), GOEA 10 (3350) TOTAL 14 (3722)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) Elaine appears to have moved back NNW along the Lewis Range and is now only 25 km SSE of where she roosted on October 29

October 31 [Day 40] (George Halmazna) The temperature reached a high of 4C at 1500 from a low of -3C at 1900, ground winds were generally light W-SW to 1000 after which they became moderate with a peak gust of 30 km/h at 1400 before becoming light again at the end of the day, while ridge winds were moderate to strong WSW-SW with a peak gust of 93 km/h at 1500. Initial cloud cover was 100% cumulus in the morning producing snow flurries, gradually clearing after 0900 to 20% at 1600 before increasing again to 50% cumulus with more flurries after 1700. The ridges remained clear with the exception of a two-hour period between 1200 and 1400 when the west was 50% obscured. Raptor migration was the strongest in 6 days with 46 birds moving between 0934 and 1531, with a high hourly count of 11 Golden Eagles between 1000 and 1100, with all birds moving at varying heights along the Fisher Range. The flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (2a,2j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 44 Golden Eagles (37a,1sa,1j,2u). There was also a strong southward movement of passerines in the morning including 15 American Robins, 26 Pine Grosbeaks, 553 Common Redpolls and 33 Pine Siskins.

10 hours (458.36) BAEA 4 (101), NOGO 1 (36), GOEA 41 (3340) TOTAL 46 (3708)

October summary Observers spent 29 days (323.79 hours) at the site in October with only October 6 and 7 being lost to adverse weather (heavy rain). For the rest of the month conditions were generally favourable for raptor migration with temperatures in the main well above the seasonal norm. The number of days spent in the field was 4.02% below the average of the 14 complete and valid counts conducted between 1993 and 2010, but the hours were 1.7% above average. The combined species total of 3480 was 4.8% above average and was the 8^th highest count during the period and the highest since 2005. The Golden Eagle count of 3171 was 7.5% above average was also the 8^th highest and the highest since 2005. The Bald Eagle total of 90, on the other hand, was 46.3% below average probably as a result of the unseasonably warm weather keeping water bodies open well to the north providing continuing access of food and little incentive to move south. Warm weather may also explain the relatively low count of 31 Rough-legged Hawks (-30.7%), and the total of 33 Northern Goshawks was close to average (+2.9%). The other four species that moved in significant numbers, however, all showed totals that were significantly above average: Sharp-shinned Hawk 84 (+14.7%), Cooper's Hawk 28 (+218.9%), Red-tailed Hawk 21 (+75%) and Peregrine Falcon 6 (+110%).

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) On November 30 Elaine moved another 80 km to the SSE along the Lewis Range and at the end of the day was about 75 km E of the southern end of Flathead Lake.

October 30 [Day 39] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Brian McBride) It was a warm day with a starting temperature of 7C which rose to an unseasonal high of 10C at 1300-1500 and was still 6C at 1830. Ground winds were WSW 5-15 km/h to 0900 then 10-20 gusting 30 km/h for the rest of the day with a highest gust of 43 km/h, while ridge winds were strong SW all day regularly gusting over 100 km/h with a maximum gust of 157 km/h at 0800. Cloud cover was 10-30% cumulus to 1400 then variable 40-100% stratus, cumulus and altostratus for the rest of the day. The western ridges were 30-50% obscured between 1000-1100 with very light rain at the site, which increased throughout the afternoon to 90% with light rain persisting after 1500. A total of 21 raptors migrated between 0844 and 1701 with most birds moving very high above the eastern valley to the west of the Fisher Range ridge, with the highest hourly count of 6 birds (1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk and 4 Golden Eagles) between 1300 and 1400. The flight comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1a,1j), 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1u), 15 Golden Eagles (10a,5u) and an unidentified eagle that was the first bird of the day. Other bird species recorded included 6 unidentified white-headed gulls flying south, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, 6 Pine Grosbeaks and 30 White-winged Crossbills.

10.5 hours (448.36) BAEA 2 (97), SSHA 1 (109), NOGO 2 (35), GOEA 15 (3299), UE 1 (2) TOTAL 21 (3662)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) As predicted Elaine finished the day of October 29 about 60 km ENE of the northern end of Flathead Lake in the Lewis Range of northern Montana, having covered about 300 km that day. It will be interesting to see if she now slows down as she approaches southern Montana where she wintered earlier in the year, or whether she will continue farther south.

October 29 [Day 38] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Chris Hunt) The temperature remained at 0C until 0900 and briefly rose to 5.5C at 1400 before falling again to 1C at 1830. Ground winds were SW all day, light to 1200 then 5-15 gusting 25 km/h to 1800 after which they became light again. Ridge winds were SW moderate to strong with a maximum gust of 80 km/h at 1400. Cloud cover was initially 50% cumulus that diminished to 5% at 1400 giving clear blue skies to the east between 1000 and 1400, after which an altostratus arch formed giving 40-80% cloud cover for the rest of the day. A total of 35 raptors migrated slowly but steadily between 1108 and 1750, with most of the birds moving high above the Fisher Range, and the highest hourly count was 8 birds (1 Bald Eagle, 7 Golden Eagles) between 1200 and 1300. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 32 Golden Eagles (27a,2sa,2j,1u). Non raptors included a female Northern [Red-shafted] Flicker, 1 Song Sparrow, 36 Pine Grosbeaks and 63 Common Redpolls.

11 hours (437.86) BAEA 2 (95), RLHA 1 (32), GOEA 32 (3284) TOTAL 35 (3641)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Bill Tice, Dan Lee, Phil Nicholas and David Thomas) The temperature high was 5C at 1200 and 1300 with lows of 3C at either end of the day, ground winds were W-WSW generally 5-10 gusting 25 km/h while ridge winds were strong WNW all day. Cloud cover was 30-70% cumulus to 1400 after which 80-90% cumulus, cirrus, altocumulus and lenticular cloud developed resulting in excellent observation conditions all day. The movement was very similar to that at Mount Lorette with the first Golden Eagle not appearing until 1111 with subsequent steady high to very high movement to the south above the Livingstone Range. The flight of 40 raptors comprised 6 Bald Eagles (2a,2sa,2j), 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 adult Northern Goshawks and 29 Golden Eagles (23a,1sa,5j). The resident family of 2 adult and 1 juvenile Golden Eagles were conspicuous throughout the day with an adult bird displaying on several occasions.

7 hours BAEA 6, SSHA 2, NOGO 3, GOEA 29 TOTAL 40

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453) Elaine spent the night of October 28 at the northern end of the Livingstone Range near the Highwood Junction which meant that she passed over or close to Mount Lorette earlier that day, and she was probably one of the birds seen from the Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site today. The chances are that she is now in Montana, and if this is the case she moved through the Alberta Rockies in about 2.5 days.

October 28 [Day 37] (Terry Waters) The temperature reached 7C at 1400 and 1500 from a morning low of -3C and was 3C at 1800. Ground winds were SW all day, generally 10-20 gusting 30 km/h and sometimes higher, while ridge winds were very strong gusting above 100 km/h all day and peaking at 136 km/h at 1800. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and altocumulus all day except for a brief period around 1100 when it reduced to 50%, and between 1400 and 1600 the ridge tops were hazy. For the third straight day raptor movement was sparse with only 18 birds migrating between 1005 and 1658, and 6 of these (2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Northern Goshawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 2 Golden Eagles) moved between 1000 and 1100. The flight comprised 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and 14 Golden Eagles (9a,1sa,4u). Because of the high ridge winds a number of eagles moved to the west of the Fisher Range and 6 birds flew from Mount Lorette to the south high above the centre of the valley. This is the 3^rd consecutive day of low Golden Eagle movement and it is possible that we are simply running out of birds! Songbirds flew low above the river to the south throughout the day to avoid the wind, including 36 Bohemian Waxwings, 6 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 65 Common Redpolls and 6 Pine Siskins. A late male Brewer's Blackbird was in the Meadow, and a Northern Pygmy-Owl sang from east of the river around noon.

10.5 hours (426.86) SSHA 2 (108), NOGO 1 (33), RLHA 1 (31), GOEA 14 (3252) TOTAL 18 (3606)

October 27 [Day 36] (Peter Sherrington) The temperature reached a high of 3.5C at 1600 from with lows of -1C at 0800 and 1900. Ground winds were consistently SW all day generally 5-12 km/h with gusts to 22 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate to strong SW-WSW with a maximum gust of 80 km/h at noon. Cloud cover was 20-30% cumulus for most of the day diminishing to 10% at 1800 and completely disappearing by 1900. Despite the apparent ideal migration conditions and an excellent observation cloud backdrop only 31 migrants were recorded between 0919 and 1835. Movement was fairly steady with most of the day's 24 Golden Eagles (17a,4sa,2j,1u) moving high above the Fisher Range, although most of the 7 Bald Eagles (1a,1sa,3j, 2 undifferentiated immatures) flew from Skogan Pass over Hummingbird Plume Hill before joining the Fisher Range. The highest single hour count was only 7 birds (2 Bald Eagles, 5 Golden Eagles) between 1300 and 1400. All the migrant raptors recorded were eagles, but a resident adult female Northern Goshawk with a conspicuously full crop flew low to the south close to the site at 1725. There was a conspicuous movement of passerines to the south up to mid morning, including 5 American Robins, 30 Bohemian Waxwings, 25 White-winged Crossbills, 23 Red Crossbills, 2 Pine grosbeaks and 26 Common Redpolls.

11 hours (416.36) BAEA 7 (93), GOEA 24 (3238) TOTAL 31 (3588)

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453)

After having entered NE British Columbia on October 26 Elaine moved rapidly to the SE and today was in the front Ranges of the Alberta Rocky Mountains in the SE corner of Willmore Wilderness Park, at about the same latitude as Edmonton and just north of Jasper National Park. At the rate she is travelling there is a good chance that she will pass over Mount Lorette sometime this coming weekend.

October 26 [Day 35] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) The high temperature was 4C between 1200 and 1600 from a morning low of -4C, and it was -1C at 1830. ground winds were SW all day initially 5-15 km/h and then 20-25 km/h after 1000, while ridge winds were strong SW and occasionally WSW gusting to 88 km/h in the morning and 142 km/h at 1600. Cloud cover was 40-50% cirrus to 1100 after which 90-100% Chinook Arch cloud (altostratus, lenticular and cirrus) developed that persisted for the rest of the day. The western ridges started to cloud over at 1300 and from 1700 to the end of the day they were 50% obscured, but the east remained clear. It was a disappointing day with only 11 raptors counted between 0855 and 1755 with a best hourly count of only 3 Golden Eagles between 1700 and 1800. The total of 8 Golden Eagles (4a,1sa,3u) was the lowest since the main movement started on October 10, and the only other migrants seen were a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, the season's second Gyrfalcon (a dark bird at 1117) and a distant unidentified raptor. Other bird species were also scarce but included 2 fairly late male Mountain Bluebirds in the Hay Meadow, a Townsend's Solitaire and a probable Harris's Sparrow.

10.75 hours (405.36) COHA 1 (31), GOEA 8 (3214), GYRF 1 (2), UU 1 (2) TOTAL 11 (3557)

October 25 [Day 34] (George Halmazna) Another cool day with a temperature of -10C to 0900 and a high of 3C at 1400 and 1500. It was calm to light SW until late morning when gusts of 15-25 km/h were experienced until 1400 after which they were again light, with afternoon winds varying between SE and NW. Ridge winds were consistently SW-WSW, generally moderate with gusts only occasionally above 50 km/h. It was cloudless to 1100 after which the cover was 20-60% cumulus for the rest of the day but the cloud was often in “the wrong places” meaning that birds often had to be located in a plain blue sky. Despite this the combined species count of 175 was the 6^th highest of the season, with birds mainly moving along the Fisher Range at altitudes ranging from low to very high, with a few birds moving along the western ridges and some high above the middle of the valley. The movement started late with the first Golden Eagle not appearing until 1115 but it then rapidly built up with 60 birds (57 Golden Eagles) moving between 1200 and 1300. The last Golden Eagle was counted at 1744 and the day's last bird was a Bald Eagle at 1810. The total of 156 Golden Eagles (115a,6sa,16j,19u) was the highest since October 17, the 12 Bald Eagles (8a,4j) was the highest so far this season, and other raptors were 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1j,3u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk. Finches were again the most common non-raptor comprising 7 Evening Grosbeaks, 31 White-winged Crossbills, 74 Common Redpolls and 14 Pine Siskins.

11.5 hours (394.6) BAEA 12 (86), SSHA 5 (106), NOGO 1 (32), RLHA 1 (30), GOEA 156 (3206) TOTAL 175 (3546)

October 24 [Day 33] (George Halmazna) It was another cool day with a starting temperature of -8C, a high at 1500 of 4.5C and 0C at 1900. Ground winds were were mainly light but briefly gusted to 25 km/h in mid-afternoon, and varied from SW-NE throughout the day, while ridge winds were also mainly light, SW to variable, only becoming moderate at 1900. Initial cloud cover was 10-30% cumulus thickening to 100% stratus and cumulus after 1600, which reduced to 80% cumulus by 1900. Snow flurries developed after 1300 becoming snow between 1700 and 1830 that largely obscured the ridges which only partially cleared again after 1830. Despite the relatively calm conditions and afternoon snow it was again a good raptor movement with 132 birds of 5 species moving between a Northern Goshawk at 0812 and 2 Golden Eagles at 1641 and a Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1643 moving ahead of the snow, with a maximum hourly count of 28 (23 Golden Eagles) between 1500 and 1600. The flight was dominated by 102 Golden Eagles, the 13^th three-figure count of the season, which comprised 83 adults, 7 subadults, 9 juveniles and 3 birds of unknown age. Season-high counts were achieved for Bald Eagle (10: 8a,2j) and Sharp-shinned Hawk (14: 2a,2j,10u), while the rest of the total was made up of 1 unaged Cooper's Hawk and 5 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light and 1 dark morph). There were also good numbers of other bird species seen including 6 Clark's Nutcrackers, 2 Brown Creepers, 7 Pine Grosbeaks, 113 White-winged Crossbills and 246 Pine Siskins, while a single flock of 23 Common Ravens flying east from Mount Lorette briefly had George contemplating a 200+ Golden Eagle day!

11.25 hours (383.11) BAEA 10 (74), SSHA 14 (101), COHA 1 (30), RLHA 5 (29), GOEA 102 (3050), TOTAL 132 (3371)

October 23 [Day 32] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Chris Hunt) It was a cool morning with lows of -2C at 0900 and again at 1100 before the temperature rose to a high of 6C at 1600 before falling again to 1C at 1900. Ground winds were WSW 2-10 km/h gusting to 25 km/h in the early afternoon, while ridge winds were WSW-SW moderate to strong gusting to 77 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratus and cumulus that had thinned to 5-10% cumulus between 0900 and 1600 which thickened to 80% cumulus by 1900. There was 3cm of fresh snow on the ground in the morning and a few flakes continued to fall until 0800. It was another strong day of raptor movement with a total of 160 migrants counted between 0850 and 1848, when it was almost too dark to see. The movement was dominated by 148 Golden Eagles (102a,4sa,19j,23u) which was the 12^th three-figure count this season. Other raptors were 6 Bald Eagles (3a,2sa1j), 2 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks. Most of the birds moved to the east above the Fisher Range although some flew high over the eastern part of the valley to the west of the range. Movement was steady through most of the day with a highest hourly count of 27 birds (26 Golden Eagles and 1 Bald Eagle) between 1500 and 1600. Five Common Loons flew high to the south at 1352, and contrary to previous observations a male Belted Kingfisher and 2 American Dippers amicably shared the river at the site throughout the day.

12.25 hours (371.86) BAEA 6 (64), SSHA 2 (87), NOGO 1 (31), RLHA 3 (24), GOEA 148 (2948) TOTAL 160 (3239)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Denise Coccioloni-Amatto Raymond Toal, Keith McClary and David Thomas) The temperature varied between 7C and 8C for much of the day falling after 1600 and reaching 4.5C at 1730. Ground winds were WSW-W all day, generally light but occasionally gusting to 25 km/h in the early afternoon, while ridge winds were moderate to strong WNW all day. An initial cloud cover of 10% cumulus persisted to 1100 when thin cirrus began to develop along with the cumulus and after 1500 cloud cover was 80-100% cirrus and cumulus for the rest of the day providing both a spectacular skyscape and excellent observing conditions. The count was very similar to that at Mount Lorette with a total of 143 birds counted between 1028 and 1737, of which 133 were Golden Eagles (115a,8sa,10j) most of which glided very high to the south above the Livingstone Range throughout the day. Other migrants were 5 adult Bald eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 juvenile dark-morph harlani Red-tailed Hawk, 1 indeterminate columbarius Merlin and 2 adult Peregrine Falcons. The family group of 2 adult and 1 juvenile Golden Eagles was evident through much of the day, with adult birds seen performing low intensity display flights on a couple of occasions. In addition to the observers we had a total of 12 visitors to the site over the weekend.

7.67 hours BAEA 5, NOGO 1, RTHA 1, GOEA 133, MERL 1, PEFA 2 TOTAL 143

The adventures of “Elaine” (Golden Eagle #78453)

Elaine, an adult female Golden Eagle was captured and fitted with a transmitter during the third week of October, 2010 by Rob Domenech and his colleagues from the Raptor View Research Institute in Montana. She spent last winter in the Paradise Valley just south of Livingstone, Montana and just north of Yellowstone National Park. In the spring she moved north roosting for a night (March 12) along the way on Bluff Mountain just west of our Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site and the next day crossed Mount Lorette on her way north. By early April she had reached the southern flank of the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range in northeastern Alaska where she spent the summer. Rob informed me that it is not known if she bred there.

This fall Elaine started her southward journey on October 1 and had reached the Yukon by October 7 where she slowly moved to the SE south of the Ogilvie Mountains. On October 21 she was just north of the BC border in the Beaver River Valley of SE Yukon and on October 22 she had flown south and is now in the northernmost part of the Rocky Mountains of NE BC. I would now expect her to make more rapid progress now that she has joined the “Eagle Highway” that terminates at our Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site in SW Alberta.

You can follow her progress on a map on the seaturtle.org site via the link on our website.

October 22 [Day 31] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Anita Walker and Kevin Barker). The day's high temperature was 9.5C at 0800, while the low occurred an hour later with 2C recorded at 0900! Subsequently it fluctuated reaching 8C at 1100 and was 3C at 1850. Ground winds were mainly light SW but were 5-10 gusting 15 km/h at 1100 and 1200, while ridge winds were SW-SSW mainly moderate but gusted to 76 km/h in late morning and 75 km/h in mid-afternoon. Initial cloud cover was 40% cumulus which quickly increased to 100% variably cumulus, stratocumulus and altostratus to 1700 after which it reduced to 80-90%. Light rain developed around 1400 and persisted as showers for the rest of the day, with the western ridges 30-100% obscured after 1300 and the eastern ridges clouded over after 1200 reaching 100% obscured between 1300 and 1500 after which cloud drape reduced to 10-20%. Ten Golden Eagles were recorded between 0911 and 1000, but only 2 were seen between 1000 and 1500. There was, however, a fairly strong movement late in the day as the eastern ridges cleared with 17 Golden Eagles migrating between 1700 and 1835. The thick cloud cover and rain resulted in a high number of unaged birds with the Golden Eagle total of 35 comprising 9 adults, 1 subadult, 1 juvenile and 24 unaged birds. Other migrant raptors seen were 8 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a,6u), the highest total for 12 days, and 1 undifferentiated Red-tailed Hawk. Other birds included 20 Mallard flying south in a ragged flock, 17 Common Mergansers flying north in a tight flock, a single flock of American Robins flying south at 1441 and a single calling Pine Grosbeak which was the first for the season.

11.71 hours (359.61) SSHA 8 (85), RTHA 1 (26), GOEA 35 (2800) TOTAL 44 (3079)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Raymond Toal and David Thomas) The temperature high was 9C at 1000 which fell to 7C at 1100 and to 4C at 1200 as rain and largely melted hail developed after 1135 which persisted for most of the rest of the day. Ground winds were variable SW-NNE generally light but occasionally gusted to 12-15 km/h and ridge winds appeared to be mainly moderate although several high-flying eagles were being buffeted on occasion suggesting periodic stronger winds. Cloud cover was 100% altocumulus quickly becoming stratocumulus and cumulus only broken briefly around 1100 by up to 20% of blue sky patches. After 1140 all ridges became largely obscured with the southern Livingstone ridge periodically clearing, but the higher peaks to the north remained in cloud for the rest of the day. There was a good movement of 36 Golden Eagles between 1014 and 1133 with most birds moving very high above the Livingstone Ridge, but subsequent movement became very sporadic and the final count when I packed up at 1540 was only 53 Golden Eagles and 1 subadult Bald Eagle, which was the last bird of the day and the only reasonably low-flying one. Most of the Golden Eagles appeared to be adults, but the thick cloud cover, rain and high flight made confident aging almost impossible in most cases. Between 1109 and 1133 several Golden Eagles glided high from the Livingstone Ridge to the west, possibly to roost on Bluff Mountain to sit out the rapidly approaching rain front. The resident pair of Golden Eagles appeared on a few occasions, and at 1231 one of them displayed just west of the Livingstone Ridge.

5.67 hours BAEA 1, GOEA 54 TOTAL 55

October 21 [Day 30] (Terry Waters, assisted by Fiona Waters) The temperature high was 9C at 1600 and 1700 from a morning low of -2C and it was 7C at 1800. Ground winds were SW 10-15 gusting to 40 km/h for most of the day, and ridge winds were strong gusting between 52 and 82 km/h to 1500 after which gusts increased to between 117 and 144 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus and altocumulus that decreased to 50% altostratus and lenticular between 1300 and 1400 before again increasing to 80-90% altocumulus and lenticular for the rest of the day. Observing conditions were excellent for locating birds but it was often difficult to age the Golden Eagles. The day's first Golden Eagle appeared at 0845 and movement was strong in the morning and early afternoon with 28 Golden Eagles passing between 1000 and 1100 and 27 raptors, of which 22 were Golden Eagles, between 1200 and 1300. By 1600, however, the flow had almost stopped, coincident with the development of very strong ridge winds, and only 3 more birds were recorded, the last being a Red-tailed Hawk at 1710. The flight of 124 birds comprised 3 juvenile Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1adult Cooper's Hawk, 2 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 116 Golden Eagles (72a,11sa,12j,21u), which is the 11^th three-figure count this season, and 1 large unidentified falcon. Migrant songbirds included 4 American Robins, 27 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 47 White-winged Crossbills and 21 Pine Siskins.

10.25 hours (347.9) BAEA 3 (58), SSHA 1 (77), COHA 1 (29), RTHA 2 (25), GOEA 116 (2765), UF 1 (3) TOTAL 124 (3035)

October 21 [Day 30] (Terry Waters, assisted by Fiona Waters) The temperature high was 9C at 1600 and 1700 from a morning low of -2C and it was 7C at 1800. Ground winds were SW 10-15 gusting to 40 km/h for most of the day, and ridge winds were strong gusting between 52 and 82 km/h to 1500 after which gusts increased to between 117 and 144 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus and altocumulus that decreased to 50% altostratus and lenticular between 1300 and 1400 before again increasing to 80-90% altocumulus and lenticular for the rest of the day. Observing conditions were excellent for locating birds but it was often difficult to age the Golden Eagles. The day's first Golden Eagle appeared at 0845 and movement was strong in the morning and early afternoon with 28 Golden Eagles passing between 1000 and 1100 and 27 raptors, of which 22 were Golden Eagles, between 1200 and 1300. By 1600, however, the flow had almost stopped, coincident with the development of very strong ridge winds, and only 3 more birds were recorded, the last being a Red-tailed Hawk at 1710. The flight of 124 birds comprised 3 juvenile Bald Eagles, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1adult Cooper's Hawk, 2 adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 116 Golden Eagles (72a,11sa,12j,21u), which is the 11^th three-figure count this season, and 1 large unidentified falcon. Migrant songbirds included 4 American Robins, 27 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 47 White-winged Crossbills and 21 Pine Siskins.

10.25 hours (347.9) BAEA 3 (58), SSHA 1 (77), COHA 1 (29), RTHA 2 (25), GOEA 116 (2765), UF 1 (3) TOTAL 124 (3035)

October 20 [Day 29] (Alan Hingston, assisted by Cliff Hansen) Today saw a very narrow temperature regime with a high of 7C at 1500 book-ended by 5C at the beginning and end of the day. Ground winds were calm to light N to 1500, light and variable to 1700 after which they were light to moderate NE gusting to 25 km/h as a cold front passed through. Ridge winds were mainly moderate SW becoming moderate NW after 1600. Cloud cover was initially 70-90% altocumulus to 1100, 100% stratus between 1100 and 1400 with light rain, 40-80% altostratus, altocumulus and cumulus to 1800 after which 100% stratus redeveloped, again bringing light rain to end the day. Between 1200 and 1400 the western ridges were 100% and the eastern ridges up to 50% obscured, both were then clear to 1700 after which the west disappeared again and after 1800 all ridges were obscured. The strong raptor movement experienced over the previous 12 days persisted to 1100 during which time 23 of the day's 31 birds were counted, with the first Golden Eagle appearing at 0746. After 1100 movement became very sporadic and the last Golden Eagle went south with the weather closing in at 1715. The only other raptors recorded were 3 Bald Eagles (1a,2sa) and an unaged Northern Goshawk. Other birds included a line of 9 Canada Geese flying high over the Fisher Range at 1110, an adult California Gull perversely flying north and an American Dipper, a species that had been surprisingly sparse on the river at the site this season. Cliff reports that this may result from the aggressive behaviour of a male Belted Kingfisher that has been in the area for several weeks, that has been seen on a number of occasions chasing the dipper out of what it obviously regards as its exclusive fishing reserve.

11.25 hours (337.65) BAEA 3 (55), NOGO 1 (30), GOEA 27 (2649) TOTAL 31 (2911)

Beaver Mines area (Peter Sherrington) Late in the morning I noticed that thick cloud was enveloping the Livingstone Range to the NNW and cloud was also obscuring the Continental Divide to the west and most of the mountains of the northern Waterton Main Ranges to the south. I drove to Phil Hazelton's home on the Gladstone Valley road about 4 km SSE of Beaver Mines where I had seen eagles moving under similar conditions on October 11 and watched there between 1230 and 1530. As expected there was a significant movement of Golden Eagles and a few other raptors, with many of the birds flying from the W or WNW before soaring near the eastern edge of the downslope squall-line and then gliding high to the south towards Prairie Bluff (Corner) Mountain, the north-easternmost peak in the Waterton Range and the only one that was consistently clear. Movement was very steady with half-hourly Golden Eagle counts between 1230 and 1500 of 7, 15, 10, 15 and 16 birds. After 1500 the Waterton Range to the south substantially cleared and only 3 Golden Eagles were seen before I left at 1530. At 1416 8 Golden Eagles soared together and at 1450 7 did the same thing before gliding high to the south. The three-hour count comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1sa,1j), 1 unaged Cooper's Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 64 Golden Eagles (39a,9sa,3j,13u). Also of note was a very late Osprey perched on a snag by the lower Castle River at Canyon Bridge (5 km NE of Beaver Mines) yesterday afternoon, and I also saw what was probably the same bird on a higher reach of the river above the HW 507 bridge on Tuesday.

October 19 [Day 28] (Alan Hingston, assisted by Cliff Hansen) It was another warm day with the temperature reaching 14C at 1700 from a low of -2C and it was still 9C at 1900. Ground winds were light and variable in the morning and SW in the afternoon occasionally gusting to 20 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate SW-SSW with a high gust of 62 km/h at 1100. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus forming a Chinook Arch, that diminished to 40% as the arch moved to the east and provided observation conditions that made eagles easy to detect but difficult to age. It was another good Golden Eagle day with 145 birds (58a,4sa,7j,76u) out of a total count of 153 moving between 0811 and 1841 with a high hourly count of 33 birds (31 Golden Eagles) between 1400 and 1500 with 96 Golden Eagles moving between 1100 and 1500. Most of the movement was above the Fisher Range although several birds passed high above the valley in mid-afternoon. This was the 10^th three-figure Golden Eagle count of the season. Other raptors were 3 Bald Eagles (2j and 1 undifferentiated immature bird), 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u), 2 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. Other birds flying south included 1 Common Loon, 16 American Robins and 30 Bohemian Waxwings.

11.75 hours (326.4) BAEA 3 (52), SSHA 2 (76), RTHA 2 (23), RLHA 1 (21), GOEA 145 (2622) TOTAL 153 (2880)

October 18 [Day 27] (Alan Hingston, assisted by Joel Duncan and Terry Waters) The temperature at 0800 was -4C and fell to -5C at 0900 before quickly warming to a well above average high of 15C between 1500 and 1700, and it was 5C at 1900. Ground winds were light and variable SW-NE in the morning and SW in the afternoon, generally light but gusting to 10-15 km/h around 1500, and ridge winds were moderate SSW-SW all day. The sky was clear to 1900 after which thin cirrostratus developed that reached 80% at 1200, varied between 20 and 50% in the afternoon and had almost disappeared by the end of the day. The first Golden Eagle was seen at 0815 but morning movement was slow and only 5 birds had been recorded by noon. The rate increased in the afternoon and peaked at 19 birds (18 Golden Eagles) between 1600 and 1700, with nearly all the birds migrating along the Fisher Range. The flight of 79 raptors was again dominated by 74 Golden Eagles (37a,10sa,9j,18u) along with 1 subadult Bald Eagle, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Cooper's Hawk and 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks. Other birds were sparse, but a single Song Sparrow is still lingering near the site.

11.75 hours (314.65) BAEA 1 (49), SSHA 1 (74), COHA 1 (28), RTHA 2 (21), GOEA 74 (2477) TOTAL 79 (2727)

October 17 [Day 26] (George Halmazna to 1500, then Alan Hingston and Cliff Hansen) A stable high pressure system continued to produce above average temperatures with a high today of 9C at 1400 from a low of -1C at 0700, that fell to 1C at 1900. Ground winds were mainly light S-SW which briefly gusted to 40 km/h around noon, while ridge winds were moderate SW with a maximum gust of 62 km/h at 1400. Cloud cover was initially 100% altostratus which thinned rapidly in the afternoon to 5% cumulus, and after 1400 the sky to the east was cloudless which made detection of birds more difficult. It was yet again a day of strong Golden Eagle movement with 167 birds (143a,4sa,18j,2u) moving steadily between 0803 and 1858 with a highest hourly count of 26 between 0900 and 1000. There was also a good scattering of other raptors comprising 5 Bald Eagles (4a and 1 undifferentiated immature), 2 Northern Goshawks (1a,1j), 1 Rough-legged Hawk, 1 adult male columbarius Merlin, the season's first Gyrfalcon (a white morph bird), and 1 unaged Peregrine Falcon, the 10^th of the season.

Other birds were scarce, but another Northern Shrike appeared in the meadow and a pair of Great Horned Owls duetted persistently in the evening. We extend our best wishes for a quick recovery to George who had to leave the site in mid afternoon after having felt unwell for much of the day.

11.42 hours (302.9) BAEA 5 (48), NOGO 2 (29), RLHA 1 (20), GOEA 167 (2403), MERL 1 (4), GYRF 1 (1), PEFA 1 (10) TOTAL 178 (2648)

October 16 [Day 25] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Doug Pedersen, Cliff Hansen, Dixie Webb, Michael Sim and around 30 visitors to the site) The temperature at 0700 was a season-low -10C, but rose at 1600 to 8C before falling at 1900 to -5C. Ground winds were light all day, WSW to 0900 then SE to 1600 after which they were W for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were light to light-moderate SW all day not exceeding 20 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 5% altostratus increasing to 70-90% after 1000 until 1800 after which the sky became cloudless, the cloud cover being thin enough to give hazy sunshine all day. Raptors moved steadily between the first Golden Eagle at 0759 and the last at 1829 with peak movement of 32 birds ( 30 Golden Eagles, 1 Northern Goshawk and 1 Rough-legged Hawk) between 1500 and 1600 although the following hour saw highest Golden Eagle passage of 31 birds. All birds were seen over the Fisher Range where the light winds resulted in much soaring flight, although no more than three eagles were ever seen soaring together at one time. The flight of 155 birds comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a,3sa), 1 unaged Cooper's Hawk, 4 Northern Goshawks (3a,1u), 7 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 138 Golden Eagles (91a,13sa,23j,11u). Eight of the last 11 days have now produced counts of over 100 Golden Eagles, with the last 8 days having produced 1846 birds. A total of 11 Common Loons migrated high towards the south and 25 Canada Geese flew high to the south in a single line, but the 2 Northern Shrikes have not been seen since Friday. Bill was serenaded by two Great Horned Owls on his walk both to and from the site.

12.5 hours (291.48) BAEA 5 (43), COHA 1 (27), NOGO 4 (27), RLHA 7 (19), GOEA 138 (2236) TOTAL 155 (2470)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Raymond Tole, Patricia Wagenaar and Keith McClary) The temperature reached 8C at 1600 from a low of 2C, ridge winds were moderate W all day and cloud cover was 100% altostratus to 1130 after which it gradually thinned to 20% at 1400 and was cloudless after 1530 which made detection of high-flying eagles increasingly challenging. Raptor movement was initially slow with only 7 migrants seen before 1230 after which the rate increased but remained sporadic with birds generally moving very high to the south above the Livingstone Range. Maximum passage was 21 birds (19 Golden Eagles) between 1400 and 1500. The final count of 64 raptors comprised 2 Bald Eagles (1a,1j), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a,1u), 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 56 Golden Eagles (28a,8sa,11j,9u). The weekend also saw 25 visitors at the site.

7.25 hours BAEA 2, SSHA 3, COHA 1, NOGO 1, RTHA 1, GOEA 56 TOTAL 64

October 15 [Day 24] (Doug Pedersen, assisted by 35 visitors from the Canmore Eagle Festival) The temperature regime was similar to that of the previous two days with a morning low of -6C, a high at 1500 and 1600 of 8C, and -2C on departure from the site. Ground winds were light S all day, while ridge winds were mainly moderate SW-WSW gusting to 60 km/h. Initial cloud cover was 80% altocumulus which gradually dwindled to zero by the end of the day, which in the main gave good viewing conditions. The day's first and last migrants were single Golden Eagles at 0815 and 1858 respectively, and the busiest hours were 1100-1200 with 20 migrants (19 Golden Eagles and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk) and 1700-1800 with 19 migrants (18 Golden Eagles and 1 Cooper's Hawk). Apart from 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk and 2 adult Cooper's Hawks all migrants were Golden Eagles: 101 birds comprising 77 adults, 14 subadults, 8 juveniles and 2 unaged birds. Other sightings included 22 European Starlings, 100 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 2 Moose.

11.42 hours (278.98) SSHA 1 (73), COHA 2 (26), GOEA 101 (2098) TOTAL 104 (2315)

Canmore Eagle Festival (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Cliff Hansen, Chris Hunt, Ed McCullough, Des Allen and Claire Bourret and many of the Festival's 3000 or so visitors). It was a generally sunny day with a temperature that reached 8C with moderate SW ridge winds and 40-60% altocumulus cloud cover. Nearly all the birds moved high above the mountains of the Fairholm Range but the cloud cover and the soaring nature of much of the flight allowed most visitors to view the birds though our telescopes. The birds seen were 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 25 Golden Eagles (whose height precluded the assignation of reliable ages in most cases) and 1 adult male richardsonii Merlin which may have been a resident bird.

7.5 hours RLHA 3, GOEA 25, MERL 1 TOTAL 29

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Vance Mattson, assisted by Denise Cocciolone-Amatto and Raymond Tole) The temperature ranged from 0C to a high of 7C, ridge winds appeared to be mainly moderate W and cloud cover was 25-50% cumulus for much of the day until 1730 after which it became almost cloudless. A total of 146 migrant raptors were recorded between 1051 and 1818 in a fairly steady flow with complete hourly counts ranging from a low of 12 (1100-1200) to a peak count of 30 (1 Bald Eagle, 29 Golden Eagles) between 1700 and 1800. The flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a,1sa), 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a,4u), 3 Northern Goshawks (2a,1u), 1 unidentified Accipiter, 128 Golden Eagles (84a,9sa,29j,6u), 2 unidentified eagles and 2 unidentified falcons. Two Pine Grosbeaks were new for the season.

8 hours BAEA 3, SSHA 7, NOGO 3, UA 1, GOEA 128, UE 2, UF 2 TOTAL 146

October 14 [Day 23] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Chris Hunt, Jim St. Laurent, Doug Pedersen) The temperature reached a high of 9C at 1500 from a low of -6C at 0800 and it was -3C at 1900. Ground winds were predominantly SSW-SW calm to 8 km/h, and ridge winds were mainly moderate SW gusting to 29 km/h in the morning and 68 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 90-100% altocumulus and altostratus to 1500 after which it changed to cirrus which steadily diminished to just 5% at the end of the day, giving excellent viewing conditions to 1700 after which a mainly blue sky proved more difficult against which to locate birds. Despite this the highest hourly count was 38 between 1800 and 1900, with the day's first Golden Eagle at 0858 and the last at 1907. Movement of the day's 146 migrants was mainly to the east over over the Fisher Range, although some birds moved above the centre of the valley at varying heights. The total flight comprised 1 unaged Cooper's Hawk, 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a,1j) and 143 Golden Eagles (116a,10sa,7j,10u). Passerines included 2 Red and 8 White-winged Crossbills and an estimated flock of 1000 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches that flew high to the south over the northern end of the Fisher Range in a tight ball.

11.75 (267.56) COHA 1 (24), RTHA 2 (19), GOEA 143 (1997) TOTAL 146 (2211)

October 13 [Day 22] (Terry Waters) It was again a cooler day with a starting temperature of -4C that rose to a high of 8C at 1500 before falling to 1C at the end of the day. Ground winds were SW, generally light but gusting to 15-20 km/h around 1300, and ridge winds were steady moderate WSW-SW all day gusting to 64 km/h in the morning and 69 km/h in the afternoon. Altocumulus cloud cover started at 5% and reached a maximum of 30% providing a mainly sunny day and good observation conditions. The first of the day's 78 Golden Eagles (42a,7sa,21j,8u) was seen at 0916 and subsequent movement was steady until 1500 at which time 33 birds had been tallied. The pace then quickened with the next three hours producing 17, 19 and 18 birds respectively and the last Golden Eagle went south at 1806. Other raptors were 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,1u), 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 4 Northern Goshawks (3a,1u) and1 adult rufous morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk. All of the day's 88 migrant raptors were seen to the east, with the Golden Eagles gliding high and fast above the Fisher Range: no birds were seen over Mount Lorette or to the west. A single Common Loon migrated high to the south above the valley and passerines included 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 45 White-winged Crossbills and 38 Bohemian Waxwings, while the Vesper Sparrow and two Northern Shrikes seen yesterday were still present today.

11 hours (255.81) BAEA 2 (38), SSHA 2 (38), COHA 1 (23), NOGO 4 (23), RTHA 1 (17) GOEA 78 (1851) TOTAL 88 (2062)

October 12 [Day 21] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Kevin Barker) Temperatures continued to fall to more seasonal norms with a high of 10C at 1600 from a morning low of 4C, and the day's low was 3C at 1900. Ground winds were generally light SW-WSW gusting to 15 km/h between 1200 and 1700, and ridge winds were mainly moderate SW-WSW gusting to 63 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 60-70% cumulus all day giving good observing conditions, and the western peaks were 30% obscured after 1400 and reached 60% at 1900. The first Golden Eagle appeared at 0849 and two more passed before 0900, then 27 were seen between 0900 and 1000 suggesting another big day was in the offing, but this turned out to be the highest hourly count of the day. The flow of eagles gradually diminished and only 7 birds occurred between 1300 and 1700 before the flow increased slightly at the end of the day with 12 birds passing after 1700. Other raptors were relatively scarce and the final count was 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j,1u), 2 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1j,1u) and 89 Golden Eagles (50a,3sa,14j,22u). Other birds included 75 White-winged Crossbills flying south in three flocks and a late Vesper Sparrow in the meadow. The 2 Northern Shrikes (1a,1j) remain in the area and a Great Horned Owl sang.

11.08 (244.81) SSHA 2 (70), COHA 2 (22), RTHA 2 (16), GOEA 89 (1772) TOTAL 95 (1973)

October 11 [Day 20] (George Halmazna, assisted by Terry Waters and Ed McCullough) A starting temperature of 5C reached a high of 13C at 1300 and 1400 before falling to 9C at the end of the day. Ground winds were variable S-SE-E gusting 25 km/h between 0800 and 1100, after which they were SW light to 1400 when they gusted 30 km/h before becoming light to calm after 1500. Ridge winds were moderate WSW-SSW gusting to between 40 and 47 km/h all day. Cloud cover was 80-100% altostratus and cumulus thickening to 100% stratocumulus that brought rain, sleet and snow after 1800. The western ridges were 20-30% obscured by flurries for much of the day that rose to 100% around 1800 when the eastern ridges became 50% obscured as rain and snow moved from the west. Raptor movement again started early with 2 Golden Eagles recorded at 0739 and the last Golden Eagle went south at 1755 just ahead of the worsening weather. The highest hourly count was 61, including 56 Golden Eagles, between 1300 and 1400, and the flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (1a,2j), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j,2u), 3 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 267 Golden Eagles (204a,1sa,52j,10u) which is the 3^rd highest count of the season so far, 3 columbarius Merlins of unknown age and sex that were the first for the season, and 1 large unidentified falcon. The last 4 days has produced 1294 Golden Eagles at the site so we are probably now experiencing the height of the movement. The non-raptor highlights of the day were 2 flocks of 4 and 6 pure white gulls flying to the SW that were identified as Glaucous Gulls which is by far the highest count ever at the site, with the few previous records confined to single birds. Other birds included a flock of 9 Rusty Blackbirds (the first for the season), a single flock of 300 Bohemian Waxwings, 36 American Robins, 220 White-winged Crossbills, 76 Pine Siskins and 2 very late adult-plumaged Chipping Sparrows.

11.25 hours (233.73) BAEA 3 (36), SSHA 3 (68), COHA 3 (20), NOGO 2 (19), RLHA 1 (12), GOEA 267 (1683), MERL 3 (3), UF 1 (2) TOTAL 283 (1683)

Beaver Mines area (Peter Sherrington) Today while having lunch with Phil Hazelton on the deck of his home on the Gladstone Valley road about 4 km SSE of Beaver Mines, I observed 51 Golden Eagles between 1254 and 1415 that soared high to the S and SE of the house before they glided high to the south towards Prairie Bluff (Corner) Mountain. On two occasions 8 birds could be seen soaring together in close proximity. Most of the mountains of the northern Waterton Main Ranges and the Continental Divide west of Prairie Bluff Mountain were obscured by cloud and snow/rain showers swept down by strong SW winds. The birds were obviously displaced to the east from the Beaver Mines Lake/Carbondale Ridge area over which they normally migrate after moving south from the Livingstone Range. Other raptors seen moving with the Golden Eagles were 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 dark-morph Broad-winged Hawk and 3 Red-tailed Hawks. This was by far the highest number of Golden Eagles I have ever seen while eating an excellent lunch!

October 10 [Day 18] (George Halmazna, assisted by Chris Hunt and 2 sky sweepers) The temperature rose to a high of 15C from a morning low of -3C and was 8C at the end of the day. Ground winds were calm to light to 1200, were variable E, SE and S in mid afternoon gusting to 20 km/h at 1500 before becoming calm again at the end of the day. Ridge winds were SW-SSW all day light to moderate to 1500 after which gusts increased to 50-68 km/h. Cloud cover was 40-60% altostratus and cirrus, with cumulus developing after 1400, giving sunny periods, and the western ridges were up to 30% obscured by flurries after 1400. Raptor migration persisted for 11.92 hours with the first Golden Eagle appearing at 0737 and the last 2 Golden Eagles moving south at 1852. Peak passage was 108 raptors between 1200 and 1300 that included 104 Golden Eagles, and there was movement every hour except after 1900. The day's count was again dominated by Golden Eagles with 342 being the second highest total of the season so far (268a, 2sa,72j). Season high counts were achieved for Bald Eagle (6: 5a,1j), Sharp-shinned Hawk (10: 2a,1j,7u) and Rough-legged Hawk (10), while 1 adult Cooper's Hawk and 2 adult Northern Goshawks completed the day's total of 370 birds. Other birds seen included 3 Common Loons flying high to the SW together, 100 American Robins, the first 32 Bohemian Waxwings of the season, 90 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches, 223 White-winged Crossbills and 525 Pine Siskins.

12.08 hours (222.48) BAEA 6 (33), SSHA 10 (65), COHA 1 (17), NOGO 2 (17), RLHA 10 (11), GOEA 342 (1416) TOTAL 370 (1416)

October 9 [Day 18] (Bill Wilson) The temperature was 5.5C at 0800, rose to a high of 10C between 1200 and 1400 and was 5C at 1900. Ground winds were WSW 3-15 km/h gusting to 27 km/h in the afternoon, and becoming calm after 1800, while ridge winds were mainly SW strong in the morning gusting to 122 km/h before moderating in the afternoon with gusts generally between 40 and 50 km/h.

Cloud cover was 60-100% cumulus and altostratus except around 1400 when it fell to 30%. Migration began early with 3 Golden Eagles counted at 0753 and also peaked early with 25 birds (including 24 Golden Eagles) moving between 1000 and 1100. Movement was subsequently steady, except between 1300 and 1400 when only 3 birds were seen, and when the last Golden Eagle was seen at 1854 the combined species count was 141, which is a good count but disappointing after yesterday's record total. The flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j,1u), 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, a season-high 6 Northern Goshawks (2a,1j,3u), 129 Golden Eagles (84a,3sa,31j,11u) and the season's 9^th Peregrine Falcon which was an unaged bird. Two American Tree Sparrows were a first for the season and 40 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flew south in a single flock.

12.5 hours (210.4) BAEA 2 (27), SSHA 2 (55), COHA 1 (16), NOGO 6 (15), GOEA 129 (1074), PEFA 1 (9) TOTAL 141 (1225)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Scott Palmer, Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Raymond Toal, Doug and Teresa Dolman, David Thomas, Phil Nicholas, Keith McClary, Mark Sherrington and Pat Lucas). The temperature varied between 8.5C and 11C, ground winds were WNW to SW 10-20 gusting 30 km/h while ridge winds were strong WNW-W diminishing to moderate to strong by mid afternoon. Cloud cover was 80-100% altostratus and cumulus forming an arch that persisted all day, that made locating the very high-flying Golden Eagles fairly easy but aging them was problematical for extended periods. Much of the eagle avalanche that hit Mount Lorette yesterday passed through here today with a steady stream of Golden Eagles moving to the south high above the Livingstone Range between 1033 and 1740. Of the total count of 508 birds, 474 were Golden Eagles (263a, 13sa, 29j, 169u) with other raptors recorded being 4 Bald Eagles (1a,2sa,1j), 13 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 2 small unidentified accipiters, 3 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (2a,1u), 4 Rough-legged Hawks (1light, 3 dark), 1 dark morph unidentified Buteo, 1 unaged and unsexed columbarius Merlin and a large falcon that was probably a Prairie Falcon. Movement peaked between 1300 and 1700 with hourly counts in this period of 88, 94, 94 and 70 birds. A full day's count would have yielded well over 500 Golden Eagles. Despite the relatively short observation periods, the weekend produced a total of 1027 migrant raptors of which 927 were Golden Eagles and in addition to the observers, 27 members of the public made it to the site to enjoy the spectacle.

7.67 hours BAEA 4, SSHA 13, COHA 3, NOGO 2, UA 2, RTHA 3, RLHA 4, UB 1, GOEA 474, MERL 1, UF 1 TOTAL 508

October 8 [Day 17] (Jim Davis, assisted by Cliff Hansen and 6 sky sweepers) After 2 and a half days of steady rain the day started with fog and light drizzle that only started to lift at 0830. Mount Lorette only became visible at 1040 and the ridges were not completely clear until noon. The temperature reached 9C at 1600 from a low of -1C in the morning and fell to 6C at 1900. Ground winds were calm to light S all day, while ridge winds were light in the morning becoming moderate SW in the afternoon gusting to 72 km/h at 1700. After the fog lifted cloud cover was 10-20% cumulus to 1400 then became 40% altostratus and cirrostratus to 1600 before diminishing to 10% altocumulus and lenticular at the end of the day. Despite the fog a juvenile Northern Goshawk flew low to the south at 0826, but the first Golden Eagle was not recorded until 1005. After that the floodgates gradually opened and by the time the last Golden Eagle was recorded at 1912 a total of 583 raptors had been tallied of which 556 were Golden Eagles. Both totals were record high fall counts for the site, the previous high counts for Golden Eagles being 573 on October 15 2004 and 536 on October 14 2003. Peak movement was 1400-1500 with passage of 125 birds, 121 of which were Golden Eagles, while 1500-1600 yielded 118 birds (115 Golden Eagles) and 1600-1700 112 birds (107 Golden Eagles). The final count was 4 Bald Eagles (3a,1j), 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,4u), a season-high count of 7 Cooper's Hawks (4a,2j,1u), 2 Norther Goshawks (1a,1j), 6 calurus Red-tailed Hawks: 4 light morphs (3a,1j) and 2 dark morphs (1a,1j), 1 adult light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 dark morph unidentified Buteo, a season high and site fall record of 556 Golden Eagles (419a,15sa,76j,46u) and 1 unidentified eagle. As if this was not enough other bird records included a Grey Catbird, 5 American Goldfinches, season-first records of Pacific Wren and Lapland Longspur, 2 Northern Shrikes (1a,1j), 1 Varied Thrush, 8 Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warblers, 25 Red-winged Blackbirds and 1 of 25 Dark-eyed Juncos recorded was of the race mearnsii (“Pink-sided Junco”) which is rare at the site.

12.75 hours (197.9) BAEA 4 (25), SSHA 5 (53), COHA 7 (15), NOGO 2 (9), RTHA 6 (14), RLHA 1 (2), UB 1 (2), GOEA 556 (945), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 583 (1084)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington to 1620 then Doug Dolman to 1840, assisted by Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Raymond Toal, Doug and Teresa Dolmen and David Thomas)

It was a pleasant day after two days of heavy rain with the temperature reaching 9C from a low of 3C, ground winds were variable and light until 1500 when they became W-SW gusting 20-30 km/h while ridge winds were initially light but increased to W moderate to strong in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 50-70% altocumulus and cumulus to 1400 becoming 90-100% cirrus, cirrostratus and cumulus for the rest of the day giving hazy sunshine and generally excellent viewing conditions. Raptor movement was also strong here with a total of 519 raptors migrating between 1024 and 1835, with peak movement between 1500 and 1600 of 112 birds (96 Golden Eagles) and 1700-1800 when 116 birds (113 Golden Eagles) passed. Movement was mainly high above the Livingstone Range with much soaring flight producing kettles of up to 14 Golden Eagles. The flight comprised 1 Osprey, 9 Bald Eagles (6a,2j1u), 31 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a,30u), 6 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 4 unidentified accipiters, 11 Red-tailed Hawks( 10 calurus: 9 light morph (8a,1j), 1 juvenile dark morph, and 1 dark adult harlani), 453 Golden Eagles (217a,37sa,60j,139u) and 2 unidentified raptors.

8.67 hours OSPR 1, BAEA 9, SSHA 31, COHA 6, NOGO 2, UA 4, RTHA 11, GOEA 453, UU2 TOTAL 519

October 7 [NO OBSERVATION] Rain again fell all day with cloud completely enveloping the mountains.

October 6 [NO OBSERVATION] Rain, heavy at times, fell all day with cloud completely enveloping the mountains.

October 5 [Day 16] (Jim Davis, assisted by Cliff Hansen) The temperature was -2C at 0700 and rose to a high of 10C at 1400 and was still 9C at 1610 when the count was terminated because of heavy rain. Ground winds were calm to 1300 then E-NE 5-7 km/k thereafter, and ridge winds were S-SW moderate to 1300 after which they were NE-ENE 4-12 km/h. Cloud cover was 10-20% altostratus to 1300 after which it thickened and lowered from the south to 90% stratus and was100% after 1500. Steady rain started at 1506 finally obscuring all the ridges that started to be draped by cloud after 1500. The first migrant was a Sharp-shinned Hawk at 0753 which flew low to the south above the river, the last bird was also a Sharp-shinned Hawk at 1459 and the highest hourly count was 10 birds between 1300 and 1400. Only 6 birds moved above the western ridges while the rest moved south above the Fisher Range to the east. After yesterday's count the total of only 23 migrants was disappointing and comprised 5 Bald Eagles (3a,2j), 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j,6u), 2 unaged Cooper's Hawks, 2 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1a,1j), 5 Golden Eagles (4a,1j) and 2 adult Peregrine Falcons. The non-raptor highlight was a Belted Kingfisher chasing a juvenile Northern Shrike, and other birds included 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers, 9 Dark-eyed Juncos (9 slate-coloured morphs and 1 Oregon morph), 19 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 42 Pine Siskins.

9.25 hours (185.15) BAEA 5 (21), SSHA 7 (48), COHA 2 (8), RTHA 2 (8), GOEA 5 (389), PEFA 2 (8) TOTAL 23 (501)

October 4 [Day 15] (George Halmazna, assisted by Michael Woertman) The temperature rose to a high of 17C at 1600 from a low of 2C, and was 8.5C at 1900. Ground winds were often calm or light, mainly SW (occasionally S or SE), gusting to 40 km/h around 1400, and ridge winds were strong SSW-SW all day gusting to 120 km/h in the morning and 166 km/h in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus and cumulus to 1300 after which it reduced to 50% but increased again to 90% by the end of the day. Movement started relatively early when the first of a season-high total of 189 Golden Eagles was recorded, and persisted to 1744 when the last of the Golden Eagles went south. The highest hourly count was 44 Golden Eagles between 1100 and 1200. The combined species total of 201 birds was also the highest this season and comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks (5a,2u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 189 Golden Eagles (162a, 5sa,22j) and 1 unaged Peregrine Falcon. A Northern Shrike was the only other bird of note.

12 hours (175.9) BAEA 2 (16), SSHA 7 (41), NOGO 1 (7), RTHA 1 (6) GOEA 189 (384), PEFA 1 (6) TOTAL 201 (478)

October 3 [Day 14] (George Halmazna) The temperature rose to a high of 15.5C at 1600 from a morning low of 2C, ground winds were mainly NE gusting to 18 km/h at 1500, but it was often calm, while ridge winds were strong SSW-SW all day gusting to 160 km/h at 1800. Cloud cover was 100% cirrus and cirrostratus thickening to altostratus and cumulus, diminishing to 70% at 1500 and 1600, and valley fog, that obscured all the ridges, persisted until 1000. The first raptor, a Cooper’s Hawk, was not seen until 1354, the last, 4 Golden Eagles, went south at 1645 and 15 of the day's 25 migrant raptors (14 Golden Eagles and 1 Peregrine Falcon) were recorded between 1600 and 1700. The flight comprised 1 Osprey, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a,1j), 1 juvenile Cooper's Hawk, 18 Golden Eagles (16a,2sa) and 1 Peregrine Falcon of unknown age. Non-raptor species included the season's first Hermit Thrush, 1 Varied Thrush, 2 Blue Jays, 150 Pine Siskins and a singing Great Horned Owl. 12.33 hours (163.9) OSPR 1 (2), SSHA 4 (34), COHA 1 (7), GOEA 18 (195), PEFA 1 (5) TOTAL 25 (277)

October 2 [Day 13] (Bill Wilson, assisted by Cliff Hansen) It was a much more pleasant day with the temperature reaching a high of 17C at 1500 from a low of -2C and it was 9.5C at the end of the day. Ground winds were WSW generally light but occasionally gusted to 20-30 km/h in the afternoon, while ridge winds were SSW moderate to strong with a maximum gust of 143 km/h at 1700. Cloud cover was initially 5% cumulus but varied between 30% and 70% for much of the day before reaching 90% cumulus and altostratus at the end of the day, so most of the day was sunny. There was early morning fog in the valley which quickly dissipated. It was again a rather disappointing day of raptor movement with only 25 birds counted between 1046 and 1654 with 9 of the birds moving between 1200 and 1300 and only 3 birds occurred after 1500. The flight comprised 3 adult Bald Eagles, 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2j,3u), 2 adult Cooper's Hawks, 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 1 small unidentified Accipiter, 1 unidentified Buteo, 9 Golden Eagles (7a,1j,1u) and 1 small unidentified Falcon (either an American Kestrel or a Merlin). There was a reasonable variety of other birds including 1 migrating Common Loon, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 1 Varied Thrush (that sang once), 2 Blue Jays, 32 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and a pair of Great Horned Owls that sang at dusk.

12 hours (151.57) BAEA 3 (14), SSHA 5 (30), COHA 2 (5), NOGO 3 (6), UA 1 (2), UB 1 (1), GOEA 9 (177), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 25 (252)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson, Denise Cocciolone-Amatto, Raymond Toal, Doug and Teresa Dolmen, Nel Van Kamer, Keith McClary and David Thomas) It was a pleasant day with the temperature reaching 17C at 1300 and 1400 from a low of 13C, ground winds were mainly light SW occasionally gusting to 30-50 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were moderate to strong W all day. Cloud cover was 40-70% cumulus generally giving good observing conditions, and occasional light showers ceased after 1030. The first Golden Eagle was not seen until 1105 but there was then fairly strong movement to 1541 although no migrant Golden Eagle was seen after 1410. Much of the movement was high above the Livingstone Range and the count was dominated by 28 Golden Eagles (13a,5sa,8j,2u) and 24 Sharp-shinned Hawks (4a,1j,19u) that often flew high together, the sharp-shins often following the eagles like pilot-fish as we have observed many times before. Other migrants were 4 Cooper's Hawks (2a,2u), 3 adult Northern Goshawks, 3 small unidentified accipiters, 1 adult male columbarius Merlin and 2 unidentified raptors. Red-tailed Hawks were seen hunting the ridge throughout the day, and 3 light calurus birds (2a,1u) were considered to be migrants. The bird of the day, however, was a red-tail that glided high and fast to the south at 1517, which after much puzzlement on our part, finally soared and showed itself to be an adult light morph Harlan's Hawk, which is a rare plumage type for the subspecies, the great majority of birds being dark. A Northern Pygmy owl singing to the west of us at 1558 completed the raptor count for the day.

6.5 hours SSHA 24, COHA 4, NOGO 3, UA 3, RTHA 4, GOEA 28, MERL 1, UU 2 TOTAL 69

October 1 [Day 12] (Jim Davis) The temperature was 5C at 0700 and rose to a high of 7C at 0900 before falling to 3C at 1100 when the site was abandoned because of heavy rain. The wind was very light SW and cloud cover was 100% stratocumulus. Light rain fell from 0700 to 0920, and rain resumed at 1000 becoming heavy at 1100. The western ridges were obscured all day but the Fisher Range to the east was partially open giving some possibility of raptor movement but it too became enveloped in cloud at 1100. Cliff later confirmed that this weather persisted for the rest of the day. No raptors were seen but other birds included 1 migrating Common Loon, 110 American Robins, 5 Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers and 1 slate-coloured morph Dark-eyed Junco.

5 hours (139.57) TOTAL 0 (227)

Piitaistakis-South Livingstone: Frank site (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Hilary Atkinson and Raymond Toal) This was the first reconnaissance count of 10 planned for each weekend day during October, but the start was not encouraging as steady rain fell to 0945 and light rain showers persisted until noon. The northern part of the Livingstone Range was obscured by cloud until 1245 and was subsequently draped in local cloud until 1430. Temperatures ranged from 5.5C to 8C and the wind was SSW-SSE, mainly light but occasionally gusting to 15 km/h. The first migrant raptor was not seen until 1355 but the next two hours saw a sporadic movement of birds along the Livingstone Range with the last bird seen at 1551. The flight was 1 adult Bald Eagle, 4 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 2 unaged dark morph Harlan's red-tailed Hawks and 11 Golden Eagles (2 adults, 5 subadults and 4 juveniles). A surprise was two Short-eared Owls that circled high at 1419, flapping above a slowly migrating Golden Eagle on the Piitaistakis Ridge and furnishing just the 3^rd record of the species for the count. There were few passerine migrants but 11 American Robins and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets moved south before noon and a flock of 12 Red Crossbills perched briefly at 1557 before continuing south. Many thanks to David Thomas for producing an annotated panorama of the Livingstone Range (using a splendid photograph taken by Raymond) for the use of visitors to the site, and for spending several hours in the parking lot of the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre to guide visitors to the site. Details on accessing the Frank site may be found on our website.

6.5 hours BAEA 1, SSHA 4, NOGO 1, RTHA 3, GOEA 11 TOTAL 20

September 30 [Day 11] (Cliff Hansen, assisted by Anita Walker) Warm weather returned with an initial temperature of 10.5C that rose to a high of 23.5 at 1500 and slowly fell to 16C at 1900. Ground winds were variable S-SW initially 5-10 km/h but gusted to 35 km/h between 1100 and 1500 after which they again became light, and ridge winds were SW-SSW moderate to strong gusting to 102 km/h at 1300. In the morning cloud cover was 40% altostratus that formed a Chinook arch over the Fisher Range to the east, that diminished to 20% as the arch slowly drifted east at 1300 after which it reduced to 10% by 1400. At 1900 90% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus cloud suddenly developed that persisted for the rest of the day. The arch made high-flying birds easy to detect but aging was impossible in many cases as the birds were silhouetted against the altostratus cloud. It was a delightful day to be in the field but raptor movement was quite slow and sporadic with only a single Cooper's Hawk counted between 1300 and 1700. The day's flight was 28 birds that mainly glided high above the Fisher Range between 0900 and 1900 and which comprised 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 1 juvenile Cooper's Hawk, 1 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 23 Golden Eagles (7a,1sa,2j,13u) and 1 unaged American Kestrel. After 1700 the birds moved lower against the face of the Fisher Range, and the busiest hour of the day came between 1800 and 1900 when 7 birds (6 Golden Eagles and the Red-tailed Hawk) moved. Non raptors were relatively scarce but included a Northern Shrike, 5 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 115 Pine Siskins.

12.33 hours (134.57) BAEA 1 (11), NOHA 1 (2), COHA 1 (3), RTHA 1 (5), GOEA 23 (168), AMKE 1 (2) TOTAL 28 (227)