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.