April 30 [Day 63] (Valley View site) The temperature ranged from -7C to 7.5C with variable light ground winds and upper winds that varied from E to W to N and which were also mainly light. Cloud cover ranged from 100% to 70% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus clouds allowing hazy sunshine all day. The only migrant raptor seen before 1500 was an adult male columbarius Merlin that perched for a couple of minutes before flying north at 1016. The other 16 migrants moved after 1509 and included 8 Golden Eagles (1 subadult and 7 juveniles), 2 adult Cooper’s Hawks (only the 3rd and 4th of the season), a male American Kestrel (the first ever seen at the site in April), and the last bird of the day at 1853 was an adult light morph Swainson’s Hawk, the first of the season. There was a significant songbird movement after 1700 including a flock of 160 American Robins and 500 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches that flew north in 3 flocks, and 5 American Pipits were the first seen at the site in April. 12.5 hours (696.5) BAEA 2 (416), SSHA 2 (37), COHA 2 (4), SWHA 1 (1), GOEA 8 (2611), AMKE 1 (1) MERL 1 (22) TOTAL 17 (3420)
April Summary Four full days were lost because of poor weather and a further 4 days were somewhat shortened because of weather. The 26 days spent in the field during April was the same as last year but the 304.7 hours was 6.1% less. During the month we counted a total of 797 migrant raptors of 17 species which is 34.24% lower than last April’s count with most of the deficit resulting from low counts of Sharp-shinned Hawks (30, -73.2%), Cooper’s Hawks (4, -76.5%), Red-tailed Hawks (132, -23.3%) and Golden Eagles (347, -46.29%). Other counts lower than last April’s count were Turkey Vulture (2, -33.3%), Northern Harrier (15, -21.1%), Northern Goshawk (47, -4.1%), Ferruginous Hawk (4, -55.6%), Peregrine Falcon (3, -25%) and Prairie Falcon (2, -75%), and no Broad-winged Hawks were counted this year compared with 2 last April. By contrast Bald Eagles (163, +34.7%), Rough-legged Hawks (9, +80%), Merlins (17, +30.8%) and Gyrfalcons (4, +33.3%) occurred in higher numbers than last year, while the single Swainson’s Hawk was the same as last year and an American Kestrel was the first counted in April. Compared to April 30, 2008 this year’s combined species count to date is 445 birds fewer, while the Golden Eagle count is 169 birds fewer.

April 29 [Day 62] (Valley View site) I arrived back at the site at 1045 and found 25 cm of fresh snow on the ground. The ridges were almost clear but light snow persisted until 1400 and ground winds were mainly NE 5 to 10 gusting 15 km/h until 1900 when it became calm. Ridge winds were NE moderate until 1500 after which they were E moderate to light and light after 1700. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus until 1900 when the clouds began to break up. Probably as the result of the generally light NE winds raptor movement was very slow with Ospreys at 1409 and 1628, and a subadult Golden Eagle at 1520 being the only migrants recorded. 8.5 hours (684) OSPR 2 (10), GOEA 1 (2603) TOTAL 3 (3403)

April 27, 28 [No observation] An intense weather system over Montana produced two days of almost continuous heavy snow completely occluding all ridges.

April 26 [Day 61] (Valley View site) Snow was forecast for this morning so I was looking forward to sleeping in but no such luck! There was 8 cm of fresh snow at the site and very light snow persisted until 0920 after which the ridges completely cleared. The temperature reached 6C from a low of -4C, ground winds were variable and light and the upper flow was E light until 1330 when it reversed to W light to moderate. Cloud cover was generally 100% stratus and cumulus occasionally thinning to 70%. At 1745 light snow began as a system moved slowly from the north and by 1830 the ridges were obscured. The first migrant raptor, again an adult Northern Goshawk, didn’t appear until 1202 but subsequent movement was steady and the day’s total of 43 was the highest count since April 18. Because of the light winds few birds were seen over the Livingstone Ridge and most moved above the valley after first soaring high to the south of us. The total of 8 Bald Eagles (2 adults, 3 subadults, 2 juveniles and 1 bird of unknown age) was the highest since April 9, and the 3 Ospreys and 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks were both highest counts for this season. A juvenile light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1617 was the 5th record of the species so far, and a Rough-legged Hawk at 1317 equals last year for the latest record of the species at the site. The 16 Golden Eagles comprised 3 adults, 3 subadults, 8 juveniles and 2 birds of undetermined age. A Purple Finch heard singing near the site early in the morning was a new spring record for the site. 11.25 hours (675.5) OSPR 3 (8), BAEA 8 (414), SSHA 6 (35), NOGO 3 (95), RTHA 4 (147), FEHA 1 (5), RLHA 1 (25), UB 1 (2), GOEA 16 (2602) TOTAL 43 (3400)

April 25 [Day 60] (Valley View site) (Bill Wilson) The temperature reached 5C from a low of 0C; ground winds were variable and generally light while ridge winds were W light to moderate. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus all day, with light snow falling to 0820, followed by flurries and periods of light snow for much of the day. After 1500 moderate snow developed with the ridges gradually becoming obscured. The day’s first migrant raptor was an adult Northern Goshawk at 0946 and the last bird was also a goshawk which was the 9th of the day, the highest count this month. In between movement was fairly steady and included 6 Golden Eagles (2 adults and 4 juveniles) and 2 columbarius Merlins. The total of 27 migrant raptors was gratifying considering that the area was under a heavy snowfall warning for the whole day. 9 hours (664.2) SSHA 4 (29), NOGO 9 (92), RTHA 5 (143), GOEA 6 (2586), MERL 2 (21), UU 1 (2) TOTAL 27 (3357)

April 24 [Day 59] (Valley View site) I arrived at the site at 1100 and found 15 cm of fresh snow and 0C, but the day was mainly sunny with 20-90% cumulus cloud cover and the temperature rose by mid afternoon to 4C. Ground winds were mainly SW gusting to 35 km/h until 1600 after which they became light, but ridge winds were NW-WNW moderate to strong all day. The first migrant raptor was a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1138 but movement was initially slow with only 6 migrants seen before 1500. Between 1500 and 1700 we recorded 18 of the day’s 29 migrants including 12 of 17 Golden Eagles before movement again slowed with the last Golden Eagle moving north at 2013. The highlight of the day was the season’s 5th Gyrfalcon, an adult grey morph bird, that was first seen soaring with and being mobbed by a resident Prairie Falcon at 1623. Both birds moved north and when due east of us the tables were turned as the Gyrfalcon aggressively pursued the Prairie Falcon driving it back south. I had never seen these two species soaring together before and their size and shape difference was very striking: the Gyrfalcon was obviously female and the Prairie Falcon male. The 2 Merlins (adult male and female columbarius) brought the count total to19, one more than last spring’s count. Three of the day’s migrant Red-tailed Hawks were adult dark morph “Harlan’s”, and after only 1 adult Golden Eagle had been counted during the last week 6 came through today along with 1 subadult and 10 juveniles. The most remarkable of the day’s records, however, was a Mourning Cloak butterfly flying high to the north at 1208 when the air temperature was still only 1.5C: the radiant heat from the strong sunshine was obviously sufficient to get it moving. 9.5 hours (655.2) BAEA 3 (406), SSHA 1 (25), RTHA 5 (138), GOEA 17 (2580), MERL 2 (19), GYRF 1 (5) TOTAL 29 (3330)

April 23 [No observation] Yesterday’s afternoon rain turned to snow by evening and heavy wet snow fell until around 1500 when it quickly cleared. A moderate N wind and a temperature of -10C, however, did not tempt me to abandon working on my tax return and it’s unlikely that I missed any migrant raptors.

April 22 [Day 58] (Valley View site) The temperature was 10C at 0700, rose to 15C at 1100 and rapidly fell to 7C at 1400. Ground winds were W-SW gusting 40-50 km/h until 1400 when they dropped to 10-20 km/h and ridge winds were W-WNW moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was only 5% at 0700 but quickly increased to 100% altostratus and cumulus at 1100 then thickened to stratocumulus after 1200 with light rain starting which became persistent after 1340. The day’s first migrants were the season’s first 2 Turkey Vultures, both adults, at 0852, with the 3rd bird, an adult female Northern Harrier moving at 1020. There followed a light but varied raptor movement up to 1329 when the last bird of the day, an adult male Northern Harrier, moved north in the steadily increasing rain. 9.25 hours (645.7) TUVU 2 (2), OSPR 2 (5), BAEA 2 (403), NOHA 3 (15), NOGO 1 (83), RTHA 1 (133) GOEA 3 (2563) TOTAL 14 (3301)

April 21 [Day 57] (Valley View site) The temperature was already 11C at 0700 and reached a season-high 21C at 1600. Ground winds were W-SW all day gusting 15-25 km/h in the morning and steadily increasing to 50 km/h after 1830, and ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day. An arch of thick altocumulus cloud provided a gloomy morning to1000, but it broke up giving 30-60% mainly altostratus and cirrus cover before thicker altostratus moved slowly from the north after 1630 giving up to 90% cloud cover. The day’s first migrant raptor was the season’s second Cooper’s Hawk at 1158 and subsequently movement was slow but persistent up to 2023 when the last Golden Eagle went north. The highest hourly count was 6 from 1300-1400. The 7 Bald Eagles comprised 1 subadult and 6 juveniles while the 10 Golden Eagles were 1 adult, 2 subadults and 7 juveniles. One of the 4 migrant Red-tailed Hawks was an adult intermediate morph “Harlan’s Hawk”. First records of Red-naped Sapsucker, Brown Creeper and Ruby-crowned Kinglet brought the season’s bird species total to 61. A Mourning Cloak was the 3rd butterfly species and individual of the season, the previous 2 being a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell on April 11 and a Green Comma on April 17. The rarity of butterflies despite several days of warm weather suggests that the exceptionally long cold winter has taken a toll on species that over-winter as adults. 13.83 hours (636.5) OSPR 1 (3), BAEA 7 (401), NOHA 3 (12), SSHA 1 (24), COHA 1 (2), NOGO 1 (82), RTHA 4 (132), GOEA 10 (2560) TOTAL 28 (3287)

April 20 [Day 56] (Valley View site) The temperature reached a season-high 18.5C from a low of 8C and ground winds were generally WSW to W gusting 40 km/h decreasing to 10-15 km/h after 1700. Ridge winds were WNW moderate to strong all day, and cloud cover was 40-80% altocumulus, altostratus and cirrus all day providing an excellent viewing backdrop. Unfortunately there was nothing to be seen until 1336 when a Rough-legged Hawk moved north, and movement remained sporadic until 1734 when the last bird of the day, an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, was seen: seven of the day’s 15 migrants occurred between 1400 and 1500. The 8 migrant Golden Eagles comprised 2 subadults and 6 juveniles and, unlike yesterday, the resident pair was conspicuous after 1500 with the male displaying vigorously on several occasions. 12.25 hours BAEA 1 (394), NOHA 1 (9), SSHA 2 (23), NOGO 1 (81), RTHA 1 (128), RLHA 1 (24), GOEA 8 (2550) TOTAL 15 (3259)

April 19 [Day 55] (Valley View site) The temperature reached 14C at 1500 from a low of -1C and ground winds were generally W-SW light to 1100 then gusted 30 km/h to 1200 and gusted 40-60 km/h in the afternoon. Ridge winds were W moderate to strong becoming WNW after 1900, and cloud cover was 30-90% altocumulus, altostratus, cirrus and cumulus usually giving good observation conditions. The first raptor migrant was the day’s only Northern Goshawk at 1021 followed by a subadult Golden Eagle at 1029, but by 1420 only 2 further birds had been recorded. The pace then increased somewhat with 4 birds in the next hour and became positively vigorous between 1500 and 1600 when 15 of the day’s 34 birds passed. The pace then slackened again with the last bird, a juvenile Golden Eagle seen at 1931. Most of the movement was above the valley with relatively few birds following the ridge. A juvenile grey morph Gyrfalcon at 1420 was the 4th of the season, one of the 9 migratory Red-tailed Hawks was an adult dark morph “Harlan’s”, and the 18 Golden Eagles comprised 5 subadults and 13 juveniles. Neither of the resident Golden Eagles was seen today. 13.16 hours (610.4) BAEA 1 (393), NOHA 1 (8), SSHA 3 (21), NOGO 1 (80), RTHA 9 (127), GOEA 18 (2542), GYRF (1 (4) TOTAL 34 (3244)

April 18 [Day 54] (Valley View site) (Vance Mattson) The temperature ranged from 1C to 11C, ground winds were generally SW-W gusting 30-50 km/h until 2000 when they became light and ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day. Cloud cover was 10-90% thin altostratus, cirrus and cumulus giving excellent observation conditions. It was the highest combined species count for 6 days with 51 birds of 11 species moving. The first bird, an adult Northern Goshawk, occurred at 0932 and movement was then fairly steady for the rest of the day with the last Golden Eagle gliding high to the north at 2040 and the last bird of the day, a juvenile Bald Eagle, still moving north at 2045, the latest bird ever at the site. The season’s first Osprey was recorded at 1051, one day later than last year, and both Northern Harrier (3) and Sharp-shinned Hawk (4) had their best day so far, although Cooper’s Hawks are still conspicuously absent. An adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk at 1105 was the season’s 4th and an adult Peregrine Falcon at 1059 was the 5th. The total of 21 Golden Eagles comprised 5 subadults, 15 juveniles and one bird of undetermined age, and the resident pair was observed copulating high on Morin Peak at 1922. 13.08 hours (597.3) OSPR 2 (2), BAEA 7 (392), NOHA 3 (7), SSHA 4 (18), NOGO 3 (79), RTHA 6 (118), FEHA 1 (4), RLHA 2 (23), GOEA 21 (2524), MERL 1 (17), PEFA 1 (5) TOTAL 51 (3210)

April 17 [Day 53] (Valley View site) The temperature reached 14C from a low of 1C, and ground winds were generally light and variable to1335 when they became W-WSW gusting 30-50 km/h until 1800 after which they became generally light again. Ridge winds were W moderate to strong all day, and cloud cover was 20-100% cirrus and cirrostratus until 1400 when thick altostratus quickly developed as a Chinook arch which persisted until late in the day. Once again raptor movement was slow and sporadic with the first migrant, a Red-tailed Hawk appearing at 0941, but by 1500 only 3 birds had been seen. The first Golden Eagle didn’t move until 1554 and only 6 further were seen, the flight comprising 3 subadults and 4 juveniles. A little variety was added by the late movement of a Rough-legged Hawk and an adult male Northern Harrier, and the last bird was the day’s second subadult Bald Eagle at 1937. The Golden Eagle counted at 1629 was the 2500th of the season, 9 days later than the mark was reached last year, and the count for the species is now 154 fewer than at this time last year. A male American Three-toed Woodpecker was the first recorded on a spring count here. 13 hours (584.2) BAEA 2 (385), NOHA 1 (4), RTHA 2 (112), RLHA 1 (21), GOEA 7 (2503) TOTAL 13 (3159)

April 16 [Day 52] (Valley View site) A cloudless sky allowed the starting temperature to fall to -5C, but it eventually rose to a high of 10.5C. The first traces of cumulus cloud appeared at 0900 and by 1100 cumulus cover was 80% after which it gradually dwindled becoming cloudless again after 1800. Both ground and ridge winds were mainly light all day, the ridge winds being E until 1330 and then W, but in each case the clouds were hardly moving. It was another slow day for raptor movement with the first migrant, a Rough-legged Hawk, not seen until 1131. Eight of the day’s 19 birds occurred between 1500 and 1600 but subsequently only 4 more birds were seen with the last, an adult Bald Eagle, moving north at 1810. At 1746 a flock of 6 high soaring adult California Gulls contained a single adult Herring Gull, the first to be seen on a spring count here, and at 1914 another flock of 20 California Gulls soared high above the Livingstone Ridge before moving off to the east. 12.33 hours (571.2) BAEA 5 (383), NOGO 1 (76), RTHA 4 (110), RLHA 1 (20), GOEA 6 (2496), MERL 2 (16) TOTAL 19 (3146)

April 15 [Day 51] (Valley View site) There was steady snow until noon when it eased and the ridges began to clear. I arrived at the site at 1300 and snow flurries and light snow continued until 1700, although the ridges were more or less clear. The temperature reached 5C and winds were NE gusting to 25 km/h changing to NW after 1800. Despite the conditions there was a sporadic raptor movement between 1440 and 1759, with most birds quickly losing height after soaring. At 1625 3 apparently resident adult Golden Eagles soared together over the valley for several minutes with no agonistic behaviour before gliding together to the south. 6.33 hours (558.8) BAEA 1 (378), SSHA 2 (14), RTHA 4 (106), GOEA 3 (2490), UF 1 (1) TOTAL 11 (3127)

April 14 [Day 50] (Valley View site) The day started promisingly with 5-10% cumulus cloud, a temperature of -2.5C and moderate NW ridge winds. After 1000 cloud rapidly built up and snow moved from the north at 1100 and by 1115 all ridges were obscured. Winds for the rest of the day were light to moderate NE to N with extended periods of wet snow and snow pellets and some periods of clearing, with the temperature rising to a high of 3C. All the day’s migrant raptors moved between 1009 and 1206 and included 2 adult female Northern Harriers and 9 Red-tailed Hawks, one of which was an adult dark morph harlani. Despite occasional clearing in the afternoon no further movement happened, and as yet another wall of snow moved down from the NE at 1800 I gave up. 11.16 hours (552.5) NOHA 2 (3), NOGO 1 (75), RTHA 9 (102), GOEA 1 (2487) TOTAL 13 (3116)

April 13 [Day 49] (Valley View site) (Vance Mattson) It was the coolest day in 8 days with the temperature reaching a high of 6C from a low of 0C and returning to 0C at 2000. Ground winds were mainly W gusting to 40 km/h in mid afternoon, but dropping to less than 10 km/h after 1900. Ridge winds were W strong until 1900 when they dropped to light-moderate, and cloud cover was 30-70% cumulus and altostratus giving good observation conditions apart from 100% low stratus producing heavy wet snow before 0900, and a few light flurries in the afternoon. Raptor movement was slow and sporadic starting with 2 Golden Eagles at 0930, with a highest hourly count of only 5 between 1900 and 2000, including 4 Red-tailed Hawks, one of which appeared to have had most of its tail shot away. The last bird of the day was a juvenile Golden Eagle still gliding north at 2027, by far the latest bird this season. All 8 Red-tailed Hawks were adult light morph calurus and the 15 Golden Eagles comprised 4 adults and 11 juveniles. 12.58 hours (541.4) BAEA 1 (377), SSHA 1 (12), RTHA 8 (93), GOEA 15 (2486) TOTAL 25 (3103)
Mount Lorette (Joel Duncan) The temperature also ranged from 0-6C with strong SW ridge winds dropping in the evening and 50-100% stratus, cumulus, stratocumulus and cirrus cloud cover. The day saw 3 periods of snow showers and the mountains to the south and west were obscured for most of the day. No migrant raptors were seen, but Joel recorded the first American Pipit of the season. This concludes the Mount Lorette comparative count, which has been conducted on 41 of 44 possible days between March 01 and April 13. Both the Golden Eagle and combined species count are by far the lowest ever recorded during this period in 17 years of counting at the Mount Lorette site. Final count: 41 days (458.67 hours) BAEA 75, SSHA 6, COHA 5, NOGO 7, RTHA 6, RLHA 3, GOEA 872, MERL 1, PEFA 1, UA 2, UB 1, UE 4, UF 1 TOTAL 984

April 12 [Day 48] (Valley View site) It was an uncomfortable day of viewing with ground winds generally SW all day gusting to 60 km/h in the morning and 40 km/h in the afternoon with a temperature high of 8.5C and a low of 2C. Ridge winds were W-WSW strong to moderate all day and cloud cover ranged from 20-100% cumulus, altocumulus and lenticular providing mainly sunny conditions and excellent detection conditions. Despite yesterday’s late movement the first migrant, a Red-tailed Hawk, was not seen until 1104, but it was quickly followed by several more initially moving to the west presumably to get lift into the strong winds, before settling to the usual movement to the north along the Livingstone Ridge. The final Red-tailed Hawk count of 34 was the highest ever for a RMERF spring count, the previous highest being 24 here on April 26 last year. The flight included 25 adult light morph calurus birds, 3 adult dark morph calurus and 2 adult dark morph harlani, and the last bird of the day at 1850 was also a Red-tail. Golden Eagle movement was fairly steady between 1205 and 1844 with the 32 birds counted comprising 9 adults, 11 subadults, 9 juveniles and 3 birds of undetermined age. An adult male Northern Harrier at 1320 was the first for the season, and a Gyrfalcon soaring high with a Red-tailed Hawk at 1125 was the season’s third. 12.5 hours (528.8) BAEA 5 (376), NOHA 1 (1), RTHA 34 (85), GOEA 32 (2471), MERL 2 (14), GYRF 1 (3) TOTAL 75 (3078)
Mount Lorette (Bill Wilson) At Lorette the temperature ranged from -1C to 11C with morning ground winds W 5-10 km/h in the morning and S gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon. Ridge winds were generally W moderate to strong all day and cloud cover was 60-80% cumulus to 1400 after which up to 100% altostratus developed. Unfortunately, between 1100 and 1500 the sky behind Mount Lorette and the Fisher Range to the N and E respectively was completely cloudless which added to the challenge of detecting high-flying migrants. A good number were detected, however, with a total of 51 Golden Eagles counted between 0946 and 1930 which comprised 18 adults, 9 subadults, 18 juveniles and 6 birds of undetermined age, which compares well with yesterday’s flight at P-SL. Maximum movement was 15 from 1500 to 1600, with 14 of these birds moving between 1503 and 1529. Tomorrow will be the last day of the Lorette comparison count.14 hours (446.2) BAEA 3 (75), GOEA 51 (872) TOTAL 54 (984)

April 11 [Day 47] (Valley View site) The temperature ranged from -2 to a season-equaling high of 14.5C between 1400 and 1600, then falling rapidly to 6C at 2000 as a small system moved through in the late afternoon occluding the Continental Divide to the west. Ground winds were mainly W to SW light in the morning and gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were moderate W to 1700 when they shifted to moderate NW. It was cloudless at 0700 but cumulus cirrus and lenticular cloud progressively thickening to 90-100% altostratus and stratocumulus cloud after 1800. The first migrant raptor was an adult Bald Eagle at 1022 and subsequent movement was slow and sporadic like that of the last couple of days until 1730 when the pace increased significantly with the passage of 42 of the day’s 69 migrants, the last of which went north at 1954. The 46 Golden Eagles counted (22 adults, 11 subadults and 13 juveniles) was the highest total since March 31, and a couple of adult Peregrine Falcons were also among the evening rush. The Golden Eagle at 1921 was the 3000th migrant raptor of the season, the mark being reached 5 days later than last year. 13.25 hours (516.3) BAEA 7 (371), SSHA 2 (11), NOGO 5 (74), RTHA 7 (51), GOEA 46 (2439), PEFA 2 (4) TOTAL 69 (3003)
Mount Lorette (Cliff Hansen) The temperature reached 13C at 1400 from a low of -5C, surface winds were W-SW light in the morning and gusting 20 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were moderate to strong SW all day. It was cloudless to 1000, the cumulus, cirrus and altostratus cover progressively increased to 100% stratus at 1900 with light rain and partial occlusion of the ridges. Only 4 migrant raptors were recorded between 1200 and 1807, the lone Golden Eagle at 1736 being a juvenile. 12.5 hours (432.2) COHA 1 (5), UA 1 (2) RTHA 1 (6) GOEA 1 (821) TOTAL 4 (930)

April 10 [Day 46] (Valley View site) It was yet another warm sunny day with the temperature rising to 13C from a low of 2C. Ground winds were mainly SW gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon and ridge winds were W moderate all day. Cloud cover ranged from 10-100% thin altostratus, cirrostratus and cirrus generally providing good observing conditions. It was another slow day of raptor movement although birds moved throughout the period 1030 to1756. All 7 Red-tailed Hawks were adult light morph calurus and moved between 1525 and 1756, and the 11 Golden Eagles comprised 5 adults, 4 subadults and 2 juveniles. After a movement of 98 Bald Eagles in the last 6 days not one was seen today. Not only is raptor movement slow but no new songbirds have appeared in several days, although wintering birds have dwindled rapidly. 12.33 hours (503) NOGO 3 (69), RTHA 7 (44), GOEA 11 (2393), MERL 1 (12) TOTAL 22 (2934)
Mount Lorette (George Halmazna) Weather conditions were similar with the temperature ranging from 2C to 12C, cloud cover of 20-80% mainly cirrus and cumulus and probably light to moderate SW ridge winds. The only migrant raptor seen was an adult Bald Eagle at 1432, but a total of 31 bird species was recorded including the season’s first Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 13 hours (419.7) BAEA 1 (72) TOTAL 1 (926)

April 9 [Day 45] (Valley View site) It was another warm day with a high of 14C and a low of 4C, ground winds were mainly SW gusting to 25 km/h and ridge winds were moderate WSW all day. Cloud cover was a 60-90% mixture of altostratus, altocumulus, cirrus, cumulus and lenticular providing mainly hazy sunshine and excellent observing conditions. Although raptor movement was better than it was yesterday, the 27 birds counted is still below what would be expected for this time of year. The first raptor was a juvenile Golden Eagle at 1042 and movement peaked at 8 birds between 1500 and 1600 with only 2 more birds recorded after 1600, the last being a subadult Bald Eagle at 1806. Conditions for migration were excellent all day so the reason for the relative lack of birds lies elsewhere. The 11 Bald Eagles comprised 6 adults, 2 subadults and 3 juveniles, while all but one of the 9 Golden Eagles were juveniles, the other being an adult. The resident Golden Eagle situation continues to be confusing with 3 adults performing low-intensity displays together at 1815 while a fourth adult displayed about a kilometre to the south. 12.33 hours (490.7) BAEA 11 (364), NOGO 3 (66), RLHA 3 (37), GOEA 9 (2382), MERL 1 (11) TOTAL 27 (2912)
Mount Lorette (Cliff Hansen) The temperature rose to 12C from 4C, surface winds were light W to variable until noon, gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon before becoming light again after 1700. Ridge winds were light to 1100 then moderate to 1700 when they were strong for an hour before diminishing again. Cloud cover was 20-80% altocumulus, cirrus and cumulus. The first migrant raptor was an adult Bald Eagle at 1051 followed by a long raptor-less period broken at 1702 when 5 eagles (1 Bald and 4 Golden) were seen soaring together over the Fisher Range. Eleven of the day’s 17 migrants moved between 1700 and 1800, and the last bird, an adult Golden Eagle, was recorded at 1927. At 1830 a Tree Swallow feeding over the Hay Meadow cut a clear swath through a swarm of moths that were highlighted by sun breaking through snow clouds to the west. 11.25 hours (406.7) BAEA 3 (71), NOGO 1 (7), GOEA 13 (820) TOTAL 17 (925)

April 8 [Day 44] (Valley View site) The temperature reached 11.5C from a low of -1C and was still 9C at 1900. Both the ground and ridge winds were generally light W to 1300 and subsequently SE to E. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, altocumulus and cirrus giving excellent observation conditions, although there was very little to observe with only 11 migrants counted between 1038 and the season’s first Cooper’s Hawk 1757. Even the resident Golden Eagles which have been very conspicuous over the last couple of weeks were only seen a couple of times, and no display was seen. The relative lack of migrants did not dampen the enthusiasm of a second class of students from Isabelle Seton School in Blairmore. 12.33 hours (478.4) BAEA 6 (353), COHA 1 (1), NOGO 2 (63), RTHA 1 (34), GOEA 1 (2373) TOTAL 11 (2885)
Mount Lorette (Jim Davis) The temperature ranged from -4C to 11C, ridge winds were S in the morning then SE light after noon, and cloud cover was 10% to 1000 and then 40-80% altostratus, cirrostratus and cumulus. Birds moved between 1130 and 1600, and half the 10 migrants counted were Golden Eagles (3 adults, 1 subadult and 1 juvenile). 12 hours (395.4) BAEA 1 (68), SSHA 1 (6), COHA 2 (4), UB 1 (1), GOEA 5 (808) TOTAL 10 (908)

April 7 [Day 43] (Valley View site) It was the warmest day so far with the temperature reaching 14.5C from a low of -1C. Ridge winds were W moderate until 1700 after which they became light, and cloud cover was initially 90% thin altostratus and cirrostratus gradually diminishing to 0% after 1700. The general dynamic was similar to that of yesterday with birds moving sporadically with prolonged periods with no movement. Birds moved from 1037 to 1752 after which migration ceased, with calm conditions and a cloudless sky. The 16 Golden Eagles comprised 4 adults, 5 subadults and 7 juvenile birds, and the resident pair was seen copulating high on the ridge at 1800. One of the 5 Red-tailed Hawks was an adult dark morph “Harlan’s Hawk”. At 1847 a late subadult Golden Eagle was seen displaying on a couple of occasions during the evening near the ridge-top observation site. A visiting grade 7 science class from Isabelle Seton School in Blairmore saw displaying and migrating Golden Eagles and other raptors and greatly enjoyed the sunny day, as we enjoyed their visit. 12.25 hours (466) BAEA 12 (347), SSHA 1 (9), NOGO 4 (61), RTHA 5 (33), GOEA 16 (2372), MERL 1 (10) TOTAL 39 (2874)
Mount Lorette (Jim Davis) The temperature ranged from -5C to 13C under sunny skies with only 10-20% altostratus and cirrostratus cloud cover, and ridge winds were SW light to moderate. The first Golden Eagle appeared at 0934 and maximum movement was 2 Bald Eagles and 3 Golden Eagles between 1700 and 1800, with the last Bald Eagle moving at 1839. A pair of Mountain Bluebirds was the first for the season, and 3 Northern Shrikes frequented the Hay Meadow adjacent to the site. 12.5 hours (383.4) BAEA 4 (67), COHA 1 (2), RTHA 2 (5), GOEA 8 (802) TOTAL 15 (898)

April 6 [Day 42] (Valley View site) The temperature was already 3C at 0700 and reached a season high 13C at 1500. Ground winds were very variable in the morning before settling down to W-SW gusting to 40 km/h in the afternoon, and ridge winds were W strong to moderate all day. A Chinook arch to the east dissipated after 1000 and 70-90% altostratus and cirrus cloud gradually diminished to 0% at 1800. Raptor movement was very sporadic between 0955 and 1825, with the exception of Bald Eagles with 23 birds moving between 1222 and 1809: the last 3 days have yielded 79 birds. Immature Bald Eagles are now occurring in numbers similar to adults with today’s flight comprising 12 adults, 6 subadults and 5 juveniles. Golden Eagle movement was disappointing with only 12 birds (4 adults, 5 subadults and 3 juveniles) seen, and of these 5 occurred between 1000 and 1100 and another 4 from 1700 to 1800. The resident Golden Eagles were again active displaying and at one time 3 adults were seen displaying simultaneously (albeit one was distant from the other two) suggesting that birds from adjacent home ranges may be vying for the same space. 12.5 hours (453.8) BAEA 23 (335), NOGO 2 (57), RTHA 1 (28), GOEA 12 (2356), MERL 1 (9), PRFA 2 (13), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 43 (2835)
Mount Lorette (Cliff Hansen and Joel Duncan) Joel had car problems so Cliff observed from 0930 and was relieved by Joel at 1200. The temperature ranged from 4C to 11C, cloud cover was around 20% Chinook arch to the east and cirrus all day, and ridge winds were strong SW all day. All raptor movement was confined to the period 1201 to 1330 and comprised 5 Golden Eagles and the first Merlin for the site this season. 10.75 (370.9) GOEA 5 (794), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 6 (883)

April 5 [Day 41] (Valley View site) Finally a spring-like day! The temperature rose to 11C from a low of -8C, ground winds were variable to SW/WSW light in the morning but gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon and ridge winds were generally W light in the morning but strengthening in mid afternoon before moderating again in the evening. The sky was cloudless until 0900 when thin cirrus began to develop that gradually spread to 90% at 1900 and thickened by late afternoon providing excellent observing conditions. Early morning movement was slow with only 2 Golden Eagles passing before 1100. The pace subsequently quickened although there were a number of periods without birds, but it was only after 1800 that there was concerted movement with 30 of the day’s 81 migrants occurring, the last going north at 1957. The counts of 8 Red-tailed Hawks (all calurus) and 3 Merlins (all columbarius) were the highest yet this season, and the 30 Bald Eagles is the second highest count after the 35 on March 21. For the first time immature Golden Eagles (17, 51.5%: 10 subadults and 7 juveniles) outnumbered adults (16), and other highlights included a stunningly white adult Ferruginous Hawk and a very pale grey morph adult Gyrfalcon. The 9 species of migrant raptors equals the season high, and a non-migrant Prairie Falcon was also seen. The resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks comprises a light and rufous morph as last year (the same birds?) and attempted copulation was seen at 1630. The resident pair of Golden Eagles was conspicuous all day, on occasion displaying together, and in the afternoon they were joined by a non-migrant juvenile bird which at 1642 engaged in a prolonged high-intensity display with one of the adult birds. The first Tree Swallow of the year appeared at 1127, 3 day’s later than last year’s first occurrence. 13.33 hours (441.3) BAEA 30 (312), SSHA 1 (8), NOGO 2 (54), RTHA 8 (27), FEHA 1 (3), RLHA 2 (19), GOEA 33 (2344), MERL 3 (8), GYRF 1 (2) TOTAL 81 (2792)
Mount Lorette (Bill Wilson) The temperature ranged from -10C to 10C , ridge winds were W to SW moderate, diminishing in the afternoon, and cloud cover was 70-100% cirrus and cirrostratus for most of the day except for 1300-1500 when it fell to 10-20%, but generally observing conditions were good. The first migrant, a Golden Eagle, was seen at 1049 but by 1300 only 1 more bird had moved. The rate then gradually increased with maximum passage of 10 birds from 1900 to 2000, with the last Golden Eagle moving at 1955. The count of 16 Bald Eagles was by far the highest this season, and 50% of the 32 Golden Eagles seen were immature (7 subadults and 9 juveniles), gratifyingly similar to the P-SL totals. 13.83 hours (360.2) BAEA 16 (63), NOGO 1 (6), RLHA 1 (3), GOEA 32 (789) TOTAL 50 (877)

April 4 [Day 40] (Valley View site) Light snow continued until 1000 and the ridges didn’t fully clear until the early afternoon. The temperature rose to 4C from a low of -6C, ground winds were variable and light while the winds at ridge level were also light to possibly moderate SE to 1100 then SW to 1600 and finally E for the rest of the day. Cloud cover of 80-100% stratus and cumulus to 1400 gave way to progressively diminishing cumulus which essentially disappeared after 1830. The light winds meant that most birds moved to the west of the Livingstone Ridge, soaring high to the south of us before gliding high to the north above the valley. The day’s first migrant raptor, an adult Northern Goshawk, was not seen until 1140 and by 1600 only 7 migrants had been recorded. After 1600, however, movement significantly increased with the next 4 hours yielding 18, 18 10 and 7 migrants respectively with the last bird, a Red-tailed Hawk gliding slowly to the N at 1952. Movement was generally slow with eagles sometimes soaring for as much as 11 minutes before gliding to the north: at 1657 8 Bald Eagles soared together, and the day’s total of 27 (17 adults, 7 subadults and 2 juveniles) is the second highest this season. The 27 Golden Eagles counted included a season high 37% immature birds (8 subadults and 2 juveniles), and all 5 migrant Buteos were dark morphs: 3 adult Red-tailed Hawks, 1 adult Ferruginous Hawk and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. The clear and relatively warm afternoon weather produced a varied passerine movement for the first time in a while and the day’s total bird species count reached 30 for the first time this season. 13.08 hours (428) BAEA 26 (282), NOGO 2 (52), RTHA 3 (19), FEHA 1 (2), RLHA 1 (17), GOEA 27 (2311) TOTAL 60 (2711)
Mount Lorette (Doug Pedersen) The temperature ranged from -10C to 4C, ground winds were light and ridge winds were SW moderate to strong. Skies were cloudless to 1100 then 30-60% cumulus developed for the rest of the day giving excellent observing conditions. Only 2 birds moved before noon: a Bald Eagle and the season’s first Cooper’s Hawk, and the first of the day’s 47 Golden Eagles did not appear until 1308 with the last recorded at 1947. The 3 Red-tailed Hawks were also the first seen at the site this season and the 5 Bald Eagles is the highest daily count so far. 13.42 hours (346.3) BAEA 5 (47), COHA 1 (1), RTHA 3 (3), GOEA 47 (757) TOTAL 56 (827)

April 3 [No observation] Snow all day (4cm fresh) with light to moderate SE winds and ridges substantially obscured all day. I went to the site for a couple of hours in mid afternoon when the cloud appeared to be lifting but it didn’t!
Mount Lorette (George Halmazna) The temperature ranged from -8C to 1.5C and winds were initially light E, switching to N in the afternoon. Cloud formed over the ridges by late morning and stayed there for the rest of the day and there were snow flurries throughout much of the afternoon. The sun was visible through the clouds all day giving the prospect of a clearing that never came. The day’s only migrant raptor was a juvenile Bald Eagle. 13 hours (332.9) BAEA 1 (42) TOTAL 1 (771)

April 2 [Day 39] (Valley View site) (Vance Mattson) The temperature ranged from -6C to 4C with light W to variable ground winds which were probably light to moderate on the ridge. Cloud cover was 70-90% altostratus, altocumulus and lenticular cloud until 1100, after which it was 100% stratus with some imbedded cumulus. Periods of snow, flurries and sleet occurred after 1300, with the ridges becoming variably obscured. I took the early shift from 0700 to 0830 and had 2 adult Bald Eagles move north at 0720: the earliest migrants of the season so far. Vance took over at 0830 and didn’t see another migrant until 1103 when a Golden Eagle moved north and movement was then sporadic with the highest hour being 1500-1600 when 5 Golden Eagles passed. The day’s last bird was a Golden Eagle at 1611. 11.33 hours (414.9) BAEA 3 (256), UB 1 (1), GOEA 12 (2284) TOTAL 16 (2651)
Mount Lorette (Cliff Hansen) The temperature reached 2C from a low of -10C and ridge winds were light SW in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 40-90% cumulus and cirrus becoming 100% stratus after 1500 producing light flurries and partially obscuring the Fisher Range. The first 2 migrant Golden Eagles did not appear until 1212 and the movement peaked between 1300 and 1400 with the passage of 2 Bald Eagles and 10 Golden Eagles. Movement thereafter became sporadic as the clouds lowered, with the last bird flapping low towards the NW at 1743. 12.5 hours (319.9) BAEA 4 (41), GOEA 21 (710) TOTAL 25 (770)

April 1 [Day 38] (Valley View site) There was 4 cm of fresh snow on the ground and the early temperature was -8C with light NE ground winds and light to moderate WSW ridge winds, and with 90% altostratus and cumulus cloud cover clearing to 20% at 0800 prospects looked good. However, this proved to be a cruel April Fools joke as snow started at 0910 and it continued to snow intermittently for the rest of the day with the ridges being variably occluded and often when they were clear snow made observation difficult. The temperature rose to 1C and afternoon winds were SW moderate to strong. Raptor movement was exceptionally sporadic with 9 of the day’s 12 migrants moving in a relatively clear period between 1320 and 1540 and the last bird was an unidentified eagle that disappeared into the snow at 1823. The highlight of the day was a single flock of 57 Trumpeter Swans, including 2 conspicuously dark juvenile birds, flying high over the Livingstone Range towards the east at 1102. 11.75 hours (403.5) NOGO 2 (50), RTHA 1 (16), GOEA 8 (2272), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 12 (2635)
Mount Lorette (Cliff Hansen) The weather was very changeable with mountains to the west and south obscured all day. The temperature rose to 0C from a low of -6C, ridge winds were SW moderate to strong and cloud cover was cumulus, altocumulus and stratus ranging from 20% early in the day to 100% for much of the rest of the day. It snowed between 1100 and 1400 with everything obscured, but the eastern ridges partially cleared in the afternoon although flurries persisted for the rest of the day. The first migrant, an adult Bald Eagle, did not appear until 1458 and the reminder of the day’s 17 migrants, 13 Golden Eagles and 3 more Bald Eagles, all moved between 1616 and 1911 with most seen 1700 to 1800 (7 Golden Eagles and 1 Bald Eagle). 11.75 hours (307.4) BAEA 4 (37), GOEA 13 (689) TOTAL 17 (745)