March 11 [Day 19] (Valley View site) The temperature rose to a high of -6C from -15C but ground winds gusting to 60 km/h in the morning made it feel considerably cooler. Ridge winds were WNW all day strong in the morning moderating in the afternoon to moderate to strong. Thin altostratus, cumulus and cirrus cloud in the early morning gave way to almost cloudless skies after 1030. Raptor migration was confined to Golden Eagles and the day’s total of 85 was the highest so far this season. Movement started fairly early at 0911 and by 1146 I had counted 26 birds, but movement then became sporadic with only 9 more birds seen before 1500. After 1500 movement again became steady with the peak of 18 birds between 1600 and 1700 being the highest hourly count to date. For the first time this season birds moved after 1900 (1800 MST) with 5 counted, the last at 1928. Today’s flight comprised 82 adults and 3 juveniles. 11.83 hours (194.6) GOEA 85 (288) TOTAL 85 (392)
At Mount Lorette weather conditions were similar with temperatures ranging from -26C to -3C, ridge winds NW to SW moderate to strong and cloudless for most of the day. Cliff Hansen, however, only recorded a single adult migrant Golden Eagle at 1428, and a resident bird was also seen in the area for the first time this year. A Wilson’s Snipe calling from the river was a season’s first. 11.67 hours (91.16) GOEA 1 (38) TOTAL 1 (50)