March 12 [Day 20] (Valley View site) (Vance Mattson) For the 8th consecutive day the temperature failed to get above freezing, but it was close as -0.5C was reached at 1700 from a 0800 low of -11C. Ground winds were variable W to NE usually 20-30 occasionally gusting 55 km/h and skies were generally sunny with variable amounts of thin high cloud. Ridge winds were W mainly strong all day. Raptor movement started early with the first Golden Eagle seen at 0846, but the second was not seen until 1055. After 1100 movement became steady culminating in a season-high hourly count of 28 Golden Eagles between 1500 and 1600 and it remaining fairly strong until the last Golden Eagle went north at 1902. The total of 87 Golden Eagles (84 adults and 3 juveniles) is the highest so far this season. A single Bald Eagle was the first at the site in 6 days and the single Northern Goshawk was the first for 10 days. 12.08 hours (206.7) BAEA 1 (95), NOGO 1 (5), GOEA 87 (375) TOTAL 89 (481)
Once again the weather was similar at Mount Lorette, albeit warmer with a temperature low of -2C and a high well above freezing, with similar sky conditions and ridge winds. Once again, however, Golden Eagle numbers were significantly lower than at Piitaistakis-South Livingstone, although Brian McBride counted a season high 15 birds, 7 of which moved between 1400 and 1500 but none were seen after 1500. The Canada Lynx was again seen, walking across the Hay Meadow near the site. 11.5 hours (102.7) BAEA 1 (8), GOEA 15 (53) TOTAL 16 (66)