March 19 [Day 26] (Valley View site) It was another pleasant day with temperatures ranging from 0-7C, ground winds NW to WSW generally 10-20 km/h but gusting to 60km/h in the early afternoon and ridge winds moderate to strong WNW all day. Cloud cover ranged from 40-80% cumulus and altostratus giving good observation conditions all day. The first two migrant Golden Eagles were seen at 0759 and raptor migration was fairly continuous until the last Golden Eagle glided high to the north at 1945, the latest yet this season. Peak movement was 38 between 1300 and 1400 (4 Bald Eagles and 34 Golden Eagles) and 37 between 1500 and 1600 (5 Bald Eagles and 32 Golden Eagles) and the combined species total of 208 and Golden Eagle total of 189 are the second highest spring totals for the site. At 1445 the season’s 1000th Golden Eagle moved north, one day later than last year. The bird of the day, however was the count’s first American Dipper that flew high to the north at 0742. Seasonal firsts were a male Mountain Bluebird at 0815 and 4 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches flying north at 1524. 12.33 hours (277.8) BAEA 15 (145), SSHA 1 (2), NOGO 2 (10), GOEA 189 (1101) PRFA 1 (3) TOTAL 208 (1269)
Mount Lorette (Joel Duncan) Once again weather conditions were very similar with a temperature range of 0-8C, ridge winds moderate to strong westerly and cumulous cloud cover giving good observation conditions. A season high total of 64 Golden Eagles moved high to the NW between 0823 and 1926 with 16 of the birds seen between 1600 and 1700. A Western Meadowlark was the first seen this season. 11.5 hours (181.9) BAEA 1 (14), NOGO 1 940, GOEA 64 (276) TOTAL 66 (302)