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)