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)