DAY 83 (May 16) The last day of the count started with 100% St cloud cover and 2C, with the cloud thinning then breaking after 0900 producing a mainly sunny day with the temperature rising to a season-high 22C. Winds were mainly SSW-SW occasionally gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon. Not surprisingly raptor movement was slow despite the first migrant, a subadult BAEA, moving north at 0629, and only three more migrants were recorded with the last bird of the season being a juvenile SSHA at 1408. We had several sightings of resident raptors, however, the highlight being an adult NOGO unsuccessfully hunting Northern Rough-winged Swallows just north of the site in the afternoon and then half an hour later being vigorously mobbed itself by a MERL. No new species of bird arrived, but a very pleasant day with several members and friends visiting the site had an end of school feeling and was capped by a large male Black Bear moving southwards across the ski slopes to the west at 1709. Like the previous months, the total raptor count in May was well below average (88 birds, -40%) despite the time spent in the field being close to average. The GOEA total of 24 was 61% below average, while the 6 BAEA were 38% below average, and only NOGO (5) and RTHA (18) were significantly above average. Overall the GOEA count of 2141 (-35.2%) was the lowest ever, 320 lower than the previous low count in 1997, and continues a diminishing trend that started in 1996. The BAEA total of 212 was close to average (-3.9%), while RTHA was 55.8% above average and the highest spring count since 1999. The 20 MERL counted (+104%) was the highest total ever, as was the total of 4 TUVU (+522%), with 7 of the 13 birds counted since 1993 occurring in the last three years. Over the 83 days of the count we tallied a total of 17,560 birds of 130 species, and had the pleasure of welcoming 479 visitors to the site. We will now conduct our principal complete counts at the South Livingstone site both in the spring and fall, but plan a 30-day count at Mount Lorette this fall starting around September 30. Consult our website for details and we hope to see you this coming fall at one of both of the sites. (14 hours: 1019) BAEA 1 (212), SSHA 1 (62), RTHA 1 (70), GOEA 1 (2141), TOTAL 4 (2621)


FINAL COUNT (with variance from 1993-2006 average)

DAYS 83 (+ 4.1%)
HOURS 1019 (+19.5%)

TURKEY VULTURE (TUVU) 4 (+522%)
OSPREY (OSPR) 8 (-25%)
BALD EAGLE (BAEA) 212 (-3.9%)
NORTHERN HARRIER (NOHA) 6 (-40%)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (SSHA) 62 (-11%)
COOPER’S HAWK (COHA) 18 (-2.7%)
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (NOGO) 27 (-17%)
Accipiter sp. (UA) 8
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (BWHA) 1 (-44%)
SWAINSON’S HAWK SWHA) 1 (-40%)
RED-TAILED HAWK (RTHA) 70 (+55.8%)
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (RLHA) 17 (-14%)
GOLDEN EAGLE (GOEA) 2141 (-35.2%)
AMERICAN KESTREL (AMKE) 9 (+34%)
MERLIN (MERL) 20 (+103%)
GYRFALCON 3 (+100%)
PEREGRINE FALCON (PEFA) 2 (-15%)
PRAIRIE FALCON (PRFA) 5 (+45.8%)
Falco sp. (UF) 1
Unidentified raptor (UU) 6

TOTAL 2621 (-30.56%)

DAY 82 (May 15) Cloudless skies produced a temperature of -2C at 0600 and they persisted until 1100 when 10-50% Cu cloud developed most of the rest of the day. The temperature rose to 18.5C with almost continuous sunshine, with variable light winds at valley level and light to moderate NW winds aloft. Only one migrant raptor was seen: a female AMKE at 1744 and it appears the migration is essentially over. Non-raptor species continue to arrive with 4 singing Yellow Warblers [#127] along the river and at the Ponds, where I also heard 2 Soras [#128] calling and Common Yellowthroats singing for the first time. A Blue Jay [#129] calling in the northern riparian area was just the 5th spring record for the area (they are much more common in the fall) and at 1418 a Tennessee Warbler [#130] was singing south of the site which is a species we don’t often record before the spring raptor count ends. Two Common Ravens were fishing at Lorette Ponds at 0600 and caught 3 good sized fish in about 5 minutes despite having to drive off an adult BAEA that was also trying to fish there. Grey Jays have become conspicuous again after almost having disappeared for about 3-4 weeks and today I saw the reason why: the first newly fledged juvenile bird accompanying an adult just south of the site. (14.17 hours: 1005) AMKE 1 (9) TOTAL 1 (2617)

DAY 81 (May 14) The 100% cloud cover at the start soon broke up, but redeveloped between 1000 and 1300 with light rain between 1015 and 1045. Although there were showers in the area until mid afternoon, this was the only rain that fell on me. The temperature rose to 14C from a low of 1C, winds were variable and light with only occasional gusts to 20 km/h from the SW in the afternoon, and the afternoon Cu cloud cover was ideal for observation. All 5 of the migrant raptors moved between 1710 and 1836 when the only GOEA of the day, a subadult, moved to the NW. At 1715 the first Swainson’s Hawk, of the season [#125], an adult dark morph, glided north from the Fisher Range giving us the 11th spring record for the species. The 65 bird species recorded was a new season high and included 7 other first occurrences. Three Northern Waterthrushes [#119] were singing at the Ponds in the morning, where a male Rufous Hummingbird [#120] was spectacularly displaying, while a couple of Least Flycatchers [#121] sang in the aspens to the NW. A pair of Cinnamon Teal [#122] at the northern Ponds was only the 8th spring record for the species and all but one of the sightings has involved a pair of birds. The highlight of the day (and probably of the season) was a Field Sparrow feeding with a flock of Chipping Sparrows under the Stoney Trail power lines 300 m N of Lorette Creek. I observed the bird for about 5 minutes as close as 4 m and made a full description. The bird has been hypothetical for the area since Jack Steeves described one in April 1995, but as it had not been previously recorded in the province Jack felt that his description, although good, was not definitive. The species was seen and confirmed the following year along the Sibbold Trail about 20 km to the NE of our site, and in the light of that and today’s record we should reassess his record as a possible provincial first. At 1508 I flushed a Sprague’s Pipit [#124] from the Hay Meadow for our 4th overall and 1st spring record, and another flock of Chipping Sparrows in the meadow included a Clay-coloured Sparrow [#126] at 1818. Add to these our first pure “Yellow-shafted” Flicker of the season, an adult Northern Saw-whet Owl perched on a snag at the Ponds and the first singing Northern Pygmy-Owl since March 20 and it made for a reasonably good day despite the dwindling of the raptor migration. (13.5 hours: 990.8) SSHA 2 (61), COHA 1 (18), SWHA 1 (1), GOEA 1 (2140) TOTAL 5 (2616)

May 13 (Cliff Hansen) Rain dwindled to very light rain after 0915 and stopped for a couple of hours before steady rain resumed for the rest of the day after 1400. All ridges were obscured all day, and winds were from the SE to NE up to 10 km/h with the temperature steady at 4C. Raptor observation was not possible and a general survey over 8.25 hours produced only 35 species of bird, with a single Western Meadowlark NW of the ponds being of note. A single Muskrat at the Mount Allan Viewpoint pond was the first for the year. NO OBSERVATION

DAY 80 (May 12) (Bill Wilson) Temperatures ranged from -3C up to 19C, with cloud increasing from 0% initially to 100% later in the day and SW to W winds 5-10 gusting 20 km/h. Despite the long day only 2 migrants were recorded: a juvenile GOEA at 1248 and a subadult GOEA at 1643, together with 5 sightings of non-migratory BAEA and an adult male Richardson’s MERL at the site. It’s now looking increasingly likely that the raptor migration is essentially over for this spring and I now plan to finish the count on Wednesday May 16. Bill recorded no new species among the 53 he tallied, but a young Black Bear near the site reported by a visitor was the first for the year. Next Wednesday will also be the last day of season-long counts at the Lorette site for the foreseeable future as today the RMERF Board endorsed my recommendation that the principal count site be moved to South Livingstone for both spring and fall counts starting this fall. Barbara and I are presently starting the process of relocating to the eastern Crowsnest Pass area which we intend to complete this summer. RMERF plans to do a 30-day count at Mount Lorette this coming fall, similar to last year’s effort, depending on the availability of observers, and Cliff has agreed to act as coordinator for the project. (15.17 hours: 977.3) GOEA 2 (2139) TOTAL 2 (2611)

DAY 79 (May 11) The day started as yesterday with a cloudless sky and -3C, but unlike yesterday Cu cloud only developed after 1300 and never exceeded 10% making observation very challenging. Winds were moderate to strong SW to SSW and the temperature rose to 18C. The only migrant raptor seen was a subadult BAEA that went north at 1847: it was a long wait! Other bird species continue to arrive, however, including the first Warbling Vireos [#116], mainly singing in the aspens near Lorette Creek, one day earlier than average, and a single Vesper Sparrow [#117] in the Hay Meadow, a species that is of less than annual occurrence at the site. The highlight of the day, however, came at 1320 when an American Bittern [#118] flew sedately up the river from the north and landed in a backwater just south of the site. This is just the second record for the area of a bird that is extremely rare in the mountains, our first being one I found at the Ponds on April 1, 2003. Another unusual bird was a White-crowned sparrow of the black-lored race Z.l.oriantha that was an overshoot from southern Alberta or farther south and is only rarely recorded at the site. During the previous few days I had recorded a few birds of the white-lored gambelii race moving farther north, but the great preponderance of birds seen in the area have grey lores and appear to be intergrades between the two races. The migratory flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers that have been so prominent during the last 10 days have moved on, and all birds recorded today were territorial. The Say’s Phoebe that spent seven consecutive days in the Hay Meadow has also moved on, and three Great blue Herons appear to be sitting eggs at the heronry. (14 hours: 962.1) BAEA 1 (211) TOTAL 1 (2609)

DAY 78 (May 10) Cloudless skies and calm conditions allowed the temperature to fall to -3C at 0615, but a generally sunny day with light variable lower winds and moderate to light SSW upper winds produced a high of 16C. Varying amounts of Cu and Ci cloud gave a splendid background allowing detection of exceptionally high soaring birds in mid-afternoon. Raptor movement was again slow but steady and typical for this late in the season, and was again dominated by juvenile Red-tailed Hawks, most of which showed signs of moult in the wings and tail. New bird species for the day were a singing Dusky Flycatcher [#112] and 2 Spotted Sandpipers [# 114], 2 days earlier than average, and two rare birds for the area. At 1119 a Lewis’ Woodpecker [#113] flew low over the site towards the south giving just the third record for the area, the previous being May 22 1993 and May 1 1999. At 1499 it reappeared at the site and flew north to perch in an aspen in the Hay Meadow, and as I watched it a pair of Common Grackles [#115] flew from the ENE and perched briefly in an aspen stand adjacent to the one in which the woodpecker was perched, before flying off to the north. This is only the second record for the area, the first being on May 9, 1999. I heard Hermit Thrush and White-crowned Sparrows in song for the first time, and Townsend’s Warblers are now common singing in the old-growth spruce areas. The first proven breeding success of the year was a pair of Canada Geese with 3 goslings on the river. At 0700 I was greeted at the site by a herd of 56 Elk which moved off to the north, and at 1340 yesterday’s Grizzly Bear was foraging for roots about 50 m east of the site. It was another entertaining day. (14.17 hours: 948.1) OSPR 2 (8), BAEA 1 (210), NOGO 2 (27), RTHA 6 (69), GOEA 2 (2137) TOTAL 13 (2608)

DAY 77 (May 9) Large puddles on the trail to the site testified to the heavy rain associated with the thunderstorm that developed just after I left yesterday evening, but today was sunny all day with 5-60% Cu cloud, temperatures from 6C to 14C and generally only moderate SW winds. At 1645 the lower winds changed abruptly to the north, although the upper flow remained SSW. There was no raptor movement in the morning, but with the upper winds diminishing birds sporadically migrated between 1250 and 1845. Highlights were our 4th TUVU (a juvenile) soaring above the middle of the valley being harried (appropriately!) by a female NOHA, and our first Broad-winged Hawk [#111] receiving similar attention from 2 juvenile SSHA as they drifted north above the valley. All 5 RTHA were juveniles, and the MERL was an adult male richardsoni that spent around 10 minutes bathing and preening in the river before flying off. The total bird species count for the day was a season high 64, and included 7 more new species. Single male Common Yellowthroat [#104] and Wilson’s Warbler [#105] were at the Ponds but not yet singing, where I also found a recently dead Mourning Dove [#106] below the power lines, that may have been electrocuted in last nights thunderstorm. Two visiting birdwatchers from Calgary, Bernard and Terese Goulet, reported a singing Cassin’s Vireo [#107] at the trailhead, and a Hermit Thrush [#108] south of the site, and after they had joined me there a male Western Tanager [ #109] flew in and perched above us. In the early afternoon I found 2 female Brewer’s Blackbirds [#110] in the meadow. As I arrived at the Stoney Trailhead early in the morning, the first Grizzly Bear of the season, a probable adult male, was already there, and made its way north and spent some time near the site in the Hay Meadow. He was our 23rd mammal species of the season. (14 hours: 933.9) TUVU 1 (4), BAEA 2 (209), NOHA 1 (6), SSHA 3 (59), BWHA 1 (1), RTHA 5 (63), GOEA 1 (2135), MERL 1 (20) TOTAL 15 (2595)

DAY 76 (May 8) Winds were again strong SW all day raising the temperature to 21C from a low of 12C. It was cloudless until after 1000 when up to 50% Cu, Ci and Ac cloud developed, then after 1800 Sc cloud moved rapidly from the west, rain started at 1825 with thunder developing after 1925. Only two migrant raptors were seen: a juvenile COHA and a juvenile RTHA, but 46 other bird species were recorded including the first Orange-crowned Warblers [#101], 7 days later than average, a female Purple Finch [#102] and a single Bank Swallow [#103], one of our earliest records and consistent with the early return dates of the other swallow species. A male Rusty Blackbird was displaying at the Ponds early in the morning although the species has never bred here. I also saw 10 butterfly species including first records of Hoary Elfin, Spring Azure and Freija Fritillary, and found single flowering Pygmy Androsace and Early Blue Violet for the first time this year in the Hay Meadow. (13.33 hours: 919.9) COHA 1 (17), RTHA 1 (58) TOTAL 2 (2580)

DAY 75 (May 7) Strong SW winds all day with the temperature ranging from 10C to 17C, and 70-100% As and Cu cloud with an arch forming after 1600. Obviously the very high winds were not conducive to raptor movement: no migrants were recorded, and even resident birds were hard to find. The highlight of the day came at 1249 when Cliff found a new species for the area in the southern part of the Hay Meadow: the rare and elusive Rock Pigeon. It has taken us only 2390 field days to find the first one, which is the 100th species for the year and the 246th species for the study area. On the breeding front Ron saw a pair of American Dippers carrying food to a nest site behind Troll Falls, and at the other end of the process I observed a pair of Northern [Red-shafted] Flickers copulating in an aspen tree at 1912. The first pair of Harlequin Ducks was on the river near the site at 1920. (14.17 hours: 906.6) NO MIGRANT RAPTORS

DAY 74 (May 6) Calm conditions and -2C at 0630 changed after noon to SW winds gusting to 25 km/h with moderate to strong winds at ridge level, raising the temperature to 15C. The upper flow was NW until 1600 when it backed to W, and the cloud cover was a continuously changing kaleidoscope of Cu, Ac, As and Ci cloud giving generally good observation conditions. Raptor movement was again slow with the 6 GOEA (1 subadult, 5 juveniles) moving in mid-afternoon. The NOHA (an adult male) was only the fifth seen this spring. A LeConte’s Sparrow singing in the SE corner of the Hay Meadow was the first for the year [#99] and the earliest ever by 4 days. A Western Meadowlark perched on a snow fence post next to an American Robin and a Say’s Phoebe made an attractive grouping, and was the first seen since March 18. Swallows (4 species) and Yellow-rumped Warblers are now common, but butterflies are still relatively scarce although a single Red-disked Alpine at the site was new. (13.75 hours: 892.4) NOHA 1 (5), SSHA 2 (56), COHA 1 (16), RTHA 1 (57), GOEA 6 (2134), TOTAL 11 (2578)

DAY 73 (May 5) (Bill Wilson) South to SW winds gusting to 20km/h and moderate to strong SW winds aloft produced temperatures ranging from 4C to 9C and 5-80% mainly Cu cloud making the detection of high-flying raptors relatively easy. Not that there were a lot to detect, however, with 11 of the 14 migrant raptors moving between 1400 and 1700, including 7 juvenile GOEA. A Townsend’s Warbler singing south of the Ponds in the morning was the 98th species for the year, and a flock of 80 American Pipits in the Hay Meadow was the largest seen to date. (13.58 hours: 878.7) BAEA 1 (207), SSHA 1 (54), NOGO 2 (25), RTHA 1 (56), GOEA 7 (2128), AMKE 1 (8), UU 1 (6) TOTAL 14 (2567)

DAY 72 (May 4) Snow continued until 1125, but the ridges never fully cleared and low St cloud persisted all day, with the temperature reaching 5C. A positive sign was that the barometer finally stopped falling in the early afternoon, and was beginning to rise again by the end of the day. The only migrant raptor was a juvenile RTHA that probably roosted in the meadow overnight. The first flycatcher of the year, a Say’s Phoebe [#95], was at the site early in the morning, and it and a second bird were in the south meadow in the afternoon. The species arrived 8 days later than average. Ten Chipping Sparrows [#96] in a mixed sparrow flock were 5 days earlier than average, and a single male Harlequin Duck [#97] on the river near the site was 4 days late. (9.33 hours: 865.1) RTHA 1 (55) TOTAL 1 (2552)

May 3 Rain and snow all day with all peaks and ridges obscured. NO OBSERVATION

DAY 71 (May 2) A calm overcast morning with all peaks and ridges clear but with the barometer falling over the last 48 hours the prospects were not good. At 0800 light rain began to fall, by 0820 the rain was steady and everything was obscured and after 0845 the rain became heavy. A female AMKE at 0720 was the only raptor seen before the weather closed in. Presaging the rain, bird song was generally muted and sporadic, but a Lincoln’s Sparrow singing south of the site was the first for the year [#94] and 2 days earlier than average. I left just before 1000 soaked to the skin. (3.5 hours) AMKE 1 (7) TOTAL 1 (2552)

DAY 70 (May 1) A generally overcast day with 80-100% cloud cover, with variable to SW light to moderate winds and a temperature range of 0.5C to 11.5C. From 0945 to 1105 it rained steadily with all ridges obscured, but the eastern route quickly cleared although cloud lingered on the western ridges for most of the day. Despite the clearing raptor movement was almost non-existent until 1700 when sunny breaks signaled the start of a steady migration involving 9 raptor species that persisted until just after 1800, when it just as suddenly stopped: it was a good hour in An otherwise dull day. The total bird species count was 51 equalling the previous high for the season and included the first Steller’s Jay of the year [#92] which was just our 4th spring record, and the first Solitary Sandpiper [#93], which was 2 days earlier than average. For much of the afternoon a large flock of swallows (Tree, Violet-green, Northern Rough-winged and a single Barn) pursued insects (probably mainly caddis fly) over the river at the site. (13.58 hours: 853.3) OSPR 2 (6), SSHA 3 (53), COHA 1 (15), NOGO 1 (23), UA 2 (8), RTHA 2 (54), RLHA 1 (17), GOEA 4 (2121), AMKE 1 (6), MERL 2 (19), PRFA 1 (5), UF 1 (1), UU 1 (5) TOTAL 23 (2551)

DAY 69 (April 30) A cloudless start to the day allowed the temperature to drop to -5.5C but it quickly warmed up to a high of 11C with sunshine for most of the day. Winds were generally moderate SW and As/Ci cloud gave way after 1100 to 40-80% Cu giving excellent observing conditions. Raptor movement was steady all day from 0959 to 1947 with a season-high 11 species recorded. Movement was on the western route until 1400, then mainly above the middle of the valley until 1700 after which they mainly were seen high over the eastern route. The highlight was a total of three Turkey Vultures (2a, 1j) [species # 91] which represented not only the highest ever daily count at the site but the highest seasonal count as well! There have only been a total of 9 birds seen previously at the site since 1993. The GOEA total was the highest since April 21 and the highest ever for the date, and included just 1 adult bird. A juvenile bird recorded at 1618 brought the species total to 2100 and the combined species total to 2500. The combined species total for May of 622 birds is 25.5% below the long-term average, but is the highest total since 2003. The 332 GOEA total is 45.1% below the monthly average, as were RLHA (15, -14%), OSPR (4, -32%) and NOHA 3 (-57%). Most species totals, however, were higher than average including RTHA (44, 52.9%), COHA (14, 48%), SSHA 50, 41.3%), BAEA (105, 14.7%), NOGO (16, 11.8%) and all 5 falcon species. The 26 days spent observing during the month (4 full days were lost to weather) was 10.3% below average, but the 336.39 hours was almost exactly average.
I tallied a total of 48 bird species today, the second highest for the season, including the first 4 White-crowned Sparrows [# 89], 4 days later than the long term average arrival date, and a female Rusty Blackbird [#90]. (14.25 hours: 839.7) TUVU 3 (3), OSPR 3 (4), BAEA 1 (206), SSHA 10 (50), COHA 5 (14), NOGO 1 (22), UA 3 (6), RTHA 2 (52), GOEA 27 (2117), AMKE 1 (5), PEFA 1 (2), PRFA 1 (4) TOTAL 58 (2528)

April 29 Steady wet snow fell all morning turning to rain in the afternoon, with the ridges obscured all day. NO OBSERVATION

DAY 68 (April 28) (Cliff Hansen, Ron Dutcher) The rain continued to around 1030 with the ridges obscured until after 0900, then it progressively cleared until after 1900 it was almost cloudless. The temperature rose to 12C from a low of 4C and SW-W winds gradually diminished throughout the day. Once again raptor movement was almost non-existent with only one juvenile GOEA moving at 1605. There was an influx of 16 Northern Shovelers at Lorette Ponds and a flock of 10 Savannah Sparrows in the Hay Meadow was the highest number so far this year. (12.66 hours: 825.4) BAEA 1 (205), SSHA 1 (40), GOEA 1 (2090) TOTAL 3 (2470)

DAY 67 (April 27) (Joel Duncan) Strong SW winds all day with 30% Ac/As cloud thickening after 1400 with light rain developing, becoming 100% with steady rain after 1600 and temperatures ranging from 7C to 12C. Raptor movement was limited to only 6 birds of 3 species, and the only other obvious migrants were a steady stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers moving north throughout the day. (11.83 hours: 812.8) BAEA 2 (204), COHA 1 (9), GOEA 3 (2089) TOTAL 6 (2467)

DAY 66 (April 26) Upper winds were moderate SW backing to strong W after 1200, with Cu and Ac cloud giving an excellent observation backdrop, and the temperature rose to 11C from -3C. Raptor movement was again slow and very sporadic including single SSHA, COHA and NOGO passing in a 3-minute period (moving in taxonomic order!) and a group of 3 juvenile GOEA just before 1900. An adult male Richardson’s MERL at 1504 brought the species total to 17 equaling the highest spring count for the site. A Barn Swallow [species # 88] flying over the site at 1055 was the earliest ever and 10 days earlier than average and it, or a second bird, was seen again at 1439. All four swallow species seen so far at the site have arrived significantly earlier than the 15-year average return date. Wilson’s Snipe were heard in winnowing display flight for the first time, and Yellow-rumped Warblers were singing although no females have been seen yet. (14 hours: 801) BAEA 1 (202), SSHA 1 (39), COHA 1 (8), NOGO 1 (21), GOEA 6 (2086), AMKE 1 (4), MERL 1 (17) TOTAL 12 (2461)

DAY 65 ( April 25) Ground winds were generally from the south gusting to 18 km/h and moderate SW aloft, with Cu and As cloud and a temperature high of 11C. Raptor movement was painfully slow with only 5 migrants in over 13 hours of observation, including 2 BAEA raising the total for the species over 200. A single male “Pink-sided Junco” (J.h.mearnsi) in a flock of 30 montanus juncos was an overshoot from the south, and a Yellow Pine Chipmunk was the first seen this year. The highlight of the day, however, was a flock of Grey-crowned Rosy Finches estimated at 800 birds that swept back and forth like a cloud of smoke above the Fisher Range before condensing into a tight ball from which they dropped in a thin column like grains of sand in an hour glass to land at the tree-line. (13.33 hours: 787) BAEA 2 (201), SSHA 1 (38), GOEA 1 (2080), AMKE 1 (3) TOTAL 5 (2449)

DAY 64 (April 24) Generally a gloomy day with 100 to 80 % cloud cover with only occasional sunny breaks in the afternoon. Winds increased in strength from the SW throughout the day and the temperature reached 13C before light rain started at 1600 becoming heavy after 1915 with all the ridges obscured. Raptor movement was also dull with only 10 migrants scattered throughout the day. A male Brown-headed Cowbird [# 86] was the second earliest ever and 10 days earlier than average, and a Pine Siskin [#87] called at the site in the afternoon. The overcast morning put a good number of birds down in the meadow including 40 American Robins, 30 Dark-eyed Juncos, 35 American Pipits and 3 Savannah Sparrows. The first Western Pine Elfin of the year turned up at the site just before the rain started (13 hours: 773.6) SSHA 1 (37), UA 1 (3), GOEA 5 (2079), MERL 2 (16), UU (4) TOTAL 10 (2444)

DAY 63 (April 23) Cliff’s morning shift again produced fine weather after a -4C start, with light variable winds and 0-30% Cu cloud. The winds were generally from the SW in the afternoon with Cu cloud gradually giving way to Ci then Cs late in the day, with a high of 14C. Despite the westerly winds most movement was on the western route with the first Golden Eagles seen over the Fisher Range only at 1811, which also proved to be the last eagles of the day. Of the 20 Golden Eagle migrants, only 2 were adults, with 5 subadults and 13 juveniles. The first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the year [# 85] was a male Myrtle-Audubon’s intergrade, and was 4 days later than average. Later in the afternoon 2 male Audubon’s Warblers perched with a male Myrtle Warbler at the site. For the first time this season butterflies were fairly numerous including a number of Green Commas for the first time, and Western Toads joined their voices to those of the Wood Frogs also for the first time. (14 hours: 760.6) SSHA 4 (36), COHA 1 (7), NOGO 1 (20), UA 1 (2), RTHA 5 (50), RLHA 2 (16), GOEA 20 (2074), AMKE 1 (2), MERL 1 (14), PRFA 1 (3) TOTAL 37 (2434)

DAY 62 (April 22) (Bill Wilson) It was generally a gloomy day with 80-100% overcast conditions, but the eastern route was clear after cloud lifted from Mount Lorette after 1000, although cloud lingered on the western route. Winds were light to moderate SW aloft and generally light in the valley and the temperature rose to 10C from a low of -2C. Raptor movement was slow but steady after 1013 but no birds moved after 1738. A male American Kestrel at 1642 was the first for the year [#84], 3 days later than the long-term average arrival date. (14.75 hours: 746.6) BAEA 1 (199), SSHA 2 (32), NOGO 3 (19), RTHA 4 (45), GOEA 20 (2054), AMKE 1 (1), MERL 1(13), UU 1 (3) TOTAL 33 (2397)

DAY 61 (April 21) The snow finally ended around midnight and the eastern route was clear by 0800. The wind was generally below 5 km/h until 1440 when light to moderate winds developed variably from SW to WNW, and the temperature rose to a welcome 8C. Occasional showers of hail or snow pellets finally ceased at 1310 and most of the day was sunny with the sky graced by 30-70% white Cu cloud giving excellent observing conditions. Nine species of raptor moved steadily for much of the day and the combined species total of 82 was the highest since March 26. The GOEA total of 47 was the highest ever for this date and comprised 5 adults, 13 subadults and 29 juvenile birds, and one of the 9 SSHA was a juvenile, the first seen this season. The birds moved across the width of the valley until the westerly winds shepherded the movement along the eastern route after 1500. Bird song was strong in the morning and a season-high count of 51 species included 5 new ones. A Townsend’s Solitaire [#79] was singing magnificently at the Ponds which also produced an American Coot [#80], equaling the second earliest occurrence of this less-than-annually occurring species, and a pair of Wood Ducks. A single singing Fox Sparrow (P.i.schistacea) [#81] on the river was 7 days later than average, a Savannah Sparrow [#82] was 3 days late, and a flock of 5 American Pipits [#83] in the Hay Meadow were 11 days later than average, although I may have heard one call in the snow last Thursday. (14 hours: 731.9) BAEA 6 (198), NOHA 1 (3), SSHA 9 (30), COHA 3 (6), NOGO 4 (16), UA 1 (1), RTHA 8 (41), RLHA 1 (14), GOEA 47 (2034), MERL 1 (12), UU 1 (2) TOTAL 82 (2364)

April 20 Snow continued all day with all peaks and ridges obscured. NO OBSERVATION

April 19 Cliff phoned from Exshaw just before noon to tell me that the mountains were beginning to reappear, and I arrived at the site at 1315 just as the last cloud was lifting from Mount McDougall leaving the whole of the eastern route clear. At 1415, however, the cloud blanket lowered again with no raptors having moved in the previous hour, and steady snow/sleet resumed for the rest of the day. With little prospect of migrant raptors I visited the Ponds and found a male Wood Duck [species #78], the first of the year and our 11th spring record involving 14 birds. This is the 4th consecutive spring the species has occurred and it is possible that it bred here last year. At the heronry I watched a male great Blue Heron landing beside its mate on a nest with its long crown plumes erected vertically above its head, the first time I have observed this spectacular display behaviour. NO OBSERVATION

April 18 No observation was possible with snow and sleet all day, north winds and all ridges obscured. I spent 3.25 hours in the area in the morning to see if the change in weather had put down any nocturnal migrants, but the meadow was empty of passerines and elsewhere they were hard to find. There were, however, 2 pairs of Great Blue Herons and a probable 5th bird at the heronry, a male Northern Pintail [#76] on the river and a pair of Hooded Mergansers [#77] at Lorette Ponds, both of which were new for the year (great weather for ducks!). An adult female Cooper’s Hawk flew low in the home range that a pair has occupied for the last several years and near which the male has been displaying for the last couple of days. NO OBSERVATION.

DAY 60 (April 17) A very pleasant day with a high of 11.5C, light to moderate S-SW winds and mainly Cu cloud cover giving excellent migration and observation conditions. The first migrant Golden Eagle was at 0948 but the second migrant raptor was not seen until 1404 and was the first Osprey of the season [species #75], one day earlier than average. Raptor movement was sporadic throughout the afternoon and evening, and again there was lots of evidence of resident birds including a displaying COHA, an apparent resident pair of columbarius MERL and a non-migrant PRFA for the 3rd straight day. The highlight non-migrant moment came at 0744 when a juvenile male NOGO closely pursued a female Mallard at the Ponds, but just failed to catch it. There were no other first bird occurrences, but a Red-naped Sapsucker was the second of the year, and a Brown Elfin butterfly was the first for the season. (14 hours: 717.9) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 5 (192), SSHA 1 (21), RTHA 3 (33), GOEA 7 (1987), MERL 1 (11) TOTAL 18 (2282)

DAY 59 (April 16) Cliff finally got a pleasant Monday morning with increasing S-SW winds at ground level gusting above 40 km/h by late afternoon, and strong SW-SSW winds aloft all day producing various kinds of Chinook cloud types, with the temperature rising to 12C from a low of zero. Raptor movement was slow and sporadic for much of the day and the few GOEA that moved were all high over the eastern route. A resident male COHA was seen displaying for the first time at 1401 and resident/non-migratory GOEA, RTHA and PRFA were also present. No new species of bird were seen but a Red-winged Blackbird was the first for the month and a single Violet-green Swallow was at the site at 1635. Three Mule Deer on the highway at 2030 were the first we have seen in the valley this year. (13.83 hours) BAEA 2 (187), SSHA 4 (20), NOGO 1 (12), RTHA 1 (30), RLHA 1 (13), GOEA 5 (1980), MERL 2 (10) TOTAL 16 (2264)

DAY 58 (April 15) (Bill Wilson) Winds were generally light to light-moderate from the S in the valley and W aloft, temperatures ranged from -6C to 8C with 50-80% Cu cloud giving excellent viewing conditions until the sky completely cleared late in the day. The light winds resulted in early movement to the west over Mount Allan taking advantage of early-developing thermals where 23 GOEA moved between 1019 and 1140. There was then a gap until 1454-1600 when birds moved mainly over the valley, and then another lacuna until 1800 after which birds moved high on the eastern route along the Fisher Range, with the last gliding to the NW at 2026, the latest yet this season. The total of 49 GOEA was the highest daily count since March 28, and was the second highest count for the date just short of the count of 51 in 1993. There was only a handful of other raptors but other migrants included 2 Tundra Swans, 16 California Gulls and 5 Common Redpolls, and a White-breasted Nuthatch was the first for the year [species #74] and only the 9th seen here in the spring. (15 hours: 690) BAEA 3 (185), SSHA 1 (16), NOGO 1 (11), GOEA 49 (1975), MERL 1 (8) TOTAL 55 (2248)

DAY 57 (April 14) Down-slope wind conditions again, moderate SW to SSW aloft and light to moderate S-SSW at ground level, with temperatures rising to 13C and partial Cu cloud cover giving excellent observation conditions until 1800 when the ridges became partially obscured as showers developed. Despite these conditions there was no early movement with the first GOEA seen at 1015 and the second not until 1414. Between 1600 and 1800, however, there was a steady flow of GOEA high from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette and on to the NW, but no other migrant species was seen, although a resident RTHA displayed at 1458, and enthusiastically mobbed the resident male GOEA at 1804. Of the total of 22 GOEA only 2 were adults, with 3 subadults, 13 juveniles and 4 of unknown age (resulting from heat-haze in mid-afternoon). This suggests that the adult migration is nearly over, and it appears that we are heading towards our lowest GOEA count ever. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were heard singing for the first time, one a few metres away from a singing Golden-crowned Kinglet, a single Violet-green Swallow flying north was the first swallow in a couple of days, and a high-flying flock of 16 California Gulls moved north along the Fisher Range just ahead of a developing squall at 1907. By 1900 at least 20 Wood Frogs were singing near the site. (13.25 hours: 675) GOEA 22 (1926) TOTAL 22 (2193)

DAY 56 (April 13) Chinook conditions prevailed all day with moderate to strong SW winds and temperatures rising to 10C from a low of 4C. Once again raptor migration was slow and sporadic and was over by mid-afternoon. Of the 10 GOEA recorded only 1 was an adult. There were also very few non-raptor species and song was almost non-existent: a flock of 30 Common Redpolls were the only passerine migrants noted. A single Wood Frog singing near the site at 1745 was the first heard this year. (14 hours: 661.8) BAEA 2 (182), NOHA 1 (2), RTHA 1 (29), GOEA 10 (1904) TOTAL 14 (2171)

DAY 55 (April 12) A cloudless sky produced a starting temperature of -9C, but strong sunshine all day allowed it to rise to 9C by 1700. Winds were light until noon, and then gusted to 25 km/h from the SW in the afternoon producing what should have been excellent migration conditions. As yesterday, however, there was only sporadic movement that was not improved by the appearance of some Cu cloud after 1700 so we were probably not missing birds earlier against the blue sky. The day did produce the first Peregrine Falcon [# 72] which interrupted its migration to make a splendid vertical hunting stoop of around 200 m to the valley floor, and the first Northern Harrier [#73], an adult male, which was 8 days later than the long-term average first occurrence. One of the resident goshawks was seen in display flight at 1336. The clear skies overnight led to an exodus of songbirds with few apparent arrivals and despite the warm sunny conditions the day was strangely quiet. (13.5 hours: 647.8) BAEA 6 (180), NOHA 1 (1), RTHA 2 (28), GOEA 5 (1894), PEFA 1 (1) TOTAL 15 (2157)

DAY 54 (April 11) At 0100 the sky was clear and a blanket of stars but by 0545 it was snowing again which persisted to 1000 (1cm fresh) and flurries continued to 1430. The temperature rose to 4C from a low of -2C, and winds were once again mainly from the N or NE gusting to 20 km/h after calm conditions prevailed while the snow was falling. I saw a total of 7 migrant raptor species but, unfortunately, a total of only 9 raptors and 3 of those came in a 12 minute period just after 1100! The 3 falcons were an adult male columbarius MERL, a male grey morph GYRF and an immature female PRFA. As soon as the snow finished a couple of Violet-green Swallows were feeding at the site and there were 5 more there at 1725, and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow flew to the south at 1802. Three Northern Shovelers (2m, 1f) [#70] and a male Lesser Scaup [#71] at the Ponds early in the morning were both the earliest ever records for the area by 3 days. At 0750 a Winter Wren was heard singing for the first time this season, beautiful as ever in the gently falling snow, but without the richness that will doubtless develop with practice. (12.75 hours: 634.3) BAEA 3 (174), RTHA 1 (26), RLHA 1 (12), GOEA 1 (1889), MERL 1 (7), GYRF 1 (3), PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 9 (2142)

DAY 53 (April 10) Despite a dire forecast, at 0645 Lorette and the Fisher Range were clear but light snow started at 0700 and all ridges were obscured by 0810 and didn’t clear again. The wind was very light and temperatures ranged from 1C to 2.2C, and apart from not being able to see the mountains it was not unpleasant. There are now 3 Great Blue Herons back at the heronry, and the meadow yielded 11 Mountain Bluebirds, an American Robin flock that included a few females and an adult Northern Shrike, the young bird having appeared to have gone. (6 hours: 621.5) No migrant raptors.

DAY 52 (April 09) Winds were generally light S-SSW all day, with 100% cloud cover and temperatures from 1C to 11C. Upper winds were light to moderate SW to W and rain squalls from the west occluded the ridges for short periods. Once again raptor movement was steady but unspectacular and mainly along the Fisher Range with only the period 1400-1500 reaching 10 migrants. New non-raptor arrivals were Northern Rough-winged Swallow [#68] seen by Cliff at the Ponds, which is 16 days earlier than average and the earliest ever record for the area, and a single adult Herring Gull [#69] flying north along the Fisher Range. A Tree Swallow and 4 Violet-green Swallows flew above the site and a total of 326 Bohemian Waxwings was the largest to date. As an addendum to Day 45 (April 02) a photograph of a woodpecker taken by Cliff at 1013 proved to be that of a Red-naped Sapsucker [#67], 23 days earlier than average and our second-earliest ever record, the earliest being on March 28, 2004. (13.25 hours: 615.5) BAEA 1 (171), SSHA 2 (15), RTHA 1 (25), RLHA 2 (11), GOEA 29 (1888), MERL 1 (6) TOTAL 29 (2133)

DAY 51 (April 08) (Bill Wilson) A really spring-like day with the temperature rising from -1C to a season high of 17C, with cloudless skies for much of the day. Both the ground and upper winds were light to very light, initially from the NW and then from the W later in the day. Raptor movement was steady for much of the day, first to the west over Mount Allan, then down the middle of the valley and finally to the east over the Fisher Range. The blue-out conditions made high flying birds hard to detect and many GOEAs were only seen for the first time as they approached Mount Lorette to the north. The all-species total of 64 was the highest since March 26, the total of 17 BAEAs was the highest this year and 33 GOEA was the highest total since March 28 with the last bird moving at 2015, the latest bird so far this season. The young Northern Shrike spent its 4th day in the meadow where it was joined by a second bird apparently without animus. No new bird species arrived but 4 Pileated Woodpeckers flying together over the site in the afternoon was a highlight and the number of Tree Swallows present rose to 8. (14.53 hours: 602.3) BAEA 17 (170), SSHA 3 (13), NOGO 2 (10), RTHA 5 (24), RLHA 3 (9), GOEA 33 (1859), MERL 1 (5) TOTAL 64 (2097)

DAY 50 (April 07) Again most of the morning was calm with high St cloud burning off by noon leaving a cloudless afternoon and a temperature that climbed to 5.5C from a low of -7C. The morning was really spring-like for the first time with a significant influx of songbirds overnight including a flock of 80 bickering male American Robins, 3 Tree Swallows and 3 Violet-green Swallows, the first swallows since last weekend. The daily bird species count reached 40 for the first time this year although, oddly, no new species were recorded. The morning saw a steady if slow progression of a variety of raptors in the calm conditions, then at 1133 the winds instantly picked up from the NE then from the N gusting to 30 km/h and as yesterday almost everything stopped moving in the afternoon with the exception of a few BAEA and a single adult male MERL, the first of the subspecies richardsoni for the season. A single Milbert’s Tortoiseshell at the site was the 3^rd butterfly species of the year. (13.33 hours: 587.7) BAEA 11 (587.7), SSHA 4 (10), COHA 1 (3), RTHA 3 (19), RLHA 3 (6), GOEA 8 (1826), MERL 1 (4) TOTAL 31 (2033).

DAY 49 (April 06) The early morning was calm and -8C with the ridges still obscured and gloomy enough for the first Northern Saw-whet Owl of the season [#64] to be singing at 0744. The ridges cleared by 1000 with a hazy sun shining through high St cloud, but the winds remained light. Despite this, there was a steady movement of raptors across the whole width of the valley up to 1300 including 2 BAEA, the first 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks of the season [# 66], 1 NOGO, 1 RTHA (Harlan’s), 1 RLHA , 4 GOEA and a MERL. After 1300 NE winds increased in velocity up to 35 km/h becoming N after 1700, and although the temperature rose to 1C (the first time above zero this month) it was not much of a treat as the wind and high humidity made it feel more like -15C. The wind change brought an abrupt stop to the raptor movement with the exception of BAEA, with another 11 moving to the north along the Fisher Range, and a late male MERL at 1802 which proved to be the last raptor of the day. A Winter Wren SW of the Ponds was the first of the year [#65] and the 3rd earliest spring return, not counting a couple of years when birds were found in January. The 32 bird species recorded was a new season high and included the young shrike for a second day. A brown Snowshoe Hare was as conspicuous against the snow as a white one had been last week in the snow-free valley. (12.08 hours: 574.5) BAEA 13 (142), SSHA 6 (6), NOGO 1 (8), RTHA 1 (16), RLHA 1 (3), GOEA 4 (1818), MERL 2 (3) TOTAL 28 (2002)

DAY 48 (April 05) Winds were again out of the N to NE all day gusting to 18km/h, the temperature rose to a high of -3C from -7C, the ridges were completely obscured all day and there was light snow for much of the day. Remarkably there was some raptor movement between 1408 and 1534 with 9 BAEA, 1 COHA, 1 RTHA (Harlan’s), 1 RLHA and 3 GOEA moving slowly and generally low to the north down the valley, and a 4th GOEA flapped north at 1724. The birds are obviously eager to migrate and we should expect good movement once conditions improve. Again despite the conditions we recorded 29 bird species including a migrating flock of 35 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches [species # 63], 138 Bohemian Waxwings, our second Northern Shrike of the season (a first-winter bird), 2 California Gulls flying low to the north in steady snow and a Great Blue Heron at Lorette Ponds. Most of the small songbirds were again feeding mainly at the edges of open water, and a couple of flight feathers of a Varied Thrush on the blood-stained snow showed that a goshawk had also found a meal. (12.25 hours: 561.3) BAEA 9 (129), COHA 1 (2), RTHA 1 (15), RLHA 1 (2), GOEA 4 (1814) TOTAL 16 (1974)

DAY 47 (April 04) Again a cool (-17C), calm and clear morning, and again the winds increased after noon first from the NE then N finally gusting 35 km/h. As yesterday cloud cover increased throughout the day and most ridges were obscured by 1600. The calm morning followed by adverse winds made for poor migration conditions, but there was a steady movement for much of the day, with a few birds moving low down the valley even after the ridges had disappeared in cloud. The 5 RTHA included our first “Harlan’s Hawk” of the season (a dark morph adult), and our first Cooper’s Hawk [species #62] soaring with a BAEA and 2 GOEA at 1443, was 3 days later than average. The Hay Meadow looked like a mini Serengeti early in the morning with 108 Elk and 15 White-tailed Deer, while the afternoon saw 40 Bighorn Sheep on Olympic Summit (before the clouds descended), and in the evening a beaver was feeding in the river near the site. (12 hours: 549.1) BAEA 1 (120), COHA 1 (1), NOGO 1 (7), RTHA 5 (14), GOEA 17 (1810) TOTAL 25 (1958)

DAY 46 (April 03) The morning was a pleasant surprise with an almost cloudless sky, calm and -15C. In the afternoon, however, N to NE winds reestablished finally gusting to 25 km/h, and it progressively clouded over until after 1600 most of the ridges were again occluded and light snow persisted until 2015, when the ridges again cleared. Despite the conditions 14 BAEA and 8 GOEA moved, all on the eastern route and generally low and with much flapping flight, between 1220 and 1834, with most of the movement taking place during the snow period! Three pairs of Green-winged Teal on the river at Lorette Ponds were the first for the season [#60], as were a skein of 24 Trumpeter Swans flying high to the north and calling at 1906 [#61]. Most of the small songbirds seen during the day were feeding at the edge of open water, including a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet whose crest positively flamed against the snowy backdrop. A herd of 70 Elk that moved from the south into the Hay Meadow late in the day was the largest seen yet this season. (11.75 hours: 537.1) BAEA 14 (119), GOEA 8 (1793) TOTAL 22 (1933)

DAY 45 (April 2) (Cliff Hansen) Low cloud obscured the ridges all day again and the temperature climbed to -7C from a low of -10C with NE winds gusting to 15 km/h. The snow did more or less stop between 1130 and 1415 with an occasional faint trace of hazy sun during which period 4 BAEA flapped low to the north down the centre of the valley, and an adult rufous morph RTHA was perched at the ponds. A resident adult NOGO hunting by the river completed the raptor count, and 9 Bufflehead (7f, 2m) on the river at Lorette Ponds were the 59th species of the year. Cliff left at 1530 as the snow again became heavy with 12-13 cm fresh on the ground, but not before phoning me to let me know that my subsequent presence would be unlikely to add significantly to the day’s total. (6 hours: 525.3) BAEA 4 (105), RTHA 1 (9) TOTAL 5 (1911)

DAY 44 (April 1) (Bill Wilson) Snow all day with a NNE-NE wind gusting to 20 km/h, temperatures rising from -5.5C to -3.5C and ridges completely obscured provided sub-optimal migration conditions to which the raptors responded appropriately. Two Golden-crowned Kinglets [#58] associating with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet were new for the year, and 4 American Tree Sparrows were the most seen so far. The highlight of the day was a flock of 24 Tundra Swans that circled and called east of the site before disappearing in the snow towards the east. (10 hours: 519.31) No migrant raptors.

DAY 43 (March 31) Springtime in the Rockies with light to moderate snow for most of the day, temperatures ranging from 1C to -1.5C and N to NE winds gusting to 30km/h. The upper winds, however, were SW to W all day, but the ridges were enveloped in cloud for most of the day. A brief clearing of the clouds mid-valley in mid-afternoon led to a short-lived raptor movement down the valley, with birds getting some lift from thermals probably generated from the Nakiska Road 1 km to the south. A single RLHA was the first of the season [#57] and 12 days later than average. The snow put good numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos down in the meadow, and gave me time to have a good look at them: 108 montanus, 20 cismontanus and 1 hyemalis (the first for the season). During the month of March we spent the full 31 days in the field for the third consecutive year and the 385.3 hours was 23.6% above average. Despite this the total raptor count was only 1893, 30% below average and the first March count below 2000. Both Bald Eagles (91: -22.7%) and Golden Eagles (1782: -30.4%) were significantly below average, with the GOEA count being the lowest ever, even below that of the 1950 counted in 2002 when bitterly cold weather meant that significant movement did not start until March 18. (11.66 hours: 509.3) BAEA 3 (101), RLHA 1 (1), GOEA 5 (1785) TOTAL 8 (1906)

DAY 42 (March 30) An almost exact replay of yesterday with Chinook cloud giving way after 1430 to scattered Cu. Winds were again moderate to strong SW and the temperature reached 13C, the highest so far this season. The earliest GOEA was 0810 and the latest 1952 but only 6 BAEA and 18 GOEA migrated in this time spread thinly across the entire period despite seemingly ideal migration and observation conditions. Again there were plenty of other birds as compensation with the 30 species recorded a new season high. Two Great Blue Herons [#55] at the heronry were the first for the year and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets [#56] arrived 10 days earlier than the long-term average date, and Ruffed Grouse were heard drumming for the first time this season. For the first time this year there were good numbers of birds both around the site and migrating, such as 57 American Robins, 150 Bohemian Waxwings, 31 juncos and 68 Common Redpolls but despite this abundance of food we have yet to see our first Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s Hawk: maybe tomorrow? (13.66 hours: 497.6) BAEA 6 (98), GOEA 18 (1781) TOTAL 24 (1898)

DAY 41 (March 29) There was Chinook cloud all day with strong SW winds aloft and temperatures that climbed to 12C from 3C. These appeared to be ideal migration conditions and this seemed to be borne out by the first GOEA moving at 0754 (the earliest yet) and the second at 0811. The third, however, was not until 1017 and the last which was high over Mount Lorette at 1945 was only the 17th of the day. Three BAEA and 1 RTHA were the only other raptor migrants. Word reaching me through visitors indicated that poor weather in SW Alberta might have been the reason. Even the resident pair was nowhere to be seen, even though yesterday I saw them copulating for the first time high on Mount Allen (a couple of days earlier than usual), and the male sky-danced in front of Mount Lorette a few hours later. Other bird migrants made up somewhat for the paucity of raptors with our first Tree Swallow at 1048 [#51, 8 days earlier than average] and first Violet-green Swallow [#54, 12 days early] over the site at 16:52. At 1110 a female House Finch [#52] perched in an aspen at the site for 3 minutes providing just our 3rd record (and first female) all of which have been in the spring since 2003. A flock of 5 White-winged Crossbills at 1257 were also the first for the year [#53], and a flock of 25 Common Redpolls flying north was the highest number seen this year. The total of 25 bird species was also the highest for the year, and a Satyr Comma floating past the site at 1410 was also a first. (13.5 hours: 484) BAEA 3 (92), RTHA 1 (8), GOEA 17 (1763) TOTAL 21 (1874)

DAY 40 (March 28) Barometric pressure increased significantly overnight but the day started with light snow and all ridges obscured until 0830, but they quickly cleared and the cloud progressively diminished until by 1700 the sky was cloudless. Winds were light to moderate N to NE until late afternoon when they backed to WNW and then W bringing Ci cloud late in the day. Despite the strong sunshine the temperature only climbed to 4C from a low of -3C. As expected from the conditions raptor movement was slow and sporadic between1045 and 1903 and mainly to the west. There was a short-lived burst of 13 GOEA in 17 minutes between 1534 and 1551 that gave hope of better things, but it was not sustained. Another short burst of 6 GOEA over the east route around 1900 coincided with the onset of W winds and gives hope for a better day tomorrow. At 0700 there were 48 Elk grazing in the Hay Meadow and at 2000 17 White-tailed Deer, the biggest herds of both species seen so far this season. Three pairs of American Wigeon at the Ponds were the first for the year [#48], and the Hay Meadow also yielded the first 2 Killdeer [#49, 12 days later than average], and 14 Mountain Bluebirds, 11 of which occurred as a single flock of 10 males and 1 female. The last bird of the day was a Common Merganser flying high to the south at 1918, the first of the year [#50] and 5 days later than average. (13.25 hours: 470.5) RTHA 2 (7), GOEA 50 (1746) TOTAL 52 (1853)

DAY 39 (March 27) The storm that dumped snow on Calgary and the foothills today created upslope conditions but did not reach the Kananskis Valley which, apart from a few light flurries in the morning, escaped the snow. The ridges, however, were at least partly obscured until after 1600 and the late afternoon winds were N-NNW, all of which combined with temperatures from -10C to 3C made for difficult migration conditions. Between 1610 and 1804, however, 3 BAEA and 6 GOEA moved sluggishly to the N and NW respectively, generally low with much flapping, and when soaring flight was laboriously achieved height was not maintained for long. The cloud cover was 100% all day but by 2000 it was high and beginning to break, and slowly rising barometric pressure suggests a better day tomorrow. In the morning Cliff recorded the first Belted Kingfisher of the year at the Ponds [species # 46], this being only the second winter since 1991 that we have failed to find at least one kingfisher there. A male Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker was also the first for the year [#47] and was 4 days later than average. The Northern Shrike did not appear in the meadow today and appears to have finally left after being present for 17 straight days, by far the longest stay for the species that we have recorded. It spent a lot of its time when not perched, on the ground where it was probably finding arthropods and small mammals, small songbirds being almost completely absent during its stay. (13 hours: 457.2) BAEA 3 (89), GOEA 6 (1696) TOTAL 9 (1801)

DAY 38 (March 26) Cliff’s morning shift was finally graced by clear weather which unfortunately was a dreaded “blue-out” with clear skies and only occasional traces of Cu cloud. These conditions persisted until 1700 when the skies quickly clouded over to 100% As that persisted until the end of the day. Winds were again light to moderate westerlies aloft, and temperatures rose from -6C to 5.5C. Once again the morning was very quiet and Cliff saw the first GOEA only at 1213 just before I arrived at the site. The next 2.75 hours yielded only another 7 GOEAs moving low along the western route over Mount Allan, then at 1538 10 birds soared over Olympic Summit and the rush was on, with 137 GOEAs moving in the next 3.5 hours, mainly to the west. Only 2 birds were seen after 1900, the last moving at 1913. For the first time there was a significant number of non-adult birds with the GOEA total of 147 including 7 subadults and 5 juveniles. The two resident birds perched near the nest site, but we have yet to see any display activity. The morning produced our first Brown Creeper of the year [#45], and the sunny weather saw the first butterflies on the wing: a Mourning Cloak and a comma (Polygonia sp.) seen by Cliff on an afternoon visit to the Ponds. The Northern Shrike still shows no sign of wanting to move north. (13.17 hours: 444.2) BAEA 4 (86), NOGO 1 (6), GOEA 147 (1690) TOTAL 152 (1792)

DAY 37 (March 25) (Bill Wilson) Wet snow and sleet at 0700 quickly cleared leaving the ridges clear for the rest of the day with gradually diminishing cloud cover and the temperature rising from 0.5C to 4.5C. Winds were moderate to light SSW to WSW all day. As has become a pattern there was no early movement and the first migrant Golden Eagle did not appear until 1143, with movement gradually increasing and peaking between 1800 and 1900 with the passage of 25 GOEA, and the last and 91^st GOEA seen at 1944. All the age-identified birds were adults, and there was just a leavening of non-GOEA species. A drumming male Downy Woodpecker was the first for the season [species #43], and the weather conditions allowed high movement of non-raptor species along the ridges including 92 swans, of which a single flock of 80 at 1048 were Tundra Swans [# 44], and 61 adult white-headed gulls, two of which were identified as California Gulls. At ground level American Robins and Bohemian Waxwings moved north, while the shrike spent its 16^th day at the site. (13.75 hours: 431.1) BAEA 2 (82), NOGO 1 (5), RTHA 2 (5), GOEA 91 (1543) TOTAL 96 (1640)

DAY 36 (March 24) After yesterday’s late movement I was expecting an early start today but all the ridges were obscured and a light rain fell until 1230. Temperatures ranged from 3C to 9C and the ground and ridge winds were moderate S to SSW all day. Even when the mountains cleared intermittent rain continued for much of the afternoon and cloud cover remained 100% with steadily falling barometric pressure not giving too much cause for optimism. In the morning I found 2 adult RTHAs perched in the rain, one of which showed the characters of an “Eastern” red-tail (C.j.borealis). The first migratory GOEA appeared at 1225 and movement was fairly steady until late evening with the 69^th bird moving at 1921, allowing most of the 37 visitors to the site reasonable views of the birds. Despite the morning rain Varied Thrushes, Song Sparrows and, for the first time, American Robins were in good voice, and the first two American Crows arrived one day later than average. The over-wintering female and first-winter male Common Goldeneyes seem to have departed the Ponds having been last seen on March 20, but the Northern Shrike stayed around for the 15^th straight day. (13.17 hours: 417.3) RTHA 2 (3), GOEA 69 (1452) TOTAL 71 (1544)

DAY 35 (March 23) Again there were strong winds all day with the temperature rising to 10C from a start of 0.5. After three cloudless hours at the beginning of the day, the sky was a continuously changing kaleidoscope of various kinds of high-wind cloud, once again giving an excellent backdrop against which to view very high flying birds. Movement at first was like that of yesterday: very slow and sporadic, but at around 1430 the upper winds shifted from WNW to SW and the pace picked up significantly for the rest of the day including the latest movement yet: 19 GOEA from 1900-2000 and the last bird appearing just after 2000. The GOEA movement is still overwhelmingly of adult birds with just one subadult and one juvenile moving today. A male Mountain Bluebird at the site was the 41st species of the season, one day earlier than average, and caddis flies were seen on the wing for the first time. (13.25 hours: 404.1) BAEA 9 (80), GOEA 116 (1383) TOTAL 125 (1473)

DAY 34 (March 22) Strong westerly winds all day with 30-90% Cu, Ac and Ci cloud and temperatures from 2C to 7C produced a somewhat disappointing day, with many birds being displaced to the east to the foothills by the high winds. Movement started early at 0906 and each hour produced 4 to 12 birds until 1800. All the birds were high and fast, and apart from the 63 GOEA the only other raptor migrants were a single BAEA and our second GYRF of the season. The only other migrants were a single adult white-headed gull and a single Common Redpoll, but the shrike made a brief appearance early in the morning on its 13th straight day in the area. I guess only at Lorette can a count of 63 Golden Eagles and a Gyrfalcon be considered disappointing! (13 hours: 390.9) BAEA 1 (71), GOEA 63 (1267), GYRF 1 (2) TOTAL 65 (1348)

DAY 33 (March 21) The first full day of spring started at -7C and 100% snow cover after another 2 cm of snow fell overnight. A strong W to NW flow aloft finally produced a brief high of 3C, and after 1200 an excellent viewing sky with Cu, Ac,As and Ci cloud and a full Chinook arch late in the afternoon. Eagle movement started at 1015 and was fairly steady for most of the day with only a few gaps in the flow with all of the birds over the eastern route and most of them high. The highest hourly count was 29 (1 BAEA and 28 GOEA) from 1500-1600, and all but three birds of unknown age were adults. No new bird species arrived, but the Northern Shrike which was spending its 12th consecutive day at the site was briefly joined by a second bird at 1555 which it promptly chased away to the north. A sudden westerly gust of around 70 km/h at 1745 sent my down jacket flying into the river, which after jumping in to my waist to recover it, I found I couldn’t get back out because of the ice shelf and had to wade downstream to find a lower bank. The last 2.5 hours were rather chilly! (12.75 hours: 377.9) BAEA 6 (70), GOEA 120 (1204) TOTAL 126 (1283)

DAY 32 (March 20) The day started at 0C and light rain quickly changing to sleet then to heavy snow dropping 2 cm by 1200. The ridges then started to clear and by 1235 1 BAEA and 6 GOEA had moved and it looked like things were getting started. The ridges quickly disappeared again, however, and heavy snow returned [another 3 cm] until 1555, when the ridges again cleared and GOEAs were almost immediately in the air again. The following hour yielded 4 BAEA, 11 GOEA and our first Red-tailed Hawk of the year [# 39, 4 days earlier than average]. Then things really got into high gear with the next two hours producing 61 GOEA and 4 BAEA with the last moving to the NW at 1937. With this late movement and a steady rise in barometric pressure all afternoon the prospects for movement tomorrow appear to be good. The morning produced our first “Slate-coloured” Dark-eyed Juncos (J.h.cismontanus) and the first singing Song Sparrow, and when the snow stopped in the afternoon a few flocks of American Robins, Canada Geese and California Gulls [species #40] flew high to the north. (13 hours: 365.1) BAEA 11 (64), RTHA 1 (1), GOEA 81 (1084) total 93 (1084)

DAY 31 (March 19) Another odd day for weather with Cliff’s morning shift featuring NE winds and temperatures from -7C to 1C, with the mountains continuing to be obscured until after 0900, and only 2 juvenile BAEA, a single GOEA and a small unidentified raptor appearing to move. There was, however, the first sign of a resident adult GOEA near the nest site since February 21 when the pair appeared to inspect the nest site and found it covered in several metres of snow. After I arrived at the site at 1315 the winds shifted to SW gusting to 50 km/h, the temperature rose to 10C in a 20 minute period and GOEAs started migrating high along the Fisher Range almost immediately, with 88 birds moving between 1325 and 1557. At 1600 Cs cloud moved from the west, light rain began and the temperature fell from 11C to 4C in 5 minutes: the last GOEA was seen at 1619. Gradually all the peaks and ridges became obscured and after standing in the rain for 3.5 hours hoping in vain for them to clear I finally gave up. In the morning, as compensation for the weather, Cliff saw the first Varied Thrush of the season [#38] , exactly coincident with the average return date for the species. (12 hours: 352.1) BAEA2 (53), GOEA 90 (1003), UU 1 (1) TOTAL 93 (1064)

DAY 30 (March 18) (Bill Wilson) Upslope conditions brought snow and freezing rain to areas east of the mountains with cloud spilling into the Kananaskis Valley obscuring the ridges from the valley floor. It is possible that the ridges themselves remained clear for some of the day because brief clearing in the afternoon produced 7 GOEA already migrating along the Fisher Range: how many birds were missed we shall never know! The weather conditions brought fairly large numbers of other bird species into the valley including the first 6 American Robins of the season [# 37, 7 days later than average: one of the first late birds this year so far] and 3 white-headed gulls (probably California Gulls) that were 3 days earlier than average. Other birds included 264 European Starlings, 30 Bohemian Waxwings, single Western Meadowlark and Song Sparrow and the Northern Shrike for the ninth day. (11 hours: 340.1) GOEA 7 (913) TOTAL 7 (971)

DAY 29 (March 17) Strong SW winds kept me awake for much of the night and persisted throughout the day. The temperature was already 9C when I arrived at the site, rose to 11C and was still 8.5C at 2000. High cloud cover again provided excellent viewing conditions. The break in the GOEA flow continued from yesterday evening, however, and the first bird was not seen until 1117 and continuous movement didn’t start until after 1400. After that the flow of adult GOEAs was almost continuous, with the birds generally moving at considerable altitude and often disappearing into the base of Cu clouds that were above 3000 m, at least 1.5 km over our heads! The highest hourly count was 1600-1700 when we counted 91 GOEA and the first Gyrfalcon of the season [# 36]. The last GOEA was still high in the air over Mount Lorette and moving to the NW at 1954, the latest yet. Many thanks to Doug, Lorraine and Brian for helping me detect the birds under such challenging conditions. An adult male Red-winged Blackbird was the 35^th bird species of the season and was 7 days earlier than the long-term average arrival date, and the shrike hung around for an eighth straight day. (13 hours: 329.1) BAEA 1 (51), GOEA 271 (906), GYRF 1 (1) TOTAL 273 (964)

DAY 28 (March 16) The day started calm and -2C but quickly warmed up to 9C as a strong westerly flow developed bringing gusts to 60 km/h to the valley floor. Cloud cover was 70% to 100% Cu and high St all day again providing excellent observation conditions. The day picked up where it had left off yesterday with the first GOEA in the air at 0949, the earliest yet. As the winds aloft increased in strength the birds left the Fisher Range ridge and moved high above the valley, passing south of Mount Lorette over Hummingbird Plume Hill and off to the NW over Skogan Pass. By 1500 we had counted 100 birds, but the pace slackened considerably and the last bird moved at 1752. An adult female Merlin (F.c.columbarius) flew north down the valley at 1054, the first for the year [#34] and 5 days earlier than average. The “rarest” bird of the day was a Red-breasted Nuthatch, only the second for the year. The Northern Shrike spent its seventh day around the meadow, but the meadowlarks appear to have left overnight. A Common Raven collecting nesting material was another sign of approaching spring. (12.75 hours: 316.1) BAEA 3 (50), GOEA 120 (635), MERL 1(1) TOTAL 124 (691)

DAY 27 (March 15) ….and a better day it was, once the temperature had warmed up from an initial -15C to just above freezing and moderate SW winds developed aloft. Eagles started moving at 1128 and for the first hour had to be found against a cloudless blue sky. Mercifully Cu then Ci and Cs cloud moved from the west providing a splendid backdrop for the best movement this season, with GOEA moving steadily to1812 then sporadically to1911. The highest single hour count was 1600-1700 when 49 GOEA and 2 BAEA were seen. Of the 199 GOEA counted only 2 were subadults. A single adult NOGO soaring high over Lorette was the only non-eagle raptor of the day. A Song Sparrow perched on a stump embedded in river ice was the first of the year [#32], 7 days earlier than average, while a Ruffed Grouse just south of the site was the first seen this year [#33], although I have previously seen 4 sets of tracks. A Wilson’s Snipe on the river was only the second of the year. (12.75 hours: 303.4) BAEA 6 (47), NOGO1 (4), GOEA 199 (515) TOTAL 206 (567)

DAY 26 (March 14) Snow and low cloud in the morning delayed the start to 0930 and flurries occurred all day including a 1 cm snowfall in mid afternoon. Ground winds were variable and generally light, as were the WNW upper winds in the morning, becoming moderate in the afternoon. The temperature again only rose to 0C and was back to -6C at the end of the day. Light winds and cool temperatures meant that when the eagles finally got off the ground after 1117 they could get no lift, and for about 10 minutes 7 GOEAs soared low over the pyramid on Mount Lorette without gaining any elevation, before giving up and flapping low in front of the mountain towards the NW. In the afternoon individual birds or pairs moved high along the Fisher Range in between snow events but no significant movement was established. A pressure rise of 6 hPa in the last 4 hours of observation gives hope of a better day tomorrow. (10.33 hours: 290.6) BAEA 2 (41), GOEA 21 (316) TOTAL 23 (361)

DAY 25 (March 13) North winds continued until 1030 when a light to medium westerly flow established aloft. The cold air persisted, however and temperatures only ranged from -6C to zero, with 1 cm of snow falling between 0900 and 1000. Once the ridges cleared, migration conditions were good and movement occurred between 1058 and 1928. For the first time this season, there was significant movement on the western route involving Mount Kidd and Mount Allan for much of the morning. Afternoon movement was more sporadic with long gaps in the flow, but 33 of the GOEA moved in 30 minutes from 1630 to 1700 suggesting that serious movement can’t be far off. The 11 BAEA was the highest count this season, and the 77 GOEA the second highest. The total bird species count was 21, also the highest for the season, and included 4 new species: an American Tree Sparrow [#28, 9 days earlier than average], two Dark-eyed [Oregon] Juncos [#29, 1 day early], two Western Meadowlarks [#30, 12 days early], and a single Snow Bunting [#31]. Add to this a singing Northern Shrike, and a Northern Pygmy-Owl that spent 2 hours at the site and it turned out to be a rather good day. (12.66 hours: 280.3) BAEA 11 (39), GOEA 77 (295) TOTAL 88 (338)

DAY 24 (March 12) Cliff took the morning shift and once again he had bad weather with strong SW winds pushing the cloud front well to the east largely obscuring all ridges and producing light to moderate rain and sleet until around 1400. The temperature rose to 7C when the clouds briefly broke for a short period, and late afternoon clearing of the ridges allowed the movement of just 2 adult GOEAs: of course they came through just a couple of minutes after Cliff had left! As compensation he had earlier seen 2 Grey Jays mobbing one of the Northern Pygmy Owls south of the Ponds, and a flock 7 Pine Grosbeaks flying north. Three European Starlings were the first of the year (#27), 4 days later than the long-term average. At 1925 a cold front passed from the north quickly lowering the temperature to -2C by 2000 (12.58 hours: 267.7) GOEA 2 (218) TOTAL 2 (250)

DAY 23 (March 11) (Bill Wilson) [NOTE: change to Mountain Daylight Time: all times cited are now in MDT] Moderate W to WSW winds and temperatures from 7C to 11.5C produced excellent migration conditions in the morning and early afternoon, and 45 GOEA migrated between 1012 and 1419. Rapidly falling pressure indicated that the weather was not going to last, and rain started at 1615. Soon after, at 1630, two Great Horned Owls were singing north of the site: the first to be heard this season. (10.08 hours: 255.1) BAEA 1 (28), GOEA 45 (216) TOTAL 46 (248)

DAY 22 (March 10) Moderate to strong downslope SW winds again persisted all day, with Cu and As cloud again making for excellent viewing conditions. Raptor movement was fairly strong and persistent between 0925 (the earliest yet) and 1600, when falling pressure and increasing cloud cover coincided with a dwindling eagle movement in the late afternoon. The total of 84 GOEA was the highest yet this season, with 38 birds moving between 1200 and 1400: the total included 1 subadult and 1 juvenile bird. Early in the morning 2 Northern Pygmy Owls (presumably a pair) were perched south of the Ponds, while a Great Horned Owl was seen occupying the Great Blue Heron nest that it used last year. The first skein of 7 migrating Canada Geese moved high to the north over Mount Lorette, and the first Northern Shrike of the year (#26) hunted around the site in the late afternoon. (12.42 hours: 245) BAEA 1 (27), NOGO 2 (3), GOEA 84 (171) TOTAL 87 (202)

DAY 21 (March 09) Again upper winds were moderate to strong SW all day and observing conditions were excellent with a backdrop of Cu clouds all day. The temperature ranged from 1C to 5.5C, and this combined with long periods of sunshine has now melted most of the snow in the Hay Meadow. GOEA movement was slow but steady from 1010 (the earliest yet) to 1809 (the latest yet) and the total of 26 birds included the first subadult bird to date. Six adult Bald Eagles moving after 1600 completed the day’s total of 32 migrants. The first Wilson’s Snipe of the year, the 25th bird species of the season, was the earliest ever by one day and 35 days earlier than average (excluding the 3 years when the species has over-wintered in the area. (12.42 hours: 232.6) BAEA 6 (26), GOEA 26 (87) TOTAL 32 (115)

DAY 20 (March 08) Winds were similar to yesterday’s but it was much cooler (-1C to 3C) with 1.5 cm of fresh snow, and snow and flurries through much of the day. The eastern route was more or less clear much of the day, however, but only 1 adult GOEA and 2 BAEA (1 adult, 1 wb2 subadult) moved, suggesting that conditions farther to the south were not as favourable. With the barometric pressure rising throughout the day, I am expecting a better day tomorrow. The Ponds saw a small influx of goldeneyes with 6 Common Goldeneye (1 adult male, 2 first winter males and 3 females), and our first Barrow’s Goldeneye of the year: a female. (12.33 hours: 220.2) BAEA 2 (20), GOEA1 (61) TOTAL 3 (83)

DAY 19 (March 07) The warmest day so far with the temperature 6oC at 0700 rising to 12oC and still 8oC at 1900. Winds were moderate to strong SW all day with progressively increasing Cu and then As cloud as the day progressed again provided excellent viewing and migration conditions. As has been normal so far this season there was no movement before noon, but the afternoon produced the best GOEA movement so far with 26 adult birds gliding high from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette: 20 of the birds moved after 1500. The day also produced the first migrant goshawk and Prairie Falcon, and 3 adult Bald Eagles. At last a day with more migrant raptors than observation hours! (12.25 hours: 207.8) BAEA 3 (18), NOGO 1 (1), GOEA 26 (60), PRFA 1 (1) TOTAL 31 (80)

DAY 18 (March 06) The temperature at 0700 was 6oC and rose by mid afternoon to 10oC. Winds were light to moderate, S-SSW at ground level and WSW at ridge level giving good migration conditions, with 100% high As most of the day giving excellent observing conditions. By just before 1700, however, only 2 adult GOEA had gone north, but then 8 more adults passed before 1745: all were very high and fast, so the relative paucity of migrants results from the “pipeline” being still relatively empty. By contrast, this day last year yielded 134 GOEA. The warm weather has brought new birds and changes. About 70% of the American Dippers that were holding winter territories a week ago have now gone. American Three-toed Woodpeckers were drumming today for the first time, and a male and female Hairy Woodpecker drummed alternatively about 30 m apart. A pair of Great Horned Owls were at the Great Blue Heron nest that they used last year, a Canada Goose was at the Ponds with a Mallard and 4 Common Goldeneyes, and late in the afternoon a flock of 45 Bohemian Waxwings, the first for the year, arrived at the site and spent three hours feeding on insects around a melt-water pool in the Hay Meadow. A juvenile male Northern Goshawk perched near the site was also the first for the year, but was probably a non-migrant. (12.25 hours: 195.6) GOEA 10 (34) TOTAL 10 (49)

DAY 17 (March 05) Another warm day (2o-8.25oC) which finally provided the first significant bare patches in what has been up to now a continuous snow cover. Winds at ridge level were moderate WNW all day, and 80-100% cloud cover made observation easy. Cliff took the early shift and (wouldn’t you know it!) the first of 6 adult GOEAs moved past at 1318, two minutes after he had left the site. An adult BAEA brought the total to 7 migrants for the day, the highest (?!) count so far this season. A total of 14 Common Redpolls moved past the site in the morning, by far the biggest finch day yet. (11.75 hours: 183.3) BAEA 1 (15), GOEA 6 (24) TOTAL 7 (39)

DAY 16 (March 04) (Bill Wilson) The warmest day so far (2o-8.5oC) with light to moderate W winds aloft and generally good cloud conditions, but only 4 migrants: 1 BAEA and 3 GOEA. The total of 12 bird species seen was the highest this season and included a large owl (Great Horned or Barred) flushed late in the day south of the site in rapidly fading light. The Northern Pygmy Owl was again present early in the morning. (12.33 hours: 171.5) BAEA 1 (14), GOEA 3 (18)

DAY 15 (March 03) Downslope wind conditions developed overnight raising the temperature to a high of 7^oC and producing WNW moderate to strong upper winds all day, which combined with a good Cu/As cloud cover should have produced excellent migration and observation conditions. Only 2 adult Golden Eagles and a single Bald Eagle moved, however. I suspect that snow conditions on the Plains to the south may be delaying the emergence of ground squirrels which I believe adult Golden Eagles need as “fuel” before embarking on the migration to Alaska and The Yukon during which they will have few opportunities to feed. The highlight of the day was again a mammal: a mink dragged the eviscerated remains of what was probably a Brown Trout (considerably larger than the mink) behind a small log jam under the ice-shelf across the river from the observation site, where it presumably spent the rest of the afternoon consuming it. The warm weather produced the first flying insect of the year: a single stonefly (Plectoptera, Capniidae) at 1719. (11.83 hours: 159.2) BAEA 1 (13), GOEA 2 (15) TOTAL 3 (28)

DAY 14 (March 02) Most of the day was cloudless with only occasional bands of Ci moving from the west making observing against a plain blue sky challenging. Temperatures ranged from -22^oC up to -1^oC, and winds were light to moderate, generally from the SSW. By 1218 I had seen 2 BAEA and 3 GOEA (all adults) and it appeared that a good day was in prospect; however, only one more GOEA moved, at 1728, despite the conditions apparently remaining constant. The gap was filled by watching a Mountain Goat high on a crag of the Fisher Range, outlined against the blue sky and sporadically enveloped in blowing snow. The highlight of the day, however, came at 1213 when I saw what I took to be a dead leaf blowing to the east across the river, but realizing that the wind was in the opposite direction I put my binoculars on it and saw that it was a large dark shrew running rapidly on the water surface! I had read that American Water Shrews can cross small bodies of still water using air bubbles trapped in the hairs of the soles of their feet, but this animal was crossing the western channel of the swiftly flowing Kananaskis River which is 11 m wide (I later measured it) at that point. It chose a stretch of water above a riffle where the flow was planar producing a smooth water surface. It’s appropriate that the local subspecies is called the “Navigator Shrew”! (11.75 hours: 147.4) BAEA 2 (12), GOEA 3 (13) TOTAL 6 (25)

DAY 13 (March 01) The weather was similar to yesterday’s with very light variable ground winds until 1130, then N to 20 km/h, with the upper winds light westerly. After light snow finished at 1030 the day was mainly sunny but the high temperature was only -5.5^oC. A total of 6 GOEA migrated between 1510 and 1614 suggesting that the migration is finally getting started. Our first Northern Pygmy-Owl of the season sang early in the morning south of the Ponds, and a single Common Redpoll flying over was just the second finch species (and individual!) of the season. (11.66 hours: 135.7) GOEA 6 (9) TOTAL 6 (19)

DAY 12 (February 28) The temperature went from a low of -21^oC at 0700 to a high of -1^oC at 13:00, but subsequently the winds that had been very light became northerly eventually gusting to 30 km/h and reducing the temperature to -8^oC by 1800. Despite the opposing winds 2 GOEA moved to the NW along the Fisher Range between 1442 and 1555: the first migrants in four days. The total of 13 migrants seen in February was 31% below the long-term monthly average. The total of 10 Bald Eagles was the second highest February total ever (+ 71%), despite the fact that no migrants of the species were seen over the last 5 days of the month. The total of only 3 Golden Eagles was the lowest February count since 1997 and 76% below the long-term monthly average. (11.75 hours: 124) GOEA 2 (3) TOTAL 2 (13)

DAY 11 (February 27) North winds gusting to 26 km/h all day and despite mainly sunny conditions the wind combined with a high of -5^oC made observation uncomfortable. Not that there was much to observe again: no raptors and only three bird species plus a fresh track of a Ruffed Grouse: the first sign of the species this year. The paucity of Ruffed Grouse together with low numbers of Snowshoe Hares and American Red Squirrels probably explain the total absence of resident Northern Goshawks in the area so far this year. (9.0 hours: 112.3) No migrants (11)

DAY 10 (February 26) An even less productive day than yesterday with all ridges obscured in low cloud and fog until after 1100, and again significantly obscured after 1600. Winds were light in the morning, but gusted to 25 km/h from the north in the afternoon. (10.33 hours: 103.3) No migrants (11)

DAY 9 (February 25) (Bill Wilson) Light SSE winds all day with light southerly upper winds produced poor migration conditions, and when the ridges disappeared beneath cloud after 1500 no migrant raptors had been seen. One of the few highlights of the day was our first Mountain Goat of the year at the northern end of the Fisher Range. (10.17 hours) No migrants (11)

DAY 8 (February 24) Ideal viewing conditions with variable high cloud, moderate SSW to SW winds and temperatures rising to -1^oC from a low of -12^oC. Finally at 1211 and after 76 hours, 36 minutes of observation, the season’s first Golden Eagle glided high above the Fisher Range across the Kananaskis Valley to Mount Lorette thence to the NW. A single Pine Grosbeak calling at the Ponds was the first finch of the season. (11.5 hours) GOEA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (11)

DAY 7 (February 23) Two centimetres of fresh snow provided ideal tracking conditions early in the morning when the temperature was -17^oC revealing tracks of up to 3 Short-tailed Weasels, a Least Weasel, a Mink and the two Cougars again. The temperature rose to -1^oC and by mid-morning the cloud had all but disappeared producing a beautiful sunny day, but only one migrant raptor: an adult Bald Eagle. There was a late influx of Common Ravens flying to the SW over Mount Lorette including a single flock of 40 birds at 1755. (11.5 hours) BAEA 1 (10) TOTAL 1 (10)

DAY 6 (February 22) A beautiful morning starting at -11^oC, but with almost no wind it appeared almost spring-like. Black-capped Chickadees were singing for the first time and a female Pileated Woodpecker was excavating a nest hole in an aspen poplar while the male drummed and called nearby. An imitated pygmy-owl call quickly brought in the first Boreal Chickadees of the year. At 1146 a single Canada Goose flew south down the centre of the valley providing the earliest ever record for the species at the site by 2 days, and 16 days earlier than the 1993-2006 average first occurrence. The barometer falling 1 hPa per hour suggested that “spring” was not going to last long and snow started at 1240 becoming steady at 1330 with low cloud obscuring all peaks and ridges for the rest of the day. The gloomy conditions proved ideal for a Cinereous Shrew, however, that scurried around the site until I called it a day at 1430. A non-migrant adult Bald Eagle that perched for about 1.5 hours on a tall spruce near the site was the only raptor seen all day. (7.25 hours) No migrants (9).

DAY 5 (February 21) A pleasant day with the temperature rising to -0.5^oC with S to SW winds gusting to 30 km/h and 40-60% Cu cloud cover: just 2 adult Bald Eagles moved north, however. Two adult Golden Eagles soared around the nest site on Mount Allen around 1230, and a single adult moved south down the Fisher Range at 1650 suggesting that the resident pair were back for the first time this year. The Cougar tracks seen yesterday proved to be those of two animals that had been active all around the pond complex to the north. The first Mountain Chickadees of the year (7) were in a flock with a single male Red-breasted Nuthatch, and in the middle of the afternoon a Hairy Woodpecker flew over towards the north. (10.92 hours) BAEA 2 (9) TOTAL 2 (9)

DAY 4 (February 20) Heavy snow fell to 1030 (9 cm) with a further 1cm in the afternoon, as downslope winds continued. Two adult Bald Eagles occurred but neither appeared to be a migrant. In mid-afternoon I found the fresh track of a Cougar about 150 m north of the site which must have passed by me sometime after 1030. (10.75 hours) No migrants (7).

DAY 3 (February 19) Chinook winds gusting to 50 km/h continued, with the mountains to the west in cloud for much of the day. Five Bald Eagles (4 adults and 1 juvenile) moved to the north along the Fisher Range between 1150 and 1354, which is the highest single-day count for the species in February. (10.25 hours) BAEA 5 (7) TOTAL 5 (7)

DAY 2 (February 18). Ron had the pleasure of the morning shift that saw 8 cm of snow fall and flurries continued for much of the day. During a lull in the snow a Bald Eagle moved north at 1559 that proved to be the only raptor of the day. New bird species were Grey Jay (1), Black-capped Chickadee (2) and 2 Common Goldeneye females and 3 Mallard at the beaver ponds seen by Ron and Cliff who trudged there through the snow. (10.5 hours) BAEA 1 (2) TOTAL 1 (2)

DAY 1 (February 17). A pleasant opening day with the temperature reaching 5^oC, SW winds gusting to 50 km/h and an excellent backdrop of As and Cu clouds. The only raptor was an adult Bald Eagle moving north over Mount Lorette at 1112. Only 3 other bird species were recorded: Common Raven, Black-billed Magpie and American Dipper. The almost complete lack of cones on the conifers suggests that finches are going to be hard to find this spring. (10.08 hours) BAEA 1 (1) TOTAL 1 (1)