April 22 [Day 48] (Peter Sherrington) A cloudless sky, which persisted all day, allowed the temperature to fall to -12C at 0700, but it briefly rose to 6.5C at 1800 and was 6C the rest of the time between 1500 and the end of the day. Ground winds were calm or light SW-SE to 1110 after which they were consistently SW light to moderate gusting to 20 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate to strong SW gusting to 78 km/h by late afternoon. It is interesting (depressing?) to note that the snow cover and depth was very similar to what it was on March 1, the first day of the count. The last day of the count produced only a moderate raptor movement of 11 birds that moved between 1055 and 1613, comprising 1 subadult Bald Eagle, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 1u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 2 dark-morph Red-tailed Hawks (1 adult harlani and 1 of unknown race or age), 1 light Rough-legged Hawk and 4 juvenile Golden Eagles. Song birds were also scarce and included 11 American Robins and 100 Bohemian Waxwings, but it was delightful to end the count with what has been rare this spring: a relatively warm sunny day. 13 hours (556.07) BAEA 1 (192), SSHA 2 (41), NOGO 1 (17), RTHA 2 (45), RLHA 1 (40), GOEA 4 (2982) TOTAL 3362

April 21 [Day 47] (Peter Sherrington) The temperature was -4C at 0700 and rose to a high of 2C from 1200-1400 and was 1C at the end of the day. Ground winds were variable and light (0-10 km/h) to 1300 after which they were N and occasionally NW gusting to 18 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 90-100% cumulus and stratocumulus for most of the day, all the ridges were partially obscured all day, the east 10-50% and the west 20-100%, and periods of light snow, squalls and snow flurries persisted throughout the day. There was a disappointing movement of only 8 raptors between 1219 and 1749 which comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1j), 2 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Red-tailed Hawks (1u light morph calurus, and 1 adult dark morph harlani that flew low down the valley at 1521) and 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk. Migrants included 22 Dark-eyed Juncos (21 montanus, 2 cismontanus), 8 Common Redpolls and at 0950 the Nashville Warbler identified by Jim yesterday flew low over my head towards the north, but could not be subsequently relocated. A single Mountain Goat on the snow-covered northern peak of the Fisher Range at 1432 made a splendid sight.12 hours (543.07) BAEA 3 (191), SSHA 2 (39), RTHA 2 (43), RLHA 1 (39) TOTAL 8 (3351)

April 20 [Day 46] (Jim Davis) The temperature rose to 3C at 1700 from a low of -4C and was 2C at 1900. Ground winds were very variable, initially calm then moderate S from 0900-1100, then E-NE gusting to 26 km/h to 1700, and light W for the rest of the day; ridge winds were moderate to strong SW all day. Cloud cover was 40-100% cumulus and stratocumulus, the western ridges were partially obscured for much of the day (10-50%) while the east was essentially clear, and there was a period of light snow showers between 1500 and 1700. For the third straight day there was a good raptor movement for this part of the season with a total of 53 migrants of 7 species recorded between 0919 and 1946, with 9 of the birds occurring between 1500 and 1600. Fifteen of the birds moved on the western route, while the rest were to the east moving from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette. The flight comprised 6 Bald Eagles (4a, 2j), 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 2j, 1u), 2 Cooper's Hawks (1a, 1j), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 7 adult Red-tailed Hawks (6 light morph calurus and 1 “Krider's Hawk” (B.j.borealis var krideri), the first for the season), 5 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 1 unidentified dark Buteo, 25 Golden Eagles (11a, 2sa, 7j, 5u) which is the highest count for the species since April 12, and 1 unidentified eagle. Without a doubt, however, the highlight of the day was a closely observed male Nashville Warbler seen at the site at 1642, which is the first warbler seen this season, and only the 5^th record of the species for the site, the previous 4 being in the fall. Other migrants included a white-headed gull of unknown species, 1 American Pipit and 41 Common Redpolls. 12.5 hours (531.07) BAEA 6 (188), SSHA 5 (37), COHA 2 (8), NOGO 1 (16), RTHA 7 (41), RLHA 5 (38), UB 1 (6), GOEA 25 (2978), UE 1 (13) TOTAL 53 (3343)

April 19 [Day 45] (George Halmazna) Today was marginally warmer with a high of 1C at 1300 from a starting low of -15C and it was -1C at the end of the day. Ground winds were calm or light for much of the day except between 1500 and 1530 when the base wind of 4-5 km/h was interrupted on 5 occasions by SW gusts approaching 30 km/h. Ridge winds were SW-SSW light to moderate in the morning becoming moderate to 1400 then moderate SE-E to 1800. It was cloudless to 1000 after which it rapidly clouded over to 90% cumulus that produced snow and flurries for the rest of the day. The west was clear to noon and the east to 1300 after which they became on average 50% and 20% draped with cloud respectively for the rest of the day. Once again despite unpromising circumstances there was a fairly strong movement of 40 raptors between 1112 and 1423 with 20 birds moving before noon. Most of the birds moved high overhead from Old Baldy to either Skogan Pass or Mount Lorette and only two were seen on the northern end of the Fisher Range. The flight comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa, 2j), 7 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (3 light, 1 dark), 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 23 Golden Eagles (12a, 3sa, 8j) which is the highest count for the species since April 12. 12 hours (518.57) BAEA 5 (182), SSHA 7 (32), RTHA 4 (34), RLHA 1 (33), GOEA 23 (2953) TOTAL 40 (3290)

April 18 [Day 44] (George Halmazna) Unseasonably cold temperatures persisted with a starting temperature of -16C and a high of -1C at 1400 and 1500 which fell to -2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were initially calm, then SW and at 1100 to the end of the day NW averaging 5-10 gusting 20 km/h. Ridge winds were calm to light switching in mid-afternoon to light-moderate ENE-NNE. Cloud cover was cirrus to 0800, then 100% stratus and cumulus, occasionally broken, producing snow and flurries for the rest of the day. The ridges gradually became draped in cloud, with the western ridges 100% obscured by 1600 and the east 90% obscured by 1700. despite these unpromising conditions the day produced 34 migrant raptors of a season high 10 species with the first bird moving at 0911 and 15 occurring between 1400 and 1600. All the birds moved from the Fisher Range across the valley to Mount Lorette with the exception of the season's first Osprey at 0930 which was seen to the west. An adult male American Kestrel at 1555 was also a first record for the season. The rest of the flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa, 1j), 1 adult male Northern Harrier, a season high 7 (unaged) Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, a season high 8 Rough-legged Hawks, 10 Golden Eagles (3a, 7j) and 1 adult male columbarius Merlin. A single Mourning Dove at 0829 was the first for the season, and a Tree Swallow at 1422 was the second for the season and probably regretted being here. 14 hours (506.57) OSPR 1 (1), BAEA 3 (177), NOHA 1 (5), SSHA 7 (25), NOGO 1 (15), RTHA 1 (30), RLHA 8 (32), AMKE 1 (1), MERL 1 (4) TOTAL 34 (3250)

Beaver Mines (Peter Sherrington) The snow that had fallen (often heavily) for several days finally stopped and the afternoon was clear with 70% cumulus and cirrus cloud cover with a light N-NE flow aloft. I watched from my house for 2 hours between 1540 and 1740 and recorded 29 migrant raptors of 8 species moving high from the “Big Hill” towards the NW or W. The flight was 3 subadult Bald Eagles, 1 adult female Northern Harrier, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 1j, 1u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 2 adult Broad-winged Hawks (1 light, 1 dark, that soared very high at 1550 and disappeared into the clouds), 11 calurus Red-tailed Hawks: 10a (9 light and 1 dark) and 1u, 2 dark harlani Red-tailed Hawks (1a, 1j), 7 Golden Eagles (1a, 3sa, 3j) and 1 adult columbarius Merlin.

April 17 [Day 43] (Bill Wilson) It was another wintery day with a starting temperature of -6C rising only to -3C between 1500 and 1700 and falling at the end of the day to -4C. Ground winds were NE 3-10 all day occasionally gusting to 28 km/h while ridge winds were moderate NE-ENE gusting to 40 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% stratus to 1200, then 90% stratus and cumulus to 1700 after which it closed again to 100% stratus. Light to moderate snow fell all day and the eastern route was fully obscured all day while the west cleared in part only after 1500. Only 2 migrant raptors were seen, both to the west of the site: an adult female Northern Harrier at 1528 and a light morph Rough-legged Hawk at 1557. The only other birds of note were 5 American Pipits which were the first for the season. 12.5 hours (492.57) NOHA 1 (4), RLHA 1 (24) TOTAL 2 (3216)

April 16 [Day 42] (Joel Duncan) Heavy snow greeted Joel on his arrival so he spent the first two hours observing from “Hostel Hill” near the Stoney Trail parking area, and moved to the Hay Meadow site at 1030 where the temperature was -3C. The day's high was -2C between 1400 and 1800 and fell back to -3C at 1915. Ground winds were N-NE 5-10 gusting 20 km/h all day and ridge winds were N to variable and generally light. Cloud cover was 100% low stratus to 1745 with snow and all ridges obscured, but between 1745 and 1845 the snow stopped, the sky cleared to 40% cumulus and the eastern ridges became 25% clear. After 1845, however, the clouds lowered again, the snow fell again and Joel finally called it quits at 1915. The only migrant raptor seen was an adult Peregrine Falcon seen pursuing a flock of 20 European Starlings towards the north at 0845, but as all the birds disappeared behind a ridge the outcome of the chase was unknown. In the afternoon a Great horned Owl perched for about 3 hours on a tree near the Hay Meadow site before it was harassed and chased from the tree by a Common Raven at 1600. The owl flew to an adjacent grove of trees where it, in turn, displaced a probable resident Red-tailed Hawk that had apparently been sheltering there for most of the day. 11.25 hours (480.07) PEFA 1 (2) TOTAL 1 (3214)

April 15 [Day 41] (Terry Waters) The temperature was -7C at 0730 but everything was obscured with light snow falling so Terry repaired to the Lusk Creek site, returning to Hay Meadow at 0900. The temperature high was 4C at 1500 and fell to 0C at the end of the day. Ground winds were SW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h all day, and ridge winds were moderate SW occasionally gusting above 50 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratus becoming 60-100% stratocumulus by noon and 30-40% scattered cumulus and stratus in the afternoon giving good observation conditions. There was light snow and scattered flurries all morning, but the eastern ridges were clear after 0900 and the west cleared to 60-70% obscured by noon and finally completely cleared late in the day. Despite favourable weather and observing conditions throughout the afternoon, raptor movement was disappointing with just 6 birds moving between 1301 and 1740: 2 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 2 Golden Eagles (1sa, 1j). All birds moved north or NNE from the northern end of the Fisher Range,and none were seen to the west or over Mount Lorette. Songbirds at the site included 2 Varied Thrushes, 130 Bohemian Waxwings in two flocks and 1 American Tree Sparrow. Today was originally planned to be the final day of the count, but because of availability of observers and the higher numbers of eagles recorded so far we have decided to extend the count to Friday April 22. We wish count organiser Cliff Hansen and his wife Margot bon voyage as they leave today for Australia for a well earned holiday (and an escape from what appears to be a perpetual winter here!). I shall be wrapping up the end of the count. 11 hours (468.82) RTHA 2 (29), RLHA 2 (23), GOEA 2 (2920) TOTAL 6 (2313)

April 14 [Day 40] (Jim Davis) On arriving at the parking area at 0715 and finding zero visibility in the fog and snow, Jim first went south in search of better conditions, and then north to Lusk Creek from 0930 to 1300, returning to the Hay Meadow to 1545 and then back to Lusk Creek as snow once again obscured everything. The temperature at 0715 was -3C, but it climbed to a high of 5C at 1400 but quickly fell to just above freezing at 1600. Ground winds were W 5-8 km/h to noon increasing to moderate in the afternoon with gusts to 43 km/h at 1600, while ridge winds were SW reaching gusts in excess of 100 km/h after 1600. Cloud cover was 100% low stratus with fog and snow to 1300, followed by heavy snow with partial clearing to 80% between 1500 and 1600 before returning to 100% stratocumulus, altocumulus and cumulus after 1600. The eastern route was obscured to 1300 then almost completely cleared to 1600 after which it again became obscured, while the west was obscured to 1400 with only slight subsequent clearing. The first visit to Lusk Creek produced 2 adult Bald Eagles at 114 and 1200, the second of which moved rapidly to the east ahead of an advancing snow front, and an adult Golden Eagle. The other 11 migrants were seen from the Hay Meadow site between 1335 and 1540 with 6 of the birds moving between 1400 and 1500. As yesterday the birds mainly appeared north of Mount Allan and flew to the NE. The final count was 4 adult Bald Eagles, 5 light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks (4a, 1j), 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks (adult male and female that repeatedly interacted as they moved north at 1433), 2 Golden Eagles (1a, 1j) and 1 unidentified eagle that could barely be discerned in the fog.

10 hours (457.82) BAEA 4 (174), RTHA 5 (27), RLHA 2 (21), GOEA 2 (2918), UE 1 (12) TOTAL 14 (3207)

April 13 [Day 39] (Jim Davis) The temperature was -5C at 0730, rose to a high of 6C at 1400 and was 4C at 1900. Ground winds were very light or calm to 1100, N-NE 5-11 km/h to 1600 and thereafter very light or calm again. Ridge winds were initially moderate SW but became light to moderate NE-ENE in the afternoon with gusts not exceeding 35 km/h. Cloud cover was 20% altostratus with minor cirrus and cirrostratus to 1300 when it increased to 40%, between 1400 and 1600 it was 70% stratocumulus and cumulus, and after 1700 it was 100% stratus. Western ridges were clear to 1400, 80% occluded at 1700 and completely obscured at 1800; eastern ridges were clear to 1700 but progressively became enveloped in cloud and were completely covered at 1900. Steady snow started at 1840 and the count was terminated at 1900. A total of 33 raptors of a season high 8 species migrated between 1042 and and 1851 with a peak count of 10 birds between 1100 and 1200. The movement pattern was unusual with 26 of the birds appearing to the west and flying from Mount Allan or Mount Collembola to the NE, completely avoiding Mount Lorette and disappearing to the north of the Fisher Range. Only 4 birds moved on the Fisher Range, all after 1640, while the remaining birds flew north over the valley. The flight comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1j), 2 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Cooper's Hawks (1a, 1u), 2 adult Northern Goshawks, 7 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (6 light, 1 dark), 4 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, 1 unidentified dark morph Buteo, 10 Golden Eagles (4a, 2sa, 3j, 1u), 1 unidentified eagle and 1 columbarius Merlin of unknown sex and age. Other birds were also plentiful including 3 Tundra Swans, 2 Great Horned Owls flying in snow late in the day, a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, 70 American Robins, 3 Varied Thrushes, 654 Bohemian Waxwings in 3 flocks, an American Tree Sparrow and 3 Common Redpolls. There were also fresh tracks of 2 Canada Lynx near the site. 11.5 hours (447.82) BAEA 3 (170), SSHA 2 (18), COHA 2 (6), NOGO 2 (14), RTHA 7 (22), RLHA 4 (19), UB 1 (5), GOEA 10 (2916), UE 1 (11), MERL 1 (3) TOTAL 33 (3193)

“Elaine”remained in the same area as reported on April 10 so it appears that she has finally reached her summer range.

April 12 [Day 38] (Cliff Hansen) An initial temperature of -4C slowly rose to a high of 4C at 1500 and then fell again to 1C at 2000. Ground winds were W to variable, initially very light but gusting to 10 km/h at 1000 and reaching 5-10 gusting 25 km/h at 1600 before diminishing again. Ridge winds were SW-SSW and mainly moderate only occasionally gusting above 40 km/h. Cloud cover was mainly cumulus, initially 5%, but reaching 60% at 1300 and 80% at 1500, and varying between 60 and 80% for the rest of the day with altocumulus and cirrus developing at the end. All ridges were clear and observation conditions were very good after 1000. The first migrants were 2 Bald Eagles at 1104 with a juvenile bird harassing an adult as they moved north, but the first Golden Eagle did not appear until 1340. By the time the last Golden Eagle was recorded at 1930 a total of 53 migrant raptors had been tallied comprising 5 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa, 1j), 2 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 small unidentified Accipiter and 45 Golden Eagles (3a, 2sa, 26j, 14u). Peak movement was 16 birds from 1600-1700, and 1800-1900 which included 7 Golden Eagles soaring together over Mount Lorette at 1817. 13 hours (436.32) BAEA 5 (167), SSHA 2 (16), UA 1 (1), GOEA 45 (2906) TOTAL 53 (3160)

April 11 [Day 37] (George Halmazna) Moderate SW ground winds gusting to 35 km/h at 0900 produced the day's high temperature of 6.5C which dropped to 3C at 1100 as the ground winds abated and heavy snow fell. Ridge winds, however, remained SW-SSW moderate to strong throughout the day gusting over 100 km/h by late afternoon. Cloud cover was initially 50% altostratus and cumulus becoming 100% stratus after 1030 when rain and then snow developed and completely obscured the Fisher Range by 1100. After standing for an hour in the snow George relocated to Lusk Creek at 1200 where it was also snowing heavily with all ridges obscured, and finally gave up on the day at 1430 when it became obvious that conditions were not going to improve. Before the snow moved in, however, a total of 4 Golden Eagles (2a, 2j) migrated along the Fisher Range between 0902 and 0926. Also apparent at the site before the snow were fresh tracks of two wolves that had earlier moved towards the south. 8.16 hours (423.32) GOEA 4 (2861) TOTAL 4 (3107)

April 10 [Day 36] (Bill Wilson) The temperature was -5C at 0700 but rose to 8C at 1600 and 1700 before falling to 5C at the end of the day. Ground winds were S-SW 2-10, gusting to 20-40 km/h in the late morning and much of the afternoon but diminishing after 1930. Ridge winds were SW and occasionally WSW, moderate in the morning but strong in the afternoon with gusts to 130 km/h. Initial cloud cover was 30% cumulus and cirrus, but was 70-100% cumulus and altostratus for the rest of the day, and the western route was 10% obscured in the morning and up to 20% in the late afternoon with the eastern route clear all day. There was a fairly steady movement of raptors between a Golden Eagle 0927 and 2 Golden Eagles at 2018 peaking at 8 birds between 1300 and 1400 and 17 birds from 1400 to 1500. The flight of 41 migrants comprised 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa, 1j, 1u), 1 juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's Hawk of unknown age, 2 adult Northern Goshawks and 32 Golden Eagles (13a, 4sa, 9j and 6u). Yesterday's Northern Shrike was still present and other birds included 2 American Crows and 41 unidentified white-headed gulls flying high to the NE.

Since April 4 “Elaine” has moved 50 km to the north, then 55km to the NNE and now appears to be north of the North Fork of the Chandalar River on the southern flank of the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range. It is likely that she has now reached her summer range.

April 9 [Day 35] (Joel Duncan) The temperature reached a high of 7.5C at 1800 from a low at 1015 of 2.5C and was 3C at 2000. Ground winds were SSE-SSW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h and ridge winds were calm or light S-W until 1500 after which they were moderate S-SW gusting on occasion to 60 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% thin stratus to 1330 after which it was a mixture of cumulus, altostratus and cirrus varying between 20 and 100%. Despite the apparently good migration and observation conditions raptor movement was disappointing with only 9 birds moving between 1420 and 1957. The first of the day's 7 Golden Eagles (2sa, 4j, 1u) was not seen until 1632, and 4 of the birds moved between 1700 and 1800. The only other migrants were 2 Bald Eagles: 1 juvenile and 1 bird of indeterminate age, and all birds moved exclusively along the Fisher Range and crossed to Mount Lorette. A Tree Swallow was the first for the year and there was a Northern Shrike at the site. 10 hours (401.33) BAEA 2 (157), GOEA 7 (2825) TOTAL 9 (3062)

April 8 [Day 34] (George Halmazna, Cliff Hansen after 1630) The temperature was an unpleasant -17C at 0630 and by 0800 had fallen to -18C, but finally achieved a high of 4.5C at 1700. Ground winds were SW <5 km/h to 1300, after increasing to 5-10 gusting 20 km/h, while ridge winds were calm or light in the morning becoming moderate to strong SW in the afternoon gusting to 91 km/h at 1700. It was cloudless to 1400 after which 10-40% thin cirrostratus developed, and all peaks and ridges were clear all day. Raptor movement was the strongest in four days with 58 birds moving between 1021 (a Bald Eagle) and 1643 (2 Golden Eagles). Of these 49 were Golden Eagles (26a, 1sa, 15j, 7u), the first of which was not recorded until 1410. Other migrants were 7 Bald Eagles (3a, 2sa, 2j), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk and 1 adult Cooper's Hawk. Peak movement was 14 birds between 1400 and 1500, and 13 birds between 1500 and 1600. A pair of Barrow's Goldeneye at Lorette Ponds were the first reported this season. 13.5 hours (391.33) BAEA 7 (155), SSHA 1 (13), COHA 1 (3), GOEA 49 (2818) TOTAL 58 (3053)

April 7 [Day 33] (George Halmazna) The temperature was -3C at 0700, rose to a high of 2C at 1400 and was 0C at the end of the day. Ground winds were calm to very light N to 1400, and subsequently light SE-NE, while ridge winds were NE all day generally moderate but gusting to 65 km/h in the morning. Cloud cover was 100% stratus to 1800 and then 70-100% stratus and cumulus to the end of the day. It snowed for most of the day with the ridges seen from the Hay Meadow 80-100% obscured all day. Observations were conducted from the Hay Meadow until noon, then at Lusk Creek until 1430, returning to the Hay Meadow to 1700 and finishing the day at Lusk Creek where the ridges finally cleared after 1800. The only birds observed from the Hay Meadow were an adult Bald Eagle at 1503 and an adult male columbarius Merlin at 1516 with both birds flying low to the north over the river. Between 1727 and 1808 the Lusk Creek site produced 7 birds: 1 adult Sharp-shinned hawk, 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 5 adult Golden Eagles. The highlight of the day however was an adult Glaucous Gull flying to the NE at 1890. 14 hours (377.83) BAEA 1 (148), SSHA 1 (12), RTHA 1 (15), GOEA 5 (2769), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 9 (2995)

April 6 [Day 32] (Terry Waters, Jim Davis) The temperature was -4C at 0900 and rose to a high of 3C at 1500 before falling back to 0C at 1700. Ground winds were S-SW 5-10 gusting 20 km/h, while ridge winds were moderate SW becoming light after 1500. Cloud cover was initially 50% cirrus which lowered and thickened to 50% stratocumulus at 1200 and was 100% after 1600 when snow flurries started which turned to steady snow after 1700. The eastern ridges and the western ridges, with the exception of the peaks, were clear until 1600 after which all the ridges progressively became enveloped in cloud and snow. Raptor movement seen from the Hay Meadow site was poor with only 4 Golden Eagles (2a, 2j) moving above the Fisher Range between 1120 and 1420. Jim Davis, however, after starting the count at the Hay Meadow site, went first to the Lusk Creek site where he recorded an adult Bald Eagle, and then after 1200 observed from the bridge over the Kananaskis River which is 1.5 km SE of the Hay Meadow site. From here he observed 17 more migrant raptors of 5 species between 1249 and 1628, most of which moved low to the NW against the lower slopes of the Fisher Range. These birds apparently could not be seen from the Hay Meadow. This flight comprised 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk (which flew to the north low enough to almost remove Jim's hat), 2 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (1 light, 1 dark), 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 10 Golden Eagles (6a, 1j, 3u). Seven of these birds, all Golden Eagles, moved between 1608 and 1628, the last three being unaged birds that could just be perceived through the rapidly thickening snow. An American Tree Sparrow, the first for the season, and a flock of 75 Bohemian Waxwings at 1600 were the only notable songbirds seen at the Hay Meadow site. 8.5 hours (363.83) BAEA 1 (146), COHA 1 (2), NOGO 1 (10), RTHA 2 (14), RLHA 3 (15), GOEA 14 (2764) TOTAL 22 (2986)

April 5 [Day 31] (George Halmazna, Cliff Hansen after 1745) The temperature reached 4C from a low of -5C and was 3C at the end. Ground winds were SW to variable reaching a maximum of 15-25 gusting 50 km/h at 1500 but for the rest of the day were between 10 and 20 km/h, while ridge winds were generally strong WSW to SSW gusting to 100 km/h in the late afternoon. Cloud cover was 60% stratus and stratocumulus at the start and thickened to 100% stratocumulus with snow at 1100, while for the rest of the day it was 60-100% with regular snow squalls moving from the west. As a result, the eastern ridges were periodically obscured for up to an hour at a time, while the western mountains were 40-100% obscured for most of the day. There was a disappointing raptor movement of only 4 birds: 1 late subadult Bald Eagle, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 1u) and the season's first Merlin, an adult male columbarius seen late in the day. Passerine highlights were 5 Varied Thrushes and 100 Bohemian Waxwings in two flocks. 11.08 hours (355.33) BAEA 1 (146), SSHA 2 (11), MERL 1 (1) TOTAL 4 (2964).

Beaver Mines I spent 30 minutes observing from the house between 1445 and 1515 during which time I saw 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 11 Golden Eagles (9a, 1sa, 1j) moving high to the SW from the Big Hill, and a low flying adult male richardsoni Merlin that exploded a perched mixed flock of 50 American Crows and 10 European Starlings as it passed. Sporadic short periods of observation later in the day produced 5 more Golden Eagles (3a, 1sa, 1j) and a light morph Rough-legged Hawk, suggesting that movement on this route may be more regular than I had thought. Winds were strong SW gusting to 60 km/h, but it was sunny with about 30% cumulus cloud cover.

April 4 [Day 30] (George Halmazna) The temperature high was 5C at 1500 from a morning low of 0C, and was 3C at the end of the day. Ground winds were S-SE 5-12 km/h until 0900 when they backed to SW for the rest of the day generally 5-15 occasionally gusting 50 km/h, and ridge winds were SW moderate to strong with a peak gust of 143 km/h at 0800 but then decreasing with gusts between 40 and 70 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and altostratus changing to 40% cumulus 1100 that reduced to 30% at 1500 and increased again to 60% with snow flurries in the late afternoon. The eastern ridges were clear all day, but the west was obscured by snow and cloud between 40 and 90% for most of the day. There was another fairly strong raptor movement with 104 birds moving between the day's first Golden Eagle at 0749 and the last at 1819, with peak movement occurring between 1000 and 1100 with the passage of 31 birds, 29 of which were Golden Eagles. The strong morning and early afternoon movement became sporadic and diminished after 1400. The flight comprised 8 Bald Eagles (4a, 4j), 1 Northern Harrier of undetermined age and sex, a season high tally of 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 3u), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk, 89 Golden Eagles (83a, 2sa, 4j) and 1 Prairie Falcon. 14 hours (344.25) BAEA 8 (145), NOHA 1 (3), SSHA 4 (9), RTHA 1 (12), GOEA 89 (2750), PRFA 1 (2) TOTAL 104 (2960)

Today Elaine moved about 70 km to the NNE and is now in the Philip Smith Mountains of the Brooks Range.

April 3 (Bill Wilson) There was about 20 cm of fresh snow on the ground and the temperature at 0640 was -10.5C which rose to a much more pleasant 3C at 1700 before falling to -2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were W-SW 0-10 gusting 20 km/h and ridge winds were moderate to strong W-SW. Cloud cover was 20% cumulus until 1100 which increased to 50-60% at 1700 after which it changed to 70-80% altostratus and cirrus for the rest of the day, generally giving excellent observing conditions. The first migrant raptors were 2 Bald Eagles at 1050 and peak movement was 28 birds (1 Bald and 27 Golden Eagles) between 1800 and 1900, with secondary peaks of 15 birds between 1100 and 1200, and 1900 and 2000; the last bird, a Golden Eagle was recorded at 1954. Movement was confined to the eastern route with the exception of 1100 to 1130 when a dozen birds moved on the western ridges. The total flight of 91 birds comprised 9 adult Bald Eagles, 4 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (2 light adults, 1 light juvenile and 1 unaged dark bird), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 77 Golden Eagles (62a, 2sa, 7j, 6u).

13.83 hours (330.25) BAEA 9 (137), RTHA 4 (11), RLHA 1 (12), GOEA 77 (2661) TOTAL 91 (2856)

Beaver Mines (Peter Sherrington) Starting at around 1315 I noticed a few Golden Eagles moving to the NW from the end of a foothills ridge known locally as the Big Hill, located across the Beaver Mines Creek valley to the SE of my house. These observations were sporadic as I was busy reformatting data sets on my computer. At 1500 I went out on my upstairs balcony to take a break and saw 18 Golden Eagles in a soaring kettle over the Big Hill, that then glided high over Beaver Mines towards the NW, to be replaced a few minutes later by 7 more birds that followed the same route. The hour 1500-1600 produced 37 migrant raptors: 3 Bald Eagles, 5 Red-tailed Hawks and 29 Golden Eagles, so I continued observing (with some breaks) until 1930. The total flight, all of which more or less followed the same route, was 94 migrant raptors comprising 11 Bald Eagles (9a, 1sa, 1j), 17 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks (14 light, 1 intermediate (rufous), 2 dark), 1 dark morph adult Ferruginous Hawk, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 63 Golden Eagles (54a, 7sa, 2j) and an adult male columbarius Merlin. At 1919 a probable resident adult female Northern Goshawk made a long, low pursuit of a starling towards the north just east of the house, and the day's last migrant was an adult dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, flying low, probably towards a roost. The NW trajectory of the birds would take them after 17 km of flying exactly to the southern culmination of the Livingstone Range, and after a further 4 km gliding to the north they would pass over our Piitaistakis-South Livingstone site. There are a number of NW-SW oriented foothill ridges between Pincher Creek and the mountain front. The ridge system that includes the Big Hill is the easternmost of these main ridges and farther to the SE is located to the east of the Waterton Main Ranges. The foothill ridges farther west such as the Carbondale Ridge carry birds moving north from the Castle area with a catchment from The Clark Range in the west to the Waterton Main Ranges to the east. Under normal conditions these ridges appear to provide the main feeders to the Livingstone raptor highway, but it is probable that the severe winter storm that hit the area on Saturday pushed a number of birds out of the mountains towards the foothills, and the movement observed today represented the move back towards the main route. I shall see what happens over the next few days, but it was an exciting few hours and it was certainly the most comfortable watching I have experienced in the last 20 years! 6.25 hours BAEA 11, [NOGO 1], RTHA 17, FEHA 1, RLHA 1, GOEA 63, MERL 1 TOTAL 94.

After spending a couple of days moving around the position reported at the end of March, “Elaine”, the adult female Golden Eagle being tracked by the Raptor View Research Institute, has now moved a further 150 km to the NW and now appears to be on the southern flanks of the Brooks Range west of Chandalar Lake.

April 2 (Joel Duncan) NO OBSERVATION POSSIBLE Heavy snow fell all day that completely obscured all the mountains, as the whole of southern Alberta remained under a winter storm warning. At 1100 Joel ventured to the site but quickly decided that nothing was going to change and wisely retreated.

April 1 April 1 [Day 28] (George Halmazna) The temperature rose to a high of 3C between 1100 and 1500 from a low of -3C, and was 2C at the end of the day. Ground winds were calm to mainly light SW occasionally gusting to 15 km/h, and ridge winds were moderate SW-SSW to 1000 after which they were light or calm to 1500 before becoming moderate again. Cloud cover was 100% stratus, stratocumulus and altostratus all day, but the ridges remained clear until 1100 when snow squalls sweeping down from the west periodically obscured first the west and then the east. At 1600 steady snow developed and all ridges were obscured for the rest of the day. Despite the conditions there was a reasonable raptor movement with 33 of the day's 41 migrants occurring between 1500 and 1558 when the last of the day's 30 adult Golden Eagles moved NW. The day's earliest bird was the first of a season-high count of 5 adult calurus Red-tailed Hawks, of which 4 were light morphs and 1 was a dark morph. The other migrants seen were 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j) and 2 Rough-legged Hawks. All the birds appeared over or from behind the northern end of the Fisher Range before crossing the valley to Mount Lorette. Non-raptor highlights were 2 Trumpeter Swans flying low to the north over the river in a snow squall at 1400, the season's first American Wigeon, a male, with 3 Mallard on the river, 23 American Robins, and a Song Sparrow which was one of several birds singing today producing a brief illusion that spring had arrived. 11 hours (316.42) BAEA 4 (128), RTHA 5 (7), RLHA 2 (11), GOEA 30 (2584) TOTAL 41 (2765)

March 31 [Day 27] (George Halmazna) The temperature rose from 1C to a high of 7C at noon falling to 4C at 1400 where it remained for the rest of the day. Ground winds were mainly calm to light S-SW except between 1000 and 1300 when they gusted to 15 km/h, and ridge winds were mainly moderate SW gusting to 40 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and stratocumulus all day, with the western ridges 40-100% obscured all day until 1700 after which all ridges were obscured by snow, which had previously been intermittent on the mountains but which fell as rain on the valley bottom. The first of the day's 36 migrant raptors was the season's first Red-tailed Hawk at 1042, and the first Golden Eagle moved 5 minutes later. Peak movement was between 1300 and 1400 when 13 birds were recorded, 12 of which were Golden Eagles, and the last bird seen from the Hay Meadow site was a Golden eagle at 1604. After 1700, with all the ridges obscured, George relocated to the Lusk Creek site where the ridge remained clear until 2030, but the only migrant seen was a Bald Eagle at 1712. The day's flight comprised 2 adult Bald Eagles, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 29 adult Golden Eagles. Song birds were scarce but included two singing Varied Thrushes and the second Brown Creeper of the season. 13.75 hours (305.42) BAEA 2 (124), SSHA 3 (5), RTHA 2 (2), GOEA 29 (2554) TOTAL 36 (2724)

March summary The combined species total of 2724 and the Golden Eagle total of 2554 were both the highest counts since 2001 at the site and 11.92% and 12.77% above the 1993-2010 March average count. The 124 Bald Eagles were the highest count since 2004 and 105.7% above the 1993-2010 average. If, however, the three very low (and probably anomalous) counts in 2008, 2009 and 2010 are discounted, the combined species count is 1.51%, the Golden Eagle count is 0.55% and the Bald Eagle count is 7.58% above the 1993-2007 March average count, and this is probably more closely reflects the real situation. Either way it is heartening to see a strong persistent movement of Golden Eagles again at Mount Lorette, the first since 2006, and the count represents the 6^th highest March count of the species at the site since 1993.

Today the adult female Golden Eagle “Elaine”had moved about 70 km WNW of yesterday's position and is now north of the Yukon River and north of the Arctic Circle near the settlement of Beaver. She appears to be heading towards the Brooks Range.