NNW winds peaking at the start of the count at 39-49kph. Throughout the
count the winds slowly decreased finishing out the count at 12-19kph.
Visibility was good for the entire count at 18km or more. Mostly cloudy
skies to begin the count, but the clouds cleared out quickly for mostly
sunny skies by 11:00. Low temperature of 0C at 09:00 and a high of 12C by
15:00.
Raptor Notes
BE 1 (67) SS 1 (67) RT 2 (188) AK 3 (25) UA 1 (4) Total 8 (867)
Slow day for migrants along Tussey Mountain which was to be expected in the
strong NW winds. I felt lucky to spot most birds as I usually caught them
out of the corner of my eye almost to go out of view. I was having trouble
spotting them in the blue skies making their way to the cut. AK led the
flight and were a perfect example of just seeing the small falcons before
they zipped out of view. I believe they were still flying into the headwind
from S to N through the cut which is why I didn’t see them approach. I
spent most of the day scanning the N side of the ridge as raptors tend to
be over there in NW winds.
Other than the local TUVU resident raptor activity was greatly reduced. The
immature RTHA was spotted kiting in the gap at 11:08 and again several
times during the count in this vicinity. At 11:37 there was a BE skirmish
on Leading Ridge with 3 individuals involved.
Non-raptor Notes
Two separate COLO migrated high across Tussey Mountain from S to N. Both
followed the cross-ridge route flown by sky high GE’s earlier in the
season. I have an increased appreciate for their strength seeing them both
motoring that high into a NW wind. Later in the afternoon two AMCR were
again hauling bread stuff across the ridge from N to S.
duck sp. 3
Mourning Dove 3
Common Loon 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 9
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1
Visitors
Scott Chambers and a friend
Next Day Forecast
Showers likely after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 5
to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
