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2024 Spring Count

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The Spring 2024 Migration Count runs from March 6 to April 22 with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily. If interested in visiting the site we suggest that you visit after 3pm. We see the majority of migrating eagles later in the afternoon. This is the 32rd year of vigilant recording. Observation map. Thank you to the observers and count coordinators.

See the Spring Count 2024 Daily Summaries


Fall Count 2023

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The Fall 2023 Migration Count runs from Sep 20th until Nov 15th with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily. If interested in visiting the site we suggest that you visit after 3pm. We see the majority of migrating eagles later in the afternoon. This is the 32nd year of vigilant recording. Observation map. Thank you to the observers and count coordinators.

See the Fall Count 2023 Daily Summaries


In Memorial: Claire Bourret

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Claire Bourret (1951 – 2023)

Claire Bourret was the treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation (RMERF) for over 20 years and was a highly competent and effective steward of the Foundation’s finances. Her annual financial reports were always on time and straightforward, and Claire worked hard to raise funds for observation and research activities. She made sure the charity casinos were always well staffed, and even when in hospital in early 2023, Claire still recruited volunteers for the next upcoming RMERF casino. But Claire did so much more:

Although she was not a field person and rarely went to the observation site at Hay Meadow, she was fascinated by the migrating eagles and raptors. Her enthusiasm was infectious and made her an outstanding educator and outreach coordinator. Claire made sure the RMERF had a well-equipped and volunteer-staffed RMERF booth at various events around the Calgary area, such as the Calgary Mayor’s Environment Expo at City Hall, Provincial Park Days, the Canmore Folk Festival and the Open House at the Barrier Lake Field Station. To make these events hands-on, she assembled educational materials, such as handouts, teaching games for kids, and a giant map of North America to show the routes of the migrating eagles. The satellite-tracked eagle “Elaine” was a special favourite of hers and Claire related so well to kids and passed on her enthusiasm for the eagles and for nature in general.

Claire also made sure that we celebrated the RMERF’s ongoing success. She organized and managed well attended 20th and 30th anniversary celebrations which included interesting speakers, field trips, delicious food, and a lot of socializing. She understood very well that field observations and research activities alone do not make a community but that it was the social events, such as the Annual RMERF BBQ (and cricket game) that brought people together. She made sure there was plenty of food and drinks available, and whatever the event, including the board meetings, Claire brought some home baked goodies, usually delicious muffins. She was usually assisted by her patient and loving husband Joe.

“She always gave 100 precent, sometimes even more” as a founding member of the RMERF said, and the RMERF is deeply grateful to Claire for her hard work and the many contributions she made to the Foundation and its objectives.

May she soar with the eagles.


Spring Count 2023

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The Spring 2023 Migration Count has commenced and runs from Mar 1st to Apr 22nd with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily — including viewing equipment available to the public. If interested in visiting the site, we suggest that you visit after 3pm. We see the majority of the migrating eagles in the later afternoon. This is the 31st consecutive year of vigilant recording. Mount Lorette site, Observation map.

See the Spring Count 2023 Daily Summaries


Celebrating 30 Years of Citizen Science Golden Eagle Research

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2022

In-person and Zoom options available

The Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation (RMERF) thanks all our observers, members, board, supporters, volunteers and countless visitors to the Mount Lorette Hay Meadows site for making the last 30 years a success.  It was March 20, 1992 when Des Allen and Peter Sherrington first noticed Golden Eagles migrating along the portion of what was to become known as the “eagle highway” in the Kananaskis Valley.

Please join us at the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park education building as we recognize and honour the 30 years’ achievement.  We will listen and learn of many species migration history and challenges,  related scientific findings and data, and highlights and passion of raptor watching and monitoring.

Schedule

  • Glenbow Ranch is located on Highway 1A between Calgary and Cochrane, 18 kms NW from the U of Calgary. At the posted Glenbow Ranch signage, turn south (towards the Bow River), driving 3 kms down a good gravel road, parking available on site.
  • WELCOME at Glenbow Ranch at 9:30 with a brief social gathering and light refreshments.
  • OPENING PRESENTATION at 10:00 for in-person and Zoom attendees.
  • MC Ian Sherrington with opening remarks.
  • Video “The RMERF Story” produced by Quinlan McCormack
  • Speakers 10:25 – 12:45
    • Josh Welsh, Alberta Program Manager, Yellowstone to Yukon
    • Ryan Schmitz, Raptor Resource Project, Decorah, Iowa
    • Stan Boutin, Science Co-ordinator, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, U of Alberta (in-person)
    • Final introduction by Brian Keating
    • Peter Sherrington, Research Director, RMERF (in-person)
  • CLOSING REMARKS by RMERF President – Deanna Cottrell

Zoom attendees will then be disengaged.

Participants at the Glenbow Ranch’s presentations are invited to board a chartered bus (lunch to be provided) to go to the Mount Lorette Hay Meadow field site.

Live streaming will resume at 2:00 at the Mount Lorette Hay Meadow field site.   Observers and other comments, as well as identification of flight/mountain directions of migratory Golden Eagles and other raptors, will be given.

This event is FREE, but registration is required.  Please register with Sandy Graham at sandygraham1951@gmail.com

Advise if:

1 – attending in-person (# of attendees) at the Glenbow Ranch

2 – taking the bus (# of attendees) to Mount Lorette site (please specify if vegetarian option required)

3 – only participating on Zoom

Greater details will be provided to you from your registration.

RMERF is very pleased to advise that all these activities have been made possible by funding from the JerryLigouri Scholarship through HawkWatch International.


Fall Count 2022

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The Fall 2022 Migration Count was completed from Sep 20th until Nov 15th with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily — including viewing equipment available to the public.  This is the 30th consecutive year of vigilant recording. Mount Lorette site, Observation map. Thank you to the observers and count coordinators.

See the Fall Count 2022 Daily Summaries


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