2024 Fall Count
The Fall 2024 Migration Count runs from September 20 to November 15 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 Fall Count 2024 Daily Summaries
Mount Lorette (05 Nov 2024) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 14 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 88 | 2695 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total: | 3 | 103 | 2984 |
| Observation start time: | 12:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
In spite of the weather, three groups totalling seven people came by, and all stopped to talk.
Weather:
The day’s count was delayed due to low clouds and snow. Arriving at the site at noon the ridges were still completely obscured, and there was still snow falling, but the clouds were beginning to break up. Light snow fell until about 1500, and the clouds gradually lifted until, about an hour before sunset, the east ridge was mostly clear. The west ridge was obscured most of the day.
The temperature started at 0C and barely diverged from that temperature until departure at sunset. Ground wind was light from the northeast, as were the ridge winds. The upper clouds appeared to be moving from the northwest. Cloud cover decreased from 100% to about 90%, mostly stratus with some cumulus.
Raptor Observations:
Despite the poor conditions, a trio of intrepid raptors were determined to move south. First there was a 3-4 year old Bald Eagle, then an adult male Norther Harrier, and towards the end of the day, an adult Golden Eagle. All of these flew moderately high over our heads.
One adult Bald Eagle was spotted flying along the river, not looking like it was migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
While raptors were in short supply, there were plenty of ducks, geese, and swans on the move. The numbers were approximately: 275 Canada Geese (in three skeins), 4 swans, 35 Common Mergansers (two flocks), 2 Canada Jays, 5 Common Ravens, 1 Pine Grosbeak
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (04 Nov 2024) 9 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 13 | 88 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 9 | 87 | 2694 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total: | 9 | 100 | 2981 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
5
Weather:
The temperature stayed pretty much the same all day. It started at 1C, rose to 4C by 13:00, and read 3C at the end of the count. Ground wind was from the SW and varied between 1 and 4 on the Beaufort Scale with intermittent very strong gusts all day. We had to tie down the telescope. A few snowflakes blew in from the west. Ridge winds were strong ranging from 44 Km/h to 89 Km/h with gusts up to 134 Km/h. Cloud coverage ranged from 80 – 100% and consisted of a combination of cumulus, cirrus, altostratus, and cirrostratus. There was a brief period of lenticular formation to the north. Only the western ridges were partially covered all day between 20 and 80%. A snow squall threatened us all day from the west but luckily, never made its attack while we were there.
Raptor Observations:
We had a lower-than-average day for migrant raptor sightings with only 9 golden Eagles in total (7 adults and 2 unidentified plumage). No other raptors were seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
9 Ravens, 1 Mountain Bluebird, 20 Bohemian Waxwings, 20 Pine Siskins, 2 Canada Jays, 25 Canada Geese, 1 Pine Grosbeak. 1 American Dipper, 1 Snowshoe Hare, 5 White-tailed Deer.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (03 Nov 2024) 33 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 13 | 88 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 30 | 78 | 2685 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total: | 33 | 91 | 2972 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.52 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton, Ethan Denton |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
12 people stopped to talk
Weather:
It was a nice, crisp fall day with temperatures ranging between -3 and +3 degrees. The ground wind was relatively light, around 2-3 Beaufort throughout. Cirrus and small cumulus clouds covered about 20% of the sky. Barometric pressure stayed consistent at 849 for most of the day.
Raptor Observations:
A couple Golden Eagles drifted through early on, but it wasnât until the late afternoon that a bigger push came. Between 15:00 and 16:00 11 Goldens passed over, 8 of which came in one loose group. Almost all of todayâs raptors came gliding over the eastern ridges, not very high. In total, 30 Golden Eagles and 3 Balds were seen. The resident Goshawk was also present for parts of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
It was a good day for non-raptors, one highlight being a late female Mountain Bluebird. The non-raptor list reads as follows. 3 Canada Jay, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 14 Common Raven, 3 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 Mountain Chickadee, 2 Brown Creeper, 1 Mountain Bluebird, 1 American Dipper, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 11 Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Dark-eyed Junco.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (02 Nov 2024) 30 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 02, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 6 | 10 | 85 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 24 | 48 | 2655 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total: | 30 | 58 | 2939 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Jennifer Brand |
Visitors:
36 people stopped to talk. Thanks to Maija for helping to spot migrants .
Weather:
The temperature was -1 C at the start of observation, it rose to a high of 3, then fell to 1 by the end. Wind was from the SW, usually light at ground level with occasional gusts between 10 and 20 km/h, and moderate at ridge level with gusts up to 46. Cloud cover was 80-100% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus. The low cloud dropped a few snowflakes in the afternoon and sometimes obscured ridges up to 20%.
Raptor Observations:
Migrants were all using the eastern ridges, mostly flapping and gliding, though a few found strong enough updrafts to kite or soar. The heavy cloud cover made spotting relativity easy, but ageing was very difficult in the low-light and backlit conditions. The count for the day was 24 Golden Eagles (5 adults, 2 sub-adults, 5 undifferentiated immature, and 12 unaged) and 6 adult Bald Eagles. Two Golden Eagles flew north along the migration route. It might be the local pair still hanging around, or perhaps they haven’t realized that spring migration hasn’t started yet.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Belted Kingfishers, 2 Canada Jays, 6 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 American Dipper, 2 American Robins, 11 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 1 Redpoll, 3 Red Crossbills, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, 1 White-tailed Deer, and 1 Snowshoe Hare.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (01 Nov 2024) 28 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 4 | 79 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 24 | 24 | 2631 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total: | 28 | 28 | 2909 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis, Peter Lloyd |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
17 People stopped to talk.
Weather:
The temperature was -2 C at the beginning of observation, it rose to a high of 3, and fell to 2 as we were leaving. Cloud cover was cumulus and cirrus, 10-20% in the morning and 70-90% in the afternoon. Ground wind was light, occasionally gusting to 15 km/h. Ridge wind was usually between 20 and 40 with gusts up to 55.
Raptor Observations:
Migrants moved throughout the day in short bursts separated by longer slow periods. All of them were gliding and soaring along the eastern ridges. Spotting conditions were generally good, though ageing could be difficult as birds were often tucked up gliding or backlit. The count was 24 Golden Eagles (9 adults, 1 sub-adult, 2 juveniles, 1 undifferentiated immature and 11 unaged), and 4 Bald Eagles (1 adult, 1 sub-adult 3, 1 undifferentiated sub-adult, and 1 juvenile). No non-migrant raptors were observed.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: 1 American Three-toed Woodpecker, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 American Dipper, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 30 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, 1 Pine Siskin, 1 American Tree Sparrow, and 4 Oregon Dark-eyed Juncos.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (31 Oct 2024) 33 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 31, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 64 | 75 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 3 | 19 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 26 | 2344 | 2607 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 33 | 2558 | 2881 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
Six people came by, but only four stopped to talk.
Weather:
The temperature started at -5C and rose to a high of 3C, finishing the day at 0C. Initially the sky was blue with just a few cirrus clouds, but the cirrus clouds built up as the day went on, thickening and giving us little warmth from the sun. Cumulus clouds were appearing at the end of the day. Fortunately for us, there was not much wind at ground level, but there was also, once again, very little wind at ridge level. By the end of the day the ridge winds topped 20kph, mostly from the south-southwest.
Raptor Observations:
Despite the light ridge winds, there were some migrants determined to head south. Most were coming in low to the east ridge, then spending some time soaring to gain height, and there was frequent flapping of wings too. Some of the birds were seen over Mt Lorette, where they also spent quite a bit of time soaring to gain altitude. With so much soaring and slow movement, none of the eagles went unaged this time. The totals were 26 Golden Eagles (23a, 1sa, 1ui, 1j), 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1wb), and 3 Rough-legged Hawks.
The only non-migrant seen was a Merlin on the walk in.
Non-raptor Observations:
Perhaps the highlight of the day was a Northern Pygmy-Owl perched high on a spruce tree near the pump houses in the late afternoon. Other birds were: Canada Goose 15, Belted Kingfisher 1 (juvenile), Northern Flicker 1, Canada Jay 3, Common Raven 6, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Boreal Chickadee 1
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (30 Oct 2024) 11 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 60 | 71 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 10 | 2318 | 2581 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 11 | 2526 | 2849 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Colin Stallknecht |
Visitors:
No passers by stopped to talk. We thank Numi for showing up in the afternoon with binoculars and helping spot for a while.
Weather:
The starting temperature was -4C. It rose to +4C and finished at 0C. The sky was clear all day, apart from a few wisps of cirrus cloud. Ground winds were light. Ridge winds were also light, mostly from a southerly direction, never exceeding 17kph. Upper winds were unknown.
Raptor Observations:
No migrating raptors were seen until after 14:00. The few that were spotted were flying low along the east ridge – none of them got higher than the highest point on Patrick. The end total was just 10 Golden Eagles (6a, 1sa, 1ui, 2u), and one unidentified eagle.
The only raptors seen on the west ridge did not appear to be migrating – two appearances of an adult Golden Eagle, and one adult Bald Eagle. An American Goshawk flew low across the meadow at one point, disappearing into the forest north of the site.
Non-raptor Observations:
There was one unusual sight in the early morning – three American Dippers together at the edge of the river. After a brief stop in front of the site, they flew off together down the river. It’s unusual to see two together, let alone three! Later a single dipper came by.
Other birds were: 3 Canada Jays, 15 Common Ravens, 2 Pine Siskins
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
