Fall Migration Count 2026
Every fall Golden Eagles migrate from their breeding grounds north of us to wintering grounds to the south. In the spring they fly back to their breeding grounds. One of the main routes for this migration is along the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. At our watch site on the banks of the Kananaskis River near Mount Lorette, we count the passing eagles, and other raptors, for nearly eight weeks each spring and fall.
The Fall 2026 Migration Count runs from September 20 to November 15 with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily. We welcome visitors, and suggest that if you are interested in visiting the site then come in the mid-afternoon, which is when we typically see the highest number of eagles.
You can follow along with the count by reading the daily blog below, and you can learn more about Golden Eagles and the count by browsing the pages on this website. Got questions? We’ve got answers!
Mount Lorette (22 Oct 2026) 46 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 36 | 46 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 54 | 82 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 9 | 21 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 12 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 13 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 40 | 1638 | 1904 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 46 | 1804 | 2170 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.2 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
Only 7 visitors stopped by, but several helped to look for eagles. Thanks to Louise and Ron for joining us for several hours and Alex and her dog Cleo who also helped spot eagles. Special thanks to Niza for coming out to spend the afternoon with us.
Weather:
This may be our last summery day for the fall, although it started out chilly at 1 degree, got up to 12 degrees and back down to 9 degrees by sunset.There was very light cloud in the morning along the eastern sky so it was almost noon before the sun actually gave some heat and then things really started to warm up. The ground winds were light to calm all day with a few gusts in the afternoon.Ridge winds were also fairly light, west and south-south-west in direction with speeds of 25-37km/hr and gusts up to 50 km/hr.High winds were very low until later in the afternoon and even then only moderate from the west and southwest. The sky was quite clear with early cirrus in the east and only a few cumulus clouds. Towards 5 pm, heavier cumulus clouds were back in the north-eastern sky, the ridges were always clear.
Raptor Observations:
There was very little benefit of clouds for spotting the eagles and with low winds the eagles all seemed to go slow and semi low until the winds picked up. Almost all the eagles were on the east ridges, showing up over Patrick or the Bumps, but 2 were seen going right down the middle of the sky well above us, travelling fast. In all we saw 40 Golden eagles, (8a, 14sa, 5 ui, 11ua, 2 ju) 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1ju), 1 unknown Eagle, 1 adult Goshawk, and 1 unknown Raptor
Non-raptor Observations:
The day was pretty quiet for other species, squirrels were the most vocal of all. The Dipper was heard in the river , a Hairy Woodpecker flew over twice, 1 Canada Jay came to visit several times, 1 European Starling was seen sitting in a tree, Black-capped Chickadees sang close by in the bushes, An adult Goshawk, an adult Rough-legged Hawk and a Resident Bald eagle were seen hunting or flying north in the valley. And how could I forget the many Ravens which spent quite a bit of time up on the bumps tormenting the young eagles as they struggled to gain altitude.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (21 Oct 2026) 189 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 6 | 33 | 43 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 54 | 82 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 2 | 8 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 12 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 13 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 176 | 1598 | 1864 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 13 | 17 |
| Total: | 189 | 1758 | 2124 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Linda Hickey |
Visitors:
Approximately 60 people walked past the site today, with around 20 stopping to chat. Thanks to the 2 visitors from Germany and Jim B and his daughter Vanessa for helping spot eagles.
Weather:
Another warm and sunny fall day. The temperature at 0800 was -3C, the high was 14C at 1500 and it was still 9C at 1845. Ridge winds were SW-WSW 40 to 60km/h with gusts from 65 to 90 km/h. The skies began clear before some thin, high cirrostratus and altostratus appeared covering between 20% to 50% giving an excellent observing backdrop throughout the day.
Raptor Observations:
The first Golden Eagle was seen at 0825 and subsequent movement was fairly steady for the rest of the day with 14 to 35 birds per hour (peak hour was 1500 to 1600) until 1800 when movement slowed, with the last Golden Eagle observed gliding high to the south at 1810. Only 2 Golden Eagles were seen over the western ridges, the rest were mostly using the route from Mt Lorette to the Fisher Range, usually above ridge level and often very high. During the peak hour from 1500, one loose group of 6 eagles flew straight down the valley passing high overhead. The lighting conditions made ageing the eagles quite difficult until the sun angle became more favourable by late afternoon. A total of 189 raptors of 5 species were seen, comprising 6 Bald Eagles (5a, 1sa), 1 un-aged Rough-legged Hawk, 1 un-aged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 American Goshawks (1a, 1juv), 176 Golden Eagles (46a, 2sa, 6j, 16ui, 106u), 2 unidentified buteos and 1 unidentified raptor.
Non-raptor Observations:
Not much activity in the meadow today. A few flocks of Bohemian Waxwings flew past totalling about 60 birds. Other birds were 2 Canada Jays, 1 Magpie, about 15 Ravens and 4 Siskins.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (20 Oct 2026) 142 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 27 | 37 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 53 | 81 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 18 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 12 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 12 | 15 |
| Golden Eagle | 140 | 1422 | 1688 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 12 | 16 |
| Total: | 142 | 1569 | 1935 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.98 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Peter Lloyd |
Visitors:
Very few people stopped to ask about the count, but we enjoyed a visit from Peter and Jennifer who stayed a while to watch eagles, and Ed McCullough who helped spot for an hour in the afternoon.
Weather:
Today’s lack of clouds – not even a single contrail! – did not present the observation difficulties that blue sky often brings, as a lack of wind kept the raptors low and easier to see. The warmth of the sun all day was welcome after a starting temperature of -6C. It quickly rose to 10C, and started dropping just as quickly after the sun went behind the west ridge, ending the day at 4C. Ground winds were mostly calm, not getting much above 10 kph from the southwest. Ridge winds were low from the south to start, but veered around to southwest and increased to the 30-40 kph range for the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
The first Golden Eagle was seen at 0952, and the last at 1830, a few minutes before sunset. In the morning progress for the eagles was slow as what little wind there was was coming from the south. For the most part they were flying in front of the ridges, and seen only briefly when they popped up above the ridge. After noon they were mostly flying a standard route from Lorette, coming into the east ridge at ridge level, then gaining a bit of altitude before gliding on, mostly clearing the ridge after that. Most of the movement was on the east ridge, but a few were seen on the west side. The total was 140 (77a, 7sa, 5j, 17ui, 34u).
In addition, two Bald Eagles were seen heading south (1a, 1j).
One adult Bald Eagle flew low up the river, and an adult American Goshawk was seen hunting over the west side of the valley.
Non-raptor Observations:
Two Common Mergansers swam up the river and then drifted down again. The female Belted Kingfisher chased off another kingfisher at one point. A Hairy Woodpecker flew past. A Northern Shrike sat in a tree staring at a European Starling below it – looking like it was sizing up the starling as a possible prey item. The starling flew off before the shrike did anything. Two Canada Jays came to visit. 13 ravens were seen at once above the east ridge; another seven or so were seen around the valley. A couple of Red Crossbills flew over, and Pine Siskins were heard several times.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (19 Oct 2026) 79 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 25 | 35 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 53 | 81 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 18 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 12 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 12 | 15 |
| Golden Eagle | 74 | 1282 | 1548 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 12 | 16 |
| Total: | 79 | 1427 | 1793 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.95 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Dan Parliament, Sandy Graham |
Visitors:
About 60 people came by the site today, and so many were interested and eager to ask questions. I kept hearing comments about how important and meaningful it was to be here and experience the count firsthand. A special shout-out to Yumi, who spent a few fruitful hours observing with us. We also had a special visitor from Wales, John Trudgill, who has devoted his entire life to working with raptors. It was wonderful to share the site with so many curious and enthusiastic visitors!
Weather:
It was a nice day! Temperatures ranged from �4�C to 9�C, ending at 8�C. SW ground winds were very light, averaging approximately 6 km/h, before increasing between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. SW ridge winds were initially light but strengthened after 1:00 p.m., reaching 22�33 km/h with gusts up to 46 km/h. The ridges remained clear throughout the day. Cloud cover ranged from 80�100%, with a variety of cirrus and stratus clouds and some lenticular clouds developing later in the day.
Raptor Observations:
The first Golden appeared around 8:30, gliding low along and in front of the east ridges. Most of the birds flew low, and many crossed the face of the mountains at some point, making identification an easier task. We had the highest numbers after 2:30. The final count for Raptors was 74 Golden Eagles (50 adults, 7 subadults, 5 juveniles, 3 non-adults, 9 unidentified). 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Three-toed Woodpecker, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 65 American Robins in 2 flocks, A choir of 7 Common Ravens plus many more, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 16 Common Loons including a flock of 12, 4 Canada Jays, 15 Snow Buntings, 1 Pine Siskin, 25 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Ruffed Grouse, and 1 Black-capped Chickadee.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (17 Oct 2026) 30 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 20 | 30 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 52 | 80 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 18 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 11 | 23 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 11 | 14 |
| Golden Eagle | 30 | 1030 | 1296 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 12 | 16 |
| Total: | 30 | 1167 | 1533 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Caroline Lambert, Christa Clifford |
Visitors:
Nearly 200 visitors passed through the meadow and either stopped to talk or read the signs. About 20 people stayed and tried to watch migration for varying periods of time. Thanks to everyone who did, come back anytime!
Weather:
It was 12 C at the start of the count, it briefly reached a high of 13 in the morning, then fell to 10 as we were leaving. Ground wind was from the SW, 10-20 km/h gusting to 30 with occasional gusts reaching 40 in the afternoon. Ridge wind was also from the SW, gusting between 60 and 120. Rain started around 12:30 PM and continued until 4 PM. Cloud cover varied between 60% and 100%. The clouds didn’t lower enough to obscure any ridges.
Raptor Observations:
The count was 30 Golden Eagles (1 Juvenile, 3 undifferentiated immature, 26 unaged). One used the west ridges, and the rest were on the east. They were gliding high and silhouetted in front of clouds which made ageing impossible in most cases. 15 migrants were counted between 10 AM and 12:30 PM. Once the rain arrived movement slowed, and it remained slow for the rest of the day. One Golden Eagle flew north high above the Fisher Range, presumably one of the local population. An unidentified buteo was also flying north.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were 2 Common Mergansers on the river, 18 unidentified gulls flying low and struggling against the wind, 1 unidentified loon that flew high over the Fisher Range, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 44 Common Ravens including a conspiracy of 32 that flew south down the Fisher Range in the evening, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2 Red Crossbills, and 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]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (16 Oct 2026) 73 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 20 | 30 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 52 | 80 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 18 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 11 | 23 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 11 | 14 |
| Golden Eagle | 66 | 1000 | 1266 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 12 | 16 |
| Total: | 73 | 1137 | 1503 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.3 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich, Linda Hickey |
Visitors:
Around 40 people stopped by today. Massive thanks to the 12 or so people who stayed for varying lengths to help spot!
Weather:
A gorgeous day out at Hay Meadows saw temperatures rise from 2�C to a whopping 15�C, with the sun beaming down for most of the afternoon. Winds ranged from 45 to almost 100 at ridgelevel, and came consistently from the SW. The pressure dropped throughout the day, which was relatively dry at around 24% humidity.
Raptor Observations:
It didn’t take long for the Eagles to start moving. The first bird came through at around 0830 and from thence on they trickled through at a relatively steady pace before drying up in the late afternoon. For much of the morning, clouds and sun conspired to create a harsh backlighting which made ageing difficult for birds on the Eastern ridgeline. Early on, the Eagles were clearly struggling for height and battled their way through the valley well below the peaks. This changed by evening and a comfortable proportion of the later Eagles cruised over high enough to put a serious crook in our necks.
In total, 66 Golden Eagles were observed, with a split of 29ad, 7sub, 1 juv, 1ui and 28 unknown.
Other raptors included 2 Bald Eagles (1ad 1sub), 3 Red-tailed Hawks, a Rough-legged Hawk, and a solitary Sharp-shinned Hawk over Olympic Summit.
The resident Goshawk and an apparent resident Golden both made appearances.
Non-raptor Observations:
It felt like winter today! Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Siskins and Canada Jay’s were around, while a Pine Grosbeak sang heartily from the far side of the river. The couple migrants still around included a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and an American Tree Sparrow.
Report submitted by Ethan Denton (ethan@suechick.com)
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (15 Oct 2026) 52 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 18 | 28 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 51 | 79 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 18 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 8 | 20 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 10 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 47 | 934 | 1200 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 12 | 16 |
| Total: | 52 | 1064 | 1430 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.52 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Caroline Lambert |
Visitors:
40 visitors walked by , 10 stopped to chat and one family sat for about half an hour looking for eagles with us and chatting . Huge thanks to Caroline for spending 4 hours of her day helping with the count.
Weather:
Another beautiful day in Hay Meadows. The temperature started out a minus 1 went up to plus 10 and stayed there till home time, but plus 10 with sunshine and plus 10 without sunshine is not the same temperature! Absolutely cloudless sky for most of the day.Around 4pm, the clouds started to fill; in cirrus, stratus, cumulus and some lenticular clouds high in the sky never obscuring any of the ridges. The wind was almost non-existent, till mid afternoon and then only small gusts of south-westerly wind were noted. Ridge winds were also low from the southwest and high winds were moderate from the west-south-west.
Raptor Observations:
The early Golden eagles were low in the sky,just over Lorette and Patrick and moving very slowly. Later in the day the wind had picked up and the eagles were sailing high over the eastern ridges, usually still turning over the bumps as if to get a bit more height.IN all there were 47 golden Eagles,(15a, 5 sa, 6 ju, 3 ui, 18ua) A Rough-legged hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk came over Hummingbird plume before continuing on, 2 Bald eagles(1ju,1 second year) and one unknown raptor made the total raptors 52
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen today included, Black-capped Chickadees, A Varied thrush flew in front of me on my way into the site, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, several American Tree Swallows, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Magpie, Several Juncos, a small flock of Pine Siskins, 6 Ravens followed by a big flock of 24 Ravens pooling over the Big smile, 1 Northern Shrike a Blackbird species and the Adult Goshawk was seen hunting.
Predictions:
Tomorrow’s weather forecast is for higher temperature and wind, so it may be a very good day to count eagles.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
