Fall Count 2023
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 vigilante recording. Observation map. Thank you to the observers and count coordinators.
See the Fall Count 2023 Daily Summaries
Mount Lorette (15 Nov 2023) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 15, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 46 | 130 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 174 | 3078 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 2 | 221 | 3542 |
| Observation start time: | 10:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Rosemary Power |
Visitors:
Four people stopped to chat about the count.
Weather:
The morning started out at 0°C, rose to 2°C by noon, and had fallen to 1°C when we conclude the count at 2:30pm. Ground winds were gusty all day, ranging from light to 15 km/h. Ridge winds were moderate, gusting to over 70km/h in the morning, falling to 12km/h as the snow moved in. Cloud cover was complete all day with scattered cumulus clouds against a solid layer of altostratus. Snow fell around the valley all day, and the count was concluded early as it approached the site in the early afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Migrant Eagles A slow day for eagles as is befitting for the last day of the fall count. The only two migrant eagles observed were adult Bald Eagles, one flying relatively low up the river and the other heading south over the west side of the valley.
Zero Golden Eagles 2 Bald Eagles: 2a
No other migrant raptors were observed.
Non-migrant Raptors An American Goshawk called in the morning from near the path. An American Goshawk also soared above the western valley in the afternoon, but was too backlit to age. An adult Bald Eagle flew north down the river in the early afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
The local Canada Jays looked on inquisitively as we dismantled our seasonal site installations. A lone Common Merganser seen diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Kananaskis River as we departed for the year provided a fitting conclusion to another successful count.
1 Common Merganser 2 Canada Jay 3 Common Raven 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Boreal Chickadee 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 10 Bohemian Waxwing 1 Common Redpoll
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (14 Nov 2023) 5 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 44 | 128 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 3 | 174 | 3078 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 5 | 219 | 3540 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.42 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
About a dozen people stopped to ask about the count.
Weather:
A couple of centimetres of fresh, wet snow was on the ground this morning, sticking to everything and resisting melting in the sun. It wasn’t so sticky at higher elevations as the west ridge was veiled most of the day in snow blowing off the ridges. The temperature started at -2C, rose to +1C and was -1C at the end of the day. Ground winds were blustery, mostly from the southwest, with periods of calm interspersed with gusts up to 40kph. Ridge winds were very strong in the morning, decreased to moderate around noon, then rose again in mid-afternoon with Nakiska reporting WSW wind at 98kph gusting to 131kph. The sky was an ever-changing mix of open blue sky with cumulus, altostratus, and cirrus clouds.
Raptor Observations:
Ridge winds were suitable most of the day for migrating raptors, however, only five were seen, 3 adult Golden Eagles, and 2 immature Bald Eagles. The Golden Eagles all sailed effortlessly over the east ridge, while the Bald Eagles flew high over the east side of the valley.
One adult Bald Eagle flew low up the river, presumably the local one we’ve seen almost daily.
Non-raptor Observations:
There were few other birds around: 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, about 8 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, and just 1 Bohemian Waxwing
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (13 Nov 2023) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 13, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 42 | 126 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 171 | 3075 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 2 | 214 | 3535 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
We talked with 10 curious visitors today.
Weather:
At the start of the count at 8:30 the temperature read 2C. It crept up to a high of 3.5C by 10:00 and then made its way back to 2C by 12:00 and remained there until we sadly had to abandon the site at 13:30 due to the drizzle/ snow (Sndrizzleow) lol. A storm gradually moved in from the SW behind Mt Kidd and overcame the valley. Ground winds were light from the SW and Ridge winds averaged about 50 Km/h from the SW/SSW.
Raptor Observations:
Only one Golden Eagle was sighted today at 8:30 as it made its way south gliding over the Fisher Range. Later, one adult Bald Eagle flew south following the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
A flock of 60 Bohemian Waxwings kept returning to the wolf willow bushes to eat silverberries. 2 Canada Jays, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 4 Common Ravens.
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (12 Nov 2023) 26 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 12, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 41 | 125 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 24 | 170 | 3074 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 26 | 212 | 3533 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Glenn Webber |
Visitors:
41 visitors stopped to talk. None came to watch migration.
Weather:
At the beginning of observation the temperature was 0 C, it rose to 3, then fell back to 0 as we were leaving. Ground wind was from the SW and light at times, but it was blustery in the afternoon with some gusts around 30 km/h. Ridge wind was strong all day from the WSW with gusts between 53 and 97. Cloud cover was around 30% in the morning, then increased to 80% in the afternoon as sheets of cirrostratus moved in.
Raptor Observations:
The count included 24 Golden Eagles (11a, 3sa, 1ui, 9u) and 2 Bald Eagles (1ad, 1 sa1). Most of them used the east ridges with varying height and flight paths, though a few took the western route later in the day. Migrants were using the strong wind to their advantage by kiting into it to gain height then gliding south very fast. One of the local adult American Goshawks was seen flying low close to the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
3 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 10 Common Ravens, 6 Mountain Chickadees, 6 Boreal Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, and 50 Bohemian Waxwings.
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (11 Nov 2023) 11 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 11, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 39 | 123 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 11 | 146 | 3050 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 11 | 186 | 3507 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 12:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 3 hours |
| Official Counter | Jessica Banas |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
We didn’t have any people stop by, although there were a few hikers that seemed eager to leave before the snow hit.
Weather:
The temperature started at 3C in the morning and rose to a high of 4C. The skies were nearly clear first thing but quickly clouded over completely by 10am. The snow started around 10:30am and the ridges started to become more and more obscured – with no signs of letting up – so the count ended early at 12pm. The winds were quite high on the ridge,73-83km/h, reaching gusts of 129km/h SSW, but that did not seem to hinder some birds trying to beat the weather. The ground winds were also steady all morning from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The only migrating raptors were 11 Golden Eagles (7a, 2sa, 2u), each flying a different path along the east ridge. One late migrant was seen struggling through the thick snowfall. One local adult Bald Eagle was seen early on moving through the valley.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were: Canada Jay 2, Common Raven 3, Golden-Crowned Kinglet 1, Bohemian Waxwing 20
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (10 Nov 2023) 12 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 10, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 39 | 123 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 12 | 135 | 3039 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 12 | 175 | 3496 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.33 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
Quite a few people came by. About 20 stopped to enquire about the count.
Weather:
The temperature was remarkably constant all day today, starting at 1C, rising all the way to 2C, and staying there all day. Cloud, sun, and wind all made it seem like the temperature was constantly changing, but the two thermometers were, for once, in steadfast agreement. Dark clouds hung over the west ridge all day, occasionally producing sleet that reached us and dotted the ground. The east ridge was clear and, for most of the day, in the sun. Ground winds were light from the southwest, and ridge winds were moderate from the southwest.
Raptor Observations:
The only raptors seen today were 12 migrating Golden Eagles (7a, 5u), all of which glided along the east ridge. A couple dipped below ridge level, but most were able to move quickly well above the ridge.
An American Goshawk was heard, but not seen, near the parking lot.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were: Canada Goose 2, Ruffed Grouse 1, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Canada Jay 2, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 10, American Dipper 1, Bohemian Waxwing 30
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (09 Nov 2023) 6 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 39 | 123 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 123 | 3027 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 6 | 163 | 3484 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.08 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
Two visitors stopped for an hour to observe and learn more about the count.
Weather:
The opening temperature was -5 C increasing to a daytime high of 3 C at 1400 hrs and decreasing to 1 C at sunset. Ground winds were generally from the SW at 5-15 km/hr. Ridge winds were predominantly SW ranging from 15 to 35 km/hr. All the ridges were clear, and clouds were very high broken cirrus.
Raptor Observations:
The total raptor count was 2 Golden Eagles (one adult and one juvenile), and four Bald Eagles (two subadults and 2 adults). The first two migrant raptors (Bald Eagle subadult) flew low along the West ridges and were flapping to maintain altitude in the calm air. The remaining migrants glided above the East ridges. The sole juvenile Golden Eagle was chased by a Common Raven over the East ridge and put on a lengthy aerobatic display, as the two birds exchanged places chasing each other.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other species observed: Canada Goose: 2 Ruffed Grouse: 2 Gull sp: 2 Canada Jay: 2 Common Raven: 7 American Dipper: 1 Bohemian Waxwing: 15 Lapland Longspur: 1 (parking lot)
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
