The Golden Eagle Migration Count
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 Spring 2026 Migration Count runs from March 1 to April 22 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!
See the Spring Count 2026 Daily Summaries
Mount Lorette (01 Mar 2026) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 01, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Observation start time: | 11:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Michelle Heart, Tracy Lenoard |
Visitors:
19 visitors stopped to talk, and one family of 4 stayed for a bit to watch for migrants.
Weather:
It was a beautiful late winter day in the valley. The temperate hovered between 4 and 6 C. Wind was from the SW, gusting around 25 km/h at ground level, but often it was almost calm. Ridge wind was between 40 and 80, gusting up to 107. Cloud cover was 10% cumulus and cirrus in the morning, and 20% altocumulus and altostratus in the evening.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant of the 2026 spring count was an adult Golden Eagle gliding and soaring north along the Fisher Range at 1:30 PM. The only other raptor was an unidentified eagle that was briefly seen before it disappeared behind Mt. Lorette.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Common Mergansers, 6 Common Ravens, 3 Canada Jays, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 80 Bohemian Waxwings, 10 White-winged Crossbills, 2 Pine Siskins, and 3 Dark Eyed Juncos.
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 (01 Mar 2026) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 01, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Observation start time: | 11:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Michelle Heart, Tracy Lenoard |
Visitors:
19 visitors stopped to talk, and one family of 4 stayed for a bit to watch for migrants.
Weather:
It was a beautiful late winter day in the valley. The temperate hovered between 4 and 6 C. Wind was from the SW, gusting around 25 km/h at ground level, but often it was almost calm. Ridge wind was between 40 and 80, gusting up to 107. Cloud cover was 10% cumulus and cirrus in the morning, and 20% altocumulus and altostratus in the evening.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant of the 2026 spring count was an adult Golden Eagle gliding and soaring north along the Fisher Range at 1:30 PM. The only other raptor was an unidentified eagle that was briefly seen before it disappeared behind Mt. Lorette.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Common Mergansers, 6 Common Ravens, 3 Canada Jays, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 80 Bohemian Waxwings, 10 White-winged Crossbills, 2 Pine Siskins, and 3 Dark Eyed Juncos.
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 (15 Nov 2025) 22 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 15, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 11 | 45 | 113 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 11 | 258 | 2463 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 22 | 310 | 2948 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.63 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
26 people stopped to talk, 3 stayed to watch for migrating raptors.
Weather:
The temperature started at 2C, rose to 6C, and was 5C at the end of the day. The ridges were clear, but it was mostly cloudy all day, with light ground winds from the southwest and moderate to strong ridge winds from the west southwest and southwest.
Raptor Observations:
The flight was split between Golden and Bald Eagles with 11 of each – 4 adult and 4 unaged Golden Eagles, and 7 adult and 3 immature Bald Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Common Merganser, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Canada Jays, 2 Clark’s Nutcrackers, 6 Common Ravens, 8 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 American Dipper, 35 Redpolls, 1 Red Crossbill, 5 White-winged Crossbills, 1 Pine Siskin, and 1 Dark-eyed Junco. 1 White-tailed Deer was also seen.
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 (14 Nov 2025) 1 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 34 | 102 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 247 | 2452 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 1 | 288 | 2926 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.93 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Guy Kerr |
Visitors:
There were no visitors.
Weather:
Most weather forecasts predicted low clouds and snow early in the morning, but then it was going to clear up and be at least partially sunny. Only one forecast suggested that it might snow all day. So, there was optimism when arriving at the site, a bit later than usual, with all ridges occluded and precipitation in the form of graupel. Constant review of the various weather forecasts told the same story – snow now, but clearing up later. In the end, the forecast that predicted snow all day was the winner. The count was terminated a bit early when it became clear that even if conditions improved, the ridges would still be hidden in the clouds. The temperature started at -1 and dropped to -3 by mid-afternoon. Ground winds were in the 5-10kph range from the north, while ridge winds were low from the southwest.
Raptor Observations:
In spite of the low clouds, one Bald Eagle was seen flying south up the river. It was an older subadult bird, different in age from the three Bald Eagles that have been seen in the area recently. It seemed to be flying with intent, and so was counted as a migrant.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were: one Northern Shrike, two Canada Jays, two Common Ravens, one American Dipper, 30 Redpolls, five White-winged Crossbills, and a flock of 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 Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (13 Nov 2025) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 13, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 33 | 101 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 247 | 2452 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 0 | 287 | 2925 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.87 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Glenn Webber, Sonya Pollock |
Visitors:
A mom and her two children and two dogs stopped by on their way back from Troll falls, other wise no visitors were seen.
Weather:
The temperature today at Hay Meadows was 11:00 at 9 am which steadily dropped to 6 by mid afternoon. Clouds covered the southern half of the sky and obscured some of the ridges over Mt Bogart and Mt Kidd. Ground winds were 2BFT, ridge winds were 76 km/hr. with gusts of 130 km /hr. the wind tapered off somewhat and it began to rain lightly. the clouds spread over the valley till both west and east ridges were obscured. Clouds swirled around Lorette. At 11,the rain became just a drizzle but very steady. At 2 pm we decided to call it a day as there was not bird activity other than a few raven early on and there was no visibility.
Raptor Observations:
No raptors seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
6 Ravens, 4 Red-crossbills, one Junco, two Black-capped chickadees, two Canada Jays and two Magpies were the only birds seen . A young Whitetail buck crossed the river early in the morning.
Predictions:
It is supposed to rain all night and turn to snow, so who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Wet day, pleasant company. always great to be out with people who love the out of doors!
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 (12 Nov 2025) 27 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 12, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 12 | 33 | 101 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 13 | 247 | 2452 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 27 | 287 | 2925 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton , Peter Lloyd |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Only 3 people stopped to talk today.
Weather:
It was a calm, pleasant say which saw little ground wind and temperatures rising up to 8.5°C. Ridge winds were middling, typically around 40 gusting 60, and cloud cover was varied but almost always high and never threatening.
Raptor Observations:
It was almost a perfect split today between Bald and Golden Eagles, but a last minute Golden edged them over with 13 migrants just beating 12 Baldies. All but three of the eagles crossed the Fisher Range, mostly around peak level and very few requiring much flapping. Three Bald Eagles were picked up at Lorette and chose the Western ridge.
The only other migrants were a gorgeous light-morph Rough-legged Hawk and a very distant raptor which was sadly unidentifiable before it vanished behind a ridgeline.
One resident Bald Eagle was seem cruising along the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
Another good Finch day! Migrating down the valley in small flocks was a medley of winter Finches, with Conservative counts reaching 155 Redpoll, 348 White-winged Crossbill, 4 Red Crossbill, and 56 unidentified Finches.
At one point there were 5 Canada Jays in one tree, but only three hung around. The Dipper was seen, as was the female Belted Kingfisher. A Downy Woodpecker foraged in the willows and a solitary Junco made a very brief appearance.
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]
