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 (01 Nov 2026) 46 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 4 | 57 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| 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 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 40 | 40 | 2135 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Total: | 46 | 46 | 2422 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Cameron Harvey |
| Observers: | Peter Christensen |
Visitors:
6 visitors stopped by to ask about the count, none stayed to help spot. My apologies to the friendly couple who were asking questions while we had 13 eagles spotted in a 7 minute span. I don’t think I did a very focused job of answering your questions!
Weather:
The day started off with generally cloudy conditions with complex cloud layers, all clouds above ridge height. Surface winds were calm most of the day, max surface wind reading was 4 km/h. Ridge winds were light and generally from the SW ~ 10 km/h. The temperature started at -6C and rose to a high of 2C before falling to 0C at count end. At around 14:00 MST the sky cleared up and stayed generally clear until count end.
Raptor Observations:
One Golden Eagle was seen shortly after sunrise at 07:43 MST, but very light ridge winds and a lack of thermal activity led to a very slow morning for eagles. The first few eagles seen in the afternoon were low and working hard, but when the sky cleared the birds started to find thermals and activity increased. Flight was exclusively from Skogan/Lorette to the East ridge, either low or at ridge level. Of particular note today: extremely steady air and excellent lighting made for good conditions for ID/aging. The only birds that were not ID/aged were birds spotted in binos just before disappearing. Total Golden Eagles: 40 (37a, 1ui, 2u) Bald Eagles: 4 (2a, 2sa) and 2 Unknown Eagles were spotted, one was a brief view before disappearing behind the ridge and one was spotted just before sunset on the hike out.
No non-migrant raptors were spotted today.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptors included 2x Townsend’s Solitaire, 6x Snow Bunting, 2x Downy/Hairy Woodpecker, 1x Pileated Woodpecker, 1x American Dipper. Common Raven, Mountain and Black-capped Chickadee, Canada Jay, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch were present.
Predictions:
Weather looks nice for the next few days!
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 (31 Oct 2026) 64 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 31, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 43 | 53 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 55 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| 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 | 16 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 63 | 1829 | 2095 |
| 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 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 64 | 2010 | 2376 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
23 people stopped to talk and 2 people stayed for a while to watch for migrants.
Weather:
Start temp: -8 C. High temp: 4 C. End temp: 0 C. Ground wind: S-SW-W, nearly calm in the morning, around 10 km/h in the afternoon. Ridge wind: SW-SSW 12-49 km/h gusting 29-67 km/h. Clouds: 10-20% cumulus & cirrus.
Raptor Observations:
The count for the day was 63 Golden Eagles (50 a, 2 sa, 1 j, 5 ui, 5 u) and 1 subadult 3 Bald Eagle. Migration was slow until 2 PM when movement picked up, then it remained steady until almost sunset. All of them used the east ridges. Most were flying around the average height close to the mountain peaks but some were much higher in the afternoon. Lack of cloud cover made the light great for ageing but spotting was often difficult in the blue sky. 3 Golden Eagles landed on cliffs on the Fisher Range near sunset. A local adult Bald Eagle flew low over the river, and a dark adult Red-tailed Hawk was landed on Hummingbird Plume Hill but wasn’t seen going south.
Non-raptor Observations:
The highlight was a Northern Pygmy-owl that perched near the edge of the meadow in the morning.
ebird.org/checklist/S407043893
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 (30 Oct 2026) 40 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 42 | 52 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 55 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| 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 | 16 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 39 | 1766 | 2032 |
| 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 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 40 | 1946 | 2312 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.62 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Peter Christensen |
Visitors:
About a dozen people dropped by today, with 8 stopping to chat. Many thanks to Lucie and Brian who dropped by to help spot and shared their pictures of a Red Phalarope they had photographed earlier in the day at Wedge Pond.
Weather:
The day started out at a brisk -12�C but warmed quickly once the sun crested the ridge. By 3pm, temps had reached +1�C. Ground winds were about as low as ridge winds, which were generally under 10km/h.
Raptor Observations:
The low winds were reflected by the flightpath used today. Almost every single Golden came through very low amd flapping hard. Several were seen stopping to rest on the ridge or in trees on the mountainside, before continuing after 10-45 minutes. Despite the clearly poor conditions, 39 Goldens made their way past the countsite. Low-flying eagles were, for the most part, fairly easy to age. The split was 26ad, 4sub, 1juv, and 8u.
Only two other raptors showed – a buteo which dipped beyond the ridge before being IDed, and the local Goshawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
Overall, not a bad day out! A pair of Dippers chased each other up and down the river, a handful of Canada Geese flew over high, and a flock of Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches foraged in the meadow. Our Sparrow flock is still around, and the American Tree, White-crowned, Swamp, and Dark-eyed Juncos were accounted for. A pair of Downy Woodpeckers flipped their way through the willows, and the forcefully friendly Canada Jays hung around for the afternoon.
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 (29 Oct 2026) 46 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 29, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 42 | 52 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 55 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| 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 | 16 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 45 | 1727 | 1993 |
| 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 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 46 | 1906 | 2272 |
| Observation start time: | 12:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.27 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
Six people stopped to learn about what we were doing. One couple was visiting from Spain and were quite interested.
Weather:
Today’s count was delayed until 1:30 due to snowfall and heavy cloud in the morning. Upon arrival at the site, the sun was shining with clear blue sky down the middle of the valley and heavy clouds lining both west and east ridges and fairly heavy cloud in the southern sky, for 50 % cloud coverage.The temperature was minus 4 and climbed to minus 3 dropping back down to minus 4 by sunset. The ground winds were light from the north or north-east, ridge winds south , southwest also light about 24 km/hr. High winds were light from the south. The cloud coverage over the ridges and Mt Lorette, vacillated between 80 % to 60 % till 6pm when the ridges and total sky coverage was 100%. A few snowflakes were starting to fall as we were driving away. The sunshine was somewhat diminished by southern clouds but we were blessed with the snowy accents on the slabs and layers of mountain, making the rock features stand out.
Raptor Observations:
The very first Eagle flew directly above us flapping then gliding, fairly quick. From then on all the raptors were seen over Lorette or coming into Patrick with a few showing up at Patrick and one above the Bumps. the clouds on the ridges were quite heavy and then birds were swallowed up quickly never to be seen again, making aging difficult. 45 Golden Eagles were seen ( 16 a., 6 un imm., 23 ua) I adult Bald eagle was seen. Almost all of them were fairly low and flapping at least partially, only a couple caught a good stream of air and sailed quickly by.
A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew low over us like he was on a mission further upstream on the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
While observing migrating Eagles, we also saw about 200 Canada geese, several flocks of 50 or more ducks, one flock appeared to be Ringnecks. Three Snow buntings flew over, two Starlings, seven Robins, two pine Grosbeaks five Ravens came by. The Canada Jay could be heard but did not come to visit.
Predictions:
Possible more snow. Bundle up for the wind chill.
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 (28 Oct 2026) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 41 | 51 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 55 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| 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 | 16 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1682 | 1948 |
| 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 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 0 | 1860 | 2226 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 10:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 0 hours |
| Official Counter | |
| Observers: |
Weather:
No count due to low clouds and snow
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (27 Oct 2026) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 27, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 41 | 51 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 55 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| 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 | 16 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1682 | 1948 |
| 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 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 0 | 1860 | 2226 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Linda Hickey |
Visitors:
Five people came by and all stopped to ask about the count.
Weather:
The day started with some optimism that something might be seen between the clouds, which were brushing the peaks one at a time, coming and going. Neither ridge was completely clear all day, although at one point 80% of each was visible. Cloud coverage was 100% stratus. A few drops of rain mid-morning cleared up, but then returned soon after the noon hour. Gradually the clouds sank lower, covering both ridges, and the count was abandoned when Hummingbird Plume started disappearing and the rain was more persistent. The temperature started at -2C and had risen to +2C at the time of departure. There was no ground wind, and the ridge winds were very low from the southwest.
Raptor Observations:
Although conditions were such that eagles could have been making their way south, especially in the morning, none were spotted.
Twice an adult Bald Eagle was seen flying down the river, and once one was seen flying up river. None were considered migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
A Hairy Woodpecker pecked at a log in the middle of the river, and a Pileated Woodpecker flew over our heads shortly before we left and possibly the same one was seen on a pole in the parking lot, giving us excellent views. The two Canada Jays visited again, a few ravens were flying around and calling, all three chickadee species were seen (two of each), the dipper zipped by, a dozen Bohemian Waxwings entertained us for a while, and a White-winged Crossbill was heard.
Predictions:
Snow!
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 (25 Oct 2026) 6 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 25, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 40 | 50 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 55 | 83 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| 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 | 3 | 16 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 1677 | 1943 |
| 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 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Total: | 6 | 1854 | 2220 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Christa Clifford |
Visitors:
31 people came by, with 19 stopping to chat. Many thanks to those who stayed for a while despite the low movement!
Weather:
It was a chilly day with low clouds obscuring the sun throughout and north winds at ground level ranging up to a Beaufort 3. Ridge winds were exceptionally low and from the South. Pressure dropped by 4 points over the course of the day, and temps stayed between -5�C and -1�C.
Raptor Observations:
Despite the low clouds, three eagles snuck through. One stayed deep in the mist and was consequently unidentifiable, but the other two were low, slow, and clearly adult Goldens.
Three Rough-legged Hawks were observed, all at Patrick between peak level and the treeline.
The local Goshawk made two appearances, but other than that, no local raptors were seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
It was a good day for non-raptors, despite a slow start. Four Common Loons whistled high over the Eastern ridge, a flock of Canada Geese came over the valley, and a single Snow Bunting flew through the meadow. Sticking around was a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos and American Tree Sparrows, with one White-crowned Sparrow mixed in. A Varied Thrush briefly foraged on the riverbank, near where our female Common Merganser spent some time diving around.
The big surprise was an unidentified Flycatcher – a bird of the empidonax genus which represents the latest ever empid record in Alberta. Unfortunately it made its way south before a positive ID could be made.
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]
