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 (22 Apr 2026) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 22, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 30 | 92 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 24 | 32 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 111 | 1137 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Total: | 0 | 199 | 1323 |
(No count conducted today)
Weather:
No observation due to low clouds and rain.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
Report submitted by Caroline Lambert (caroline144@gmail.com)
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (21 Apr 2026) 15 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 21, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 30 | 92 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 11 | 13 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 6 | 24 | 32 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 5 | 111 | 1137 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Total: | 15 | 199 | 1323 |
| Observation start time: | 08:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
3 people stopped to ask about the eagles.
Weather:
The last day of the Spring count was sunny and warm. The temperature at 0945 was 10C and the high at 1400 was 16C. Ground winds were light SE-W all day. The skies were mainly blue with 10 to 30% cumulus and cirrus.
Raptor Observations:
Despite the generally good viewing conditions only 15 migrant raptors of 4 species were seen, comprising 3 adult Bald Eagles, 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 6 Red-tailed Hawks and 5 Golden Eagles (4a, 1u). Non-migrants were 3a Bald Eagles, 1a American Goshawk, 1 pair of Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Golden Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
The highlight was a pair of Sandhill Cranes circling noisily overhead. Other birds were: 2 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 2 Common Mergansers, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 2 Northern Flickers, 2 American Crows, about 20 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 7 Tree Swallows, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 6 American Robins, 2 Fox Sparrows, 2 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 (20 Apr 2026) 7 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 20, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 27 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 10 | 12 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 18 | 26 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 3 | 106 | 1132 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Total: | 7 | 184 | 1308 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Peter Lloyd, Susan Wilberg |
Visitors:
6 visitors came by , Linda and Richard stayed and watched for a while. Thanks to Dana again for coming out, and of course thanks to Caroline for dropping by.
Weather:
A very warm day at Hay Meadows. The temperature started at 10 degrees and went up to 14.Very little cloud, some fluffy cumulus, high cirrus and as the day wore on lenticular clouds formed over the eastern slopes making lovely shapes. A thin, crescent moon rose over Patrick and disappeared into the blue sky. Ground winds were light from the southwest but switched back and forth between southwest and southeast and increased to 11km/hr. at times. Ridge winds were from the west at 25 km/hr. Later in the day the winds would gust up to 40 km/hr. High winds were moderate from the west and increased in speed as the day progressed.
Raptor Observations:
Seven migrating raptors were seen, 2 Adult Bald eagles, 3 Golden eagles(1a, 1j, 1 undifferentiated immature) 1 adult Red-tailed Hawk and 1 unknown raptor. All the birds started on the east side of the valley. the adults kept on going towards Lorette, the younger ones came across the valley to the west side. The unknown raptor was seen on the west side of the valley flying rapidly before being lost to sight. A resident adult Bald eagle spent some time flying over the valley and was in hunting behavior on the east side. the resident Red-tail hunted on the west side of the valley and a Merlin flew south on the west side of the valley also in hunting mode.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen or heard were 2 Varied Thrushes, 3 Fox sparrow, 4 Juncos, 4 Black-capped chickadees, 10 Ravens, 2 Northern Flickers, 2 ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 12 Bohemian Waxwings, 3 Robins, 1 Ruffed Grouse, a Female Mountain Bluebird, 2 Tree Swallows and a Kingfisher. A Green Comma butterfly flitted around for a while, hopefully didn’t get eaten.
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 Apr 2026) 9 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 19, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 25 | 87 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 10 | 12 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 17 | 25 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 5 | 103 | 1129 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Total: | 9 | 177 | 1301 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
56 people walked by, of which a dozen stopped to talk. Thanks to Christine for staying and watching for a bit!
Weather:
Beautiful amd balmy! Temperatures rose to 10�C, and ground winds stayed low throughout. A mix of clouds included cumulus, cirrus, stratus and lenticular, but never covered more than half the sky at a time. Ridge winds were mostly around 25km/h.
Raptor Observations:
The eagles that did come through did so singly and well-spaced. Three went over the Eastern ridge, and two moved high across the west. Also migrating were three Red-tailed Hawks, and the season’s first Osprey, which appeared wheeled northwards left of Lorette.
Local birds included two adult Bald Eagles, one Golden, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, and a Merlin which spent a lot of breath harassing one of the migrant Red-tails.
Non-raptor Observations:
The bird of the day was probably a flamboyant (loud) Red-naped Sapsucker. Tree Swallows flew up and down the river throughout the afternoon, and a female Mountain Bluebird showed briefly. Three Northern Pintail whistled high over the ridgeline, a Pacific Wren popped by and the usual handful of sparrow species could be heard singing all morning.
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 (18 Apr 2026) 11 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 18, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 25 | 87 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 10 | 12 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 14 | 22 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 7 | 98 | 1124 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Total: | 11 | 168 | 1292 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Sonya Pollock |
Visitors:
20 People stopped to talk, and 1 came with binoculars to watch for migrants.
Weather:
The temperature was 0 C at the start of the count, then it rose to 6 and remained there until the end of observation. Wind was from the W-SW, light in the morning then gusting up to 20 km/h in the afternoon at ground level, and gusting around 30 throughout the day at ridge level. Cloud cover was 10-20% cirrus in the morning, then increased to 80% various cloud types later in the day.
Raptor Observations:
Most of the day’s migrants passed in a short “rush” between 2:40 and 3 PM. The count was 7 Golden Eagles (2 juveniles, 1 subadult, 2 undifferentiated immature, 2 unaged), 3 Bald Eagles (2 adults, 1 subadult), and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk. Most of them were moving over or low in front of the west ridges. Local raptors included at least 2 adult Bald Eagles, one Golden Eagle that perched on Olympic Summit for several hours in the afternoon, and 2 Red-tailed Hawk pairs. 1 of those pairs was hunting to the north near Mt. Lorette and Hummingbird Plume Hill, and the other to the east and south along the Fisher Range.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Canada Geese, 2 Common Mergansers, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Northern Flicker, 12 Ravens, 2 Black-capped, 1 Mountain, and 1 Boreal Chickadees, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Varied Thrushes, 15 American Robins, 15 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 Pine Siskins, 2 Fox Sparrows, 12 Dark-eyed Juncos. 4 White-tailed Deer and 11 Bighorn Sheep were 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 (17 Apr 2026) 12 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 17, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 22 | 84 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 11 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 14 | 22 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 10 | 91 | 1117 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Total: | 12 | 157 | 1281 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Tiina Moore |
Visitors:
7 visitors stopped by, Dana did another apprentice AO day, much to our delight.
Weather:
Despite the brilliantly bright sunshine the temperature only went from 0 to 2 degrees. Cumulus clouds with a few stratus clouds around the west and south ridges, floated slowly across the sky from light to moderate high west winds. Ridge winds were west and northwest light 15-18 km/hr., gusting to 25km/hr. Ground winds were also light from 3-6 km/hr. with gusts up to 11km/hr. beginning from the east and switching to the southwest.
Raptor Observations:
We observed a total of 12 migrating raptors. One Bald eagle (a), 11 Golden eagles,(3a,3ua, 2j, 2uimm)and one unknown raptor. The resident Golden eagles were seen hunting several times and one was spotted sitting on a rock at the notch on top of Nakiska with several raven friends. The Red-tail Hawk was seen hunting and surprisingly, a Male Northern Harrier flew past us south down the valley.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Ruffed grouse flew right across the trail on the way in showing off its fine grouse form and later could be heard drumming. Dark-eyed Juncos, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Mountain Chickadees, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln sparrow, Varied thrush, American Robins, Northern Flicker, European Starlings, Common Ravens, Canada Geese, the Kingfisher were all seen or heard. Three White-tailed deer were in the meadow and three Mountain Sheep were grazing on top of Nakiska.
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 Apr 2026) 8 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 21 | 83 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 11 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 14 | 22 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 5 | 81 | 1107 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Total: | 8 | 145 | 1269 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.3 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Peter Lloyd |
Visitors:
There were no visitors. Thanks to Dana on her AO help
Weather:
Given the forecast for a heavy snowfall warning, I was expecting to have snow all day. However, upon reaching the site, a few flakes were falling, Stratus, nimbostratus and cirrostratus clouds were heavily overshadowing the south valley, and parts of the ridges. The temperature was zero and went up to 2 degrees where it stayed till we left. Ground winds were light 6-11 km /hr. from the west south west but switched to the north east about noon and picked up to 14km/hr. Ridge winds were low 18 km/hr. from the west. High winds were light. Once the wind turned to the east, the snow started to fall heavily. We left the site after 2 pm as visibility was radically diminished and the forecast offered little change.
Raptor Observations:
An adult Bald eagle was the first migrating raptor seen coming in just over the bumps and then behind Patrick. the first two of 5 Golden eagles (3a, 2ua) were seen over Nakiska circling until they could get high enough to head out to the northwest. the last 3 were spotted just left of Lorette also circling till they could get high enough to head out. It was unclear where they came from as we did not see them earlier. One unidentified Raptor was seen disappearing over the Hummingbird plume One of the resident golden eagles was seen hunting as was the resident Red-tailed Hawk. A subadult Bald Eagle was seen flying low and south along the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen and heard were 4 Juncos, 2 Black-capped chickadees, 2 American Robins, 1 Fox Sparrow, 5 Northern Flickers, 5 Mallard Ducks, 6 Canada Geese, 5 ravens 1 Magpie and the Ruffed Grouse was audible in the morning.
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]
