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 (14 Apr 2026) 6 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 19 | 81 |
| 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 | 76 | 1102 |
| 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 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 6 | 137 | 1261 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Alan Hingston, Christina Furtado, Fabian Pradipto |
Visitors:
A few people walked by, but only a couple stopped to talk. We appreciated the company and experienced observation skills of Alan Hingston, and enjoyed a brief visit from Cliff Hansen.
Weather:
It was a mostly cool and breezy day. The temperature oscillated between 5 and 6C, ending the day at 4C, but cumulus and stratus clouds kept the sky more than 3/4 covered, blocking the sun, and the southerly ground wind was consistent and rarely let up, sometimes gusting up to 30kph, so it felt chilly at times. Initially the ridges were clear, but clouds gradually moved in from the west, sending a few flakes of snow our way. By the time we left, Lorette was barely visible, the south of the valley was a wall of cloud, the west ridge was mostly gone, and the east ridge was disappearing. Ridge winds were reported as in the range 20-40kph from the southwest.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant Golden Eagle wasn’t seen until after 1400 hours. In the next couple of hours we tallied only four more for a total of five (2a, 2ui, 1u), all gliding along the east ridge at varying heights. Late in the day a small falcon was seen briefly before it disappeared in the face of Patrick.
Earlier in the day the local pair of Golden Eagles was seen over the west ridge, both perching on Nakiska for a while. Other non-migrants were a Red-tailed Hawk, an American Goshawk, and a Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations:
There was a normal assortment of other birds: 2 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 2 Common Mergansers, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 or more Northern Flickers, an American Crow, about 6 Common Ravens, a Black-capped Chickadee, 3 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, some number of American Robins (5-10), 2 Fox Sparrows, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Red-winged Blackbird.
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 Apr 2026) 14 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 19 | 81 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 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 | 3 | 14 | 22 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 6 | 71 | 1097 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 14 | 131 | 1255 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.45 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Erin Gilbert, Susan Clarahan |
Visitors:
A small number of people walked by today. Thanks to Alan who stayed and counted with us for a few hours in the afternoon!
Weather:
Another pleasant day with temperatures between 0�C and 8�C. The day started sunny before rafts of cumulus clouds started drifting in, which lasted the entire afternoon but never obscured the sun for too long at a time. Pressure dropped throughout, and ground winds stayed relatively low. Ridge winds appeared to be low also, from what we could infer.
Raptor Observations:
6 Golden Eagles came through today – 2 adults and 4 unknown. Only one was seen over the Eastern ridgeline, with 5 mysteriously appearing at the summit of Lorette.
Other raptors seen migrating were 2 Bald Eagles (1ad, 1sub) 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, and 3 Red-tailed Hawks.
Bizarrely, a male Northern Harrier flew rapidly southwards along the entirety of the visible Western ridge. We also saw either 3 or 4 resident Bald Eagles, 2 resident Red-tailed Hawks, and the faithful resident Goshawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
Outside of raptors, it was a fairly average day. The Belted Kingfisher showed briefly, a mixed flock of Robins and Varied Thrushes stopped by, and two Fox Sparrows sang throughout the morning. In the afternoon, a flock of Bohemian Waxwings settled around our countries and foraged in the area for several hours.
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 (11 Apr 2026) 13 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 17 | 79 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 7 | 9 |
| 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 | 11 | 19 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 6 | 65 | 1091 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 13 | 117 | 1241 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Christina Furtado, Sonya Pollock |
Visitors:
32 people stopped to talk about the count.
Weather:
The temperature was 2 C at the start of the count. It reached a high of 8 and stayed there until the end of observation. Ridge wind was estimated to be light from the SW in the morning but likely reaching moderate in the afternoon. Ground wind was also from the SW, light in the morning but gusting up to 20 km/h after 1 PM. Cloud cover was 80-100%. Around 2 PM the western ridges quickly became enveloped in cloud, and by 2:30 rain reached the site and the east ridges began to disappear. Since the weather radar showed nothing but more rain on the way, the count was then concluded.
Raptor Observations:
Migrant raptors included 6 Golden Eagles (4 sa, 2 u), 3 Bald Eagles (2 a, 1 u), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 1 Red-tailed Hawk. Migrants were soaring and flapping below mountain top height because of the lack of wind, and were split between both ridge systems. Local raptors seen were 1 Golden Eagle, 1 or 2 Red-tailed Hawks and a Bald Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
The non-raptor bird of the day was another (or the same?) Spotted Towhee seen along the creek near the site.
Full list on eBird: ebird.org/checklist/S320294742
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 (10 Apr 2026) 5 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 14 | 76 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| 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 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 5 | 59 | 1085 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 5 | 104 | 1228 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.72 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Tiina Moore |
Visitors:
17 people stopped to ask about the count. A couple helped spot for the first two hours.
Weather:
It was another day of low winds and few raptors. The starting temperature was 2C. It rose to 10C and stayed there for the rest of the day. Ground winds were mostly light, with occasional gusts up to 15kph, enough to offset the warmth from the sun. Ridge winds were deemed to be low – no snow was seen blowing off the ridges anywhere. Cirrus clouds covered the sky most of the day, slowly vanishing until there was mostly blue sky at the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
The first two Golden Eagles were seen before noon, which was a promising start to the day. However, only three more were seen after that. Most needed to soar to gain height, and then glided off to the northwest. Two were on the west ridge and three on the east ridge. There were 2 adults, one non-adult, one subadult, and one unaged.
No other migrating raptors were seen. Local, non-migrants were a couple of Red-tailed Hawks, an American Goshawk, a Golden Eagle, and two Bald Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were the drumming Ruffed Grouse, an American Three-toed Woodpecker, a Hairy Woodpecker, two Downy Woodpeckers, one or more Northern Flickers, one American Crow, about eight Common Ravens, one Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 10 American Robins, 30 Bohemian Waxwings, two Dark-eyed Juncos (singing), two Red-winged Blackbirds, and one seemingly lonely and lost female House Sparrow.
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 (09 Apr 2026) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 09, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 14 | 76 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 54 | 1080 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 3 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 3 | 99 | 1223 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Bill McKeeman, Guy Kerr |
Visitors:
9 visitors stopped by, Thank you to Ruth for keeping us company and chatting to the visitors1
Weather:
Another gorgeous sun washed day at Hay Meadows! The temperature started out at minus 1 and rose to plus 4. the winds were light starting north west switching to northeast and then southwest generally 5-6 km/hour gusting to 11 km/hour as the day wore on. Ridge winds were light until mid afternoon when some snow could be seen rising from the bumps and Mt McDougall. High winds also light to moderate, moving the few cumulus clouds we could see slowly across the sky.
Raptor Observations:
Despite our diligent searching of the sky only 3 raptors were spotted migrating. One Golden eagle (sa) seen going behind Patrick and out the other side, an unknown Eagle seen to the left of Mt Lorette and a Coopers Hawk. The resident Red-tailed Hawk put in an appearance several times on both sides of the valley and was hunting right over the ski runs on Nakiska.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds ween and heard were, 5 Dark eyed Juncos, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 golden-crowned Kinglets, 10 American Robins, 8 Common Ravens, 3Northern Flickers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 4 Mountain bluebirds, 2 Pine Grosbeaks, 1 tree Swallow, 1 Evening Grosbeak, 1 American Dipper,14 bohemian Waxwings and a pair of Canada Geese who hung out on the river all day. 8 white tailed deer crossed the river a couple of times and settled in the meadow
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 (08 Apr 2026) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 08, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 14 | 76 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 53 | 1079 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 17 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 2 | 96 | 1220 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Alec McGrath, Linda Hickey |
Visitors:
About 17 people passed by today, with only a couple stopping to chat and briefly scan the skies.
Weather:
Today was a gorgeous day with mostly blue skies, low ground winds, and temperatures rising from -6�C to +4�C. The pressure dropped throughout the day in anticipation of tonight’s snowfall, and humidity stayed remarkably stable at around 35%. Ridge winds looked low, based on the movement of what birds we did see up there and the lack of snow blowing off the mountaintop.
Raptor Observations:
No migrant Golden Eagles were seen today! In fact, only two migrants were tallied – a Red-tailed Hawk and an American Goshawk, both along the western ridge.
Non-migrants were out to play, with the usual Goshawk showing up, an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting (and we think nabbing a Flicker!), and two sightings of resident Golden Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Northern Shrike occupied a variety of treetops throughout the morning, at points accompanied by a male Mountain Bluebird or a scattering of Robins. A male Purple Finch made a brief appearance, as did a singing Fox Sparrow on the opposite side of the river! Yesterday’s Savannah Sparrow was still hanging around the parking lot in the AM.
Mammals included several forms of ungulate, many Red Squirrels, and a single Snowshoe Hare.
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 (07 Apr 2026) 6 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 07, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 14 | 76 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 9 | 17 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 3 | 53 | 1079 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 17 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 6 | 94 | 1218 |
| Observation start time: | 11:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Peter Christensen |
Visitors:
8
Weather:
The start of the count was delayed until 1200 due to poor visibility and snowfall, at times heavy. The clouds began to lift about 1145 and it was quite sunny for much of the afternoon, with occasional brief flurries of light snow. The temperature at 1200 was -4C, the high at 1600 was 1C. Ground level winds were quite variable, initially light NE but then shifting to light SW for the rest of the day. There were some impressive snow plumes blowing off Mt Kidd and Mt Lorette indicating a strong NW to WSW airflow at ridge level. Cloud cover was mostly cumulus and stratocumulus. Thicker stratocumulus persisted to the south for most of the day. No Golden Eagles were seen after 1530 so the count was ended at 1800.
Raptor Observations:
Only 6 migrants were observed: 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult male Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 American Goshawk, 3 Golden Eagles (3u); all the eagles were seen gliding high above the eastern ridges. We had some nice views of the resident Golden Eagle and it was observed spending lots of time and energy chasing another Golden Eagle around the eastern ridges; it was joined by a third bird, perhaps in a territorial dispute.
Non-raptor Observations:
The most unusual bird of the day was an early Savannah Sparrow foraging at the parking lot. Other birds included 2 Canada Geese, 8 Mallards, 2 Common Mergansers, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Northern Flickers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 8 Common Ravens, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Golden Crowned Kinglet, 1 American Dipper, 45 European Starlings, 2 Varied Thrushes, 22 American Robins, 5 Bohemian Waxwings, 8 Redpolls and 2 Dark-eyed Juncos. We also had some good views of a Mink exploring along the opposite riverbank.
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]
