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Mount Lorette (15 Apr 2023) 28 Raptors

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Mount Lorette
Alberta, Canada

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2023
Species Day’s Count Month Total Season Total
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 6 38 124
Northern Harrier 0 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 6 6
Cooper’s Hawk 0 4 4
Northern Goshawk 0 9 20
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson’s Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 7 13 14
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 4
Golden Eagle 9 297 1736
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 0 3 4
Gyrfalcon 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 2 3 5
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 2 9 19
Unknown Raptor 2 2 2
Total: 28 389 1942
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 19:30:00
Total observation time: 13.5 hours
Official Counter Annie Finch
Observers: Caroline Lambert, Glenn Webber

Visitors:
About 50 people stopped to talk about the count. We were lucky to have help from Jessica and Sophie.

Weather:
The morning began clear and still at -1C. Snow blowing off the peaks of the surrounding mountains indicated strong winds from the west. Ground winds increased gradually throughout the day. By mid afternoon the temperature had risen to 5C and winds were over 10 km/h with some stronger gusts. A layer of high cirrus clouds thickened almost imperceptibly throughout the day to a solidly overcast sky by early evening. Ground winds disappeared at about the same time we lost the sun behind the mountains which made for a relatively warm end to the day.

Raptor Observations:
******* CORRECTED VERSION ******* Due to a data glitch, the numbers in the table above were not correct at time of submission. *********************************
Migrant Raptors: 9 Golden Eagles (5a, 1s, 3u), 6 Bald Eagles (2a, 1si/ii, 2siii, 1u), 7 Red-tailed Hawks (5 adults, 2 dark/intermediate adults), 2 unidentified eagles, 2 unidentified (small) accipiters, 2 unidentified raptors.
Migrants struggled all day to find an easy way north. High winds from the west blew snow off the peaks most of the day, but did not seem to be providing steady lift. Likewise, some thermal lift was in evidence, but did not seem to provide consistent aid to the raptors. Both ridges were active for most of the day. Some migrants flew over the valley itself, or were only spotted to the north. After 5pm all migrant raptors were observed to the east of the site. A handful of small migrating raptors were spotted; unfortunately, all eluded the principle observer and were otherwise unidentifiable.
Non-migrant Raptors: 2 adult Golden Eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk.
The resident Golden Eagle pair were somewhere in the sky for most of the day. One made excellent use of the winds by repeatedly kiting up to great heights before tucking into display dives. At times these dives were conducted with great vigour while other migrant Golden Eagles passed through the valley. We were also blessed with excellent views of one of the resident Northern Goshawk adults who flew overhead along the river clutching something furry in its talons. Thank you to Jessica for spotting this bird!

Non-raptor Observations:
It was an excellent day for avian variety. The meadow was busy early in the morning. Mountain Bluebirds, American Robins, and European Starlings were the most conspicuous. They were joined by a Western Meadowlark and at least one American Pipit. Associated songsters were Dark-eyed Junos, Varied Thrush, American Tree Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Pine Grosbeak, and White-winged Crossbill. The chickadees and nuthatches were also in attendance. An American Dipper sang from various wet places, and was accompanied by another dipper later in the day.


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 Apr 2023) 33 Raptors

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Mount Lorette
Alberta, Canada

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2023
Species Day’s Count Month Total Season Total
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 1 32 118
Northern Harrier 0 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 6 6
Cooper’s Hawk 1 4 4
Northern Goshawk 1 9 20
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson’s Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 1 6 7
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 1 2 4
Golden Eagle 23 288 1727
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 2 3 4
Gyrfalcon 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 7 17
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 33 361 1914
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 19:00:00
Total observation time: 13 hours
Official Counter Graeme Dunlop
Observers: Ruth Morrow

Visitors:
8 visitors. 1 stayed for a couple of hours and helped with spotting.

Weather:
The temperature at 0700 was -7C, reaching a high of 3C. Winds were variable and very light at both ground and ridge level. Early morning skies were clear with some cirrus clouds. Some small cumulus clouds appeared just below the western summits around mid-morning and these grew rapidly. By noon it was quite cloudy and despite spending most of the day in sunshine we were often surrounded by big cumulus and snow-bearing stratocumulus. Some light snow showers in the afternoon. Clouds started to thin from early evening.

Raptor Observations:
There was a varied raptor movement consisting of 33 birds of 8 species. However, when there was thick clouds to the north and/or south of us, we saw no migrating raptors. Golden Eagles moved on both sides of the valley, soaring and gliding, often seemingly adjusting their flight paths to avoid the worst of the weather. 23 Golden Eagles (16a, 1j, 6u), one adult Bald Eagle, a light adult Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 1u Coopers Hawk, 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk, 1u Rough-legged Hawk, 2u Merlin, 1 intermediate, 1 dark. Resident birds were 1 adult Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle pair high soaring, hunting and performing undulating display flight high above us and a Northern Goshawk performing display flight.

Non-raptor Observations:
I did not see or hear any Varied Thrushes today. Robins and Juncos were singing most of the morning. 10 Canada Goose, 3 Common Goldeneye, 2 Common Merganser, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 19 Common Raven, 4 Black-capped Chickadee,1 Red breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 40+ European Starling, 1 Mountain Bluebird, 60+ American Robin, 3 White-winged Crossbill, 2 Pine Siskin, 11 Dark-eyed Junco.


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 Apr 2023) 32 Raptors

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Mount Lorette
Alberta, Canada

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2023
Species Day’s Count Month Total Season Total
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 7 31 117
Northern Harrier 1 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 3 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1 3 3
Northern Goshawk 3 8 19
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson’s Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 0 5 6
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 3
Golden Eagle 14 265 1704
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 1 1 2
Gyrfalcon 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 1 7 17
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 32 328 1881
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 19:00:00
Total observation time: 13 hours
Official Counter Ethan Denton
Observers: Lynette MacCulloch

Visitors:
17, of which 6 stopped to talk.

Weather:
The day started at -8 and clear, with relatively little wind at any level. By midday, however, the clouds had moved in and observers were treated to varying intensities of snow for much of the remaining time. Ridges faded in and out of the clouds as the systems swirled around us.

Raptor Observations:
Twice raptors made pushes right on the leading edge of a front, with the first primarily Golden Eagles and the second push consisting of more accipiters. It was a good day for variety, with season highs for all 3 accipiters, as well as individuals of Merlin and Northern Harrier.
Both resident Goshawk and Golden Eagle pairs were present, as well as one adult and one immature Bald Eagles. In the morning, one of the Goldens perched on Olympic for a while before being driven off by a Raven.

Non-raptor Observations:
A flock of Mallards flew past, led by a pair of American Wigeon. Varied Thrushes were throughout as always, and the Ruffed Grouse thumped away in the forest. Towards the end of the day, a migrating Sharp-shinned Hawk snatched a Starling out of the meadow. A couple flocks of Bohemian Waxwings flew northwards up the valley – perhaps migrating at last.


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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]



Mount Lorette (12 Apr 2023) Raptors

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Mount Lorette
Alberta, Canada

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2023
Species Day’s Count Month Total Season Total
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 24 110
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
Cooper’s Hawk 0 2 2
Northern Goshawk 0 5 16
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson’s Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 0 5 6
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2
Golden Eagle 0 251 1690
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 0 0 1
Gyrfalcon 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 6 16
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 0 296 1849
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6.58 hours
Official Counter Caroline Lambert
Observers:

Visitors:
Not many people were out today. Five stopped to talk.

Weather:
The temperature started at -8C, rose to 1C, and was still 1C when the count was terminated. The start of the day was promising with mostly just cirrus clouds and light west winds. However, the wind had swung to the northeast by midday, and clouds built up. The ridges appeared and disappeared under the clouds and a number of snow squalls passed, making visibility poor. The south end of the valley was a wall of grey cloud. The count was terminated when it was clear from weather radar that the snow would continue and conditions would not improve for the rest of the day.

Raptor Observations:
No migrant raptors were seen.
Three Golden Eagles were seen during the day, but none were judged to be migrating. One Bald Eagle hunted near Mt Lorette.

Non-raptor Observations:
The highlight of the non-raptor species was a small flock of Cassin’s Finches. The lone male Mountain Bluebird was in the meadow, seemingly able to find bugs in spite of the recently fallen snow and freezing temperature. The Ruffed Grouse doesn’t seem too enthused about spring and drummed only a couple of times. A flock of 8 crows looked like they wanted to land in the area, but they were escorted off by some ravens. The non-raptor list is: Canada Goose 2, Hairy Woodpecker 1, American Crow 8, Common Raven 7, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Mountain Bluebird 1, Varied Thrush 4, American Robin 3, Cassin’s Finch 5, White-winged Crossbill 1, Pine Siskin 2, Dark-eyed Junco 3


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 Apr 2023) Raptors

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Mount Lorette
Alberta, Canada

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2023
Species Day’s Count Month Total Season Total
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 24 110
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
Cooper’s Hawk 0 2 2
Northern Goshawk 0 5 16
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson’s Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 0 5 6
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2
Golden Eagle 0 251 1690
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 0 0 1
Gyrfalcon 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 6 16
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 0 296 1849

(No count conducted today)

Weather:
Thick clouds blanketed the mountains when I arrived on site in the morning, and the snow fell steadily for several hours. I spent the morning waiting and watching from different parts of the valley in the hopes that conditions would change, and they did! They changed abruptly from the heavy snow, to sleet. With the forecast not promising, and no indication down the valley that things would change, I decided to call the day at around 12:30.

Raptor Observations:
Much to no-one’s surprise, no raptors flew today. Even the resident Goshawks were quiet. Had the resident eagles been present, they would have been hidden in the clouds.

Non-raptor Observations:
Varied Thrushes continue to sing throughout the site area, as do Dark-eyed Juncos and American Robins. A pair of ravens flew low through the valley, and some Siskins passed overhead calling cheerfully.


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]



Mount Lorette (10 Apr 2023) 2 Raptors

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Mount Lorette
Alberta, Canada

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2023
Species Day’s Count Month Total Season Total
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 24 110
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
Cooper’s Hawk 1 2 2
Northern Goshawk 0 5 16
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson’s Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 1 5 6
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2
Golden Eagle 0 251 1690
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 0 0 1
Gyrfalcon 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 6 16
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 2 296 1849
Observation start time: 05:00:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter Lori Anderson
Observers: Sandy Graham

Visitors:
8 Visitors.

Weather:
Although the weather forecast predicted somewhat reasonable conditions for the morning and early afternoon, it was not to be. At 8:00, a rainbow appeared in front of Mt. Bogart, and by 11:00, the few ridges that were visible had disappeared behind the rain clouds. The forecast for the rest of the day was for more rain and snow. Initially, there was no ground wind, and when it did pick up a bit it was from the south and southwest. At 11:00 winds switched to the north at about 10 Km/h. The temperature was initially 2C and rose to 5C at 11:00 but fell back to 4C as we left the site in the rain at 11:45.

Raptor Observations:
The only migrating raptors seen today were a Cooper’s Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk. The Cooper’s Hawk appeared at the crack of dawn, flapping and gliding as it made its way northward high above the valley on the east side. The Red-tailed Hawk showed up soaring over the west side of the meadow as we were leaving the site. A resident adult Bald Eagle sat for a while in the trees on the other side of the river then swooped down below the trees and continued on to the South. A Goshawk was heard calling across the river.

Non-raptor Observations:
The meadow and forest were alive with bird chatter and song (Phew! Finally!). Robins seem to have overtaken the meadow. 1 Northern Dipper, 20+ American Robins, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 6 Common Ravens, 8 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 5 European Starlings, 4 Varied Thrush, 5 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Canada Geese, 1 Canada Jay, 1 Northern Flicker.


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]



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