Mount Lorette (03 Apr 2023) 48 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 03, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 8 | 94 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 41 | 71 | 1510 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 48 | 82 | 1635 |
| Observation start time: | 10:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 20:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
Fourteen visitors stopped by to talk. A happy hiking group of 7 women stopped to have lunch on our benches while asking many questions to learn about the eagles. They said they hike everywhere together in spite of their age so they can keep on going. They were an inspiration to us, as much as we were to them.
Weather:
The onset of todayâs count was delayed due to snowfall warnings and icy road conditions. It did snow quite heavily in the morning so we started a bit later at 11:30. The Temperature was -3.5C at that time reaching a high of 0C at 16:00, and then returning to -3.5 C by the end of the count. The ground wind speed averaged about 8 Km/h generally from the NE. After 19:00 the wind speed dropped substantially. The ridge winds were moderate from the NE. There were a few snow showers throughout the day with cloud coverage of 80 -100% most of the time but after 18:00 clearing a bit. The cloud coverage on the ridges was constantly changing. One moment it would be clear and the next covered on any given mountain.
Raptor Observations:
Surprisingly, in spite of all of the dismal weather forecasts, we had an above-average day according to the statistics. The final count was 48 migrating Raptors: Golden Eagle 41 (27a, 5sa, 3j, 6 u), Bald Eagle 5 adults, Coopers Hawk 1, and Northern Goshawk 1. The first eagles glided and soared from Mt Kydd past Bogart and off behind the Olympic Summit. The most abundant movement occurred between 15:00 and 18:00 when the focus moved to Lorette and the eastern ridges. They seemed to come from everywhere and wherever they could. Gliding and soaring were sufficient to gain height but after 18:00 they had to implement flapping to make any headway. Non-migrating Raptors: A Northern Goshawk was heard calling on the other side of the river, presumably hunting, and at the end of the day, one called out as we left. One Bald Eagle tricked us after it soared high into the clouds above Mt. Lorette then later flew south over the middle of the valley. An apparent resident Golden Eagle(sa.) tranquilly soared and glided over our heads, quite low, from the South Fisher Range to Mt. Lorette, and was seen hunting near Lorette various times.
Non-raptor Observations:
I think most of the small birds stayed in bed today except for one Black-capped Chickadee that sang his heart out. Two dippers sang by the river and, at one point flew off together in a spinning whirlywish while singing and then landing together just in front of us below a snowbank. Ravens were seen flying everywhere today, back and forth and up and down complicating the count. At sunset, two Robins sang a lullaby to all the rest of the birds in bed in the forest promising them that tomorrow will be a better day. Total: Black-capped Chickadee 1, American Raven 10, Northern Dipper 2, American Robin 5.
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 (02 Apr 2023) 13 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 02, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 3 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 12 | 30 | 1469 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 13 | 34 | 1587 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 12:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 3.33 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
10 of 20 passersby stopped to find out what we were doing and where the eagles are going.
Weather:
The valley remained shrouded in cloud until 10am, delaying the start of the count. Calm winds and -0C temperature made for a lovely morning in the valley. Periods of relatively good visibility, of eagles if not of the ridges themselves, were interspersed with snow squalls from the south. The temperature rose to a high of +0C before falling back to -0C. Shortly after 1pm the winds shifted to the north, blowing in a wall of snow. Radar and forecasts indicated conditions would only worsen, and the count was concluded at 1:20pm MDT.
Raptor Observations:
We enjoyed a remarkably productive 200 minutes of monitoring raptor migration. A total of 12 migrating Golden Eagles were observed (6 adult, 6 unaged). They used both sides of the valley, some only appearing momentarily at Mt. Lorette before melting back into the clouds. Migrants on the west side of the valley appeared between Mt. Kidd and Mt. Bogart before disappearing behind Olympic Summit or into cloud. Migrants on the east side of the valley appeared low in front of Mt. Patrick. Poor visibility, low light, limited soaring, and brief views conspired to keep half of todayâs migrant eagles unaged. Other Migrant Raptors: a juvenile Northern Goshawk, with a full crop, circled low over the river before continuing north. Non-migrant Raptors: the resident Northern Goshawks were heard calling from the west side of the valley in the morning. A local adult Golden Eagle patrolled the area.
Non-raptor Observations:
At least four Varied Thrush were singing throughout the valley in the morning. Small skeins of Mallard and Canada Goose flew down the river. Pine Siskin, Pine Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Dark-eyed Junco, and Mountain Chickadee were all singing as well. Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and American Robin all confined their vocalizations to calls.
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 (01 Apr 2023) 21 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 01, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 3 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 18 | 18 | 1457 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 21 | 21 | 1574 |
| Observation start time: | 06:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
15 visitors stopped to talk. 2 stayed briefly to watch for raptors.
Weather:
At the start of the day it was 0C and fairly windy with gusts up to 20 km/h from the SW. In the afternoon the wind died down and the temperature rose to 3C. Ridge wind was from the NW, strong in the morning and light to moderate in the afternoon. Cloud cover varied from 40%-80% until the end of the day. Scattered snowstorms partially obscured some of the mountain ridges and sent occasional flurries into the valley in the afternoon. Around 5 pm a larger storm moved in from the west bringing heavier snow. The weather radar showed no sign of it clearing so the count was concluded at 6 pm.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was slow until the last couple hours when a short burst of activity proceeded the larger snowstorm. The total count for the day was 18 Golden Eagles (9a, 2sa, 7u) and 3 adult Bald Eagles. 14 of the Golden Eagles were counted after 4 pm. Most of them were flapping and soaring low along the eastern ridges, but some glided high from Mt. Kidd to Olympic Summit. The relatively heavy cloud cover created good conditions for spotting but often made ageing difficult. Resident raptors included the Golden Eagle pair (one displaying), two sub-adult Bald Eagles, and at least one adult Northern Goshawk seen several times (also displaying).
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Canada Goose 1 Ruffed Grouse (Drumming) 1 Belted Kingfisher (Male) 1 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Canada Jay 11 Common Raven 2 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 Brown Creeper 4 European Starling 1 Varied Thrush 3 American Robin 40 Bohemian Waxwing 1 Pine Grosbeak 2 White-winged Crossbill 1 Pine Siskin 2 Dark-eyed Junco (unknown ssp.) 1 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
1 Mink was seen along the river early in the morning 5 Red Squirrels
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 (31 Mar 2023) 12 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 31, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 86 | 86 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 11 | 1439 | 1439 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 12 | 1553 | 1553 |
| Observation start time: | 06:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
About half a dozen passers by stopped to ask about the activity. A couple came with binoculars and stayed for a bit.
Weather:
The day started out with cloudless blue skies and strong southwest ridge winds as evidenced by the snow blowing off the ridges all day. The temperature started at -7C, hit a high of 4C, and finished at 1C. Ground wind was from the west and kept us cool all day. Upper winds were moderate from the west. Clouds started appearing soon after the sun rose over the east ridge and gradually built up until by 17:00 both ridges were hidden, and it was snowing. We waited for an hour, by which time the east ridge was clearing up a bit, but the weather forecast and radar were indicating that this would be a brief respite, and with snow to the south we packed it in about an hour early.
Raptor Observations:
After several days of eagles soaring and flapping and making slow progress to the north, we thought the strong southwest winds this morning would favour a strong movement of migrants. However, it was not to be. The few eagles seen were indeed making fast and effortless progress, gliding high above the east ridge and sometimes almost overhead, but they were few indeed. The totals were 11 Golden Eagles (6a, 5u) and one adult Bald Eagle.
There were just two non-migrant raptors – one adult Golden Eagle flying from Lorette to Nakiska, and one adult Bald Eagle hunting over Hummingbird Plume.
Non-raptor Observations:
The day started out well with a singing dipper, singing robins, and several singing juncos. 15 Snow Geese flew over Patrick, and two skeins of Canada Geese, totalling 16, flew over the valley. Later in the day a flock of about 25 Bohemian Waxwings flew across the valley. But by afternoon most bird activity had ceased. Other birds were: Common Merganser 1, Common Raven 6, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Mountain Chickadee 1, Pine Siskin 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 (30 Mar 2023) 66 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 30, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 85 | 85 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 11 | 11 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 61 | 1428 | 1428 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 66 | 1541 | 1541 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 12.58 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
28 of which 9 stopped to talk
Weather:
A warmer day, getting up to +5 by the late efternoon. Ground winds were largely from the NE, and increased gradually throughout the day. It was sunny and mostly cloudless.
Raptor Observations:
Following two big days, the Goldens slowed down a bit, with just above 60 birds passing today. Most appeared over the western ridge between 10:00 and 12:00, but the few that we saw in the afternoon had mostly switched to the Eastern side. Additonal raptors included one migrant Goshawk, a small accipitor which vanished quickly, and 3 Bald Eagles.
The resident pair of Goldens were active, with one regularly pursuing migrants out of his territory. The resident Goshawk was also quite active, and made several appearances.
Non-raptor Observations:
Apart from the usual handful of Robins, Siskins, Juncos, and Chickadees, it wasn’t too busy. In the late afternoon a flock of about 70 Snow Geese passed high over the bumps. Tom the resident American Dipper popped by as the sun was setting, but didn’t stay for long.
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 (29 Mar 2023) 212 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 29, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 7 | 82 | 82 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 204 | 1367 | 1367 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 212 | 1475 | 1475 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 12.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Cindy Parliament, Dan Parliament, Sandy Graham |
Visitors:
Three people came with binoculars during the busiest part of the day, which was extremely helpful. With two extra observers for a few hours, we had seven pairs of eyes on the sky, at least for a while. About seven other people stopped to enquire about the activity.
Weather:
It was another mild and mostly sunny day at the site, with a few cirrus clouds and a slight haze that made tracking eagles over the west ridge tricky. The temperature started at -15C, rose to +5C by late afternoon, and finished at 0C. Ground winds were light all day, picking up a bit from the north-northeast at the end of the day. At one point both of us heard the sound of a train blowing its horn, which could only have been a train passing Seebe Dam – the sound was presumably carried up the valley by the wind. Ridge winds were light as no snow was seen blowing off the ridges.
Raptor Observations:
And thick and fast they came at last, and more and more and more, all hopping through the frothy clouds, and scrambling to the north. Or something like that (apologies to Lewis Carroll). After weeks of below average numbers, the last few days have closed the gap between this year’s low numbers so far and what is normal to date, at least a bit.
The light winds resulted in the eagles having to use a combination of soaring and powered flight most of the time. Most of the day the movement was on the west ridge, with an odd one or two on the east ridge to keep us on our toes. At one point there was a kettle of about 18 eagles over Nakiska, and very soon after those eagles had moved on, another one of 22 eagles formed. In the three hours from 11:00 to 14:00 there were 35, 36, and 63 Golden Eagles respectively. Right at the end of the day, soon after 18:00, there was a flurry of activity on the east ridge, and at one point we had 14 eagles soaring over Mt Lorette. So beautiful and mesmerizing to watch!
The end totals for migrant raptors were 204 Golden Eagles (126a, 8sa, 5j, 2ui, 63u), 7 Bald Eagles (5a, 2j), and one unidentified eagle.
In addition, the local Golden Eagle was busy doing display dives on the west ridge, and a couple of adult Bald Eagles were hunting in the area, as was a Northern Goshawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
There was disappointingly little activity in the way of other birds. It’s about time Mountain Bluebirds showed up, but they are still missing. Other birds were: Hairy Woodpecker 1, Canada Jay 1, Common Raven 9, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Mountain Chickadee 1, American Robin 3, Pine Siskin 4, Dark-eyed Junco 1 (singing!)
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]
