Mount Lorette (17 Mar 2025) 163 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 14 | 14 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 162 | 334 | 334 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 163 | 351 | 351 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 20:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Allan Hingston, Rosemary Power, Xavier Gorloo |
Visitors:
About 28 students came out for a visit from the Lawrence Grassi Middle School. Rosemary helped them learn about the eagles and our project. In addition, about 20 people stopped by the site.
Weather:
At the start of the count, the temperature was â8C gradually rising to +3 by 15:00 and dropping to â1 by the end. Ground winds stayed between 6-11 Km/h from the SW all day. The ridge winds appeared to come from the West and were strong enough to create plumes on all of the ridges both east and west until later in the day. A few snow squall intrusions from the south and southwest occurred between 14:00 â18:30. Mainly Cumulous clouds covered between 20-80% of the sky. The Eastern Ridges were clear all day and the West was only partially (10%) covered all day.
Raptor Observations:
We had an abundant influx of Eagles today starting at 9:50. The numbers picked up after 12:00 and between 14:00- 16:30 there was a major frenzy of eagles appearing continuously one after another. The route today was over the Eastern ridges, generally very high but some also flew lower in the face of Wasootch. Many flew over Lorrete and others flew across the face of Lorette. The final count for the day was 132 Golden Eagles (110a, 9sa, 1j, 42u) and one juvenile Bald Eagle. A resident Golden made a few rounds, and a Bald Eagle sat in his favorite tree across the river, later flying north.
Non-raptor Observations:
An extremely quiet day as far as small birds goes. Only one Black-capped chickadee was heard singing his Tweee-dle-dee song. 7 Ravens
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (16 Mar 2025) 25 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 16, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 13 | 13 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 24 | 172 | 172 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 25 | 188 | 188 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Sofia Preece |
Visitors:
There were five visitors today.
Weather:
The opening temperature was -14 C, and steadily increasing to a high of zero degrees Celsius at 1600 hrs (MDT). The ground winds were light all day with maximum winds of 5-10 km/hr from noon to 1330 hrs (MDT). Ground wind direction was Northerly. Throughout the day, the ridges were clear accompanied with low haze and cumulus cloud. Ridge winds were estimated as low from the North/ Northeast. Flight conditions were deemed to be poor for migration.
Raptor Observations:
A total of 24 Golden Eagles and one Bald Eagle were observed migrating throughout the day. The first Golden Eagle was at 1115 hrs (MDT) and the last migrant was observed at 1637 hrs (MDT). Peak migration was between the hours of 1200-1300 hrs, and 1400-1500 hrs (MDT) with seven Golden Eagles per hour. The migration flight path was low through the face of “Patrick” and Mt Lorette with substantial flapping noted. The resident Golden Eagle pair were observed several times throughout the day, displaying over Mt Lorette.
Non-raptor Observations:
The non-raptor species were very quiet with just three Common Ravens.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (15 Mar 2025) 57 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 55 | 148 | 148 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 57 | 163 | 163 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
29 people stopped to talk.
Weather:
The start of observation was delayed slightly due to poor driving conditions on the highway, but the weather improved dramatically after reaching the Kananaskis Valley. On arrival to the site at 9:25 AM, cloud cover was 75% cirrus and cirrostratus which left plenty of room for sun to shine through, and a few low cumulus clouds obscured ridges up to 20%. Ground wind was light from the north, ridge wind was moderate from the SW, the temperature was -11 C, and about 20 cm of fresh snow was on the ground.
The temperature reached a high of -6 by 11 AM and hovered between -6 and -7 for the rest of the day. Dark clouds started building around the mountains to the west around 11 AM, gradually obscuring more of the ridges as the day progressed. At 2:30 PM, the clash of two weather systems over the valley became apparent. Gusts from the north at ground level increased to at least 20 km/h, ridge wind and clouds came from both SW and north, and it started snowing lightly. The count ended at 4:30 PM as the snow grew stronger and visibility continued to deteriorate.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant wasn’t seen until 12:15 PM, but movement picked up quickly from there, resulting in a count of 55 Golden Eagles (26 adults & 29 unaged) and 2 unidentified eagles. Routes and flight styles were highly variable, probably due to the unusual wind patterns. Migrants were usually low, split between east and west ridges and the east side of the valley. Even though the ridges socked in and it started snowing at 2:30 PM, eagles continued to move for another hour, low below the clouds in front Mt. Patrick in the east and to Skogan Pass in the west. Visibility was often hampered by low cloud, ice crystal haze, and snow.
Local raptors included a Goshawk that caught a smaller bird (possibly a starling) over the east side of the valley in the morning, and a Bald Eagle soaring over the river in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
4 Common Ravens, 1 American Dipper, and 1 European Starling.
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 (14 Mar 2025) 5 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 14, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 5 | 93 | 93 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 5 | 106 | 106 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Sofia Preece |
Visitors:
5
Weather:
The temperature at 0830 was -15C, the high at 15:00 was -4C. Winds were ENE-NE all day 10-20 km/h with occasional gusts to 30 km/h. Cloud cover varied from 10% to 60% cirrus and cirrostratus with occasional light snow flurries to 100% stratus with light-moderate snow from 13:00 to 15:00 that largely obscured the ridges. Much heavier, darker clouds lurked to the south and west for much of the day. There had been several cm of fresh snow overnight. The count was terminated at 16:45 due to a lack of migrants and worsening weather.
Raptor Observations:
The count was 5 Golden Eagles (4 adults, 1 sub adult) seen between 11:10 and 12:20. All birds were flying above the east ridges before flapping and gliding across the valley. A resident American Goshawk gave us a nice display flight.
Non-raptor Observations:
The cold NE winds kept bird activity very low. 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 5 Common Ravens, 1 Black- billed Magpie, 1 American Dipper, 1 American Robin.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (13 Mar 2025) 1 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 13, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 88 | 88 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 1 | 101 | 101 |
| Observation start time: | 11:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch, Lynette MacCulloch , Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Four visitors came by and chatted briefly.
Weather:
Upon arrival at Hay Meadows, the heavy snowfall and the fact that not a mountain was in sight, delayed the count start till 11:00AM, when the snowfall had lessened. The starting temperature was minus 1 went up as high as plus 2 and back down to plus 1 at 15:00.The western ridges were obscured completely for most of the day, the eastern ridges cleared for a short time in the early after noon. The cloud was low most of the day with a veiled sun and blue tinged sky showing around 13:00. It was impossible to see the ridge winds and high winds till later in the day when the winds switched from South west to North east. Ground winds were light mostly from the North. By 15:00 the sky was completely socked in and the snow fall once again became moderately heavy.
Raptor Observations:
Only one Golden eagle was seen flying over the big smile on Patrick
Non-raptor Observations:
6 young Mountain Sheep rams were seen on top of Mt Fisher until the clouds blotted them from view.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
