Mount Lorette (09 Nov 2022) 15 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 19 | 104 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 10 | 86 | 2313 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Total: | 15 | 111 | 2661 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
10 visitors passed through the meadow
Weather:
It was a cold morning with a low of -21 C which rose to a high of -7 C by the end of the day. The sky was almost entirely clear with just a trace of cumulus cloud in the afternoon. The wind was very light at both ground and ridge level and varied between SW and N.
Raptor Observations:
Migrants were moving low along the eastern ridges, often passing in front of or behind the parts of the Fisher Range. They were mostly detected around Mt. Patrick or farther south, though a few were seen farther north near Mt. Lorette. With hardly any wind and seemingly minor thermals migrants had to use powered flight to cover any distance. Migration was slow in the morning but picked up a bit in the afternoon with a peak of 6 migrants between 1 and 2 pm. The total count was 10 Golden Eagles (8 adults, 1 juvenile, 1 unaged) and 5 adult Bald Eagles. A resident adult Bald Eagle perched for a while over the river near the site.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Northwestern) 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Shrike 1 Canada Jay 1 Common Raven 3 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Mountain Chickadee 2 Boreal Chickadee 2 chickadee sp. 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Dipper 2 Bohemian Waxwing 40 Pine Grosbeak 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 (08 Nov 2022) 12 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 08, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 7 | 14 | 99 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 4 | 76 | 2303 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 3 | 24 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Total: | 12 | 96 | 2646 |
| Observation start time: | 09:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | David Musto |
Visitors:
In spite of the cold, 9 people in 3 groups came by and learned a bit about the eagle migration.
Weather:
The count started a little later than normal due to the extreme cold – it was -29C in the parking lot at sunrise. Once the sun was above the east ridge, the temperature rose quickly, but was still a frigid -22C when the observation started. Fortunately there was almost no ground wind, so there was no wind chill, and there were also no clouds, allowing the sun to provide a welcome bit of warmth. The temperature reached a high of -13C and dropped to -15C at the end of the day. There was also not much wind at ridge level either. Occasionally wisps of snow could be seen being blown off the east ridge, but that did not seem to help the migrants much.
Raptor Observations:
Few of the migrants seen today made it above ridge level. Most appeared to come into the Fisher Range low, and laboured their way south mostly below ridge level, using powered flight. At the end of the day a few were able to find enough lift to rise above the ridge and glide.
Of the 12 migrants, 4 were Golden Eagles (2a, 2u), 7 were Bald Eagles (6a, 1sa3), and one an unidentified eagle. The relatively high number of Bald Eagles was not surprising given the sudden deep freeze – they like fish, and fishing spots are rapidly disappearing as the lakes freeze over.
One non-migrant Bald Eagle was seen heading north down the river, and one Rough-legged Hawk was hunting in the area.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several skeins of Canada Geese flew over, heading south. One flock was accompanied by 11 swans. Other than that, there was 1 Downy Woodpecker, 4 Canada Jays, 4 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 American Dippers, 1 Varied Thrush, and 2 Red Crossbills.
A ski trail grooming machine came by and flattened out the snow on the trail nicely, making it much easier to walk out than it had been to walk in.
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 (07 Nov 2022) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 07, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 7 | 92 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 72 | 2299 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 23 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Total: | 0 | 84 | 2634 |
(No count conducted today)
Weather:
Due to snowfall, dangerous driving conditions, and extreme temperatures,-18C at ground level and-27C on the ridges, today’s observation was canceled. Low cloud coverage and snowfall were predicted for the whole day. All roads to the site were reported as covered in snow and ice.
Raptor Observations:
No observation today.
Non-raptor Observations:
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 (06 Nov 2022) 1 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 7 | 92 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 72 | 2299 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 23 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Total: | 1 | 84 | 2634 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
Four visitors stopped by the site
Weather:
At sunrise in the Kananaskis Valley snow was falling and low cloud obscured all mountain ridges. The start of the count was delayed until 8:30 am when blue sky appeared and the eastern ridges partially cleared. Light snow continued to fall throughout the count, and unfortunately the clearing didn’t last long. Around 10:30 am the sky began to close in again, and by 2 pm the count was abandoned as low cloud returned bringing heavier snow. Wind was 10-20 km/h from the NE-NNE at ground and ridge level. If the snow wasn’t enough temperature between -12 and -13 C really made it feel like winter.
Raptor Observations:
The count consisted of a single hardy Golden Eagle seen over the Fisher Range around noon.
Non-raptor Observations:
74 Canada Geese flying south 1 Black-billed Magpie 4 Common Ravens 1 Mountain Chickadee 2 chickadee sp. 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets 1 American Dipper 1 Lapland Longspur 4 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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (05 Nov 2022) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 7 | 92 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 71 | 2298 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 23 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Total: | 0 | 83 | 2633 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 10:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 1.92 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
A family of five from Ontario was looking for Troll Falls. We helped them find the route, and they learned a bit about the count in the process.
Weather:
We tried. Between one dump of about 6cm of snow and before the next snowfall was to arrive, there appeared to be a period of clearer weather this morning. Sure enough, on arrival at the count site the east ridge was clear. But not for long. For a while all the peaks kept disappearing and appearing again, but soon everything closed in, snow started falling, and we gave up.
Raptor Observations:
One Bald Eagle was seen, but it was flying north down the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
Besides the eagle, there were a couple of ravens flying around, two American Dippers on the river, and a mixed flock of chickadees on the trail as we left.
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 (04 Nov 2022) 25 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 7 | 92 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 2 | 2 | 13 |
| Golden Eagle | 22 | 71 | 2298 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 23 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Total: | 25 | 83 | 2633 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
7
Weather:
Temperature 0 – 2 degC. Mostly overcast with alto stratus and cumulus but some sun in the afternoon. Observing conditions were quite good. Ground winds low to moderate SW. Ridge winds moderate to strong S and SW. Heavy snow laden clouds approached from the west late afternoon and the count was ended a little early at 17:15.
Raptor Observations:
Migrant eagles were usually seen gliding from Mt Lorette towards the Fisher Range. Glide speeds were noticeably slow due to strong headwinds and many birds lost a lot of altitude during the glide across the river valley. They had no trouble regaining altitude once the eastern ridges were reached. Tally was 22 Golden Eagles (11a, 2juv, 9u), 1 sa Bald Eagle, 2 Rough-legged Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Jay 2, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 16, Black-capped Chickadee 5, Bohemian Waxwing 20, American Dipper 1, Common Merganser 9.
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]
