Mount Lorette (21 Oct 2022) 109 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 59 | 72 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 3 | 11 | 11 |
| Golden Eagle | 101 | 1640 | 1795 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Total: | 109 | 1840 | 2091 |
| Observation start time: | 10:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
12 people stopped by today to learn about the count and watch me get brief views of distant raptors.
Weather:
The temperature ranged from 1C at the beginning of the count to 2C at the end, with an intervening high of 3C. The winds were variable and thankfully mild. The clouds were fantasticâhigh cirrus clouds in waves and ripples and hexagons, low clods* of fog clinging to the mountainsides, and cumulus mounds rushing in between.
*not a typo, I really mean clods
Raptor Observations:
What a day! The count commenced today at 11:00am MDT with the breakup and movement of the morningâs low cloud cover. The real excitement began at 12:11pm when the smiles of Patrick appeared, and the first ridge-scan of the day revealed a Golden Eagle gliding south. A few more passed through the field of view afforded by the opening in the clouds before it closed minutes later. The clear air and diffuse light provided excellent viewing, and some aging was possible. This pattern of waiting for a ridge-line to appear, counting all the eagles before it closed, then waiting for another opening produced 66 Golden Eagles in three hours. All the raptors in this period were located along the east ridges from Mt. Patrick to Mt. McDougall; Lorette was shrouded in clouds except for a fleeting exposure of the Pyramid. The western ridges were likewise continuously obscured but for a few peaks peeking out; no raptors were observed over the western ridges. After 3:00pm another avenue for observation opened as the cloud ceiling to the northwest lifted. Many eagles (including balds) seemed to fly up the Kananaskis River valley somewhat high, then turn to fly south along the Fisher Range. This afforded us more time to catch and count eagles as they approached, though proved just as difficult for aging as fleeting views between the clouds. Three adult Golden Eagles, one solo and later a duo, flew south low along the middle of the valley, almost directly over the site.
Migrant Raptors: 101 Golden Eagle (18 adult, 1 subadult, 1 undifferentiated immature, 81 unknown age); 2 Bald Eagle (2 adult); 3 Rough-legged Hawk (3 adult light-morph); 3 unidentified raptors.
Non-migrant Raptors: A resident Northern Goshawk flew west across the valley in the mid-afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
The usual suspects were about, including the Type 2 Red Crossbills. A male Belted Kingfisher hunted and chattered along the river for most of the day; the American Dippers were conspicuous in their absence.
60 Canada Goose 7 Common Merganser 1 Northern Goshawk 1 Belted Kingfisher — Male 2 Canada Jay 2 Black-billed Magpie 3 Common Raven 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Mountain Chickadee 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 Brown Creeper 2 American Robin 1 American Pipit 30 Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2) 1 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 (20 Oct 2022) 72 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 57 | 70 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 72 | 1539 | 1694 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 72 | 1731 | 1982 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Mustafa Onder Ersin |
Visitors:
In spite of the cool and blustery weather, 21 visitors came by the site and learned about the day’s count.
Weather:
Finally, a change in the weather, and it was a bit of a shock. Ground winds were from the northeast and quite strong. Clouds covered most of the sky, and while the temperature stayed in a narrow range of 8-10C, the high humidity, lack of sun, and wind made it feel much colder. There were some raindrops in the early afternoon, but not enough to make the ground wet. Ridge winds were strong and from a migration-favourable WSW or SW direction all day.
Raptor Observations:
There was hope for a good number of migrant eagles today, with the strong ridge winds and the count to date well below average for the season. However, the total of 72 Golden Eagles (17a, 5sa, 1j, 49u), was about normal for this time of the season. Looking at the weather radar map, we noticed snow and rain north of Banff, and we wondered if that affected the numbers we saw. With the wind, the eagles were able to fly very high and fast over the east ridge. Only a few did any soaring. The clouds made it easy to spot the eagles, but the lack of sunlight, the dark clouds, the ground wind shaking the scope, and the speed of the eagles (wings pulled in and tails folded) made it extremely difficult to age them.
The only migrant raptors were Golden Eagles. Early in the day an adult Bald Eagle was seen hunting over the river north of the count site, and a Red-tailed Hawk was seen chasing some ducks down the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
While the only migrant raptors seen were eagles, there were some non-raptor species that decided this was a good time to fly south. Four loons (presumably Common Loons) were seen flying high, and several groups of Canada Geese totalling about 40. One lone Snow Goose was flying with one group of Canada Geese. Other birds were 3 American Wigeons, 2 Common Mergansers, 2 Canada Jays, 6 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 American Robins, about 40 Red Crossbills, about 20 Pine Siskins, and the American Dipper.
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 (19 Oct 2022) 16 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 57 | 70 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 16 | 1467 | 1622 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 16 | 1659 | 1910 |
| Observation start time: | 07:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.43 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Ian Dowson |
Visitors:
We were treated to a steady stream of delightful visitors, many of whom stayed to chat and help scan the sky. The volume and calibre of keenly interested (and interesting!) visitors was remarkable.
Special thanks to Linda and Jeff for their time with us today.
Weather:
Following the established pattern of this magnificent fall, the day started just below freezing and had us hiding in the shade by the afternoon. But change is in the air. The soft ground of the trail near the site was frozen a few inches deep, rather than just frosty. The sky was an interesting backdrop all day, changing each hour with varying displays of cirrus and cirrocumulus cloud formations, culminating in a sunset of subtle beauty. Wildfire smoke hung in the valley all day which noticeably affected observation and air quality.
Raptor Observations:
There were just 16 raptors observed today, all Golden Eagles (7 adult, 3 undifferentiated immature, 6 of unknown age). They all took the route from Mt. Lorette to behind or above the Fisher Range. Some found winds and were able to maintain altitude while gliding south while others noticeably sacrificed height for distance. High clouds helped with scanning and spotting, and while the light seemed favourable for aging it did more to light up the smoke than the eagles. Aging became possible only after 3:00pm.
No other raptors, migrating or resident, were observed.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Red Crossbills (Type 2) were again the non-raptor highlight of the day.
List of birds that were there today and we noticed and remembered to record: 1 Common Merganser 1 Northern Flicker 3 Canada Jay 2 Black-billed Magpie 8 Common Raven 4 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Mountain Chickadee 2 Boreal Chickadee 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 European Starling 2 American Robin 2 American Pipit 30 Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2) 2 American Tree 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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (18 Oct 2022) 42 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 57 | 70 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 40 | 1451 | 1606 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 42 | 1643 | 1894 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.83 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
We had 10 visitors, several with binoculars. Once again we are very grateful for the assistance of Theresa Gawron and James Bannon, who were with us all afternoon and were immensely helpful in locating and identifying the eagles.
Weather:
Although the days are getting shorter, the blue skies, light winds, and abnormally warm temperatures are persisting. The temperature started out at -2C, rose to a high of 19C, and finished at 11C. Haze from a forest fire exacerbated the difficulties of locating the eagles in the blue sky. Ridge winds were mostly light, but did pick up from the SSW near the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Initially the migrant eagles were coming into the east ridge low, and sometimes not being seen again as they moved south below ridge level in shadow, using a lot of powered flight. As the day progressed the eagles were able to use thermals above Mt Lorette to gain height and then glide south high over the east ridge. It was challenging to spot them in the hazy blue sky. The day was marked by a dearth of diversity of migrants. Other than two adult Bald Eagles, all the migrants were Golden Eagles, 40 in total (27a, 4j, 1sa, 8u).
Non-raptor Observations:
The Ruffed Grouse is still drumming away, although with less vigour than previously. A flock of about 40 Red Crossbills flew back and forth across the meadow as if they were testing all the local spruce cones to see which of this abundant crop are best, like kids in a candy store. Annie, guru of bird sound, has identified these as Type 2 Red Crossbills, but I’m happy that I’m able to tell, by sound, that they’re not White-winged Crossbills. Other birds were: Common Loon 2, Canada Jay 2, Black-billed Magpie 2, Clark’s Nutcracker 1, Common Raven 7, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, Pacific Wren 1, American Dipper 1, American Robin 1, Cassin’s Finch 2
Predictions:
A break in the weather is finally coming, as we move from temperatures well above average to below average. The barometric pressure will start dropping around noon tomorrow (Wednesday), and will continue to drop until early Saturday morning, when Hay Meadows is likely to get a significant snowfall. The change in pressure is sure to be accompanied by strong winds – and often this means a push south by the migrants. The total number of migrant eagles is currently lagging the average for this time of the season. Have migrants been sneaking by us undetected, or are there birds to the north waiting for more favourable winds? It will be interesting to see what happens.
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 (17 Oct 2022) 73 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 55 | 68 |
| Northern Harrier | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 3 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 62 | 1411 | 1566 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 73 | 1601 | 1852 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Bill McKeeman |
Visitors:
We had about 40 visitors today (without binoculars), including an enthusiastic local school class of 15. One of the students even spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk as it flew south over our site.
Weather:
The temperature ranged from -1C to 20C and almost not a cloud in the sky, only that pesky thin layer of haze that the birds use to disappear on us. Ground winds from the SSW were low all day and the SW Ridge winds were moderate averaging about 26Km/h with gusts up to 40.
Raptor Observations:
The first bird of the day was a Northern Harrier flapping and gliding along the eastern ridges at 8:20. Shortly after that, the first Golden Eagle appeared using the same route. Throughout the day a great number of migrants appeared seemingly out of nowhere at the North Fisher range, and many flew in front of the ridges facilitating identification. The big middle bump was the best place to find them. Every hour yielded migrants and after two pm activity picked up. The final count was 62 Golden Eagles (43a, 3sa, 10j, 6u), 1 Bald Eagle, 3 Northern Harriers, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Coopers Hawks, 1 Northern Goshawk and 2 Red-tailed Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations:
The first song I heard early in the morning before sunrise was that of a Varied Thrush trying out a few scales and tweets. Then, after sunset, a cute juvenile Northern Dipper performed the last sweet song of the day, as it bobbed on a rock in the river and tugged at some sticks and twigs that swayed back and forth in the water. 12 American Robins, 3 Black-billed Magpies, 7 Common Ravens, 1 Common Merganser, 1 Varied Thrush, 2 Canada Jays, and 1 American Dipper. Lots of Mourning Cloaks. A few red squirrels and a timid Snowshoe Hare.
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 (16 Oct 2022) 49 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 54 | 67 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 16 | 45 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Northern Goshawk | 2 | 17 | 24 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 20 | 29 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 44 | 1349 | 1504 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 49 | 1528 | 1779 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.92 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis, Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Blake Weis, Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
10 People came to the site to watch migration after the 30th anniversary celebration. 30 other visitors passed through Hay Meadow
Weather:
The weather this fall has been so strangely consistent and so unusually warm that this almost seems like a copy/paste of previous entries. The morning was chilly with a low of -2C and the afternoon was quite warm with a high of 18C. The sky was almost totally clear with only 10% cirrus late in the day. Wind was nearly calm and ground level and light to moderate and ridge level with max gusts briefly reaching 32 km/h.
Raptor Observations:
Once again migrants were moving low and slow, mostly soaring and flapping without much gliding. They were using the east ridges and often passed behind the various peaks of the Fisher Range, sometimes emerging again farther south, sometimes not.
Non-raptor Observations:
Belted Kingfisher – 1 Canada Jay – 2 Black-billed Magpie – 1 Common Raven – 7 Red Crossbill – 25 Mountain Chickadee – 2 Brown Creeper – 2
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]
