Mount Lorette (15 Oct 2022) 69 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 51 | 64 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 16 | 45 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 15 | 22 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 20 | 29 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 55 | 1305 | 1460 |
| 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 | 9 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 69 | 1480 | 1731 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.83 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis, Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Blake Weis, Deb Hornsby |
Visitors:
About 30 visitors came to the site. We are again indebted to the help of Theresa Gawron and James Bannon, who helped with spotting and identifying for over seven hours. Several others came with binoculars as well.
Weather:
Once more the day was marked by blue skies and light winds. At ridge level the wind started out from the southwest, but became variable in the middle of the day, swinging back to southwest in the evening. The temperature ranged from just below freezing to 14C, dropping to 10C at the end.
Raptor Observations:
The light winds resulted in a slow day for migrants. Most were initially seen soaring over Lorette, then coming in to the east ridge at various levels, sometimes soaring again, sometimes gliding through, sometimes needing powered flight. The count was 55 Golden Eagles (34a, 9sa, 7j, 5u), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk, 5 Bald Eagles (3a, 2sa), 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and two unid. buteos.
Non-raptor Observations:
Toward the end of the day a Bald Eagle came to sit in a tree across the river, allowing us to study it closely. At first glance it looked like an adult, but closer examination showed some dark on the head, the remnants of an “osprey mask” behind the eye, and a few tail feathers tipped with black – so almost an adult, but not quite. We wondered if it had been responsible for a large fish, the remnants of which a couple of ravens were feasting on. Other birds were two Common Mergansers, 2 Northern Goshawks, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 6 Common Ravens, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 American Dipper, 40 Red Crossbills, 1 American Tree Sparrow, 6 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 European Starling, and 1 American Goldfinch.
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 Oct 2022) 141 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 7 | 46 | 59 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 13 | 42 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 8 | 19 |
| Northern Goshawk | 5 | 14 | 21 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 19 | 28 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 125 | 1248 | 1403 |
| 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 | 1 | 9 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 141 | 1409 | 1660 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
22
Weather:
A day of mixed weather conditions. The temperature started at 0C, rose to a high of 16C, and dropped to 9C at the end. Ground winds were mostly zero to light although they did increase suddenly from late afternoon, becoming quite strong from the east. An interesting variety of medium and high level clouds passed by from a northerly direction with nice amounts of blue sky in between. Ridge winds were also quite variable in both speed and direction, generally moderate with some strong gusts from a W to NW direction but also from NE and SW at times. A band of darker clouds produced some light rain late afternoon before clearing from the north just before sunset.
Raptor Observations:
2 Golden Eagles were seen shortly after sunrise. Movement was slow until late morning, then decent numbers until conditions changed late afternoon. Early birds seemed to be approaching the Fisher Range from the NE (Wasootch). From late morning many birds were seen soaring over distant Skogan Peak before gliding SE over Mt Lorette and continuing south high above the Fisher Range. Flying conditions changed late afternoon as the last few eagles once again seemed to approach the Fisher Range from a NE direction, flying lower and having to use powered flight. Last raptor was seen at 17:55. Daily totals: 125 Golden Eagles (46a, 1sa, 4juv, 74u), 7 Bald Eagles, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 5 Northern Goshawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 unidentified accipiter, 1 unidentified buteo.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several small flocks of Snow Geese (28 birds in total) flew south. One flock kept changing flight path and altitude seemingly in response to the presence of Golden Eagles. Other birds were 22 Geese (sp.), 15 Common Raven, 4 Common Merganser, 2 Canada Jays, 3 Black-billed Magpies, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Creeper, 10 Red Crossbills, 24 American Robin.
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 Oct 2022) 112 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 39 | 52 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 12 | 41 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 8 | 19 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 9 | 16 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 18 | 27 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 106 | 1123 | 1278 |
| 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 | 1 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 112 | 1268 | 1519 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.83 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Cliff Hansen, Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
Roughly 30 people stopped by to chat and learn about the count. Sadly, a few people with binoculars showed up around lunch hour, and left just before 2pm when we had the hour with the highest count of eagles.
Weather:
It was yet another day that started with blue skies and light winds. It’s getting a little cooler too, with a starting temperature of -3C. However, it rose to 19C during the day, so it was quite comfortable temperature-wise after the sun rose over the east ridge. Cirrus clouds gradually built up, and while there was never more than 60% coverage of the sky, those clouds did help with spotting the migrants in the afternoon. The ridge winds also gradually built up from almost nothing to a more migration-friendly speed and direction.
Raptor Observations:
The first eagles were seen soon after arriving at the site, and there was a slow but steady movement until 2pm when the ridge winds starting picking up. Initially the migrants were coming in low on the east ridge and having to use powered flight. As thermals formed, less energy was needed for the eagles to move, but progress was slow. After 2pm most eagles were coming in at or above ridge level, soaring to gain height, and then gliding quickly to the south. The count was 106 Golden Eagles (79a, 8sa, 7j, 12u), 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa3), 1 unid. eagle, and 1 unid. accipiter.
Non-raptor Observations:
Early in the morning a Northern Goshawk, the presumed local resident, was sitting in the trees by the pump houses. We don’t normally see them either perched or so close, so that was a treat. Other birds were: Common Loon 2, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Canada Jay 2, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 25, Black-capped Chickadee 3, American Dipper 1, Red Crossbill 11, Dark-eyed Junco 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]
Mount Lorette (12 Oct 2022) 176 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 36 | 49 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 12 | 41 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 8 | 19 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 8 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 18 | 27 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 151 | 1017 | 1172 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 5 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 13 | 17 |
| Unknown Raptor | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 176 | 1156 | 1407 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 12 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
The cooler temperatures seemed to keep more people at home, 19 people visited today.
Weather:
The morning started off at a frosty -2C, warming quickly once the sun hit the valley floor, eventually reaching 12C. The predominant weather feature of the day was blue sky. We celebrated a small cumulus cloud, hoping it would divide and multiply, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Raptor Observations:
The clear skies, blessedly free from haze, provided extraordinarily bright light conditionsâMt. Patrick was practically glowingâwhich illuminated the underside of raptors like snow. The flow of migrants picked up after 11:00am, maintaining the steady but not relentless pace of raptor numbers in the 20s per hour for the remainder of the day. Eagles moved along the east ridges until sunset.
151 Golden Eagles: 69 adult, 16 subadult, 10 juvenile, 4 undifferentiated immature, 51 unknown age.
Resident/Non-migratory Raptors: none observed
Non-raptor Observations:
The Red Crossbills were out in full force today, and Tom the American Dipper serenaded us in the evening.
Also ran: 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Canada Jay 3 Black-billed Magpie 11 Common Raven 3 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Boreal Chickadee 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 American Dipper 2 Varied Thrush 21 American Robin 9 Bohemian/Cedar Waxwing 21 Red Crossbill 20 Pine Siskin 2 American Tree Sparrow 5 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
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 Oct 2022) 140 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 11, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 33 | 46 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 10 | 39 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 8 | 19 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 8 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 15 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 128 | 866 | 1021 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 2 | 7 | 13 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 4 | 12 | 16 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Total: | 140 | 980 | 1231 |
| Observation start time: | 07:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
There were fewer visitors today than previous days, only about a dozen. Four brought binoculars and helped with spotting birds. We are particularly grateful to James Bannon and Theresa Gawron for their expertise in helping out for most of the afternoon.
Weather:
The day’s weather started out looking like last week’s, with no ground wind, frost on the ground, and cloudless blue skies. The temperature started at -2C, rose to a high of 15C, and dropped to 11C at the end. However, while ridge winds varied throughout the day, they were strong and mostly from the southwest, making for good migration conditions. Cumulus clouds built up during the day which aided in spotting the migrants. The clouds showed much turbulence in the air as they were constantly forming and dissipating, and twisting and twirling, generally going rapidly in a south-southeast direction but often appearing to go backwards and sideways.
Raptor Observations:
The turbulence in the air was reflected in the flight paths of the migrants, which were all over the place. Some Golden Eagles were spotted going down the west ridge, which is unusual for fall migration. The count was 1 Osprey (harassed by a Golden Eagle), 128 Golden Eagles (79a, 13sa, 9j, 27u), 3 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 unid. accipiters and 4 unid. eagles. One adult Bald Eagle was seen heading north on a mission, as if it had just been informed that a large flock of ducks had landed at Barrier Lake.
Non-raptor Observations:
A large flock of about 60 Snow Geese was flying south early in the day. Later a small flock of 3 was seen being chased by a Golden Eagle. They headed north only to find themselves in the path of another Golden Eagle, at which point they descended rapidly and out of sight. A lone loon, presumably a Common Loon, was seen heading south. 14 ravens appeared to be enjoying the turbulent air above the east ridge at one point. Other birds were one Belted Kingfisher, one Northern Shrike, two Canada Jays, two Black-billed Magpies, two Black-capped Chickadees, one Golden-crowned Kinglet, two Red-breasted Nuthatches, two American Dippers, at least two Red Crossbills, a Pine Siskin or more, and two 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]
