Mount Lorette (09 Nov 2023) 6 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 39 | 123 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 123 | 3027 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 6 | 163 | 3484 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.08 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
Two visitors stopped for an hour to observe and learn more about the count.
Weather:
The opening temperature was -5 C increasing to a daytime high of 3 C at 1400 hrs and decreasing to 1 C at sunset. Ground winds were generally from the SW at 5-15 km/hr. Ridge winds were predominantly SW ranging from 15 to 35 km/hr. All the ridges were clear, and clouds were very high broken cirrus.
Raptor Observations:
The total raptor count was 2 Golden Eagles (one adult and one juvenile), and four Bald Eagles (two subadults and 2 adults). The first two migrant raptors (Bald Eagle subadult) flew low along the West ridges and were flapping to maintain altitude in the calm air. The remaining migrants glided above the East ridges. The sole juvenile Golden Eagle was chased by a Common Raven over the East ridge and put on a lengthy aerobatic display, as the two birds exchanged places chasing each other.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other species observed: Canada Goose: 2 Ruffed Grouse: 2 Gull sp: 2 Canada Jay: 2 Common Raven: 7 American Dipper: 1 Bohemian Waxwing: 15 Lapland Longspur: 1 (parking lot)
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 2023) 24 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 08, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 9 | 33 | 117 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 14 | 121 | 3025 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 24 | 155 | 3476 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Glenn Webber |
Visitors:
7 people stopped by to chat about the count.
Weather:
The morning started out at 2°C, rose to 4°C by 2:00 pm, and fell back to 2°C by sundown. Ground winds were moderate with gusts up to 20 km/h for most of the day. Ridge winds were high, averaging 50km/h, with gusts over 90 kn/h in the morning. Cumulus clouds hurried across the sky against a backdrop of ever-changing cirrus clouds. Flurries at Mt. Bogart flung a few wayward flakes our way midday. Light conditions were excellent.
Raptor Observations:
Migrant Eagles All migrant eagles were observed using the east side of the valley or the eastern ridges, though no clear route emerged. Some kited or glided high and fast (resisting aging), while others appeared only briefly between the peaks of the Fisher Range. The count of Bald Eagles outnumbered Goldens for most of the day. 14 Golden Eagles: 7a, 7u 11 Bald Eagles: 8a, 2ui, 1u Undifferentiated Eagles: 1
No other migrant raptors were observed.
Non-migrant Raptors An American Goshawk called from the west side of the valley in the early morning. A pair of adult Bald Eagles kept us on our toes all day as they flew back and forth past the site repeatedly as they hunted over the river. A young Bald Eagle seemed to be looking for a place to roost as it flew north along the face of Patrick at 4:30 pm.
Non-raptor Observations:
No crossbills presented themselves today. Six unidentified swans flew low over the valley in the morning. Wind gusts were loud enough all day to drown out all but the closest passing Bohemian Waxwing calls. 6 Trumpeter/Tundra Swan 2 Canada Jay 6 Common Raven 1 Brown Creeper 15 Bohemian Waxwing 5 Common Redpoll 2 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 (07 Nov 2023) 16 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 07, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 24 | 108 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 11 | 107 | 3011 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 16 | 131 | 3452 |
| Observation start time: | 10:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Chris Durtnall |
Visitors:
Only a couple of people stopped to check on the progress of the count.
Weather:
It was another relatively mild day with temperatures above freezing, starting at 1C, rising to 5C, and finishing at 3C. Ground wind was light from the southwest, and ridge winds were mostly around 30kph from the west-southwest. The start of the count was delayed a bit due to low clouds hanging over the ridges, but that soon cleared up, at least on the east side of the valley, and the sun was able to break through the cumulus and altostratus clouds occasionally in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
It was a quiet day for raptors. All the Golden Eagles were able to glide high and quickly along the east ridge, while the Bald Eagles used both the east ridge and the west side of the valley. The totals were 11 Golden Eagles (6a, 1sa, 4u) and 5 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa, 1wb, 1j).
Two Bald Eagles, one adult and one subadult, were seen at different times hunting in the area and apparently not migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were: Canada Jay 2, Common Raven 6, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Mountain Chickadee 3, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, American Dipper 1, European Starling 1, Bohemian Waxwing 14
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 (06 Nov 2023) 17 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 7 | 19 | 103 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 10 | 96 | 3000 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 17 | 115 | 3436 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
7 visitors
Weather:
The morning was temperate with a first reading of -2.5C. It reached a high of 4.5C at 14:00 and dropped to 1C by the end of the count at 17:00. Initially the west winds at ground level were discouragingly slow but picked up a bit as the day progressed. At ridge level, wind blew from the SW all day varying between 5 and 19km/h. The assorted cirrus cloud coverage high above the ridges did not interfere with the migration but I wonder if the appearance of lenticular clouds may have something to do with the slow migration today. The sun shone through at intervals, keeping us warm and creating some thermals for the eagles.
Raptor Observations:
In spite of the fact that we only saw 10 today, I am extraordinarily satisfied that we reached 3000 GOLDEN eagles today. Most of them used the eastern route and found enough wind to gracefully glide and soar, albeit not very high. Many were escorted by the local undercover agents in black, who rushed them through the area with menacing pecks and plucks. One of the last Golden Eagles of the day tried to stop for the night on a ridge at the end of the âbumpsâ but was quickly and vigorously encouraged to continue on its way by two of the aforementioned agents. The Bald Eagles took the customary western route and valley center. In general, they lacked elevation and had to flap intensely due to the slower winds. In total: 10 Golden Eagles (7a, 1j, 2u) and 7 Bald eagles (4a, 2j, 1sa). Aging was relatively easy because they were low and flew in front of slopes. One of the local Goshawks was heard calling out in the morning. Between 15:15 and 16:30 the migratory movement intensified when ten out of today’s seventeen birds passed by.
Non-raptor Observations:
Two dippers arrived together just before 10:00 and spent the entire day with us. The juvenile delighted us with its many spontaneous and gentle outbursts of song.
3 Canada Jays, 12 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Boreal Chickadees, 2 American Dippers, 25 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 Trumpeter/Tundra Swans, 3 Pine Grosbeaks, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 20 Northern shovelers
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 2023) 17 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 7 | 91 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 15 | 62 | 2966 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 17 | 69 | 3390 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
18 Visitors stopped to talk and 3 stayed for a bit to help spot eagles.
Weather:
The temperature was 1 C at the beginning of observation, it rose to a high of 7 then fell to 6 at the end of the day. Ground wind varied between SW and NW, with a sustained speed usually around 10 km/h though a few gusts approached 40. Ridge wind was from the SW and strong with gusts up to 96. Cloud cover was 70-100%. A few low clouds clung to Mts. Kidd and Bogart which always seemed ready to bring rain or snow into the valley but never did.
Raptor Observations:
The count consisted of 15 Golden Eagles (6a, 1sa, 1ui, 7u) and 2 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa1/2). All the migrants used the eastern ridges and often gained much height kiting into the wind but usually weren’t able to maintain it for very long. They often resisted ageing by staying tucked up in a glide as they cruised along the Fisher Range. 8 migrants passing between noon and 1 pm gave us hope that movement would pick up in the afternoon. It was not to be, as only 4 more were seen after 1 pm. One resident American Goshawk was heard calling near the site in the morning and at least one adult Bald Eagle was seen flying up and down the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Trumpeter/Tundra Swans, 1 American Three-toed Woodpecker, 3 Canada Jays, 18 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Mountain Chickadees, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 2 American Dippers, 50 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 2 Common Redpolls, and 1 White-winged Crossbill
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 (03 Nov 2023) 26 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 5 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 26 | 47 | 2951 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 26 | 52 | 3373 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
About 5 people stopped to chat.
Weather:
The milder weather of today was quite welcome, warm enough to melt much of the snow that had fallen recently. The starting temperature was +2C, then it reached a high of 5C before falling to 4C by the end of the day. Ground winds were mostly calm with some strong gusts from the southwest, while ridge winds were initially very strong (81-99 kph in the morning), but decreased to moderately strong for the afternoon. There was not much sun due to thick cumulus clouds that looked threatening for much of the day, touching the top of the west ridge but staying above the east ridge. Towards the end of the day a few raindrops materialized.
Raptor Observations:
The only migrant raptors seen were 26 Golden Eagles (8a, 2sa, 1ui, 15u). A few used the west ridge, where they had to run the gauntlet of a large number of ravens (25 seen at one time), but most made good use of the strong ridge winds and sailed by high above the east ridge. The lack of sunlight and no soaring made aging challenging.
The only other raptor seen was an adult Bald Eagle which perched in a tree by the river for a while.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were: Canada Goose 22, Larus sp. 2, Northern Shrike 1, Canada Jay 2, Common Raven 30, Mountain Chickadee 1, Boreal Chickadee 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, Bohemian Waxwing 50, Pine Grosbeak 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]
