Mount Lorette (02 Nov 2023) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 02, 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 | 0 | 21 | 2925 |
| 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: | 0 | 26 | 3347 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 10:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 0.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Neil Denton |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
None
Weather:
Low Nimbo-stratus cloud at start of day, on or below the ridge lines. During the two hours we were present, the clouds continued to lower into the valley floor.
Raptor Observations:
No possibility of raptors being spotted, identified or aged.
We called off the day at 10:30am.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Northern Shrike 2 American Dipper 3 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Brown Creeper 1 Pine Grosbeak 1 Gray-crowned Rosy Finch 1 Common Redpoll
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 (01 Nov 2023) 26 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 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 | 21 | 21 | 2925 |
| 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 | 26 | 3347 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
12 people stopped in to chat about the count, including a lovely family visiting from Tahiti who took full advantage of the excellent snowman-making conditions.
Weather:
The morning started out at -4°C, rose to +3°C by 3:00 pm, and fell to 2°C by 6:00 pm. Cirrus clouds dominated the aerial narrative once again, dissipating and building above the valley rather than transiting as usual. The ridges remained unobscured throughout the day. Light conditions were favourable for aging until we lost light after 5:00 pm. Ground winds were mild all day from a general south-westerly direction. Ridge winds were 20-30 km/h from the SW/WSW with gusts in the afternoon up to 44 km/h. Though some eagles found the lift necessary to soar and glide above ridge level, many used powered flight for supplemental or primary propulsion. Overall, the flight speed of the eagles was notably slow.
Raptor Observations:
Migrant Eagles The first two eagles of the day were observed over the western ridges after 1:00 pm; two of the last were spotted over Mt. Collembola after 5:00 pm. All others used the eastern ridges and the east side of the valley. 21 Golden Eagles: 12a, 1ui, 8u 5 Bald Eagles: 3a, 1sa1/2, 1j
Other Raptors No other migrant raptors were observed.
Non-migrant Raptors An American Goshawk was calling from the western slopes of the valley when I arrived at the parking lot in the morning.
Non-raptor Observations:
I was greeted just out of the parking lot by a chiclet flock (3 chickadee sp. + 1 kinglet sp.). The lone local Common Redpoll made numerous passes over the site through the day calling somewhat frantically. Two Canada Jays stopped in to chat about the count while two others observed the proceedings from a distance. Two American Dippers frequented the riffles next to the site, occasionally chasing each other up and down the channel. Many Common Ravens played in the air currents above the ridges and in many cases drew our attention to the migrating eagles they were harassing up there. 1 American Goshawk 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Shrike 4 Canada Jay 1 Black-billed Magpie 9 Common Raven 3 Black-capped Chickadee 11 Mountain Chickadee 6 Boreal Chickadee 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 2 American Dipper 2 Pine Grosbeak 1 Common Redpoll 1 Red Crossbill 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 (31 Oct 2023) 23 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 31, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 82 | 84 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 108 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 29 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 19 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 21 | 2747 | 2904 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 10 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 27 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 8 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 9 | 14 |
| Total: | 23 | 3072 | 3321 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.92 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Dan Parliament, James Bannon, Theresa Gawron |
Visitors:
One person stopped to ask about the count, and two others showed up with binoculars and helped spot – thanks Yumi and Dave!
Weather:
The temperature started at -10C, rose to +2C, and was -3C at the end of the day. Ridge winds were low from the southwest, only occasionally strong enough to blow snow off the west ridge. Ground winds were light most of the day, but enough to offset what little warmth came from the sun. The only clouds were cirrus, constantly changing in shape and coverage throughout the day.
Raptor Observations:
With the light ridge winds, most of the migrating raptors were making slow and laborious progress. Several of the eagles were seen using powered flight to cross the west side of the valley. The first few seen on the east side needed to use powered flight, but a few later in the day found enough uplift to glide and soar above the east ridge. Of the migrants, 21 were Golden Eagles (13a, 1j, 7u), and two were Bald Eagles (1a, 1j).
Early in the day a subadult Bald Eagle was perched on a tree by the river, and later two adult Bald Eagles flew north down the river. The local adult American Goshawk was seen hunting over Hummingbird Plume, and the juvenile was seen briefly as it disappeared into the nearby forest.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen were two gulls heading west (possible Herring Gulls), the usual 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, about 15 ravens (frequently harassing the migrating eagles), 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, the American Dipper, about 25 Bohemian Waxwings, a couple of Pine Grosbeaks across the river, 1 lonely Common Redpoll, and a couple of slate-coloured 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 (30 Oct 2023) 15 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 8 | 80 | 82 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 108 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 29 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 19 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 7 | 2726 | 2883 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 10 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 27 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 8 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 9 | 14 |
| Total: | 15 | 3049 | 3298 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
One very interested man showed us a picture he’d taken of a raptor. It was Golden Eagle! A large number of young students passed by the site.
Weather:
The day started out on the chilly side at -14.5 and reached -2 at 15:00, falling short of the forecast. It stayed at that temperature for the rest of the afternoon and only fell to -3 at sunset when we finished. The storybook cirrus clouds painted many tales throughout the day increasing in thickness until a 100 % layer was formed by 17:00. Luckily it was a cirrus layer and none of the ridges were affected. The wind was very slow and even calm at times and consequently, there was very little raptor movement. The wind speed did pick up a bit after 15:00 and brought with it a few more raptors. Those that ventured out had to flap their way south and were seen low on the slopes or ridge level at most.
Raptor Observations:
All of the Goldens glided along the Eastern route and the Balds flapped laboriously along the Western slopes. One Bald glided low along Valley Center. 7 adult Golden Eagles, 8 Bald Eagles, (3a, 4j, 1sa) We also saw the two resident Goshawks, one adult and one juvenile.
Non-raptor Observations:
My binocularâs field of view today came with Ravens included with every sweep. Iâm sure it must have been a regional celebration concerning freedom of flight for Ravens. Near the end of the day, we even witnessed a harassment event involving two Ravens and a lone Golden over the bumps. Non-human visitors to the site included two Wihsakecahkw, doing of course what they are known best for, scavenging campsites, and the sweetest little short-tailed weasel with its triangular clown eyes and black-tipped tail. It seemed to be involved in the same activity as the birds, checking out tidbits in the snow and investigating Lynetteâs backpack. Other birds seen were: a White-throated Sparrow, a Ruffed Grouse, an American Dipper, 5 Ducks sp. 2 American Robins, a Woodpecker(maybe Downy), 7 Bohemian Waxwings, 10 Pine Siskins, 1 Pine Grosbeak, 1 Magpie and a few 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 (29 Oct 2023) 101 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 29, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 10 | 72 | 74 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 108 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 29 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 19 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 91 | 2719 | 2876 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 10 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 27 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 8 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 9 | 14 |
| Total: | 101 | 3034 | 3283 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.25 hours |
| Official Counter | James Bannon |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich, Theresa Gawron |
Visitors:
12
Weather:
Our start time at 8:15am was cold, temperature at -14C, humidity 53% and clear skies. The west ridge lit up with sun but as the sun rose the moisture in the air became cirrostratus cloud, cutting off our sunshine, until the sun finally rose over Fisher Range and dried out the air, humidity lowering to 32% for most of the rest of the day. Temperature rose to -2C in the late afternoon. Clouds disappeared with several strands of lenticular cloud showing up over Mt Lorette for a brief period in the afternoon. We finished at 6:30 pm.
Winds were light to missing altogether at ground level, mostly from the S, SW.
Raptor Observations:
Flight paths were irregular, with most birds flying mid valley level, landing on Patrick at treeline and desperately hugging the rock to finally gain opposite ridge. Four GE stopped to take a break on the rock. Other birds came from Baldy direction, flew towards Hummingbird plume and over the ski hill. One Bald Eagle was high on ridge top but most others flew up the valley over the Kananaskis river N to S. Flight speeds were slow and many of the birds flapping. One of the eagles took over 5 mins to cross the valley at the end of the day to potentially land near Olympic summit ridge where he was attacked by a treachery of Ravens! Majority of the birds were adults. It was an excellent golden light show with sun bouncing off the ground snow and lighting them up even on the undersides!
Totals were: 91 Golden Eagles (63a, 9sa, 7j, 12u) and 10 Bald Eagles (7a, 2sa3, 1j).
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: gull (sp), Robin, Townsend solitaire, Junco, Redpoll & Pine Grosbeak
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 (28 Oct 2023) 22 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 62 | 64 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 108 | 138 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 29 | 33 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 19 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Golden Eagle | 21 | 2628 | 2785 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 10 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 27 | 45 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 8 | 9 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 9 | 14 |
| Total: | 22 | 2933 | 3182 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Caroline Lambert, Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
18 people stopped to talk, none came to watch migration.
Weather:
The temperature was -15 C at the start of observation, it warmed to -4, then fell to -5 as we were leaving. Ground wind was light and varied between SW and NW. Ridge wind hardly exceeded 20 km/h and varied between W and N. Cloud cover was 90-100% throughout the day. The clouds occasionally threatened to lower, resulting in haze partially obscuring some peaks. A few flakes of snow fell late in the day but no significant precipitation occurred.
Raptor Observations:
The days count totaled 22 migrants including 21 Golden Eagles (10a, 3sa, 8u) and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk. Weather conditions were poor for migration. The lack of wind or thermals kept the migrants low using primarily powered flight, and a few even landed to rest. One landed on a tree high on the Fisher Range just after 4:30 pm and apparently didn’t think it was worth continuing as it was still there when we left the site near sunset. The migrating eagles used the eastern ridges, low enough to pass in front of or behind the mountain peaks. The local juvenile American Goshawk made several very close flybys while hunting near the site. At least two Bald Eagles were hanging around the area, one immature bird and one or more adults seen several times.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: 4 Trumpeter Swans, 2 Common Mergansers, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Canada Jays, 7 Common Ravens, 1 American Dipper, 1 Evening Grosbeak, 3 Pine Grosbeaks, 2 Common Redpolls, 1 White-winged Crossbill, 6 American Tree Sparrows, and 5 Dark-eyed Juncos. A Short-tailed weasel made two appearances near the site, carrying a mouse or vole both times.
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]
