Mount Lorette (16 Apr 2024) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 16, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 19 | 78 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 11 | 12 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 18 | 21 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 183 | 1768 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 0 | 246 | 1919 |
(No count conducted today)
Weather:
Low clouds and snow all day prevented observation again.
Raptor Observations:
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 (15 Apr 2024) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 19 | 78 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 11 | 12 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 18 | 21 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 183 | 1768 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 2 | 246 | 1919 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.23 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
A number of people walked by, but only four stopped to talk to us.
Weather:
The weather was warm and breezy, with no indication of the incoming storm. The temperature started at 6C, rose to 12C and was 11C when we left. The roughly 50% to 75% cloud cover consisted mostly of cumulus clouds moving quickly from the west. Ground winds were calm from the west to southwest in the morning and moderate in the afternoon, but few gusts were above 20kph. The ridges stayed clear all day. Ridge winds were probably not strong, but it was hard to tell with only two migrants spotted and no blowing snow.
Raptor Observations:
Only two migrant raptors were observed, both Golden Eagles (1a, 1j). The adult was seen soaring over Nakiska and then disappearing to the northeast. The juvenile was low on the east ridge, but nice to see as juveniles have been so scarce recently.
The usual crew of non-migrant raptors were seen periodically throughout the day – two adult Golden Eagles, two adult Red-tailed Hawks, at least one adult Bald Eagle, and one subadult Bald Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
A Fox Sparrow singing from the other side of the river was a nice start to the day. A Savannah Sparrow was another first-of-season bird. The non-raptor list:
Mallard 2, Ruffed Grouse 2 (Drumming), American Three-toed Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, American Crow 1, Common Raven 7, Black-capped Chickadee 1, Mountain Chickadee 1, Boreal Chickadee 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, American Robin 11, Fox Sparrow 1, Dark-eyed Junco 8, Dark-eyed Junco (cismontanus) 4, Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 8, Savannah Sparrow 1
Predictions:
A snowfall warning for the area is a good indication there will be no observation tomorrow!
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 (14 Apr 2024) 15 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 19 | 78 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 11 | 12 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| American Goshawk | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 18 | 21 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 6 | 181 | 1766 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 15 | 244 | 1917 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Jessica Banas |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich |
Visitors:
There were about 22 visitors to the site who stopped by to chat throughout the day, with 3 who took some time to spot with us.
Weather:
Overall the weather was quite sunny and warm with a light clouds slowly covering more and more sky throughout the day – which made it challenging to find birds as they were often in and out of the cloud cover. The temperature started at 3C and rose to 13C. The winds on the ground were light and grew stronger throughout the day, primarily from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
It was a slow start for eagle migration today, not a single golden was seen until 1pm, when a local bird was seen on the west ridges. The first golden eagle migrants were seen just before 3pm, with a few more moving through in the same hour – but no further movement. For Golden Eagles there were 6 total (3sa, 1a, 2u). There were a number of Sharp-Shinned Hawks moving through the valley (1a, 1j, 1u), 2 Bald Eagles (1 sa3, 1 sa4), 1 Swainsons Hawk (1a), 1 Red-Tailed Hawk (1a), and 2 Goshawks (a). There were a few local Bald Eagles seen multiple times through the day, as well as a local Golden Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
It was very exciting to see two Comma Butterflies today! There was also another small, dark gray, unidentified butterfly seen. It was a lovely day for passerines, although the valley was quiet for most of the afternoon, the morning was fruitful: 2 Canada Goose, 2 Common Merganser, 1 Say’s Phoebe, 9 Common Raven, 5 Black-Capped Chickadee, 5 Mountain Chickadee, 3 Boreal Raven, 3 Tree Swallow, 3 Golden-Crowned Kinglet, 1 Red-Breasted Nuthatch, 6 American Robin, 15 Bohemian Waxwing, 5 Dark-eyed Junco, 1 Red-winged Blackbird, 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]
Mount Lorette (13 Apr 2024) 7 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 17 | 76 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 4 | 175 | 1760 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 7 | 229 | 1902 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.58 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
At least 60 visitors stopped to talk. 3 stayed for a bit to look for migrants.
Weather:
The temperature was 7 C at the start of observation, and it rose to a high of 13 by the end of the day. Ridge wind was strong from the WSW. Ground wind was blustery from the SSW, with a few gusts exceeding 30 km/h. Cloud cover varied between 40% and 75%.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was slow, despite what seemed to be favorable weather conditions. The count for the day was 4 Golden Eagles (2 sub-adults, 2 unaged), 1 immature Bald Eagle, 1 u Sharp-shinned Hawk, and 1 adult Cooper’s Hawk. All of them used the east ridges or valley. Their exact routes were variable but none were especially high.
At least one of the local Golden Eagles was seen several times, once displaying north of Hummingbird Plume Hill. A subadult Bald Eagle was hunting along the river near the site. One of the resident Goshawks was also seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: 2 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 American Crows, 6 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 2 Tree Swallows, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5 American Robins, 30 Bohemian Waxwings, 3 Common Redpolls, 1 Dark-eyed Junco (cismontanus), 15 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon), and 5 Dark-eyed Junco (unknown ssp.)
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 (12 Apr 2024) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 16 | 75 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 3 | 171 | 1756 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 3 | 222 | 1895 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.62 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
Only two people stopped to ask about the count.
Weather:
The temperature started at 4C, rose to 9C, and was 8C at departure time. Cumulus clouds raced across the sky all day from the west, with cirrus clouds above, ranging from 50% coverage of the sky to 100%. Both ridges were clear in the morning, but by mid-afternoon the west ridge was variably hidden by clouds and rain (or snow), with some of the rain drops reaching us. Ground winds were calm in the morning, but increased to about 30kph, from the west, in the afternoon. Snow was blowing off the ridges in the afternoon, particularly on the west ridge. Mountains to the south were hidden from view during the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Despite apparently good migration conditions, only 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1u) were seen migrating. All three flew high above the east ridge. No other migrants were seen.
Throughout the day there were a number of sightings of two Red-tailed Hawks (keeping company with each other). One resident Golden Eagle was seen several times. Two adult Bald Eagles were seen together over the east ridge, but did not appear to be migrating. A couple of American Goshawks flew west across Hummingbird Plume together, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk appeared to be looking for prey close to us to the north. So there were quite a few raptors to look at, but only the three Golden Eagles were heading in a northerly direction.
Non-raptor Observations:
On a sad note – it appears that very few of the willows along the river bank are producing flowers (the fuzzy white “pussies” or catkins). My guess is that due to the low level of water in the river, the water table is low, and these water-loving plants are not getting enough water. Hopefully most of them will survive this period of drought.
Species other than raptors were plentiful: Canada Goose 2, Common Merganser 2, Ruffed Grouse 2 (both drumming), Pileated Woodpecker 1, Northern Shrike 1, Canada Jay 1, American Crow 2, Common Raven 4, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Mountain Chickadee 3, Boreal Chickadee 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, Mountain Bluebird 4 (2m, 2f), Varied Thrush 3, American Robin 11, Bohemian Waxwing 9, Dark-eyed Junco 12
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 (11 Apr 2024) 9 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 16 | 75 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 6 | 168 | 1753 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 9 | 219 | 1892 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Jessica Banas |
| Observers: | Caroline Lambert, Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
We had 7 visitors throughout the day who stopped to talk, but otherwise the trail was quiet. Special thanks to our Observer Caroline for stopping by in the afternoon.
Weather:
The sky was covered by high clouds for the whole day, with some haze over the west ridges. The temperature started at 3C and rose to 8C towards the end of the day. The winds would gust quite a bit on the ground but it was hard to get a sense of the ridge winds with the cloud cover and haze.
Raptor Observations:
Two migrating golden eagles were seen early into the count, with none seen again until 4pm (3a, 3sa). There were a number of Sharp-shinned hawks migrating (2j, 1a). A couple of local bald eagles were seen mid-afternoon (1a, 1sa), and a local merlin was seen as well (1a taiga male).
Non-raptor Observations:
What a wonderful passerine observation day! We were treated to many visitors in the valley this afternoon. Some early male red-winged blackbirds were seen early in the morning, 4 Mountain Bluebirds stopped by to the delight of some visitors, and over 30 juncos were seen at once sitting on the trail in the afternoon. Suddenly, the valley became very quiet and a Northern Shrike made an appearance, perching at various spots along the river. There were also three white-tailed deer seen a number of times throughout the day, in the valley or river. The true highlight were two Mink seen multiple times throughout the afternoon running together through the rocks on the rivers edge, and swimming up and down river. Other observations: 2 Canada Geese, 2 Common Merganser, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Shrike, 4 Common Raven, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4 Mountain Bluebird, 2 Varied Thrush, 4 American Robin, 31 Bohemian Waxwing, 34 Dark-eyed Junco, 2 Red-winged Blackbird.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
