Mount Lorette (08 Oct 2025) 55 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 21 | 25 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 5 | 24 | 54 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 7 | 13 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 9 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Golden Eagle | 45 | 873 | 1015 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 55 | 961 | 1206 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11.13 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton, Peter Lloyd |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Around 80 people passed by today, the majority of which stopped to chat. Several people stayed to help watch for a while, and an education group of ~30 schoolchildren passed by quickly.
Weather:
Ridge winds were extremely low today, getting down to just 7km/h at one point! They were predominantly from the SW, in contrast to the northerly winds at ground level. Swaths of cumulus clouds came and went throughout the day without threatening too much, and the temperature held between 5 and 9 degrees. The pressure meter barely shifted from 0851 throughout the day. There were some low clouds which obscured the Western ridges for a while, but these dissipated after an hour or so.
Raptor Observations:
Golden Eagles moved through late – only a couple came through before 2pm, these being split between the ridges and flying laboriously and low. Between 14:00 and 16:30 around 35 eagles passed through. They were mostly picked up at Lorette and followed the Eastern ridge, relatively low. A couple Sharp-shinned Hawks were scattered in, two Bald Eagles flew the ridges, and a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk was a nice sighting. A Rough-legged Hawk following the Eastern slope of the valley makes for the first of the season!
Residents included 1 Golden Eagle and the adult Goshawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
A small handful of passerines migrated along the valley, as well as some Canada Geese high overhead. A Common Loon flew determinedly along the ridge, in the complete wrong direction.
Other notable birds include 2 White-winged Crossbills, 9 Golden-crowned Kinglets, a female Common Merganser, and a Wilson’s Warbler.
Report submitted by Ethan Denton (ethan@suechick.com)
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (07 Oct 2025) 215 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 19 | 23 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 19 | 49 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 6 | 12 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 8 | 30 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 206 | 828 | 970 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 215 | 906 | 1151 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11.03 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
We thank everyone who came with binoculars and helped us spot the eagles. There were about 40 people altogether, including several groups of children who seemed to be enjoying their unplanned freedom from school.
Weather:
It was another mild day with comfortable temperatures and little wind. Although the starting temperature was 0C, as soon as the sun came over the ridge it warmed up rapidly to a high of 17C. It was 9C as we left, shortly before sunset. Ground winds were light, mostly from the southwest, and ridge winds mostly moderate and also from the southwest. The upper level clouds moved from the west. A smattering of cumulus clouds early on gave way to almost complete coverage of cirrostratus clouds, which in turn dissipated until there were no clouds, but then built up again before we left.
Raptor Observations:
The large flight of eagles from yesterday continued today from sunrise until early afternoon – an unusual day in that the majority of the birds (143) were seen in the morning and early afternoon, and only 63 in the afternoon and early evening. The first eagles were seen at 0750, and the last at 1845. The total was 206 Golden Eagles (93a, 18sa, 3j, 18ui, 74u). There was enough wind that very little soaring was needed, presenting the usual aging challenges as the majority of the eagles glided quickly over the east ridge without showing us much of their plumage. Other migrating raptors were 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j), one adult American Goshawk, one Sharp-shinned Hawk, two unidentified small accipitrine hawks, and one unidentified eagle. Just two non-migrants were spotted – an adult Golden Eagle and an adult American Goshawk, both seen hunting over Hummingbird Plume.
Non-raptor Observations:
With the focus on the eagles on the east ridge, there was little time to look for or pay attention to anything else. There are still a few flocks of small birds heading south. Other birds were one Ruffed Grouse, one Hairy Woodpecker, one Pileated Woodpecker, one Clark’s Nutcracker, six Common Ravens, one Mountain Chickadee, and three American Robins.
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 Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (06 Oct 2025) 329 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 06, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 15 | 19 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 6 | 18 | 48 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 5 | 11 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 8 | 30 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 315 | 622 | 764 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 329 | 691 | 936 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Neil Denton, Tiina Moore |
Visitors:
There were 25 visitors. Several of the visitors remained at the site to assist with counting and identification. Special thanks to George Halmazna for the early morning assistance. The observers were delighted with the young children visitors who asked many questions, and donned binoculars to assist with the observation.
Weather:
The opening temperature was -2 C and increasing to 11 C during the mid afternoon. The ground winds were from the SW at 1-5 km/hr increasing to 6-10 km/hr later in the afternoon. The ridge winds were assessed to be from the North at “Medium” (11-40 km/hr). The Northerly ridge winds likely assisted in the migration, as the raptors came across the valley from Mt Lorette, and entered low on the face of “Patrick”, and with much soaring and circling gained elevation above the ridges to glide across to the “Bumps”. The high winds were from the SW or WSW and generally less than 40 km/hr.
Raptor Observations:
The total raptor flight was 329 birds and was comprised of 315 Golden Eagles, 3 Bald Eagles, 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 1 American Goshawk, 2 Merlin and 1 unidentified raptor. The Golden Eagle flight of 315 was comprised of 182 adults, 51 juveniles, and 82 unaged birds. Fifty-two of the unaged Golden Eagles were identified in the last 30 minutes of the count when the volume of migrants and the poor lighting before sunset resulted in much silhouetting of the migrants. The final 75 minutes of the observation period resulted in a count of 107 Golden Eagles.
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]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (05 Oct 2025) 184 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 05, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 12 | 16 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 12 | 42 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 8 | 30 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 178 | 307 | 449 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 184 | 362 | 607 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich, Caroline Lambert |
Visitors:
It was one of the busiest days Iâve ever seen and very special because so many people came with binoculars to help. A special shout out to two sisters, Amanda and Samantha Littler who spent most of the day with us, Nancy and Christen, Katrina and Michael and Sloane. Thanks, Ryan for taking pictures which helped us and thanks to Nikhil who was working on his film project today. Thanks Caroline for coming out yet again!
Weather:
At the start of the count the temperature was â3C, gradually rising to +6C by 17:00 and dropping to +3C by the end of the day. There was no wind at ground level until noon after which it averaged between 1-5 Km/h from the SSW for the rest of the day. The ridge winds were also low from the SW until 12:00, medium until 16:00 then stronger (43 gusting to 52) after 17:00. A few small cumulous clouds partially covered some of the west ridges until 15:00 and by 17:00 altocumulus clouds started filling sky. The eastern ridges were clear all day and the west mountains were only partially (up to 30%) covered until 15:00, then clear for the rest of the day.
*note times mentioned here are DST
Raptor Observations:
The morning was very slow, probably due to the storm that blew through the area yesterday afternoon. A sharp-shinned hawk was our first raptor of the day at 12:00, but we had to wait until 13:05 for the first eagle to arrive. After that, things kept getting busier and eventually borderline crazy. Before 14:00 we only had 15 migrants, then from 14:00 to 19:00 we found the remaining 169. The highest count was from 16:00 â 18:00 with 114 migrants, and final count was 184 migrants in total: 178 Golden Eagles (104 a, 12 sa, 36 j, 25 u, 1 ui), 5 Bald Eagles, and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk. One of the resident Golden Eagles was seen, as well as an American Goshawk, hunting over Hummingbird Plume. All except for 2 birds were found along the eastern ridges. Coming from Lorette, they flew into the face of Mt. Patrick and worked their way over to North Fisher where many disappeared behind or flew off to South Fisher and disappeared.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Northern Shrike, 1 Varied Thrush, 12 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 5 Clarkâs Nutcrackers, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 58 American Robins, One flock of Pine Siskins, Swamp Sparrow.
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 (04 Oct 2025) 30 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 7 | 11 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 11 | 41 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 8 | 30 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 20 | 129 | 271 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 30 | 178 | 423 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.85 hours |
| Official Counter | Cameron Harvey |
| Observers: | Caroline Lambert, Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
30 visitors stopped to say hi and ask about the count. 4 visitors stopped for a brief amount of time to help spot with binoculars. 2 visitors helped spot for several hours and found several eagles, thank-you Daniel and Kari!
Weather:
The day’s temperature started at 2 C and rose to a high of 8 C. Despite an ominous forecast, the morning started out beautiful. The skies became overcast by noon, but the weather held on until 16:45 MST when the forecasted cold front hit with driving sleet and thunder. Ground winds were generally from the north and were calm/light for most of the day. Ridgetop winds were generally calm/light with Nakiska weather station recording dead calm for several hours during the count, which must be a rare event.
Raptor Observations:
The count consisted of 20 Golden Eagles (9a,4sa,1j,4ua,2 undifferentiated immature), 1 Bald Eagle (juvenile), 2 Cooper’s Hawk, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Unknown Accipiter, 2 Unknown small raptor. A resident Goshawk was seen over Nakiska. Flightpath was variable during the day with a fairly even split between East and West ridges. A common theme was low flight paths and slower than normal travel likely due to the lack of ridgetop winds.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non raptor observations included: 19 Canada Geese, 2 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Varied Thrush, 40+ American Robins, 150+ Pine Siskins, 11 Common Ravens, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 American Dippers, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Blue Jay
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 Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
