Mount Lorette (18 Apr 2023) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 18, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 42 | 128 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 23 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 316 | 1755 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 3 | 430 | 1983 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 12.63 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
A group of 16 hikers came by early in the morning, but few people were seen after that. Only six more stopped to talk. Perhaps the gloomy weather and threat of rain deterred people from coming out.
Weather:
The temperature started out cool at -7C, rose to a high of 4C, and was 3C at time of departure. Cloud coverage started out as 80% cirrostratus and gradually thickened and lowered as it became thin 100% altostratus, leaving the sky flat and grey most of the day, often with the sun visible through it. Late in the day the clouds lowered some more and began to obscure the ridges. Some sort of precipitation was forecast during the day, but none materialized. Ground winds were light and variable. Ridge winds appeared low in the morning but grew stronger during the day, allowing the local birds to move around without too much powered flight.
Raptor Observations:
Only two migrant Golden Eagles were seen (1sa, 1j), both mid-morning, using powered flight to make their way slowly to the north along the west side of the valley. Around noon a Cooper’s Hawk flew along the same path, and that was it for migrants.
There were several non-migrant Golden Eagles seen – two on the west ridge, and two on the east ridge. These were seen at various times of the day, sometimes displaying, sometimes perched high on the ridge, sometimes flying off somewhere (but not in a migration direction). All four were seen in a short period of time, so it is thought the ones on the east ridge are a different pair from those on the west ridge. A light adult Red-tailed Hawk was seen several times during the day hovering over Skogan Pass. An adult Bald Eagle appeared to be hunting near Patrick. Goshawks were seen twice – once flying low up the river with a prey item.
Non-raptor Observations:
After the weak sun had had enough time to defrost the meadow, the meadow was alive with passerines. 17 robins were counted at one point. Initially there was just a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, but by late in the morning they were joined by four more, for a total of two males and four females. The non-raptor list is: Canada Goose 5, Mallard 4, Common Merganser 2, Ruffed Grouse 1, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, Common Raven 9, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Mountain Chickadee 1, Red-breasted Nuthatch 2, American Dipper 1, European Starling 1, Mountain Bluebird 6, Varied Thrush 1, American Robin 17, American Pipit 1, White-winged Crossbill 5, Dark-eyed Junco 4
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 (17 Apr 2023) 10 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 17, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 42 | 128 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4 | 23 | 24 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 314 | 1753 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 10 | 427 | 1980 |
| Observation start time: | 05:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 20:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 14.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
Six people stopped by the site.
Weather:
At Dawn, the sky was almost cloudless and snow crystals filled the air, blown in from the snow clouds over the SW side of the valley. There was a thin layer of powder on the trail and much more was to come throughout the morning. A wind warning was in effect and the snow plumes on the ridges confirmed the very strong winds. At one point, a large snow tornado swirled on the Olympic Summit and another formed upriver. At ground level, the winds were also strong all day with gusts over 30 km/h, and even toppled over a heavy metal chair. Both ridge and ground winds blew from the SW. After 9:00 it started snowing intermittently until about 15:00 with a few very intense squalls, and it wasnât until 18:00 that the valley had clear skies and finally allowed passage for two Golden Eagles. The temperature went up and down all day between 0 and 4 degrees.
Raptor Observations:
Most of the few migrants seen today flew high over the center of the valley, but later after the snow storms passed, they used the eastern ridges. A very funny thing happened today. We were observing one of the resident Golden Eagles fly southward directly overhead and a Bald Eagle came into view heading northward passing it on the same path and at the same level as if it were a two-way highway. Migrant Raptors: 2 Golden Eagles (1a, 1u), 1 adult Bald Eagle, 4 Red-tailed Hawks (3 adults, 1 dark/intermediate adult), 1 Northern Harrier (adult female), 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2u). Non-migrant Raptors: Resident Golden Eagles were seen hunting a few times but not performing display behavior. Oddly, the resident Goshawks were neither seen nor heard the entire day. A light morph adult Red-tailed Hawk circled while hunting over the meadow and later another with the same characteristics was seen a few times kiting and soaring while hunting over Hummingbird plume. I think it might be the same one, and has set up shop in the area.
Non-raptor Observations:
Before the snowstorm, the morning meadow was teaming with activity and song. Northern flickers called out continuously for hours, Robins and Juncos sang and a pair of Mountain Bluebirds embellished the tree tops. + American Robins, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, + Common Ravens, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, + Dark-eyed Juncos 4 Canada Geese, 2 Northern Flickers. 1 Common Goldeneye, 4 Mallards, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Ruffed Grouse (tracks). Very frisky Red Squirrels.
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 (16 Apr 2023) 28 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 16, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 41 | 127 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 6 | 19 | 20 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Golden Eagle | 15 | 312 | 1751 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Merlin | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 10 | 20 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 28 | 417 | 1970 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 12.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Dave Cuthiell, Leslie Baker |
Visitors:
25 visitors stopped to talk. None came to watch raptors.
Weather:
At the start of the day it was overcast and 2C. The clouds cleared down to a low of 30% in the afternoon before increasing to 100% again by the end of observation. Ground wind was gusty from the SSW-WSW with sustained winds often between 10 and 20 km/h and some gusts between 30 and 40. Ridge wind was strong all day from the WSW. The temperature reached a high of 7 and remained there until the end. Around 7 pm a storm started moving in from the south and the weather radar showed no sign of it blowing over. The count was concluded at 7:45 pm as the arrival of rain was imminent.
Raptor Observations:
The day’s count consisted of 15 Golden Eagles (3a, 4j, 3sa, 1ui, 4u), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1u), 6 Red-tailed Hawks (1 intermediate/dark adult Harlan’s, 4 light adults of unknown race and 1u), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified eagle and 1 Merlin (probable columbarius). Migrants were flying fairly high and for most of the day used variable flight paths. Later in the day they consolidated over the east ridges. The peak was 8 Golden Eagles between 6 and 7 pm who were likely moving in advance of the oncoming storm.
Resident raptors included 1 adult Golden Eagle displaying near the eastern ridges, 1 adult Northern Goshawk and 2 adult Bald Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations:
Mallard 2 Ruffed Grouse 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 American Crow 1 Common Raven 8 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Mountain Chickadee 2 Boreal Chickadee 2 swallow sp. 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Dipper 1 European Starling 4 Mountain Bluebird 1 Varied Thrush 2 American Robin 30 Bohemian Waxwing 100 In one flock American Pipit 6 Pine Grosbeak 2 White-winged Crossbill 3 Pine Siskin 4 Dark-eyed Junco (unkown ssp.) 9 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 2 Red-winged Blackbird 1
5 Red Squirrels 1 Coyote
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 2023) 28 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 6 | 38 | 124 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 7 | 13 | 14 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 9 | 297 | 1736 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Merlin | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 2 | 9 | 19 |
| Unknown Raptor | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 28 | 389 | 1942 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 13.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Caroline Lambert, Glenn Webber |
Visitors:
About 50 people stopped to talk about the count. We were lucky to have help from Jessica and Sophie.
Weather:
The morning began clear and still at -1C. Snow blowing off the peaks of the surrounding mountains indicated strong winds from the west. Ground winds increased gradually throughout the day. By mid afternoon the temperature had risen to 5C and winds were over 10 km/h with some stronger gusts. A layer of high cirrus clouds thickened almost imperceptibly throughout the day to a solidly overcast sky by early evening. Ground winds disappeared at about the same time we lost the sun behind the mountains which made for a relatively warm end to the day.
Raptor Observations:
******* CORRECTED VERSION ******* Due to a data glitch, the numbers in the table above were not correct at time of submission. *********************************
Migrant Raptors: 9 Golden Eagles (5a, 1s, 3u), 6 Bald Eagles (2a, 1si/ii, 2siii, 1u), 7 Red-tailed Hawks (5 adults, 2 dark/intermediate adults), 2 unidentified eagles, 2 unidentified (small) accipiters, 2 unidentified raptors.
Migrants struggled all day to find an easy way north. High winds from the west blew snow off the peaks most of the day, but did not seem to be providing steady lift. Likewise, some thermal lift was in evidence, but did not seem to provide consistent aid to the raptors. Both ridges were active for most of the day. Some migrants flew over the valley itself, or were only spotted to the north. After 5pm all migrant raptors were observed to the east of the site. A handful of small migrating raptors were spotted; unfortunately, all eluded the principle observer and were otherwise unidentifiable.
Non-migrant Raptors: 2 adult Golden Eagles, 1 adult Northern Goshawk.
The resident Golden Eagle pair were somewhere in the sky for most of the day. One made excellent use of the winds by repeatedly kiting up to great heights before tucking into display dives. At times these dives were conducted with great vigour while other migrant Golden Eagles passed through the valley. We were also blessed with excellent views of one of the resident Northern Goshawk adults who flew overhead along the river clutching something furry in its talons. Thank you to Jessica for spotting this bird!
Non-raptor Observations:
It was an excellent day for avian variety. The meadow was busy early in the morning. Mountain Bluebirds, American Robins, and European Starlings were the most conspicuous. They were joined by a Western Meadowlark and at least one American Pipit. Associated songsters were Dark-eyed Junos, Varied Thrush, American Tree Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Pine Grosbeak, and White-winged Crossbill. The chickadees and nuthatches were also in attendance. An American Dipper sang from various wet places, and was accompanied by another dipper later in the day.
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 Apr 2023) 33 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 32 | 118 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 23 | 288 | 1727 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Merlin | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 33 | 361 | 1914 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 13 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
8 visitors. 1 stayed for a couple of hours and helped with spotting.
Weather:
The temperature at 0700 was -7C, reaching a high of 3C. Winds were variable and very light at both ground and ridge level. Early morning skies were clear with some cirrus clouds. Some small cumulus clouds appeared just below the western summits around mid-morning and these grew rapidly. By noon it was quite cloudy and despite spending most of the day in sunshine we were often surrounded by big cumulus and snow-bearing stratocumulus. Some light snow showers in the afternoon. Clouds started to thin from early evening.
Raptor Observations:
There was a varied raptor movement consisting of 33 birds of 8 species. However, when there was thick clouds to the north and/or south of us, we saw no migrating raptors. Golden Eagles moved on both sides of the valley, soaring and gliding, often seemingly adjusting their flight paths to avoid the worst of the weather. 23 Golden Eagles (16a, 1j, 6u), one adult Bald Eagle, a light adult Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks (2a, 1u), 1u Coopers Hawk, 1 juvenile Northern Goshawk, 1u Rough-legged Hawk, 2u Merlin, 1 intermediate, 1 dark. Resident birds were 1 adult Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle pair high soaring, hunting and performing undulating display flight high above us and a Northern Goshawk performing display flight.
Non-raptor Observations:
I did not see or hear any Varied Thrushes today. Robins and Juncos were singing most of the morning. 10 Canada Goose, 3 Common Goldeneye, 2 Common Merganser, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 19 Common Raven, 4 Black-capped Chickadee,1 Red breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 40+ European Starling, 1 Mountain Bluebird, 60+ American Robin, 3 White-winged Crossbill, 2 Pine Siskin, 11 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]
