Mount Lorette (24 Mar 2024) 158 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 24, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 6 | 45 | 45 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 150 | 1289 | 1289 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 158 | 1357 | 1357 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Glenn Webber |
Visitors:
30 visitors stopped to talk. Thanks to Jim, Chris, Isaiah, and one other person for helping to spot migrants!
Weather:
The temperature was -10 C at the beginning of observation, it warmed to -1 in the afternoon, then fell to -3 by the end. Ground wind was from the NW, usually below 10 km/hr with some gusts between 10 and 20. Ridge wind was from the N-NE, 40 km/h or lower. Until 2 PM Low cumulus cloud covered most of the west ridges and part of the east ridges. Cloud cover in the sky varied between 10 and 30%. There was no precipitation.
Raptor Observations:
The count for the day was 150 Golden Eagles (94 adults, 6 sub-adults, 50 unaged), 6 Bald Eagles (5 adults & 1 sub-adult), 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, and 1 Red-tailed Hawk. Almost half of them passed in two hours between 12:45 PM and 2:45 PM. Movement was slower but steady after that. Until 4 PM almost all of them were on the western ridges and over the west side of the valley, where backlit conditions made ageing difficult. Between 4 and 5 PM migrants were spotted on both ridges. After 5 they had transitioned to the eastern ridges, where they usually flew low, passing in front of or behind the Fisher Range.
Local raptors included one Golden Eagle that was soaring around the southern flank of Olympic Summit before flying south, one adult Bald Eagle, and one adult American Goshawk doing a display flight over the west side of the valley.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: 30 White-headed gull sp. flying high over the Fisher Range, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 7 Common Ravens, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Boreal Chickadees, 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 3 American Robins, and 1 Song Sparrow. 7 White-tailed deer were also seen.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (23 Mar 2024) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 39 | 39 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1139 | 1139 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 0 | 1199 | 1199 |
| Observation start time: | 08:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 10:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 1.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Jessica Banas |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
No visitors today.
Weather:
The forecast was not looking great but we ventured to the site. Unfortunately both the ridges were completely covered by low thick clouds and the forecast did not seem to offer improvement for the rest of the day, so the count was ended early.
Raptor Observations:
The ridges were entirely obscured but there was one local bald eagle flying low over the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
There were some active passerines in the valley: 2 Black-Capped Chickadees, 12 Starlings, 2 Common Merganser
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (22 Mar 2024) 36 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 22, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 39 | 39 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 23 | 1139 | 1139 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 6 | 11 | 11 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 36 | 1199 | 1199 |
| Observation start time: | 10:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch, Rosemary Power |
| Observers: | Annie Finch, Caroline Lambert, Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
We had no visitors other than a scheduled school group in the early afternoon and a few intrepid cross country skiers who didnât break while stride gliding by.
Weather:
The morning started out at -5°C, rose to -4°C by noon, and fell back down to -5°C by 6 pm. Clouds obscured most of the ridges all day; most raptors were spotted higher up over the valley or low in front of the Bumps or Patrick. The poor light (during peak movement) and visual interference from the falling snow made aging challenging at times. Despite the sky above occasionally revealing blue sky, it snowed the whole time we were at the site. Cold NE winds blew steadily up river.
Raptor Observations:
The beginning of the count was delayed today by road and weather conditions. The peak of migrant activity today was in the 2 oâclock hour when 14 raptors were observed moving north; the following hours produced 9 and then 8. As the weather improved through the afternoon the movement of raptors dwindled to nothing. A total of 36 migrant raptors were recorded.
Migrant Eagles
23 Golden Eagles: 17a, 6u 4 Bald Eagles: 3a, 1sa 6 Undifferentiated Eagles
Migrant Raptors
1 Rough-legged Hawk (dark morph) 2 Undifferentiated Buteos
Non-migrant Raptors
Two Golden Eagles appeared repeatedly over the south flank of Olympic Summit in the afternoon; it was unclear whether their lingering was due to the cloud-shrouded western ridges or if they are the returning resident pair. Another odd couple has been observed at the site for the past three days. Two Bald Eagles, an adult and an immature, kept us on our toes all day. The immature bird is very dark, with white axillaries only visible under optimal conditions. This bird further confounded by presenting with a light carpal bar. It also appears to be moulting.
Non-raptor Observations:
25 European Starlings Black cap chickadee Mountain Chickadee 1 Common Raven
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Mount Lorette (21 Mar 2024) 5 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 35 | 35 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Golden Eagle | 3 | 1116 | 1116 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 5 | 1163 | 1163 |
| Observation start time: | 12:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 1.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Rosemary Power |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
There were two school classes visiting, totalling 29 participants.
Weather:
It was an interesting day. The scheduled principal observer had called off the count due to a forecast of low clouds and snow all day, and roads that were covered in snow. However, the count coordinator bravely drove out to the site due to a previously arranged obligation to meet with a school group. Fortuitously, the clouds thinned a bit during the time she was at the site, temporarily improving visibility and allowing an occasional view of the ridges. The temperature at the site during this time was -2C. By the time the school visit was over, the clouds had closed in again and snow was falling.
Raptor Observations:
Two juvenile Golden Eagles were low on Nakiska, one subadult Golden Eagle headed north, plus one adult Bald Eagle, and an unidentified eagle.
The resident American Goshawk was seen, plus a pair of Bald Eagles – one adult and one immature – along the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
Three starlings had taken refuge in the kiosk. Two Common Mergansers were spotted heading north.
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 (20 Mar 2024) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 20, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 34 | 34 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1113 | 1113 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 0 | 1158 | 1158 |
(No count conducted today)
Weather:
The Kananaskis/Canmore/Calgary area was under a regional snowfall warning today. Continuous low cloud and ongoing snowy conditions did not permit conducting meaningful observation activities.
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]
