Mount Lorette (29 Oct 2024) 16 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 29, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 60 | 71 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 16 | 2308 | 2571 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 16 | 2515 | 2838 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
There were six visitors
Weather:
The opening temperature at 0900 hrs (MDT) was 0 C, increasing to + 4 C at 1500 hrs (MDT). The ground winds were predominantly from the SW at 0-5 km/hr and increasing to 5-10 km/hr in the later afternoon. The ridge winds were WSW at 30 with gusts as high as 60 km/hr. The upper winds were assessed as S to SW “Low” increasing to “Med” around noon. For the first hour both ridges were obscured and low cloud hung over the valley. The clouds cleared the ridges after 1000 hrs (MDT) leading to a blue sky day in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
A total of 16 migrant Golden Eagles were observed during the day (Adults x 12, Subadult x 1, Juvenile x 1, Unaged x 2). A resident adult Bald Eagle was observed flying low over the valley in a Northerly direction. The first migrant was spotted at 1211 hrs (MDT) and the peak hour of six Golden Eagles was between 1600-1700 hrs (MDT). The migration flight was over the East Ridges, and was generally low and often through the face with some flapping.
Non-raptor Observations:
Three-toed Woodpecker x 1, Hairy woodpecker x 1, Canada Jay x 1, Common Raven x 10, Black capped Chickadee x 1, Boreal Chickadee x 2, American Dipper x 1, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch x 40
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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 (29 Oct 2024) 16 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 29, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 60 | 71 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 16 | 2308 | 2571 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 16 | 2515 | 2838 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
There were six visitors
Weather:
The opening temperature at 0900 hrs (MDT) was 0 C, increasing to + 4 C at 1500 hrs (MDT). The ground winds were predominantly from the SW at 0-5 km/hr and increasing to 5-10 km/hr in the later afternoon. The ridge winds were WSW at 30 with gusts as high as 60 km/hr. The upper winds were assessed as S to SW “Low” increasing to “Med” around noon. For the first hour both ridges were obscured and low cloud hung over the valley. The clouds cleared the ridges after 1000 hrs (MDT) leading to a blue sky day in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
A total of 16 migrant Golden Eagles were observed during the day (Adults x 12, Subadult x 1, Juvenile x 1, Unaged x 2). A resident adult Bald Eagle was observed flying low over the valley in a Northerly direction. The first migrant was spotted at 1211 hrs (MDT) and the peak hour of six Golden Eagles was between 1600-1700 hrs (MDT). The migration flight was over the East Ridges, and was generally low and often through the face with some flapping.
Non-raptor Observations:
Three-toed Woodpecker x 1, Hairy woodpecker x 1, Canada Jay x 1, Common Raven x 10, Black capped Chickadee x 1, Boreal Chickadee x 2, American Dipper x 1, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch x 40
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 (28 Oct 2024) 36 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 60 | 71 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 33 | 2292 | 2555 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 36 | 2499 | 2822 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Glenn Webber |
Visitors:
7
Weather:
It was a serene fall morning which started out calm, then winds gradually increased throughout the day blowing light snow sprinkles from the west. A squall finally invaded the meadow at around 1500 hrs (MDT) after which the weather slowly returned to the early matinal conditions. Ground winds blew from the SW and WSW ranging from 1-10 km/h. At ridge level, winds were strong from the SW and WSW with gusts up to 76 km/h at times. Cloud coverage ranged from 50-90% and consisted of a combination of cumulus, cirrus, altostratus, and cirrocumulus. The western ridges were partially covered all day between 10 and 90%, while the eastern ridges were only affected during the snowstorm. The temperature started at 2C, rose to 6C at 1400 hrs (MDT), and fell to 4C by the end of the count.
Raptor Observations:
A pair of Golden Eagles appeared just before 10:00 (MDT), gliding from Mt. Lorette to the Fisher range and off to the South. Most of the migrants appeared to come from the Wasooch area, then glided to the North Fisher range and disappeared behind the peaks without following the ridges towards Mt McDougal. Throughout the day the flight elevation varied depending on the wind speed. For the most part, they flew just above the ridges but near the end of the count, they came in a bit higher. Some flew in and out, around and about the peaks of the North Fisher âBumpsâ. The final count was 33 Golden Eagles (27 adults, 2 subadults, 1 juvenile, 3 unaged). American Goshawk 1, Northern Harrier 1. Unknown Accipiter (Large) 1. We had three sightings of a resident Golden Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
Today the local Belted King Fisher seemed to need our company and spent a lot of time near us fishing, sleeping, and chattering as it flew to different trees. There seemed to be fewer Ravens (6) in the area and at one point two pairs flew together, mirroring each other in courtship. A solitary Black-capped Chickadee flew down to the bushes by the river. Other birds included 4 Dark-eyed juncos and a small flock of Pine Siskins. 2 Canada Jays.
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 (27 Oct 2024) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 27, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 60 | 71 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 2259 | 2522 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 0 | 2463 | 2786 |
(No count conducted today)
Weather:
Snow throughout the morning was followed by rainy periods, keeping clouds low and observation impossible for most of the day. No count was conducted.
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 (26 Oct 2024) 48 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 26, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 60 | 71 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 75 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Golden Eagle | 39 | 2259 | 2522 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Total: | 48 | 2463 | 2786 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Jennifer Brand |
Visitors:
25 visitors stopped to talk and 14 came to watch migration. Thanks to Joseph, Jim & the Wild Bird Store Group, and everyone else, come back anytime!
Weather:
The temperature was 5 C at the beginning of observation, it rose to 9, and was 8 at the end. Cloud cover was 50-80% cumulus, altocumulus and cirrus. The wind was very strong from the southwest, with gusts close to 50 km/h at ground level, which easily could have have blown over spotting scopes if they weren’t tied down to rocks, and would have blown chairs into the river if they weren’t tied to the kiosk. At ridge level sustained wind was almost always over 100 and gusts were much stronger. At 10 AM the ridge wind was at 130 km/h gusting to 171, which is the highest reading I’ve seen from the Nakiska ridgetop weather station.
Raptor Observations:
The extremely strong wind pushed most of the eagles extremely high into the sky. Those birds used the updrafts off Mt. Lorette and peaks farther north to kite so high that they seemed to detach from the ridge systems, flying several binocular fields of view above the mountains and over the valley, often passing above the lowest layers of cumulus cloud. Golden Eagles are very steady fliers in strong wind, but they teetered like Turkey Vultures as they were catapulted upwards from the updrafts off the SW slope of Mt. Lorette, and the few that were down closer to the mountains seemed to encounter more turbulence and struggled to make headway. Most Golden Eagles stayed tucked up kiting and gliding at great height and speed so were impossible to age, and difficult to spot. Movement was steady from 9:30 AM to 2 PM but slowed after. The last migrant was counted at 4:05 PM.
The total count was 39 Golden Eagles (6 adults, 1 Juvenile, 3 undifferentiated immature, 29 unaged), 4 Bald Eagles, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 unidentified accipiter and 2 unidentified eagles. One Golden Eagle and one Bald Eagle flying north were considered non-migrants.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 5 Common Ravens, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 American Dipper, 1 Redpoll, 1 White-wined Crossbill, 4 Pine Siskins, and 1 Lapland Longspur.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
