Mount Lorette (17 Oct 2024) 186 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 42 | 53 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 69 | 87 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 11 | 11 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 9 | 17 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 2 | 11 | 11 |
| Golden Eagle | 181 | 1762 | 2025 |
| 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 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 186 | 1929 | 2252 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.2 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Rosemary Power |
Visitors:
About 12 visitors stopped to learn about the count, including several who stayed a while to look for eagles.
Weather:
It was another cool day with temperatures ranging from 1C to 5C, finishing at 2C. It was warm enough when the sun was shining, but it kept hiding behind clouds, and the wind, although light, didn’t help. Ground winds were never higher than about 15kph from the west to southwest. Ridge winds were light to moderate, mostly from the southwest. Cloud cover was stratocirrus and cumulus, with the stratocirrus clouds over the east ridge in the morning, gradually giving way to blue sky. The clouds ranged from 10% to 75% coverage, with the cumulus clouds moving slowly from the northwest.
Raptor Observations:
There was a steady stream of Golden Eagles all day long, sometimes soaring, but mostly just gliding along the east ridge, sometimes high, and sometimes low. Light in the morning was poor for aging, but improved as the sun swung around to the west. 8 were seen in the first hour, then 10-13 each hour during the morning, then numbers gradually increased to 33 between 1600 and 1700. The last eagle was seen at 1810. The total was 181 (94a, 8sa, 8j, 11ui, 60u). Additionally there were two Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa3), one American Goshawk, and two Rough-legged Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations:
Ravens were coming and going all afternoon above the east ridge, causing quite a distraction. It was hard to say how many there were – at least 10. Other birds were: Canada Goose 3, Larus sp. 3, Common Loon 6, Canada Jay 3, Black-capped Chickadee 4, Boreal Chickadee 2, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2, Golden-crowned Kinglet 2, American Dipper 1, Pine Siskin 2
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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 (16 Oct 2024) 32 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 40 | 51 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 69 | 87 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 9 | 17 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 31 | 1581 | 1844 |
| 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 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 32 | 1743 | 2066 |
| Observation start time: | 07:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Dan Parliament |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
There 14 visitors, including several with binoculars who assisted in observation.
Weather:
The observer arrived at the parking lot at 0730 to steady rain and low clouds. As a result opening was delayed until 0840 when the weather system had passed. Opening temperatures were 7 C with a high of 12 C at 1400 hrs. Grounds winds were from the SW increasing from 1-5 to 10-15 km/hr through the day. Ridge winds were assessed as SW at medium strength (11-40 km/hr). The ridge winds were predominantly SW at 20-40 km/hr with gusts to 70 km/hr. In the afternoon periods of light rain and drizzle were encountered.
Raptor Observations:
The first Golden Eagle passed at 0949 (MDT) and the last was at 1555 hrs. After the last Golden Eagle the skies became very quiet. The reason for this became apparent as the observers left the site driving North on Hwy 40, and encountered extensive heavy rains extending well North of Highway 1. The Day count was 31 Golden Eagles (Adults x 18, Subadults x 2, Juveniles x 2, Unaged x 9). A single unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk was recorded. The resident Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle circled the valley at various times. The resident Bald Eagle caused some confusion (resident vs migrant) as it appeared several times during the day hunting throughout the valley.
Non-raptor Observations:
It was a quiet day for non-raptor observation. At one point a flock of 23 Common Ravens appeared over the Little Smile on Patrick and slowly moved North. Northern Flicker x 1, Canada Jay x 3, Black-billed Magpie x 1, Common Raven x 35 (including one flock of 23), Black-capped Chickadee x 2, American Robin x 1
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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 (15 Oct 2024) 40 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 40 | 51 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 68 | 86 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 9 | 17 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 38 | 1550 | 1813 |
| 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 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 40 | 1711 | 2034 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Bill McKeeman, Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
About 10 passers by asked about the count. Several came with binoculars. Thanks to Ed and Bill for staying for several hours, and we hope Julie and Tony from Montana can come back on a day when the eagles are more cooperative.
Weather:
Another warm October day, even with clouds over the sun much of the time. The starting temperature was 5C, which rose quickly to 15C and was 12C at the end of the count. There were initially few clouds in the sky – mostly cirrus and some cumulus, but the cover built up until, by the end of the day, there were thick cumulus clouds interspersed with cirrostratus clouds with little sunlight coming through. Ground winds were calm most of the day, ridge winds were low to moderate from the southwest, and the cumulus clouds were moving slowly over us from the west.
Raptor Observations:
Raptor movement was more typical today than it has been recently, with very little movement in the morning, then 8-10 raptors per hour in the late afternoon. A few of the eagles struggled to gain altitude, especially in the morning, but most were gliding high above the east ridge, with very little soaring. Only one was seen heading down the west ridge.
There were 38 Golden Eagles (19a, 1sa, 1j, 4ui, 13u), one Bald Eagle, and one adult Northern Goshawk.
One resident Golden Eagle was seen hunting around Collembola in the morning, and an adult Bald Eagle hunted over the beaver ponds below Hummingbird Plume.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Ruffed Grouse to the north of the site is still drumming. One Varied Thrush was heard trying to sing. One dipper was seen multiple times racing up and down the river, and at one point there were two of them. 10 Canada Geese winged their way south, as did two Common Loons and four American Robins. Other birds were:
Northern Flicker 1, Canada Jay 3, Common Raven 12, Mountain Chickadee 1, Boreal Chickadee 2, Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, American Robin 4, Pine Siskin 5, American Tree Sparrow 1
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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 (14 Oct 2024) 44 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 39 | 50 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 68 | 86 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 9 | 17 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 42 | 1512 | 1775 |
| 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 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 44 | 1671 | 1994 |
| Observation start time: | 06:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich, Caroline Lambert |
Visitors:
50+ A special thanks to Nathan Babichuk, Kelsey Buchanan, and Tina for coming to the site with binoculars to help us out.
Weather:
It actually felt like a summer morning with a starting temperature of 12°C. Oddly the temperature fell to 11° in the second hour. At 4 PM we reached a high of 19°C and at the end of the count it was it was 16°C. The wind blew from the SW for most of the day. At the crack of dawn, it was calm but the winds gradually rose all day from calm to 4 on the Beaufort scale. Ridge winds were SW from 36 km/h to 85 km/h. Ridges were clear all day and cloud coverage gradually diminished starting at 70% down to 10% at the end of the count. Clouds formed in varied configurations of lenticular, altocumulus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, and altostratus. A few small cumulus clouds formed at the end of the day. The air was not totally clear when aging the birds through the telescope. There was optical deformation, possibly due to the heat, which made focussing on distant raptors very difficult.
Raptor Observations:
After the amazing rush this week of over 1000 eagles in the past few days, we truly thought the momentum would continue today because the conditions were seemingly perfect. Unfortunately, it was not to be, and the day only yielded 42 Golden Eagles (21a, 2sa, 4j, 2ui, 13u), 1 adult Bald Eagle, and 1 small falcon. A resident Golden Eagle was spotted cruising westward over the valley and a local Bald Eagle flew north up the valley.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Dipper 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Raven 20+, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, European Starling 1, Canada Jay 3, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Boreal Chickadee 2. We observed a few pre-Halloween Raven Raves above Patrick and the North Fisher range.
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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 (13 Oct 2024) 268 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 8 | 38 | 49 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 12 | 68 | 86 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 9 | 17 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 246 | 1470 | 1733 |
| 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 | 3 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total: | 268 | 1627 | 1950 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Cameron Harvey, Mia Winklmeier |
Visitors:
Many people walked by, but only 24 stopped to chat.
Weather:
It was a gorgeous, clear day, with a dearth of clouds notable primarily in that it mad eagles tough to spot. The day started at -1 degree, and rose to 17 by the afternoon. Winds was light, between 1 and 3 beaufort. The pressure only dropped by a couple points during the day.
Raptor Observations:
The vast majority of our birds came in the morning. The count was 246 total Golden Eagles, of which 64 passed between 10:00 and 11:00. They passed primarily along the eastern ridge during the morning, or high overhead later in the afternoon. A small selections of raptors opted for the western ridgeline. The resident Goldens were very present in the morning, as was an Adult resident Bald Eagle and the resident Goshawk. 12 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 American Goshawk, 8 Bald Eagles, and an unidentified accipiter also migrated through today.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor observations were in short supply today. The highlight was 3 Grey-crowned Rosy Finches which flew across the river early on. In total other bird observations were: 2 Canada Goose, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Northern Flicker, 3 Canada Jay, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 17 Common Raven, 6 Black-capped Chickadee, 83 American Robin, 3 Grey-crowned Rosy Finch, 20 Pine Siskin.
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
