Mount Lorette (05 Mar 2023) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 05, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 3 | 10 | 10 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 19:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Annie Finch |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich, Caroline Lambert |
Visitors:
Everyone stopped to chat; our presence in such wintery conditions must have been intriguing. Special mention goes out to visitors Chloe and Liam, come back any time!
Weather:
The temperature rose from -13 C in the morning to -9 C in the afternoon, finally falling to -11 C by sundown. Low cloud and poor ridge visibility delayed the start of the count until 9 am. Spindrift off Mounts Patrick, McDougall, and Kidd revealed strong ridge winds from the NE in the morning coming around to the south by the end of the day. Despite these higher level changes, ground winds in the valley stayed stubbornly from the north. We were grateful to have shelter from the wind. Snow fell from the sky for the entire day, though at times it seemed to be crystallizing from the clear, humid air near ground level.
Raptor Observations:
As expected given the NE winds, raptor migration was minimal. Three eagles were observed between 1 and 2 pm, all flying low in front of Mt. Patrick, seemly struggling with turbulence and lack of lift. The first eagle resisted identification and remained undifferentiated. Two other eagles were spotted over the rest of the hour, one adult Bald Eagle and an additional Bald Eagle which remained unaged.
Non-raptor Observations:
It was also a slow day for non-raptors. Chickadees (Mountain, Boreal, and Black-capped) and Nuthatches (Red- and White-breasted) made themselves known along the path into the site in the morning. They were joined by a Hairy Woodpecker and two White-winged Crossbills. Later in the day a male Belted Kingfisher patrolled his patch of open water along the river.
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 (04 Mar 2023) 4 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 04, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
32 visitors stopped by the site to talk. Two helped to look for raptors.
Weather:
At the start it was a chilly -13C, with light SW winds and a clear sky. The light wind and nearly cloudless conditions remained throughout the morning. Around 1 PM the wind increased (gusting up to 26km/h) and shifted to the north while cloud cover increased. By 3 PM the clouds moved lower, partially obscuring the ridges and snow began to fall. The weather continued to deteriorate, and as a result and the count was concluded at 4:15 PM. The temperature reached a high of -3C, and it was -4C as we were leaving. Ridge winds were light to moderate from the WSW in the morning and early afternoon, and might have gotten stronger as the snow moved in but it was hard to tell. Ridge wind measurements weren’t available from the Nakiska Ridgetop station.
Raptor Observations:
The day’s migration consisted of two adult Bald Eagles and two unaged Golden Eagles. All of them passed between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. The first migrant, a Golden Eagle, was soaring low over the distant north ridge of Mt. Lorette, then passed behind Lorette before continuing to the NW along the Fisher Range. Not long after, a Bald Eagle was soaring along the south portion of the Fisher Range. The last Golden and Bald Eagles were seen approaching Mt. Lorette and Hummingbird Plume Hill from almost directly south. They had probably gained height by soaring somewhere to the south before gliding over us along the valley. A local adult Bald Eagle flew south low over the river later in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Belted Kingfisher (Male) 7 Common Raven 3 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Mountain Chickadee 3 Boreal Chickadee 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 White-winged Crossbill 1 Pine Siskin
3 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 (03 Mar 2023) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 03, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.97 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
A number of people passed by, but only three stopped to talk.
Weather:
The day started out relatively cool at -9C, and rose to a more mild -3C, finishing the day at -5C. The persistent low wind and lack of sun made it feel colder, though. Initially both ridges were clear under a mostly cloudy sky, but the west ridge gradually disappeared as the clouds lowered, and snow fell off and on. During one snow squall from about 2pm to 3pm the east ridge disappeared too, with Mt Lorette remaining mostly in the clouds for the rest of the day. Features to the south, like the Wedge and the Opal Range were occasionally visible, but mostly hidden from view by clouds. When the ridges were clear there was optimism for sighting raptors, but it was not to be.
Raptor Observations:
No raptors were observed.
Non-raptor Observations:
Birds of any kind were few and far between. The end count was as follows: Canada Jay 1, Common Raven 2, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Mountain Chickadee 2, White-winged Crossbill 3, Pine Siskin 2
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 (02 Mar 2023) 2 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 02, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton |
| Observers: | Bill McKeeman |
Visitors:
47 – largely thanks to a school group of about 35
Weather:
The day started off with light snow and gusty winds at ground level. Heavy clouds overhead promised worse to come, and despite conditions clearing up between 09:30 – 13:30 or so, the weather sucked in and we were forced to end the day early in the face of driving snow and very low cloud banks. The temperature was pleasant enough, between -2 and 0 for the whole day.
Raptor Observations:
During the clearer part of the day, two eagles passed the count site, both between 12:00 and 13:00. Both were flying low, and struggling at points in the unpredictable winds.
Non-raptor Observations:
There was little else of note today, but some White-winged Crossbills flying up the valley were a cheerful sound.
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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (01 Mar 2023) 1 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 01, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Observation start time: | 07:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.58 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
Lots of people came by on skis, but only 4 stopped to chat.
Weather:
The day started out quite brisk at -14C, but the temperature quickly rose to a high of -2C and was not much less than that at the end of the day. Winds at all levels were mostly from the west, gusting up to 30kph at times. The small amount of blue sky visible in the early hours gradually disappeared as a flat grey expanse of stratus cloud covered the sky most of the day, only clearing up just before leaving. The east ridge remained clear, while the west ridge was mostly hidden in the clouds. Snow was blowing off the ridges most of the day.
Raptor Observations:
As it was the first day of the season, not much was expected in the way of raptors. With such low expectations, we were excited to see the only Golden Eagle of the day (and first of the season), an adult, soon after lunch, making its way low along the east ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
It was relatively quiet as far as other wild animals and birds are concerned, but there were a few small birds to entertain us: Belted Kingfisher 1, Common Raven 5, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Boreal Chickadee 2, Red-breasted Nuthatch 2, American Dipper 1, Pine Siskin 2
Report submitted by Caroline Lambert (caroline144@gmail.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 Dunkadoo – [Project Details]
