Mount Lorette (18 Oct 2022) 42 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 57 | 70 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 40 | 1451 | 1606 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 42 | 1643 | 1894 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.83 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Rick Robb |
Visitors:
We had 10 visitors, several with binoculars. Once again we are very grateful for the assistance of Theresa Gawron and James Bannon, who were with us all afternoon and were immensely helpful in locating and identifying the eagles.
Weather:
Although the days are getting shorter, the blue skies, light winds, and abnormally warm temperatures are persisting. The temperature started out at -2C, rose to a high of 19C, and finished at 11C. Haze from a forest fire exacerbated the difficulties of locating the eagles in the blue sky. Ridge winds were mostly light, but did pick up from the SSW near the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Initially the migrant eagles were coming into the east ridge low, and sometimes not being seen again as they moved south below ridge level in shadow, using a lot of powered flight. As the day progressed the eagles were able to use thermals above Mt Lorette to gain height and then glide south high over the east ridge. It was challenging to spot them in the hazy blue sky. The day was marked by a dearth of diversity of migrants. Other than two adult Bald Eagles, all the migrants were Golden Eagles, 40 in total (27a, 4j, 1sa, 8u).
Non-raptor Observations:
The Ruffed Grouse is still drumming away, although with less vigour than previously. A flock of about 40 Red Crossbills flew back and forth across the meadow as if they were testing all the local spruce cones to see which of this abundant crop are best, like kids in a candy store. Annie, guru of bird sound, has identified these as Type 2 Red Crossbills, but I’m happy that I’m able to tell, by sound, that they’re not White-winged Crossbills. Other birds were: Common Loon 2, Canada Jay 2, Black-billed Magpie 2, Clark’s Nutcracker 1, Common Raven 7, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, Pacific Wren 1, American Dipper 1, American Robin 1, Cassin’s Finch 2
Predictions:
A break in the weather is finally coming, as we move from temperatures well above average to below average. The barometric pressure will start dropping around noon tomorrow (Wednesday), and will continue to drop until early Saturday morning, when Hay Meadows is likely to get a significant snowfall. The change in pressure is sure to be accompanied by strong winds – and often this means a push south by the migrants. The total number of migrant eagles is currently lagging the average for this time of the season. Have migrants been sneaking by us undetected, or are there birds to the north waiting for more favourable winds? It will be interesting to see what happens.
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 Oct 2022) 73 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 55 | 68 |
| Northern Harrier | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 17 | 46 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 3 | 12 | 23 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 18 | 25 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 22 | 31 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 62 | 1411 | 1566 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 73 | 1601 | 1852 |
| Observation start time: | 06:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 11.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Lori Anderson |
| Observers: | Bill McKeeman |
Visitors:
We had about 40 visitors today (without binoculars), including an enthusiastic local school class of 15. One of the students even spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk as it flew south over our site.
Weather:
The temperature ranged from -1C to 20C and almost not a cloud in the sky, only that pesky thin layer of haze that the birds use to disappear on us. Ground winds from the SSW were low all day and the SW Ridge winds were moderate averaging about 26Km/h with gusts up to 40.
Raptor Observations:
The first bird of the day was a Northern Harrier flapping and gliding along the eastern ridges at 8:20. Shortly after that, the first Golden Eagle appeared using the same route. Throughout the day a great number of migrants appeared seemingly out of nowhere at the North Fisher range, and many flew in front of the ridges facilitating identification. The big middle bump was the best place to find them. Every hour yielded migrants and after two pm activity picked up. The final count was 62 Golden Eagles (43a, 3sa, 10j, 6u), 1 Bald Eagle, 3 Northern Harriers, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Coopers Hawks, 1 Northern Goshawk and 2 Red-tailed Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations:
The first song I heard early in the morning before sunrise was that of a Varied Thrush trying out a few scales and tweets. Then, after sunset, a cute juvenile Northern Dipper performed the last sweet song of the day, as it bobbed on a rock in the river and tugged at some sticks and twigs that swayed back and forth in the water. 12 American Robins, 3 Black-billed Magpies, 7 Common Ravens, 1 Common Merganser, 1 Varied Thrush, 2 Canada Jays, and 1 American Dipper. Lots of Mourning Cloaks. A few red squirrels and a timid Snowshoe Hare.
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 Oct 2022) 49 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 54 | 67 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 16 | 45 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Northern Goshawk | 2 | 17 | 24 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 20 | 29 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 44 | 1349 | 1504 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 8 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 49 | 1528 | 1779 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 9.92 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis, Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Blake Weis, Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
10 People came to the site to watch migration after the 30th anniversary celebration. 30 other visitors passed through Hay Meadow
Weather:
The weather this fall has been so strangely consistent and so unusually warm that this almost seems like a copy/paste of previous entries. The morning was chilly with a low of -2C and the afternoon was quite warm with a high of 18C. The sky was almost totally clear with only 10% cirrus late in the day. Wind was nearly calm and ground level and light to moderate and ridge level with max gusts briefly reaching 32 km/h.
Raptor Observations:
Once again migrants were moving low and slow, mostly soaring and flapping without much gliding. They were using the east ridges and often passed behind the various peaks of the Fisher Range, sometimes emerging again farther south, sometimes not.
Non-raptor Observations:
Belted Kingfisher – 1 Canada Jay – 2 Black-billed Magpie – 1 Common Raven – 7 Red Crossbill – 25 Mountain Chickadee – 2 Brown Creeper – 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 (15 Oct 2022) 69 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 5 | 51 | 64 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 16 | 45 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 15 | 22 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 20 | 29 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 55 | 1305 | 1460 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 9 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 69 | 1480 | 1731 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 18:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.83 hours |
| Official Counter | Blake Weis, Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Blake Weis, Deb Hornsby |
Visitors:
About 30 visitors came to the site. We are again indebted to the help of Theresa Gawron and James Bannon, who helped with spotting and identifying for over seven hours. Several others came with binoculars as well.
Weather:
Once more the day was marked by blue skies and light winds. At ridge level the wind started out from the southwest, but became variable in the middle of the day, swinging back to southwest in the evening. The temperature ranged from just below freezing to 14C, dropping to 10C at the end.
Raptor Observations:
The light winds resulted in a slow day for migrants. Most were initially seen soaring over Lorette, then coming in to the east ridge at various levels, sometimes soaring again, sometimes gliding through, sometimes needing powered flight. The count was 55 Golden Eagles (34a, 9sa, 7j, 5u), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper’s Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk, 5 Bald Eagles (3a, 2sa), 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and two unid. buteos.
Non-raptor Observations:
Toward the end of the day a Bald Eagle came to sit in a tree across the river, allowing us to study it closely. At first glance it looked like an adult, but closer examination showed some dark on the head, the remnants of an “osprey mask” behind the eye, and a few tail feathers tipped with black – so almost an adult, but not quite. We wondered if it had been responsible for a large fish, the remnants of which a couple of ravens were feasting on. Other birds were two Common Mergansers, 2 Northern Goshawks, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 6 Common Ravens, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 American Dipper, 40 Red Crossbills, 1 American Tree Sparrow, 6 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 European Starling, and 1 American Goldfinch.
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 Oct 2022) 141 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 7 | 46 | 59 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 13 | 42 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 8 | 19 |
| Northern Goshawk | 5 | 14 | 21 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 19 | 28 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 125 | 1248 | 1403 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 11 | 13 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 9 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Total: | 141 | 1409 | 1660 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 10.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Graeme Dunlop |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
22
Weather:
A day of mixed weather conditions. The temperature started at 0C, rose to a high of 16C, and dropped to 9C at the end. Ground winds were mostly zero to light although they did increase suddenly from late afternoon, becoming quite strong from the east. An interesting variety of medium and high level clouds passed by from a northerly direction with nice amounts of blue sky in between. Ridge winds were also quite variable in both speed and direction, generally moderate with some strong gusts from a W to NW direction but also from NE and SW at times. A band of darker clouds produced some light rain late afternoon before clearing from the north just before sunset.
Raptor Observations:
2 Golden Eagles were seen shortly after sunrise. Movement was slow until late morning, then decent numbers until conditions changed late afternoon. Early birds seemed to be approaching the Fisher Range from the NE (Wasootch). From late morning many birds were seen soaring over distant Skogan Peak before gliding SE over Mt Lorette and continuing south high above the Fisher Range. Flying conditions changed late afternoon as the last few eagles once again seemed to approach the Fisher Range from a NE direction, flying lower and having to use powered flight. Last raptor was seen at 17:55. Daily totals: 125 Golden Eagles (46a, 1sa, 4juv, 74u), 7 Bald Eagles, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 5 Northern Goshawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 unidentified accipiter, 1 unidentified buteo.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several small flocks of Snow Geese (28 birds in total) flew south. One flock kept changing flight path and altitude seemingly in response to the presence of Golden Eagles. Other birds were 22 Geese (sp.), 15 Common Raven, 4 Common Merganser, 2 Canada Jays, 3 Black-billed Magpies, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Creeper, 10 Red Crossbills, 24 American Robin.
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]
