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The Fall 2021 Migration Count has commenced and runs from Sep 20th until Nov 15th with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily — including viewing equipment available to the public. If interested in visiting the site, we suggest that you visit after 3pm. We see the majority of the migrating eagles in the later afternoon. This is the 29th consecutive year of vigilant recording. Mount Lorette site, Observation map.

Related links: Count Reports

 

Observations

Total Migratory Raptors: 3,520

10/27/2021

Observers: Bill Wilson, Brian McBride, Dennis Tostowaryk

Start Time:

07:40 AM

End Time:

06:35 PM

Temperature:

+2C to +6C

Description of the Day:

A pleasant mix of sun and cloud, although with a chilly wind gusting to 20 or as high as 40 km/h.

Migrant Golden Eagle Count:

35 (24 adults, 5 juveniles, 6 unaged)

Migrant Other Raptor Count By Species:

1 Bald Eagle.

Period with Most Migrants:

The hourly count bounced up and down all day, with a maximum of 7 raptors (6 Golden Eagles 1 Bald Eagle) between noon & 1 pm.

Total Migratory Raptors:

36

Non-Migrant Raptors:

6 Golden Eagles (see "Other Observations" note).

Other Birds:

1 Ruffed Grouse, 32 Common Ravens, 1 Clark's Nutcracker, 70 Common Redpolls.

Other Observations:

A very unusual sighting (perhaps never seen before at the site???) was a group (the word "flock" doesn't sound right for this) of six Golden Eagles (4 adults, 2 unaged) at 2 pm, flying north (opposite to the migration direction) over Mount Patrick. They then milled around for 15 or 20 seconds over the north ridge of Patrick, interacting and diving, before somehow dispersing (two continued north lower down, but I didn't see where the other four went). I've never seen more than two non-migrants at a time that I can remember, so what brought six together at the same time seems a bit of a mystery. Maybe there was some carrion further south that attracted some non-migrants?? I don't know why so many would fly off together, though.

Number of Visitors:

1