Mount Lorette (05 Nov 2024) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 14 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 88 | 2695 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Total: | 3 | 103 | 2984 |
| Observation start time: | 12:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynette MacCulloch |
Visitors:
In spite of the weather, three groups totalling seven people came by, and all stopped to talk.
Weather:
The day’s count was delayed due to low clouds and snow. Arriving at the site at noon the ridges were still completely obscured, and there was still snow falling, but the clouds were beginning to break up. Light snow fell until about 1500, and the clouds gradually lifted until, about an hour before sunset, the east ridge was mostly clear. The west ridge was obscured most of the day.
The temperature started at 0C and barely diverged from that temperature until departure at sunset. Ground wind was light from the northeast, as were the ridge winds. The upper clouds appeared to be moving from the northwest. Cloud cover decreased from 100% to about 90%, mostly stratus with some cumulus.
Raptor Observations:
Despite the poor conditions, a trio of intrepid raptors were determined to move south. First there was a 3-4 year old Bald Eagle, then an adult male Norther Harrier, and towards the end of the day, an adult Golden Eagle. All of these flew moderately high over our heads.
One adult Bald Eagle was spotted flying along the river, not looking like it was migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
While raptors were in short supply, there were plenty of ducks, geese, and swans on the move. The numbers were approximately: 275 Canada Geese (in three skeins), 4 swans, 35 Common Mergansers (two flocks), 2 Canada Jays, 5 Common Ravens, 1 Pine Grosbeak
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
