Mount Lorette (12 Apr 2024) 3 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2024 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 16 | 75 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 3 | 171 | 1756 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 3 | 222 | 1895 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.62 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Ruth Morrow |
Visitors:
Only two people stopped to ask about the count.
Weather:
The temperature started at 4C, rose to 9C, and was 8C at departure time. Cumulus clouds raced across the sky all day from the west, with cirrus clouds above, ranging from 50% coverage of the sky to 100%. Both ridges were clear in the morning, but by mid-afternoon the west ridge was variably hidden by clouds and rain (or snow), with some of the rain drops reaching us. Ground winds were calm in the morning, but increased to about 30kph, from the west, in the afternoon. Snow was blowing off the ridges in the afternoon, particularly on the west ridge. Mountains to the south were hidden from view during the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Despite apparently good migration conditions, only 3 Golden Eagles (2a, 1u) were seen migrating. All three flew high above the east ridge. No other migrants were seen.
Throughout the day there were a number of sightings of two Red-tailed Hawks (keeping company with each other). One resident Golden Eagle was seen several times. Two adult Bald Eagles were seen together over the east ridge, but did not appear to be migrating. A couple of American Goshawks flew west across Hummingbird Plume together, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk appeared to be looking for prey close to us to the north. So there were quite a few raptors to look at, but only the three Golden Eagles were heading in a northerly direction.
Non-raptor Observations:
On a sad note – it appears that very few of the willows along the river bank are producing flowers (the fuzzy white “pussies” or catkins). My guess is that due to the low level of water in the river, the water table is low, and these water-loving plants are not getting enough water. Hopefully most of them will survive this period of drought.
Species other than raptors were plentiful: Canada Goose 2, Common Merganser 2, Ruffed Grouse 2 (both drumming), Pileated Woodpecker 1, Northern Shrike 1, Canada Jay 1, American Crow 2, Common Raven 4, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Mountain Chickadee 3, Boreal Chickadee 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, Mountain Bluebird 4 (2m, 2f), Varied Thrush 3, American Robin 11, Bohemian Waxwing 9, Dark-eyed Junco 12
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Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
