Mt. Lorette Observations

Lots of white thick and heavy snowflakes but no Eagles. A lone Merlin saved the day though. At the start of the count, a few of the ridges were visible but by 9:00 the ridges were 100 % covered as well as the slopes and the valley floor. The count was ended at 10:30 due to poor observing conditions and a forecast for more of the same all day. Winds were 0-3 from the North.

The day was overcast with cloud cover usually between 80-100%. Ground winds reached 20 km/h from variable directions and ridge winds were mainly moderate from the southwest. Between 6 and 6:30 pm low cloud started to obscure the ridges and rain began to fall. The weather radar didn't show much hope of it clearing by the end of the day so the count was concluded at 6:30. Migrants generally moved low with much soaring and flapping. Golden Eagles were all on the eastern ridges but other raptors used more variable routes with some using the eastern ridges and others flying over the river and valley.

Mostly blue sky until after 10:00, then 100% cloud to the end. Light to very light snow from 15:00 to the end. Ground wind 2 to 5 km/h to 13:00, then 5 to 20 km/h to the end. Ridge winds SE to NE 3 to 15 km/h. West ridges obscured most of the time, east ridges 0 to 30% obscured to 14:00, then 70 to 100% obscured. All six Golden Eagles were seen in the east, but the other raptors were mostly in the west, but several were overhead or in the east.

Arrived at the site to heavy snow and low clouds. Ceiling was not much above tree level. Continued snow and low cloud with forecast for continued low cloud, the count was concluded at 0900 hrs

A wonderful calm spring morning that allowed for a smorgasbord on the Hay Meadow Biosphere Reserve, especially between 9:00 and10:00. The weather was quite stable all day until about 19:30 when a front started moving in from the SW. Ground winds averaged between 5-10 km/h from the south with occasional periods of gusts to about 18 km/h. The winds at ridge level were not detectable due to irregular wind currents. Lenticular clouds formed and stayed in the same places all day. The USASK centennial ridge data recorded the winds as between 10- 40 km/h from the S and S/SE. 100 % Altostratus started as a thin layer and thickened as the day progressed. Most of the raptors were found either on the eastern ridges, valley …

The morning was clear with cloud cover up to 10% and light winds. In the afternoon cloud cover varied from 80-100% and small clusters of stratocumulous moved through which dropped the occasional raindrop or snowflake but didn't obscure the ridges significantly. Wind gusts reached 25 km/h. Migrants used the east ridges and east side of the valley, usually moving low from Patrick to Lorette

The day started clear and cold with light winds from the south. Shortly before noon, the wind picked up and shifted. The SE ridge winds and NE valley bottom winds of the rest of the day resulted in unsettled and unusual flight paths. Cumulus and cirrus clouds developed steadily with the north wind. We watched a squall advance down the valley, and driving snow arrived by mid-afternoon. The count was abandoned at 5 pm due to a disheartening radar forecast. Despite the suboptimal conditions, 20 migrant raptors were observed, including 10 Golden Eagles. There was a last-minute rush before the snow arrived with 7 Golden Eagles and one Prairie Falcon from 2-3 pm. A resident Golden Eagle provided the highlight of the day with periodic …

Cloudy all day, often with bluish sky overhead but looking very whitish because of ice crystals. There was very light snow for the first hour, then flurry activity started to build up to the west and north in the afternoon. Increasing snow fell at the observing site after 17:00. East ridges were 10% to 20% obscured to 16:00, then mostly to entirely obscured to the end. Ground winds mostly east to north 5 to 20 km/h. Ridge winds were either light or unobservable all day.

No count was conducted as low cloud obscured all ridges and snow fell for most of the day

A cold, cloudy day with light to very light snow all morning and again at the end of the day. The ridges were completely obscured to 10:00, then variably 50% to 90% obscured for the rest of the day except for 16:00 to 18:00, when it dropped to 20% to 40% and some bluish sky opened up overhead (milky blue with ice crystals). A layer of cloud formed over the mountains at the end of the day, obscuring the ridges as the snow was beginning again. Ground winds NE 5 gusting 20 km/h all day. Ridge winds NE to ENE all day, varying between 10 and 20 km/h.

No Observation due to weather - low cloud ceiling all day well below the ridge tops

The theme that prevailed today was COLD: freezing cold accompanied by cold winds and freezing cold gusts with a low of -5 to a high of -1 + wind chill factor. We had to spend the day close to the shelter. Ridge winds from the North and Northeast increased over the course of the day but averaged about 30km/h with gusts of 50 km/h. Most of the activity transpired on the west side of the valley as birds were found traveling below the ridgeline gaining altitude as they passed Colembola. The majority of the eagles, both migrants and residents, traveled in pairs. A threatening snowstorm maintained its position just north of the valley and every now and then it would advance, entering in front of …

The first few hours were a beautiful mix of cloud types providing roughly 50% cover. Light winds from the southwest became variable after 10 am. As cumulus clouds increased, a subadult Golden Eagle soared above the north ridge of Mt. Lorette before gliding on. Shortly after, snow squalls advanced on our position from both ends of the valley. North winds won out and the temperature dropped. At 2:30 pm, after three hours of steady snow, the count was suspended. We lingered in the area, and while sky over the meadow cleared enough to melt the freshly fallen snow, the walls of cloud sealing each end of the valley remained stubbornly in place.

The day started out overcast with the ridges almost completely obscured, and then gradually cleared so that by noon the ridges were clear, and there was 50% cloud cover of mostly cumulus clouds. Ridge winds appeared to be strong from the west, which gave optimism for sighting at least some migrants. The ridges stayed clear most of the afternoon with moderate to strong ridge winds from the west. In spite of the excellent conditions, no migrating Golden Eagles were seen.

The first tfew hours had beautiful weather with light wind, 30-40% cloud cover and a nice variety of singing birds. Unfortunately, conditions deteriorated quickly from there. The wind really started to pick up by 10 and by noon low cloud had gathered around the western mountains and started spitting rain into the valley. For the rest of the day it rained on and off and the western ridges were variably obscured. The eastern ridges remained mostly unobscured which gave us some false hope. Afternoon gusts reached 50 km/h at ground level and probably exceeded 100 km/h at ridge level. We concluded the count at 5:30 pm as heavier rain closed in. The days migration consisted of two golden eagles, an unaged bird at 9:43 and …

The day was marked by bands of altostratus clouds that ranged from 20% coverage to 90% coverage of the sky. The ridges were clear all day, and ridge winds appeared to be strong from the west, resulting good migration conditions and a good number of migrants in the afternoon and evening.

A very pleasant, sunny day with scattered cumulus clouds (maximum 30%, decreasing to clear sky by 4 pm) and ground winds mostly SW 5 - 20 km/h. Winds aloft mostly WSW, varying between 10 and 35 km/h. Raptor movement was very light for most of the day, with the first at 7:55 am and the second three and a half hours later at 11:23. By 6 pm, we'd had only 10 Golden Eagles, 3 Bald Eagles, 1 Northern Goshawk, and 1 unidentified small raptor; but then, after an hour without any raptors, the winds aloft picked up a bit (about 25 km/h) and the eagles began the last-minute rush noted below. The result was a nice total for this time of the season.

The ground winds were SW averaging 15-20 km/hr with gusts to 30 km/hr. The ridge winds were consistently from the Northwest and Northerly directions and were assessed initially as medium increasing to high intensity. As a result, migration dynamics were poor, resulting in no observed Golden Eagles. The first migrant raptor was at 1230. The final count was three Bald Eagles, one migrating Northern Goshawk, and two unidentified Eagles. The resident Bald Eagles (2) and resident Golden Eagles (2) flew sporadically across the valley. Brief intermittent snow squalls moved in after 1600 hrs, with ground fog, at various intervals.

A sunny morning with some cumulus clouds. Heavier clouds to the south and west gradually moved north throughout the day bringing snow and obscuring the ridges by mid-afternoon. Ground winds were moderate SW initially veering S to SE by mid-afternoon and gusting to over 40km/h. Ridge winds SW moderate to strong. The observation site was moved to Wasootch Creek at 15:30 but no raptor movement was observed. Weather conditions did not improve and the count was ended at 17:30.

Cloud cover varied from 50-90% throughout the day. Wind was mostly from the SW and WSW, strong at ridge level and gusting to 40 km/h in the valley. Late in the day the western ridges were obscured up to 50% by low cloud which sent occasional flurries into the valley. Despite good conditions for migration few eagles turned up to take advantage of it. Those that did were usually detected at Mt. Lorette or high over the Fisher Range.

Cloud cover varied from 50-90% throughout the day. Wind was mostly from the SW and WSW, strong at ridge level and gusting to 40 km/h in the valley. Late in the day the western ridges were obscured up to 50% by low cloud which sent occasional flurries into the valley. Despite good conditions for migration few eagles turned up to take advantage of them. Those that did were usually detected at Mt. Lorette or high over the Fisher Range.

The day was marked by unsettled weather. High winds appeared moderate from the northwest all day, while the ridge winds were strong enough that the few eagles that passed by were high and did not need to soar. Two snow squalls passed through, blocking the ridges completely. The first was between 13:00 and 14:00, the second between 18:00 and 19:00. Otherwise the ridges were clear. The weather radar map showed intermittent areas of precipitation along the eagle flight path, which was likely the reason why few eagles were seen.

Mostly sunny with 30% cumulus in the morning, cloud gradually increased through the day with cirrus and 100% altostratus by mid afternoon although this layer began to break up in the evening. Ground winds initially light southerly, some moderate gusts in the afternoon. Ridge winds NW moderate to strong. Slow raptor movement until late afternoon, 22 of the days total of 38 Golden Eagles were seen between 16:00 and 18:00. Most birds were gliding high over the eastern ridges before heading across to Mt. Lorette. Frequent soaring over both the eastern ridges and Lorette.

Conditions appeared perfect for migration, with the east ridge clear all day and westerly winds strong enough to blow snow off the ridges at times. However, weather disturbances to the south, as seen on the weather radar map, appear to have affected the migration. The first Golden Eagle was seen at 11:00, but no more were seen until well after 16:00. The strong winds enabled them to fly high over the east ridge. Most had enough height they flew well over the top of Lorette. The height and the fading light late in the day made ageing difficult.

A pleasant day for most of the day, but with showers of light to moderate rain and sleet moving in late in the day. Ground winds were light at first, then gusting to 20 or even 40 km/h after 12:00. Ridge winds were west 30 to 40 km/h, then decreased to west to WNW 10 to 20 km/h after about 14:00. All movement was in the east, often very high above the Fisher Range, with the last migrant going through at 16:40. I left the site at 19:20 with both sides of the valley obscured and light rain still falling, since it was obvious the ridges weren't going to clear before sunset. Of course by the time I got to the car at 19:35 the …