The main observation site is the Hay Meadow, Mt. Lorette Site. The site is located in Kananaskis on the bank of the Kananaskis River. It has a view of the open valley. which allows excellent (though rather distant) viewing of the Fisher Range to the east. The bulk of the Golden Eagles and other raptors use this ridge as part of their preferred migration route.
Mt. Lorette Observations
See the seasonal count reports and daily summaries for historical observation counts. The following observations started in Fall 2021.
04/15/2022
Observers: Bill Wilson
07:35 AM
07:35 PM
-10C at the start, -1C high
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.
1 adult
1 adult Bald Eagle and 1 unaged Northern Goshawk
The only three migrants were between 15:00 and 16:20.
3
1 adult Golden Eagle and 1 Northern Goshawk
Trumpeter Swans 9, flying north, trumpeting.
Canada Geese 2
Mallards 3
Ruffed Grouse 1
Northern Flicker 2
American Dipper 1
American Robin 7
Varied Thrush 4
Boreal Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Common Raven 2
18