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.
04/20/2022
Observers: Bill Wilson and Rick Robb
07:50 AM
08:20 PM
-2C at the start, +2C high
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.
6 (4 adults, 1 subadult, 1 juvenile)
Osprey 2, Bald Eagle 3, Northern Harrier 3, Sharp-shinned Hawk 2, Northern Goshawk 3, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Rough-legged Hawk 10, Merlin 1, unidentified buteo 1, unidentified eagle 1, unidentified raptor 1.
11 am to 4 pm with from four to six migrants each hour.
34
1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult Golden Eagle, and 1 light Rough-legged Hawk that insisted in working its way south.
Canada Goose 2
Northern Flicker 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Bohemian Waxwing, one flock of 40
Mountain Bluebird 2 (mf)
American Robin 12
Varied Thrush 1
Black-billed Magpie 1
American Crow, one flock of 12
Song Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
assorted ravens
10
