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.
04/21/2022
Observers: Blake Weis, Bill McKeenan
07:00 AM
06:30 PM
Min: -2 C, Max: 5 C
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.
5 (1 adult, 2 juveniles, 2 sub-adults)
1 Osprey, 4 Bald Eagles (1 adult, 1 juvenile, 1 sub-adult 1, 1 undifferentiaded sub-adult), 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 adult, 2 u), 1 Cooper's Hawk (u), 1 Northern Goshawk (adult), 1 unidentified accipiter, 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Adult), 1 Merlin (u)
Between noon and 1 pm with 4 migrants
18
1 Golden Eagle (unaged), 1 Red-tailed Hawk (adult), 1 Bald Eagle (adult)
https://ebird.org/checklist/S107663177
1 Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterfly
26
