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.
10/01/2021
Observers: Caroline Lambert, Rick Robb
07:45 AM
07:40 PM
0ºC - 14ºC
There was not much hope for a major flight today as the wind was forecast to be light. This was true until mid-afternoon, but then the wind picked up a bit and there was a steady stream of eagles until sunset, with the last eagle being seen against a pink-tinged backdrop long after the last sunlight had gone from the Fisher range. The afternoon wind was sufficient for the eagles to fly very high above the Fisher range, making them frustratingly difficult to pick out against a mostly blue sky with binoculars, and impossible to find in a scope.
57
2 Bald Eagles, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 5 Northern Goshawks, 4 unidentified accipiters, 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 unidentified eagle, 2 Peregrine Falcons
1700-1800
79
1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk
Black-billed Magpie 1
Common Raven 6
Mountain Chickadee 2
Boreal Chickadee 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Brown Creeper 1
Pacific Wren 1
American Dipper 1
Varied Thrush 1
American Robin 34
White-winged Crossbill 20
Pine Siskin 1
Fox Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Mourning Cloak butterflies are still flying (3 were seen), and the wild strawberries are blooming again.
1
