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.
10/05/2021
Observers: George Halmazna, Dan Parliament with help from James Bannon & Teresa Gawron
07:45 AM
07:35 PM
From -3C to +19C at 15:00 hrs to +14C at 19:00 hrs.
Warm day for October. Sunny all day with gusting ground winds up to 40 km/hr. On Nakiska ridge, at 15:00 hrs wind was gusting up to 82 km/hr.
A steady flow of migrating Golden Eagles continuously for 10 hrs.
142 ( A-83, SA-4, J-22, U-33 )
Bald Eagle-4 ( A-1, J-1, WB 1-2 ), Sharp-shinned Hawk-2 U, Northern Goshawk-3 ( A-2, U-1 ),
Between 9-10:00 hrs and 11-12:00 hrs. 19 migrants. All Golden Eagles.
151
Northern Goshawk-2 ( A & J )
Canada Goose-18, Pacific Wren-1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet-5, Red Crossbill-3, White-winged Crossbill-127, Yellow-rumped Warbler-1.
2 Mourning Cloak Butterflies
6
