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.
10/12/2021
Observers: George Halmazna, Dan Parliament with help from James Bannon & Teresa Gawron
07:30 AM
07:30 PM
From -9C to +6C at 16:00 hrs and -1C at 19:00 hrs
Clear day with a cold morning and cloudless day. The clear sky was creating very challenging conditions for spotting and aging migrating raptors. Eagles were flying over the whole valley, but still, the majority flew over Fisher Range.
244 ( A-125, SA-11, J-53, U-55 ). First eagle flew at 9:07 hrs, last at 18:40 hrs.
Bald Eagle-3 ( A2, WB1-1 ), Sharp-shinned Hawk-4 U, Northern Goshawk-3A.
Between 13-14:00 hrs with 46 Golden Eagles and 49 total migrating raptors
254
None
Mountain Bluebird-2 (male & female), Lapland Longspur-1 juvenile, Varied Thrush-1, Common Loon-2, Northern Shrike-1, Three-toed Woodpecker-1.
Pine Marten-1, Elk-2 bulls, Bighorn Sheep-4.
2
