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.
10/13/2021
Observers: Bill Wilson and Ale Guerrero
06:40 AM
07:05 PM
-3C to +2.5C
Cool but generally light ground winds, so quite pleasant. Ridge winds SW 3 to 10 km/h to 3 pm, then mostly SW 20 to 30 km/r to the end. 100% stratus with ridges mostly obscured in cloud and light to very light snow until noon, then decreasing obscuration during the afternoon. The first migrant raptor was seen shortly after 2 pm.
19 (6 adults, 1 subadult, 3 juveniles, 2 unaged)
1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 unaged Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, and 11 Rough-legged Hawks.
Fourteen migrants between 4 pm and 5 pm.
33
2 Northern Goshawks (1 adult and 1 juvenile)
1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 male Three-toed Woodpecker, 1 male Belted Kingfisher, 1 immature Northern Shrike, 2 Mountain Bluebirds (1 male, 1 female), 5 Canada Jays, 1 American Dipper, and several ravens.
One Rough-legged Hawk took time out from migration to do some hunting near the top of Olympic Summit, then was aggressively harassed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Sharpie made full contact on one occasion, and at the end both the Rough-leg and the Sharpie continued south, some distance apart.
3
