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.
10/27/2021
Observers: Bill Wilson, Brian McBride, Dennis Tostowaryk
07:40 AM
06:35 PM
+2C to +6C
A pleasant mix of sun and cloud, although with a chilly wind gusting to 20 or as high as 40 km/h.
35 (24 adults, 5 juveniles, 6 unaged)
1 Bald Eagle.
The hourly count bounced up and down all day, with a maximum of 7 raptors (6 Golden Eagles 1 Bald Eagle) between noon & 1 pm.
36
6 Golden Eagles (see "Other Observations" note).
1 Ruffed Grouse, 32 Common Ravens, 1 Clark's Nutcracker, 70 Common Redpolls.
A very unusual sighting (perhaps never seen before at the site???) was a group (the word "flock" doesn't sound right for this) of six Golden Eagles (4 adults, 2 unaged) at 2 pm, flying north (opposite to the migration direction) over Mount Patrick. They then milled around for 15 or 20 seconds over the north ridge of Patrick, interacting and diving, before somehow dispersing (two continued north lower down, but I didn't see where the other four went). I've never seen more than two non-migrants at a time that I can remember, so what brought six together at the same time seems a bit of a mystery. Maybe there was some carrion further south that attracted some non-migrants?? I don't know why so many would fly off together, though.
1
