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.
11/03/2021
Observers: Bill Wilson, Brian McBride and Cliff Hansen
07:55 AM
06:15 PM
+2C to +8C
It was a pleasant day with 90% to 100% cloud and light ground winds (usually 5-10 km/h, occasionally 20 or even 30 km/h) and winds aloft WSW 20-30 gusting 50-80 km/h. No precipitation. The cloud provided excellent conditions for locating migrants but tough conditions for aging them. Fortunately, many passed in front of dark rock at some points in their passage, making it much easier to age at least these ones.
31 (17 adults, 1 subadult, 3 juveniles and 10 unaged)
None.
10 am to noon, with 15 migrants.
31
1 Bald Eagle heading north down the valley, quite high, and one Golden Eagle seen four times on a circuit between Lorette and Patrick, presumably hunting..
Great close views of a Northern Shrike, and a couple of Ruffed Grouse up in a poplar, seen after sunset on the walk out.
Nothing else of note.
0
