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.
11/07/2021
Observers: Caroline Lambert, Blake Weis
07:45 AM
04:50 PM
-2 to start, high of +1, -2 at end
The forecast of "mainly sunny" was mainly wrong, as we barely saw the sun all day. The west ridge was mostly obscured all day, and the east ridge oscillated between being obscured and completely clear. The weather radar map showed a narrow band of snow that seemed to persist throughout the day around the watch site, with no snow anywhere to the north or south. Snow fell off and on all day. In spite of the conditions, two migrants were seen during a break in the snow.
1 juvenile
1 adult Bald Eagle
The two migrants were seen between 1100 and 1300.
2
None
70 Canada Geese in two flocks, 13 Common Mergansers flying over, 2 Canada Jays, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 8 Common Ravens, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Mountain Chickadee, 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Brown Creepers, 2 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finch, 4 Common Redpolls, 4 White-winged Crossbills.
none
1
