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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.

11/13/2021

Observers: Blake Weis, Annie Finch

Start Time:

08:05 AM

End Time:

05:10 PM

Temperature:

+1 to +4

Description of the Day:

It was a blustery day with wind gusting to 40 km/h and ground level and up to 93 at ridge level. Cloud cover was 30% cumulus for the first few hours but increased to 80-100% for the rest of the day as sheets of altostratus passed over. Eagles moved through in a slow trickle for most of the day starting at 9:38 am and ending at 4:15 pm. All of them used the eastern ridges and none were especially high despite the strong wind.

Migrant Golden Eagle Count:

16 (11 Adults, 1 Juvenile, 4 Unaged)

Migrant Other Raptor Count By Species:

4 Bald Eagles (3 Adults, 1 Juvenile)

Period with Most Migrants:

1-2 pm with 6 migrants

Total Migratory Raptors:

20

Non-Migrant Raptors:

1 Adult Bald Eagle

Other Birds of Note:

1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 American Dipper, 105 Bohemian Waxwings, 4 Pine Grosbeaks, 30 Common Redpolls, 6 White-winged Crossbills

Other Observations:

N/A

Number of Visitors:

3