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.
03/16/2022
Observers: Bill Wilson and Rachel Boekel
07:10 AM
07:35 PM
Low -4C, high +1C
A nice mix of sun and cloud all day, ground winds usually 5-15 km/h with occasional gusts to 30 km/h. Ridge winds indeterminate, but apparently NW to WNW in the morning. Migration was slow from 10 am to 5 pm, then 10 and 23 went through in the last two hours, respectively. All raptors were in the east (some very high over the eastern valley, heading toward Skogan Pass), and most of the rush at the end were picked up as they approached Mt. Lorette.
59 (52 adults, 7 unaged)
2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 unidentified eagle
6:00 to 7:00 with 23 migrants (alll Golden Eagles).
62
1 Bald Eagle that looked quite good for a migrant except it was heading south.
12 Common Ravens, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 starling, 13 Bohemian Waxwings, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, and 2 Great Horned Owls heard duetting in the spruce east of the Kananaskis River about 7 pm.
Nothing of note.
16
