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.
03/18/2022
Observers: Bill Wilson and Ruth Morrow
06:40 AM
08:05 PM
Low 0 C, high +5.5 C
A mostly cloudy day (70 to 100% cumulus) with relatively light ground winds (mostly 5 to 15 km/h but gusting to 20 to 30 at times) that often left us wishing the sun would shine through a bit more. Winds aloft were mostly west to southwest 15 to 30 km/h. The migration seemed slow most of the time, but in the 9 hours between the first eagle at 10:30 am to the last at 7:30 pm the migrants added up to a nice total of 99 golden eagles and 4 bald eagles.
99
4 Bald Eagles
24 golden eagles and 1 bald eagle between 16:00 and 17:00.
103
1 juvenile bald eagle flying south about 100 m up and two northern goshawks soaring, interacting, and flying south a few hundred metres up.
Great Horned Owls hooting in the distance across the river, Canada Jays, Bohemian Waxwings, one starling, Hairy Woodpecker, chickadees, American Dipper, and assorted ravens.
Nothing of note.
25
