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.
03/22/2022
Observers: Dan Parliament, Ian Dowson, George Halmazna and additional observers
07:20 AM
08:45 PM
-6 to +4
A beautiful spring day with a mix of sun and clouds. Ground winds averaged 5-10 km/hr from the SW and ridge winds were moderate from Northerly directions. Thin cloud cover of cirrus, changing to altostratus and finally cumulus during the day, increasing from 10 % to 90 %. The total migrants were 156 Golden and one Bald Eagle. The first migrant (Golden) at 1035 hrs and the last migrant (Golden) at 2003 hrs. The migrants flew very high over Patrick, and the conditions of monochrome gray sky, height and speed made locating difficult for aging. The migrant count increased in intensity after 1600 hrs and 85 % of the daily count occurred after 1600 hrs. The highest count hour of 40 Golden Eagles occurred between 1800 and 1900 hrs.
156 ( 95 adults, 1 juvenile, 60 unaged)
1 (Bald Eagle - Subadult)
1800-1900 hrs (40)
157
Resident Golden Eagle x 2 (observed Lorette & Olympic Summit) and two Bald Eagles adults
Canada Goose x 4
Black-capped Chickadee x 5
Mountain Chickadee x 1
Canada Jay x 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch x 3
Belted Kingfisher x 1
Common Raven x 5
Varied Thrush x 1
Bohemian Waxwings x 20
Red-winged Blackbird x 1m
American Robin x 1
White-tailed Deer x 5
Red Squirrel x 3
39
