subscribe: Posts | Comments

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.

09/24/2021

Observers: Caroline Lambert, Rick Robb

Start Time:

07:35 AM

End Time:

07:50 PM

Temperature:

0ºC - 18ºC

Description of the Day:

Although the temperature started out at freezing, it quickly rose through the day to a balmy and unseasonable 18ºC at the end, when high cirrus clouds had given way to what appeared to be a Chinook arch. There was a trickle of birds during the morning, with several juvenile eagles using thermals to make slow forward progress. The more experienced adults waited until afternoon, when the wind had picked up, and there was a steady stream of them from 2pm onwards. All migrants were found along the east ridge.

Migrant Golden Eagle Count:

56 (41 adults, 2 subadults, 4 juveniles, 9 indeterminate)

Migrant Other Raptor Count By Species:

4 Bald Eagles, 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks, I Red-tailed Hawk

Period with Most Migrants:

16:00-17:00

Total Migratory Raptors:

70

Non-Migrant Raptors:

2 Northern Goshawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Golden Eagle

Other Birds of Note:

Northern Flicker 1
Black-billed Magpie 2
Clark's Nutcracker 1
Common Raven 3
Mountain Chickadee 2
Boreal Chickadee 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 4
Brown Creeper 2
American Dipper 1
Varied Thrush 1
American Robin 86
White-winged Crossbill 50
Pine Siskin 5
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Song Sparrow 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 2

Number of Visitors:

1