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.
03/24/2022
Observers: Caroline Lambert, Rick Robb
08:00 AM
08:05 PM
Temperature stayed in a narrow range from -3 to +2.
The day started with 100% low stratus cloud cover and heavy snow falling. By the time the snow stopped, around 10:00, about 10cm had accumulated. The clouds became cumulus with about 50% coverage most of the rest of the day. The ridges gradually went from 100% obscured to 0% by the end of the day. Winds were light on the ground and on the ridges, and those cumulus clouds were not moving fast. The upper winds appeared to be coming from the NW. These conditions did not lend themselves to an easy day for the eagles - most were flying low, and flapping and soaring frequently. A couple of them gave up early and stopped for the night long before sunset - one on the side of Patrick, and another at the top of the second highest "Bump".
35 (24 adults, 5 subadults, 6 unaged)
4 Bald Eagles (1 adult, 2 subadult, 1 juvenile), 1 unidentified eagle
There were 10 in the last hour, between 1900 and 2000.
40
One Golden Eagle seen hunting over Old Baldy. One adult Northern Goshawk scared up some Killdeer along the river, and a juvenile goshawk was hunting over Patrick.
40 Canada Geese (in a couple of flock flying north), 1 Common Merganser, 3 Killdeer, 1 Canada Jay, 5 Common Ravens, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Boreal Chickadee, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 European Starling, 1 American Robin, 1 Northern Shrike (adult)
21
