2025 Fall Count
The Fall 2025 Migration Count runs from September 20 to November 15 with observers at the Mount Lorette site daily. If interested in visiting the site we suggest that you visit after 3 pm. We see the majority of migrating eagles later in the afternoon. This is the 33rd year of vigilant recording. Thank you to the observers and count coordinators.
Mount Lorette (14 Nov 2025) 1 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 34 | 102 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 247 | 2452 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 1 | 288 | 2926 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.93 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Guy Kerr |
Visitors:
There were no visitors.
Weather:
Most weather forecasts predicted low clouds and snow early in the morning, but then it was going to clear up and be at least partially sunny. Only one forecast suggested that it might snow all day. So, there was optimism when arriving at the site, a bit later than usual, with all ridges occluded and precipitation in the form of graupel. Constant review of the various weather forecasts told the same story – snow now, but clearing up later. In the end, the forecast that predicted snow all day was the winner. The count was terminated a bit early when it became clear that even if conditions improved, the ridges would still be hidden in the clouds. The temperature started at -1 and dropped to -3 by mid-afternoon. Ground winds were in the 5-10kph range from the north, while ridge winds were low from the southwest.
Raptor Observations:
In spite of the low clouds, one Bald Eagle was seen flying south up the river. It was an older subadult bird, different in age from the three Bald Eagles that have been seen in the area recently. It seemed to be flying with intent, and so was counted as a migrant.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds were: one Northern Shrike, two Canada Jays, two Common Ravens, one American Dipper, 30 Redpolls, five White-winged Crossbills, and a flock of Bohemian Waxwings.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (13 Nov 2025) Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 13, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 33 | 101 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 247 | 2452 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 0 | 287 | 2925 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.87 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Glenn Webber, Sonya Pollock |
Visitors:
A mom and her two children and two dogs stopped by on their way back from Troll falls, other wise no visitors were seen.
Weather:
The temperature today at Hay Meadows was 11:00 at 9 am which steadily dropped to 6 by mid afternoon. Clouds covered the southern half of the sky and obscured some of the ridges over Mt Bogart and Mt Kidd. Ground winds were 2BFT, ridge winds were 76 km/hr. with gusts of 130 km /hr. the wind tapered off somewhat and it began to rain lightly. the clouds spread over the valley till both west and east ridges were obscured. Clouds swirled around Lorette. At 11,the rain became just a drizzle but very steady. At 2 pm we decided to call it a day as there was not bird activity other than a few raven early on and there was no visibility.
Raptor Observations:
No raptors seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
6 Ravens, 4 Red-crossbills, one Junco, two Black-capped chickadees, two Canada Jays and two Magpies were the only birds seen . A young Whitetail buck crossed the river early in the morning.
Predictions:
It is supposed to rain all night and turn to snow, so who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Wet day, pleasant company. always great to be out with people who love the out of doors!
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (12 Nov 2025) 27 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 12, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 12 | 33 | 101 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Golden Eagle | 13 | 247 | 2452 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 2 | 18 |
| Total: | 27 | 287 | 2925 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Ethan Denton , Peter Lloyd |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Only 3 people stopped to talk today.
Weather:
It was a calm, pleasant say which saw little ground wind and temperatures rising up to 8.5°C. Ridge winds were middling, typically around 40 gusting 60, and cloud cover was varied but almost always high and never threatening.
Raptor Observations:
It was almost a perfect split today between Bald and Golden Eagles, but a last minute Golden edged them over with 13 migrants just beating 12 Baldies. All but three of the eagles crossed the Fisher Range, mostly around peak level and very few requiring much flapping. Three Bald Eagles were picked up at Lorette and chose the Western ridge.
The only other migrants were a gorgeous light-morph Rough-legged Hawk and a very distant raptor which was sadly unidentifiable before it vanished behind a ridgeline.
One resident Bald Eagle was seem cruising along the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
Another good Finch day! Migrating down the valley in small flocks was a medley of winter Finches, with Conservative counts reaching 155 Redpoll, 348 White-winged Crossbill, 4 Red Crossbill, and 56 unidentified Finches.
At one point there were 5 Canada Jays in one tree, but only three hung around. The Dipper was seen, as was the female Belted Kingfisher. A Downy Woodpecker foraged in the willows and a solitary Junco made a very brief appearance.
Report submitted by Ethan Denton (ethan@suechick.com)
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (11 Nov 2025) 22 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 11, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 21 | 89 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Golden Eagle | 21 | 234 | 2439 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| Total: | 22 | 260 | 2898 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Lynn Macintosh |
Visitors:
As it was a holiday, there were quite a few people on the trail. About 20 stopped to talk to us.
Weather:
As the effects of yesterday’s Chinook wind wore off, there was a negative trend in the temperature today. It started off unusually warm at 7C, reached a high of 8C, and was 5C when we left at sunset. The sky was almost completely covered with cumulus cloud at the start of the count. These thinned out during the morning exposing some cirrus cloud above. By the end of the day lenticular clouds were forming to the northeast, with thick cumulus clouds still persisting to the south and west. Ground winds were initially 10-20kph but subsided to almost nothing by day’s end. Ridge winds were moderate, ranging from 24kph to 43 kph, gusting as high as 63. Most of the higher clouds were coming from the northwest.
Raptor Observations:
Today’s conditions appeared very suitable for migrating Golden Eagles. Nearly all were seen gliding very high (3 to 4 binocular views up) and fast over the east ridge. With the sun behind thick clouds most of the day, and with clouds behind the east ridge, these high flying eagles were just black silhouettes against a white backdrop, making aging impossible. The total was 21 Golden Eagles (4a, 2ui, 15u) and one adult Bald Eagle.
A local juvenile Bald Eagle was seen twice, and an adult Bald Eagle was spotted flying up the river.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen today: one American Three-toed Woodpecker, three Common Mergansers, one female Belted Kingfisher, one Black-billed Magpie, about eight Common Ravens, two Mountain Chickadees, one American Dipper, about 50 Bohemian Waxwings, five Pine Grosbeaks, and about 15 Redpolls.
Report submitted by Caroline Lambert (caroline144@gmail.com)
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (10 Nov 2025) 1 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 10, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 20 | 88 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 213 | 2418 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| Total: | 1 | 238 | 2876 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Lynette MacCulloch |
| Observers: | Bill McKeeman |
Visitors:
We had 40 visitors and 5 dogs, all well behaved. Several people seemed quite interested in volunteering at some point in their lives
Weather:
This was a very unusual November day. The temperature at start was 8 degrees Celsius, up to 10 degrees at noon and then back down to 8 degrees at 16:00. The morning was fairly clear with few cumulus puffballs and gauzy strands to be able to tell the high winds were strong and from the west. Darker clouds came up in the west ,moving to the southern sky and then over to the eastern sky so that we had nice clouds cover to be able to see eagles against should they decide to fly. By days end, the sky had cleared and once again dark clouds moved in to cover a good half of the sky. Ground winds were southwest anywhere from less than 1BFT to gusts of BFT 5. The ridge winds were very strong from the southwest up to 128km/hr. with gusts up to 155km/hr. The high winds were mostly west and moving very rapidly
Raptor Observations:
With the high winds, there was much anticipation in seeing eagles flying high in the sky and lots of them. However, only one Golden eagle (an adult) was spotted all day, just over the bumps and then flying just under the tops of Fisher and McDougall disappearing over Baldy.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Ravens were having a hay day with the wind. There were demonstrations of their aviation skills with synchronized flying, and singleton air ballet. There were approximately 12 Ravens, climbing high, diving and flourishing around the mountain tops. Every black speck turned out to be a Raven except one. We did see two adult Bald eagles, sitting in a tree down stream then flying up and down the valley. Two magpies accompanied them. A Northern Goshawk flew low over the trees and landed in the middle somewhere. Several flocks of White-winged Cross-bills flew over as well as a small flock of Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks. Six Bohemian Waxwings flew over, two Gray Jays came to visit as did the American Dipper. Black-capped Chickadees, Mountain Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches called from the spruces. A lone White-tailed Buck went through the meadow in the morning.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (09 Nov 2025) 7 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 20 | 88 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Golden Eagle | 5 | 212 | 2417 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| Total: | 7 | 237 | 2875 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.95 hours |
| Official Counter | Cameron Harvey |
| Observers: | Allison Zukewich, Luc Blanchette |
Visitors:
19 visitors stopped to talk.
Weather:
The temperature for today’s count started at 2C and rose to a high of 6C before falling to 5C at 17:00. The day was overcast with predominantly altostratus clouds. This made for great spotting conditions, however the air was less steady than average which led to reduced resolution through the spotting scope. Winds averaged Bft 2 at surface, mostly from the SW. Ridge winds were from the SW and ranged between 26-70 km/h sustained over the count period with gusts between 57-98 km/h.
Raptor Observations:
Migrant raptors included 5 Golden Eagles (2a, 1j, 2u), 1 Bald Eagle (sa) and 1 unidentified eagle. Eagles were all seen on the East ridge and first spotted near the bumps. The flight path appeared to be behind Patrick and meeting with the ridge just before the bumps.
There was a group of at least 3 non-migrant adult Bald Eagles that spent the day travelling up and down the valley giving us and some visitors up close views.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptors included: Common Raven, 13 White-winged Crossbills, 2 American Robin, 1 Clark’s Nutcracker, 3 Canada Jays, 2 Black-billed Magpies, 26 Bohemian Waxwings, 2 American Dippers, 17 Canada Geese and 1 Black-capped Chickadee.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
Mount Lorette (07 Nov 2025) 17 Raptors
Alberta, Canada
| Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 07, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day’s Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 15 | 83 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Golden Eagle | 16 | 196 | 2401 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Gyrfalcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| Total: | 17 | 214 | 2852 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Caroline Lambert |
| Observers: | Guy Kerr, Susan Clarahan |
Visitors:
Five people stopped to ask about the count. A couple of students from a local school came to talk about Golden Eagles for a science fair project.
Weather:
The day started off with low, dark clouds occasionally spitting out snow flakes. As the day wore on the clouds gradually broke apart until by day’s end the sky was about 60% covered in cumulus and cirrus clouds. Parts of the west ridge were shrouded in mist at various times during the day, but the east ridge remained clear. The temperature started at 1C, rose to 6C, and was 4C at the end. The southwest ground wind was blustery, keeping us cool most of the time, and gusting up to about 20kph. Ridge winds were close to west all day and ranged from 30 to 70 kph, at one point gusting over 100kph. High winds were moderate from the northwest.
Raptor Observations:
Seven Golden Eagles between 1100 and 1200 was a treat, but that trend did not continue and only one or two were seen per hour after that, for a total of 16 (2a, 3ui, 11u). Many of these were flying very high over the east ridge, just dark silhouettes against a grey sky, making aging impossible. A few came in low to Patrick, but were able to gain altitude quickly and disappear to the south well above the ridge. One juvenile Bald Eagle was in the mix. Nothing was seen on the west ridge.
One of the Golden Eagles did something I’ve never seen before. It came into Patrick low, gained some height and was heading south towards the Bumps when it did a U-turn and started heading north in a hurry, following the course of the river, as if it had spotted something to eat. It was not included in the total.
The two local adult Bald Eagles were seen flying low in front of Patrick.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several flocks of unidentified birds, heading mostly south, were seen. At least one flock was Redpolls, and another was Bohemian Waxwings. Three Canada Jays were around, plus a Black-billed Magpie. The dipper passed by a couple of times. A couple of Mountain Chickadees were detected on the way in. The East Ridge Ravens were up to their usual antics above the ridge, causing excitement until confirmed as ravens.
Report submitted by ()
Mount Lorette information may be found at: eaglewatch.ca
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org – [Project Details]
