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Flights of Fancy highlights eagle migration in Alberta

Coinciding with the migratory season for many birds and raptors in the province, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is holding its second annual Flights of Fancy event, Sept. 27.
Eagle Talk
The golden eagle’s migratory habits will be the topic of discussion at the upcoming Flights of Fancy fundraiser, hosted by the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation.

Coinciding with the migratory season for many birds and raptors in the province, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is holding its second annual Flights of Fancy event, Sept. 27. The fundraiser, at the Alberta Wilderness Association’s building in Calgary from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., will feature a lecture by guest speaker Peter Sherrington – an expert on eagle migration and a researcher with the Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation (RMERF). According to RMERF's website, Sherrington discovered the annual golden eagle migration through the Rocky Mountains in Alberta in 1992. He’s been monitoring the raptor’s migratory pathway ever since. “He really is a fantastic ambassador for eagle migration in the province and shares his experience worldwide, too,” said AIWC Executive Director Holly Duvall. According to Duvall, those who attend Flights of Fancy will learn about RMERF’s annual fall and spring migration counts, which the foundation has been conducting for more than a quarter century – since Sherrington made his discovery. “[RMERF has] a project studying the movement of golden eagles and other raptors through the Canadian Rocky Mountains,” she said. “By the end of spring 2018, they’d spent a whopping 4,874 days at their principal observation site.” Guests will not only learn about the migration counts – they'll also be able to take part, as the counts are open to any citizen scientists who wish to assist. This year’s fall count is set to take place Sept. 20 to Nov. 15 at RMERF’s observation site by Mount Lorette, according to the foundation’s website. “I think it will be a great learning opportunity for the guests, and it will also maybe open up an opportunity for them if they want to get involved in the spring counts and things like that, for the eagle migration watch,” Duvall said. “It’s really fantastic research, and it’s something everybody can be a part of.” Along with the guest lecture, Duvall said, the event will include light refreshments and a raffle for a 25-minute Royal Canadian Sightseeing helicopter tour for two people from Canmore company Alpine Helicopters. “It should be a nice relaxing evening with a great opportunity to learn more about the species we share our province with,” she said. Tickets are on sale from the AIWC website for $35, or people can purchase tickets by calling 403-946-2361. Duvall said all ages are welcome and proceeds support AIWC, which cares for and rehabilitates wounded and orphaned wildlife. According to Duvall, the first Flights of Fancy fundraiser last year raised more than $2,000 for AIWC.

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