On correction re: directions to Snowy Owls... Going south on Keele I turned WEST on Strawberry, not east. Ron Fleming From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fri Mar 9 17:15:36 2007 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from smtp.vianet.ca (smtp.vianet.ca [209.91.128.40]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with SMTP id B9127638B0 for <[email protected]>; Fri, 9 Mar 2007 17:15:35 -0500 (EST) Received: (qmail 6206 invoked from network); 9 Mar 2007 22:15:34 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ?209.91.149.199?) (209.91.149.199) by smtp.vianet.ca with SMTP; 9 Mar 2007 22:15:34 -0000 User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/10.1.0.2006 Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:14:49 -0500 From: Ron Tozer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: ontbirds <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Subject: [Ontbirds]Algonquin Park Bird Update: 8 March 2007 X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:15:36 -0000
The following is an overview of the birding situation in Algonquin Provincial Park during the past week. Abnormally cold temperatures, and unusually windy conditions resulted in relatively little birding and fewer reports of observations. The Visitor Centre will be open daily (10 to 5) this coming week, for March Break. NEW INFORMATION SINCE LAST WEEK IS PRESENTED AT THE START OF EACH SPECIES ACCOUNT BELOW. Spruce Grouse: No reports this week. Areas to search include: Spruce Bog Boardwalk (km 42.5 on Highway 60); the black spruce area south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk; and Opeongo Road (located at km 46.3) near the locked gate, and farther north in black spruce bog area on the right (east) side. American Three-toed Woodpecker: Single birds were reported between Posts 9 and 10 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and left (west) of the locked gate on Opeongo Road, on March 3; and one was observed in the area behind the washroom at the entrance of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on March 4. There have been at least 35 reported sightings of this northern woodpecker here so far this winter. Listening for the relatively quiet tapping sounds made by the American Three-toed as it flakes off bark is the best way to find them. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports, but probably due primarily to the lack of birders out looking for them. Spruce Bog Boardwalk, along Opeongo Road, and utility poles at km 8 on Highway 60 are good areas to search. Check all conifer sites where de-barked trees are in evidence. Imitations of Barred Owl calls, and pishing, may elicit calls or movements by this woodpecker, helping to locate them. Gray Jay: Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot and Opeongo Road are the best places to look. Most pairs are involved with nesting now, which may reduce your chances of having them seek you out for food. Boreal Chickadee: No reports this week. Birders should also try Spruce Bog Boardwalk; the bog south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk; and Opeongo Road. Red Crossbill: Still widespread in small numbers this week. White-winged Crossbill: Abundant and vocal. Often on the highway pavement and shoulder, seeking sand and salt. Evening Grosbeak: Over 50 still coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeder this week. Purple Finch, Pine Siskin (abundant) and American Goldfinch were reported again this week. Watch for flocks along the highway. As predicted in Ron Pittaway's winter finch forecast, redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks have been almost completely absent this winter in Algonquin Park. Fisher: Not seen at the Visitor Centre feeder this week. Note: both the Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road are posted CLOSED TO PUBLIC TRAVEL this winter, and should not be used by birders. On weekdays, log hauling trucks are frequent on the Rock Lake Road. As always, please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders visiting the Park. Thanks. Good luck. Ron Tozer Dwight, Ontario Directions: Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers on Highway 60 in the park go from the West Gate (km 0) to the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are available daily at both gates throughout the winter. The free Algonquin 2006 Information Guide has a map showing the location of sites mentioned in this report. The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be open daily from March 10 to 18 (inclusive). Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found there. Contact staff via the Visitor Centre service entrance during working hours on weekdays for access to view the feeders.
