The following summarizes the birding situation in Algonquin Provincial Park for northern species during the past week.
NEW INFORMATION SINCE LAST WEEK IS PRESENTED AT THE START OF EACH SPECIES ACCOUNT BELOW. Snow and Ice: The snow was almost completely gone this week, until a thin layer of new snow arrived last night and today. Sub-freezing conditions are expected to last through Easter weekend. Some open water has developed at river mouths, but lakes and ponds are still ice-covered. Moose: The annual spring appearance of moose coming to roadside puddles along Highway 60 is underway, with one or two being seen by most people driving across the Park, especially in early morning or evening. These animals drink the water and even ingest mud due to its measurably higher salt content due to runoff from winter road maintenance. Spruce Grouse: Sightings occurred on Spruce Bog Boardwalk near the register box, and along Opeongo Road. With most of the snow gone, males can be expected to be more actively displaying to the as yet disinterested females. 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: Birders are continuing to find these northern woodpeckers. A male was photographed near Post 6 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and another male was found 15 m north of the locked gate on Opeongo Road, on March 31. . 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: A male was inspecting holes in a utility pole at the north end of Opeongo Road on March 31, and another male between Posts 9 and 10 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk was photographed the same day. Both males and females are drumming, so listen for this clue to their presence. 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 and Opeongo Road are still the best places to look. Boreal Chickadee: No new reports were received, but Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road are good locations to check. These birds should be vocalizing more now than during the winter. Finches on Highway 60: A noticeable reduction in the number of finches seeking residual sand and salt on the roadway was observed this week. In part, this is likely due to no new material having been applied during the recent milder weather and existing sand and salt being washed away by the rain. However, it appears that there are really fewer siskins, crossbills and others around as well. Red Crossbill: There are still some birds being seen, and heard vocalizing. White-winged Crossbill: Significantly lower numbers being seen, but still present. Evening Grosbeak: The big flock that attended the Visitor Centre feeders all winter has been reduced to about 15 birds this week. Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and American Goldfinch: Small numbers of each seen this week. Note: both the Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road are posted CLOSED TO PUBLIC TRAVEL and should not be used by birders. As always, please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. In particular, we would like your assistance with spring arrival dates. Please add your sightings to the sheets posted in the Visitor Centre lobby. Your bird sightings information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders visiting the Park. Thanks. Good birding. Ron Tozer (retired Algonquin Park Naturalist) 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. 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.
