With the Snow Goose migration winding down, I'd appreciate receiving any final sightings of Greater Snow Geese in the days ahead. There were still thousands in the St. Isidore area along concession 3 earlier this week before the weather cleared but none yesterday. A few were still hanging around the Cty Rd 34 area near Glen Robertson west of Alexandria yesterday.
After an early start to the season, followed by a long period with few sightings, large numbers were eventually reported north of Lancaster and between St. Isidore and Bourget, making this a good year and continuing the trend of increasing numbers in recent years. You can respond to me privately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks to all who have provided data this spring. Brian Morin Cornwall From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fri Apr 20 08:36:18 2007 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from smtp.vianet.ca (smtp2.vianet.ca [209.91.128.42]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with SMTP id 738AF63894 for <[email protected]>; Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:36:08 -0400 (EDT) Received: (qmail 2810 invoked from network); 20 Apr 2007 12:36:03 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ?209.91.149.25?) (209.91.149.25) by smtp.vianet.ca with SMTP; 20 Apr 2007 12:36:03 -0000 User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/10.1.0.2006 Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:33:51 -0400 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 Report: 19 April 2007 X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:36:18 -0000 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 OR SECTION BELOW. Snow and Ice: Only remaining snow is in small remnant patches in deep shade, but it is wet and muddy in many places. Ice is breaking up in smaller lakes and ponds due to breezy warm days this week. Moose: Very few being seen at puddles along the highway. Northern Saw-whet Owl: Single owls were heard at km 4, 6, 10, 12, 14 and 16 during an owl survey from the West Gate to km 18 on the evening of April 19. This species is heard in good numbers on owl surveys every four years here, and 2007 is such a year. This periodicity is likely related to prey abundance. Saw-whets were present in numbers this past winter here, although usually most likely migrate southward. Barred Owl: This owl was heard at km 2, 16 and 18 during the owl survey on April 19. Spruce Grouse: Displaying males and females (some calling) were observed at Spruce Bog and Opeongo Road (near gate and at north end) this week. Prime time for viewing has started. American Three-toed Woodpecker: A female was observed at the kettle bog of Spruce Bog Boardwalk trail on April 13. Another bird was behind the washrooms near the entrance to that trail on April 14. A female was NW of the register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 19. 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: One was reported along Opeongo Road north of the Costello Creek culvert on April 14, and there were three observed along that road on April 19 (two near the gate and one south of there). Gray Jay: Birds were seen at Spruce Bog and along Opeongo Road this week. Boreal Chickadee: One group of birders reported at least a dozen in the black spruce area along the north end of Opeongo Road on April 19. Purple Finch: Numerous, with many singing. Red Crossbill: Fewer on the road this week, but one group reported over 50 during a day of birding on April 19. White-winged Crossbill: A significant drop in numbers on the road, but a party birding all day on April 19 reported seeing at least 25. Pine Siskin: Still very common, with lesser numbers on the road but many singing and displaying. Evening Grosbeak: The week began with about a dozen at the Visitor Centre feeders, but the number was down to three on April 19. Dispersal of the large flock present all winter was fairly rapid once warmer temperatures arrived. Note: Rock Lake Road has been re-opened to public travel. Due to wet and muddy places on the Arowhon Road, it will remain closed, likely for a couple more weeks. Your patience is appreciated. 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.
