The Red-bellied Woodpecker which showed up at the feeder at the Algonquin Visitor Centre (km 43 on Highway 60) on Monday (October 15) is still coming for black sunflower seeds there today. Other species frequenting this feeder, which is located on the parking lot side of the building, included Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak.
A three-hour boat tour of Lake Opeongo on October 17 tallied a minimum count of 154 Common Loons, including one adult still feeding a young. Other interesting sightings on this Opeongo trip were: four adult Bald Eagles; a total of 29 Double-crested Cormorants (lingering very late for Algonquin due to the mild weather); and a female House Sparrow at the Access Point dock. The House Sparrow is very rare in Algonquin Park now, this being only the third record since 2002. During the past ten days, there have been first observations this fall in Algonquin for Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Pine Grosbeak, and Common Redpoll. Red Crossbills (Type 2, with larger-sized bills, that feed on White Pine cones) continue to be seen on the East Side of Algonquin Park (e.g., Barron Canyon Road), but there have been no recent reports from Highway 60. White-winged Crossbills were unreported recently. As expected, most finch numbers are low due to the lack of cones. Finally, an interesting sighting at the Old Airfield on October 16 involved an apparent Hoyt's Horned Lark, with an adjacent Northern Horned Lark for direct comparison. The Northern subspecies of the Horned Lark passes through Algonquin from mid-September to early November, and very rarely an individual of the Hoyt's race is seen with them. 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 here. Thanks. Good birding. 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 fall and winter, including the Algonquin Information Guide showing locations discussed here. The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until October 28, and will be open on weekends through the winter. Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found there. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
