By the end of the week there was a little more open water where creeks and rivers flow into lakes (e.g., Long Lake, Lake of Two Rivers at Airfield), but all lakes are still ice- covered. Snow depth went down some, but snow cover is still very extensive in all areas not in direct sunlight. There is much more snow and ice in the Park than at nearby places such as Huntsville, due to the higher elevation of the Algonquin Dome compared with surrounding areas. This difference is reflected in later spring arrival by birds in Algonquin, as well.
Very few new migrants were discovered this week until the last two days, when temperatures were warmer, including at night. Again this week, there was a mix of earlier than average, about average, and later than average arrivals. Below, the first date seen this week is followed by the average first date in brackets. Later than average first date: Green-winged Teal: April 16 (April 14) Ring-necked Duck: April 16 (April 8) Bufflehead: April 17 (April 12) Northern Harrier: April 17 (April 4) Close or equal to average first date: Common Loon: April 16 (April 15) Ring-billed Gull: April 16 (April 16) Ruby-crowned Kinglet: April 16 (April 15) Savannah Sparrow: April 16 (April 16) White-throated Sparrow: April 17 (April 16) Earlier than average first date: Blue-winged Teal: April 17 (April 24) Broad-winged Hawk: April 17 (April 21) Hermit Thrush: April 14 (April 16) Chipping Sparrow: April 17 (April 19) Vesper Sparrow: April 16 (April 21) Swamp Sparrow: April 16 (April 21) FINCHES: Common Redpoll: At least 3 were at the West Gate feeder this week, and about 10 at the Visitor Centre. Half a dozen were at seed put out at the Opeongo Road winter gate on April 15. Hoary Redpoll: One was at the West Gate feeder on April 16. This is a new all-time late spring date for the species in Algonquin. Previous latest was April 13. Evening Grosbeak: One was at the West Gate (April 16), and three were at the Visitor Centre (April 17). BOREAL RESIDENTS: Spruce Grouse: A male was on Spruce Bog Boardwalk near the register box on April 12. A female was along Opeongo Road, 1.1 km north of the winter gate, on April 15, and two Spruce Grouse were reported along Opeongo Road on April 17. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Try km 8 on Highway 60, and Opeongo Road. Gray Jay: They were observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Try Spruce Bog and Opeongo Road. NOTEWORTHY THIS WEEK: The average date (28 years) of the first drumming by Ruffed Grouse heard in Algonquin Park is April 9. This year's date was late, on April 17. In late springs like this one, drumming is delayed until the drumming logs become free of snow. The first of three nocturnal owl surveys that are undertaken annually in the Highway 60 Corridor was done on April 15. The only owls detected at ten stops (2 km apart) involved a pair of Barred Owls just east of the Portage Store turn at Canoe Lake. This scarcity of owls was entirely expected following a winter of very low small mammal populations due to the virtual total absence of tree seed crops. Barred Owls went south in large numbers this year, and many that remained were clearly food-stressed as they hunted by day. It will be interesting to see the results of the other two owl surveys along the highway. We have yet to detect a Northern Saw-whet Owl in the Park this spring. Wild Turkeys have become regular in Algonquin Park since 2002. However, there is no evidence to date that they are present here during the winter (i.e., no sightings between December 20 and April 14). It appears that dispersing birds re-occupy the Algonquin Highlands each spring. On April 15, a first year male and three females were observed walking eastward along the margin of Highway 60 at km 6. This group had reached the km 29 to 33 area by the following day, showing the rapidity and extent of their movements. BIRDERS: 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. Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road are officially closed to public travel until further notice. Do not use these roads. Good birding. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) 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 along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to the East Gate (km 56). The park gates are currently not staffed, but you can still get your permit there (by machine), and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) is available there too. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact staff for birding information and access to the viewing deck, via the service entrance (right end of the building as you face it from the parking lot). Exhibits and restaurant are open on weekends through April 20, 10 am to 5 pm. _______________________________________________ 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/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
