Following the flurry of new arrivals and birders during last week's Easter Weekend, things slowed down significantly this week in typical mid April fashion in Algonquin.
New arrival reports were limited to Sandhill Crane on April 11 and Hermit Thrush on April 12. Sandhill Cranes are rare but apparently increasing in Algonquin Park, and were observed at four different locations here this week. Common Loons were still not widespread by the end of the week, even though all lakes have been open since April 7. The first of the three Highway 60 Owl Surveys produced Barred Owls at km 4, km 10 and km 12 on April 14. No Northern Saw-whet Owls were heard, as expected given the low small mammal numbers. A few Wild Turkeys were observed along Highway 60, apparently part of the April move back into the Park noted in recent years. Boreal Species: Spruce Grouse: A displaying male was observed in the black spruce bog along the north end of Opeongo Road on April 12. Gray Jay: Birds were noted at the Logging Museum parking lot, and at the chain gate along the old railway west of Wolf Howl Pond this week. We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor Centre records. Weekend visitors are encouraged to add their observations of newly arrived migrants to the sheets posted in the Visitor Centre lobby. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON 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 near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. The Visitor Centre at km 43 has details on recent sightings, feeders, and park information, and is open this weekend from 10 am to 5 pm. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the restaurant, but not full meal service. Birder access to the Visitor Centre through the service entrance to observe the feeders is usually possible on weekdays. Algonquin Park birding updates and information are also available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
