Winter conditions prevailed this week although milder temperatures suggested spring will come eventually.
The moose carcass placed in the Sunday Creek bog below the Visitor Centre viewing deck attracted ravens regularly. Wolves and other carnivores apparently visited it at night. It is now essentially fully consumed. Birds reported this week included: Ruffed Grouse: one was fairly regular at the Visitor Centre feeders. Black-backed Woodpecker: one on Opeongo Road (March 4 and 9). Gray Jay: birds were regular at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: several still coming to suet and sunflower seeds at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. White-winged Crossbill: a few were seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on several days this week. Common Redpoll: up to 200 continued to come to the Visitor Centre feeders each day this week. About 30 were at sunflower seed provided at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot as well. Arriving migrants to date are: American Robin (March 1; third earliest date on record), American Crow (March 4) and Northern Saw-whet Owl (March 7). Please let us know your sightings. 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 recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre and restaurant are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm during March Break (March 12 to 20). Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
