Hello Birders, It's been a while since I've been out, and even today my trip to Algonquin was not primarily for birding, but I was pleasantly surprised whilst watching the many redpolls at the feeder off the visitor centre viewing deck this morning.
There were many COMMON REDPOLLS (flammea), but there was also a good number of SOUTHERN HOARY REDPOLLS (exilipes) as well. At one point there may have been eight or more. However, the big surprise was when I was looking at the ground-feeding redpolls under the feeders and noticed a sight that every redpoll aficionado relishes - "the big white one". A HORNEMANN'S HOARY REDPOLL (hornemanni) was feeding with the other redpolls, told apart by it's markedly larger size and paleness. Later on in the day I ventured closer to take some pictures and the bird was still around and posed nicely. It was quite fearless, another characteristic of this far northern bird which rarely sees humans. It also had the distinctive "thick necked" look. The day was made when finally I saw a couple of GREATER COMMON REDPOLLS (rostrata) later on in the day, which I figured out after looking at my pictures, thus completing the "Redpoll Challenge". This was all at the Visitor Centre feeder. I did not venture anywhere else except for a few minutes at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, which produced a few more COMMON REDPOLLS. Pictures of the various Redpolls from today can be seen here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/ Directions as per Ron Tozer: 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. Read more about the Redpoll Challenge here: http://www.jeaniron.ca/2007/Redpolls/redpolltext3.htm _______________________________________________ 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/
