Major melting of snow this week resulted in rivers rising to flood level. However, there is still relatively little open water. Ice-free areas in lakes where rivers and creeks enter are only slowly expanding in size.
An Owl Survey during the evening of April 12 from the West Gate to km 18 along Highway 60 produced single Barred Owls at the West Gate and km 2, but no Northern Saw-whet Owls. This was not entirely unexpected since small mammal populations are low following very poor tree seed crops last year. Boreal species reported this week included: Spruce Grouse: Two were seen on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 9. Black-backed Woodpecker: A male was on a utility pole at km 8 on Highway 60 on April 8. Boreal Chickadee: One was reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 9. New arrivals (with the average date in brackets) are shown below. Most are later than normal, as expected in this late spring. April 8: Rough-legged Hawk (March 25) April 9: Winter Wren (April 7) April 10: Belted Kingfisher (April 9) April 10: Northern Flicker (April 8) April 10: Winter Wren (April 7) April 10: Golden-crowned Kinglet (April 3) April 11: Green-winged Teal (April 12) April 11: Eastern Phoebe (April 6) April 11: Purple Finch (April 4) April 13: Common Goldeneye (April 7) April 13: Pied-billed Grebe (April 13) April 14: Northern Pintail (Rare) April 14: Ring-necked Duck (April 8) April 14: Common Loon (April 14) April 14: Belted Kingfisher (April 9) Moose are being seen regularly now at wet areas along Highway 60. Please report your sightings for our records. 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 and information. The centre and restaurant are open on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. 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/
