GREAT GRAY OWL NORTHERN SHRIKE BOHEMIAN WAXWING NORTHERN CARDINAL
Algonquin Park experienced lots of rain and a power outage this week. Not surprisingly, no apparent hurricane-related birds have been noted to date. A Great Gray Owl was reported from the Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake area along Mizzy Lake Trail on the 31st. This location had a pair feeding young earlier in the fall. Single Northern Shrikes were at Radiant Lake in the Park Interior on the 26th, and in the Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake area on the 31st. A Boreal Chickadee in a flock of Black-caps on the High Falls Trail near Achray on the 26th was very rare for the East Side and likely a dispersing bird. Other Boreals with Black-capped Chickadee flocks in atypical habitat have been noted in Algonquin this fall. There were about a dozen Bohemian Waxwings in Highbush Cranberry bushes at the East Gate on the 31st, as the previously reported flight continued here. Highbush Cranberry is not favoured by waxwings as a food source, but very few other berries exist in the Park at this date. The Northern Cardinal is very rare and irregular in Algonquin and so a number of dispersing individuals were noteworthy this week, including: singles on the East Side near Radiant Lake, at Travers Creek and at the High Falls Trail parking lot on the 26th; two at Achray on the 30th; and a male at km 41 along Highway 60 on the 31st. Scattered sightings of small numbers of winter finch species suggesting they were on the move included: Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch and Evening Grosbeak. Look for Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee along the old railway near Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake, on Spruce Bog Boardwalk and along Opeongo Road. The Visitor Centre at km 43 on Highway 60 is officially open on weekends and holidays only for the winter (9 am to 5 pm). Access to view birds and the exhibits is often possible on weekdays, however. At the centre you can find recent bird sightings, information, and helpful Park Staff to assist your birding efforts. 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. Please send us any bird sightings you¹ve had in the park, even of common birds, as we continue to monitor the autumn migration. You can also get directions to the locations, as well as updates and info about other park events at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Good Birding! Ron Tozer Dwight, Ontario _______________________________________________ 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/
