RED-NECKED GREBE GOLDEN EAGLE NORTHERN HAWK OWL GREAT GRAY OWL BOHEMIAN WAXWING NORTHERN CARDINAL
A bizarre owl incident and the first Pine Grosbeaks of the fall were noteworthy in the Park this week. Seed feeders are now operating at the Visitor Centre. A Red-necked Grebe was off the Lake of Two Rivers Campground beach on November 4. The carcass of a road-killed Eastern Wolf just east of Brewer Lake attracted a Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle, plus several Common Ravens that mobbed the eagles, on November 4. A Northern Hawk Owl was seen just outside the west boundary of the Park along the South River on November 7. The location is on Ottawa Avenue about 10 km past the Kawawaymog Access Point. This owl and the one reported in Ottawa may suggest the start of an irruption to southern Ontario. Last week's post mentioned one Great Gray Owl, but there were actually three reported from the Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake area along Mizzy Lake Trail on October 31. These were likely members of the family group first recorded there in late September. At 3 pm on November 1, one of these owls was seen to fly to the surface of Wolf Howl Pond, where it eventually died after about 30 minutes of struggling. This unusual occurrence was observed by distraught birders unable to reach the owl to intervene. Perhaps it was one of the inexperienced young birds that made a fatal mistake. A Bohemian Waxwing was seen at the Visitor Centre on November 5, as the flight continued. A male Northern Cardinal was at the Visitor Centre on November 2 and 3 but then disappeared. Occasional brief appearances by dispersing individuals from late October to late November are typical for this rarity here. The movement this year has already had the highest number on record. Scattered sightings of small numbers of winter finch species, mainly heard flying over, continued this week. The first Pine Grosbeaks of the fall were reported from several locations on November 4 and some have been seen most days since then. Other finches observed this week included: Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeak. A few of the latter have been at the Visitor Centre on most days. A Spruce Grouse was in the Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake area on November 4. A female Black-backed Woodpecker was on a utility pole at km 53 on November 4. One Boreal Chickadee on November 1 and two on November 4 were reported along the railway near Wolf Howl Pond. 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/
