HORNED GREBE GREAT GRAY OWL HOARY REDPOLL The Visitor Centre will be open 9 am to 5 pm daily from February 16 to 18. See WINTER IN THE WILD FESTIVAL below for details on events including guided bird walks. Again this year, a moose carcass has been placed in Sunday Creek Bog opposite the Visitor Centre deck. See below for details about attracted wolf, other mammals and birds.
A Horned Grebe photographed in open water on the Oxtongue River at Whiskey Rapids Trail (km 7.2 on Highway 60) on February 7 is the first winter record for Algonquin Park, and a remarkable occurrence here. Sadly, one of the Great Gray Owls was hit and killed on Highway 60 this week. Locations where these owls were reported included: -February 9: one found dead on road edge (killed by vehicle) at km 38 -February 9: one along the northern part of Opeongo Road -February 10: two together along Highway 60 at the Opeongo Road turn -February 11: one along Highway 60 at the Opeongo Road turn at 10 am and 3:30 pm -February 12: one at km 38 on Highway 60 -February 12: one at 3:25 pm at the first pull-off a little under 1km up Opeongo Road The leucistic Black-capped Chickadee continues to be seen on Opeongo Road at Cameron Lake Road, near the open gate. Twelve Snow Buntings at the Visitor Centre feeder on February 12 could possibly have been very early spring migrants since winter sightings here usually involve smaller numbers. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Two males were observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 10. Black-backed Woodpecker: None reported this week in the Highway 60 Corridor. Gray Jay: Regular at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: One or two are being seen and photographed regularly around the suet feeder near the trail register book on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Single birds were reported along Opeongo Road on February 10 and 12. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Small groups continue to be regular on the highway. About ten are under the feeders at the Visitor Centre on most days, including several adult males. White-winged Crossbill: The adult male that first appeared in early January is still coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders. Common Redpoll: About 30-40 are at the Visitor Centre feeders regularly. Hoary Redpoll: A female of the "Southern" subspecies (exilipes) was reported at the Visitor Centre feeders on February 10, 11 and 12. WINTER IN THE WILD FESTIVAL: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 This event includes a morning and an afternoon guided bird walk at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, winter photography tips, a winter wildlife excursion by snowshoe, and a wolf howl and night hike. Paste the following into your browser for details: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/2012-12-14_winter_in_the_wild_ festival.php MOOSE CARCASS IN SUNDAY CREEK BOG A road-killed moose was placed in the Sunday Creek Bog on February 12. As in other years, it is visible from the Visitor Centre deck. The carcass has already attracted a wolf and ravens. Paste the following into your browser for details: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/2013/2013-02-14_feeding_on_ misfortunes.php CONDITIONS IN ALGONQUIN Snow depth is now about 37 cm. See: http://tinyurl.com/algonquin-snow To learn more about Winter in Algonquin Park, see: http://tinyurl.com/algonquin-winter DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial 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. Locations are also described at: www. algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre at km 43 is open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. It is usually possible to access the building on weekdays as well. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings, feeders and information. Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the restaurant seating area. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase, as well as the use of a microwave. For more information see Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ Good Birding! Please let us know what you see. Ron Tozer _______________________________________________ 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/
