GREAT GRAY OWL HOARY REDPOLL The Visitor Centre at km 43 will be open daily from March 9 to 17, 9 am to 5 pm., for March Break.
A guided bird walk at Spruce Bog Boardwalk will occur from 1 to 2:30 pm on March 15 (Friday). There were fewer reports of Great Gray Owls this week. Locations were: -March 8: one on Highway 60 at Opeongo Turn (km 46.3) -March 9 and 10: one near km 38 on Highway 60 New spring arrivals this week: European Starling (March 8); Red-tailed Hawk and Mourning Dove (March 10 ); Herring Gull (March 12): Red-winged Blackbird (March 13). BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: A displaying male and a female feeding on balsam needles and ignoring him were near the register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on March 9. One was reported along Leaf Lake Ski Trail on March 12. Black-backed Woodpecker: Male and female reported near gate on Opeongo Road on March 10. Gray Jay: Regular at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Up to three are being seen regularly around the suet feeder near the trail register book on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. One was noted along Opeongo Road on March 9 and 14. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Up to four were still at the Visitor Centre feeders, and a few small flocks were noted along the highway and Opeongo Road. Red Crossbill: Four were observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and at the Visitor Centre, on March 8. Common Redpoll: Up to 60 are now at the Visitor Centre feeders regularly. Hoary Redpoll: One or two of the "Southern" subspecies (exilipes) were at the Visitor Centre feeders most days this week. American Goldfinch: One at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on March 14. CONDITIONS IN ALGONQUIN Snow depth is now about 30 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 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/
