NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD RED-NECKED GREBE SANDHILL CRANE Hello Birders,
Many of the warblers have returned in numbers this week to Algonquin, with Nashville, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Black-and-White, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush and Northern Parula singing from breeding territories throughout the park. Other migrants this week included: Barn Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, Wood Thrush, Least Flycatcher and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The excitement this week was a Northern Mockingbird present at the Old Airfield from May 4 - May 5th. This species is almost annual in the Park but only one or two records per year. Sandhill Cranes were seen over the Old Airfield on the 4th, and a Red-necked Grebe was in Lake of Two Rivers on the 8th. Evening Grosbeaks returned on the 7th and have been seen and heard throughout since, especially in the morning at the Visitor Centre. Purple Finches are also present in numbers at the feeders there, especially in the morning. Opeongo Road is now fully open and provides your best chance at our Boreal specialties at the moment, as the Arowhon Road is still closed due to extensive washouts. Hopefully it will be open sometime next week. No Great Gray Owls were seen this week. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: There have been no reports this week. Try Opeongo Road or Spruce Bog Boardwalk. The Old Railway Bed at the North end of the Mizzy Lake Trail is an excellent spot but until Arowhon Road is repaired it is a long hike. Black-backed Woodpecker: Birds were seen at the nest at Tea Lake Dam Picnic Area on the 3rd, a pair working on a nest at Opeongo Road past the bridge on the 4th and 5th, and another pair at the nest three telephone poles west of the Leaf Lake Ski Trail on the 7th. Gray Jay: Birds were at the Old Airfield and Opeongo Road on the 4th. These are very tough to see at this time of year as they are attending nests with young chicks. Boreal Chickadee: Two birds were at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 4th. Opeongo Road is a good spot as well. MAMMALS Moose are now abundant along Highway 60 in roadside wet areas. Drive carefully! Birders reporting records through eBird can now share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). We encourage you to do so. Good Birding! Lev Frid Group Education Technician Algonquin Provincial Park 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 and restaurant at km 43 are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information. For more information see Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ _______________________________________________ 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/
