NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD LAPLAND LONGSPUR LONG-TAILED DUCK Hello Birders,
The migrants continue pouring into Algonquin. Much of the warblers are singing from the canopy on potential breeding territories and thus difficult to see, but the Old Airfield accessed via Mew Lake Campground road, as well as the north section of the Mizzy Lake Trail are producing lots of warblers low down and easy to see. However, there were few birders this week to see them! There were few new arrivals this week due to poor weather, but American Redstart, Blackburnian Warbler and Swainson's Thrush arrived this week. On the 11th and since then, Long-tailed Ducks were heard every night migrating over Found Lake at Km 20. An rare East Algonquin birding trip resulted in some interesting sightings from the park interior - most notably another Northern Mockingbird and four Lapland Longspurs in stark full-alternate plumage. A Bald Eagle was seen with a kettle of Turkey Vultures on the 15th. Evening Grosbeaks are a daily feature of the Visitor Centre but almost exclusively in the early morning or evening. Arowhon Road, accessing the northern portion of the Mizzy Lake Trail, is now fully open. This is an excellent spot to look for our Boreal specialty birds. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: The Old Railway Bed at the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail produced two birds on the 15th and also two on the 16th. A bird was seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 14th. Black-backed Woodpecker: A pair of birds were seen at West Rose Lake on the Mizzy Lake Trail on the 16th. Gray Jay: None were reported this week. Try Opeongo Road, Mizzy Lake Trail or Spruce Bog Boardwalk but they are difficult at this time of year. Boreal Chickadee: No reports of this chickadee this week. Try along Opeongo Road or the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail. 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/
