NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD BRANT LONG-TAILED DUCK RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Hello Birders,
The weather has been all over in the Park this week, and so were the birds. Northern Mockingbirds seem to also have taken their vacation to cottage country, with one being reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 18th and another on Arowhon Road on that same day. Rainy weather on the 21st caused a fallout of waterfowl on Lake of Two Rivers, including a flock of 17 Brant, two flocks of Long-tailed Ducks (17 and 24) and a flock of 24 Red-breasted Mergansers. These birds usually do not stay long and all but the mergansers were seen in flight, leaving the lake as soon as the weather became suitable for migration. Most warblers are back on breeding territory. The Old Airfield accessed via the Mew Lake Campground road is still the best site for viewing migrants and finding potential rarities. Here and the Lake of Two Rivers Campground beach also provide the best viewing of any rare migrant waterfowl (best after rainy nights). New migrants this week include Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Wilson's and Tennessee Warblers, Least Sandpiper, Red-eyed Vireo and Alder Flycatcher. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: One was seen in the 17th at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and two birds were seen by two different observers there on the 18th. A bird was seen off Arowhon Road on the 20th. Gray Jay: Birds were seen at Rock Lake Campground on the 19th and 21st. They are very secretive and difficult at this time of year as they are feeding young. Boreal Chickadee: This was not reported this week and it's likely that many are attending nests. Try the North end of the Mizzy Lake Trail. Black-backed Woodpecker: Two were seen on Opeongo Road past the second bridge on the 18th. Also try the North end of the Mizzy Lake Trail, where there is an active nest at West Rose Lake in the deadwood near the bridge (inaccessible on foot, but not too far to see from the bridge if the birds are around) MAMMALS: Moose are all over the highway ditches and a Black Bear with three cubs was seen at Km 20.5 on the 17th. Many Red Foxes with young kits are being reported from the highway. Drive carefully, especially at night! Birders reporting records through eBird can now share their lists with theAlgonquin 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/
