GOLDEN EAGLE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER BLUE-WINGED TEAL INDIGO BUNTING RED CROSSBILL
Hello Birders, We're going to start the reports up again as the birding in Algonquin has been excellent the past couple of weeks, with many sought-after species being easily seen. Warblers have been excellent this week, with large flocks present in many locations. A flock at the north end of Mizzy contained three vireo sp and 16 different warbler species on the 10th, and 18 species late last week. In this flock were at least five different Cape May Warblers, who seem to have had a good year up there and individuals are found in almost every flock this year in the Park. Palm Warbler has appeared this week. The best place to observe these flocks is the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail or the Old Airfield. Flocks there often have over one hundred individual birds! An East Side trip produced several interesting birds. On the 11th, in the extensive marshes of Lake Travers, two Blue-winged Teal were seen, a rare species for Algonquin. On the 12th, staff at Radiant Lake had two Semipalmated Plovers there, as well as a flyover subadult Golden Eagle. This is the earliest date for Algonquin by seven days! Also present there were two late Indigo Buntings. The resident race of pine-eating Red Crossbills were heard and seen as well. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: The North end of the Mizzy Lake trail and Arowhon Road have produced almost daily sightings of this bird, including displaying males. At this time of year, birds will display again likely due to the spring-like temperature and day-length. Gray Jay: It has been a difficult year for those looking for Gray Jays in Algonquin. The pair at the Logging Museum were reported by staff most days this week and two were heard at West Rose Lake on the Mizzy Lake trail on the 10th. Boreal Chickadee: This bird is now quite vocal again and it is relatively straightforward to find at the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail. Pishing at the large warbler flock there at West Rose Lake on the 10th produced arms-length looks at four birds, and two more were heard at Wolf Howl Pond. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was seen at West Rose Lake at the north end of Mizzy on the 8th and a bird was heard there on the 10th. MAMMALS: Moose are seen almost daily along the Highway. They are getting ready for the rut and are looking especially sharp as they remove the "velvet" from their antlers. 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 Park Naturalist 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 including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
