BRANT NORTHERN PINTAIL LESSER SCAUP SURF SCOTER LONG-TAILED DUCK NELSON'S SPARROW LE CONTE'S SPARROW LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Hello Birders, It has been an exciting week of birding here in Algonquin Park, with some rare East Side coverage as well as good weather conditions allowed for an interesting set of birds to be found in the Park. Sparrows continue to be thick, especially in places like the Old Airfield at the Mew Lake Campground. On the 10th and 11th, a handful of Lapland Longspurs were at the airfield in the long grass, mixed with many American Pipits and Horned Larks. One lucky birder during a storm encountered a record 29 Nelson's Sparrows in the Lake Travers marsh on the 6th, with about 15 or so birds remaining on the 7th and the 10th. Le Conte's Sparrows were reported from there with one on the 6th and 2-4 on the 10th. There have been no reports to my knowledge from the West Side, however this is evidently the best time to look, and places like the Lake of Two Rivers Marsh (Nelson's) and the south end of the Airfield (Le Conte's) being likely spots. Waterfowl diversity is usually difficult to come by in Algonquin, but on the 6th there were 5 Northern Pintail, 4 Surf Scoters, 6 Long-tailed Ducks, and 30 Brant at Lake Travers. The next day, when the storm had past, there was only one Pintail left in the Marsh and a flock of 60 flyover Brant. A Lesser Scaup was in Lake of Two Rivers on Oct 10. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Birds were reported this week from the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Opeongo Road. The most recent report was of a male and a female at the Opeongo Road on Oct 11 (yesterday). Gray Jay: Birds are now easy to find as they're after handouts. Birds were at the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail, Opeongo Road and the Logging Museum this week. Boreal Chickadee: Birds were reported from the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail at West Rose Lake this week. The most recent report was on Oct 11 from there. Black-backed Woodpecker: Two birds were at the north end of Mizzy Lake Trail early this week. 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, ON 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. _______________________________________________ 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
