About 10 cm of new snow accumulated during the night and into the day on April 15th, and it continued to cover the previous limited bare ground on the 16th. This resulted in large numbers of sparrows, juncos and blackbirds concentrating at the Visitor Centre feeders on those days, such as 70 Dark-eyed Juncos on the 15th. Open water is restricted to rivers and creeks with current. All lakes and ponds are frozen right to the shore. Still deep snow in shaded forest.
New arrivals reported this week were: April 10: Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Merlin, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,Winter Wren April 11: Common Merganser April 12: Wood Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Belted Kingfisher, Bohemian Waxwing, American Tree Sparrow April 13: Snow Goose April 14: Ring-necked Duck, Sandhill Crane, Northern Flicker April 15: Fox Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow April 16: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Brown Thrasher April 17: Common Goldeneye BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: A displaying male and a female were seen north of the register book along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 12th and 13th. Black-backed Woodpecker: The hole being excavated by a pair in a telephone pole just west of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 12th was not subsequently attended and likely has been abandoned, as is often the case with these early cavities. Gray Jay: Reported regularly on Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Heard and seen in the black spruce section of Opeongo Road, on Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and along Highway 60 just west of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 12th. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: A few were seen at the Visitor Centre feeders. Red Crossbill: Occasional small groups are still being seen along the highway. White-winged Crossbill: Three were seen on Opeongo Road on the 12th. Pine Siskin: One or two were noted on Opeongo Road on the 12th. American Goldfinch: A few were at the Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: Only about 10 were at the Visitor Centre feeders by the end of the week. Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). Good Birding! Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, 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 Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the East Gate or the West Gate. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information. It is usually possible to access the building on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the restaurant seating area on weekdays. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase then, as well as the use of a microwave. For more information see the 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
