Lakes in Algonquin Park remain ice covered, but fast moving creeks and rivers are ice free and water levels remain high. Ice in areas of substantial inflow and outflow is eroding allowing more open water for waterfowl. Snow has disappeared from most areas, but north facing slopes and dense conifer areas are still partially snow covered. Warmer temperatures and rain this week encouraged new spring arrivals, the first amphibian observations, and Moose attracted to thawing roadside ditches containing slightly salty water. See http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca for additional details.
NEW SPRING BIRD ARRIVALS: April 17: Common Goldeneye April 18: Savannah Sparrow April 19: Bufflehead, Ruby-crowned Kinglet April 20: Canada Goose (interior subspecies), Broad-winged Hawk, Tree Swallow, Rusty Blackbird, Chipping Sparrow April 21: Osprey, Tundra Swan, Ring-billed Gull, American Bittern, Northern Harrier OTHER NOTEWORTHY SIGHTINGS: Sandhill Crane (April 17 & 21 along Opeongo Road) Northern Saw-whet Owl (April 18 at Lake of Two Rivers Campground) Green-winged Teal (April 19 at Airfield Marsh, and April 21 & 23 at Lake Opeongo/Costello Creek) First Report of Ruffed Grouse Drumming: April 19 First Spring Peeper (frog) Active/Calling: April 21 First American Toad Active/Calling: April 21 First salamander active: April 21 (Blue-spotted Salamander) Bald Eagle (April 24 at Lookout Trail) BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Observed on April 21 and 24 along the Opeongo Road. Also check near the trail register box at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Black-backed Woodpecker: One seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 19. Check the old telephone poles opposite the entrance to Spruce Bog Boardwalk, near post 1 of Spruce Bog Boardwalk, or try searching along Opeongo Road. Gray Jay: Reported regularly at Opeongo Road and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadee: Observed on April 21 along the Opeongo Road. Also check Spruce Bog Boardwalk or the Mizzy Lake Trail. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: Observed on April 17, 18, 19 and 22 at various locations including the Opeongo Road and the Visitor Centre. Red Crossbill: Two spotted at Lake of Two Rivers on April 18. Two observed on April 19 along Highway 60. American Goldfinch: Observed on April 17 at the Algonquin Visitor Centre. Evening Grosbeak: Numbers of this species are decreasing from winter highs of 60+ birds. On April 21, two were seen at the Visitor Centre, one at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and 2 along the Opeongo Road. A lone male was also seen at the Visitor Centre today (April 24). MAMMALS: Moose: Numerous along Highway 60 throughout the week. One Park visitor spotted 10 along Highway 60 on April 20. Watch for Moose in roadside ditches drinking slightly salty water from winter road maintenance operations. Wolf: One spotted on the ice on April 19 near Centennial Ridges Road (km 38). Otter: Several observed near the Lake Opeongo Access Point over Easter Weekend. SPRING ROAD CLOSURES: Birders should be aware that most secondary roads in Algonquin Park are closed for the spring melt. The only exceptions are Opeongo Road (paved) and Arowhon Road to the ³crossroads² area about 4 km north of Highway 60. Road such as Source Lake, Rock Lake, Centennial Ridges, and other roads to backcountry access points both along Highway 60 and around the periphery of Algonquin Park remain closed. For more details see http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/2014/spring_2014_update.php The Visitor Centre (at km 43 of Highway 60) has recent bird sightings and information, plus exhibits, bookstore and nature shop, and a restaurant. The Visitor Centre is open 9am to 5pm daily starting April 26, 2014. For more information see the Algonquin Park events calendar at http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ Birders reporting records through eBird can share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). We encourage you to do so. Or please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life. Good Birding! Ron Tozer, Kevin Clute, and Dawn Sherman Algonquin Park, Ontario DIRECTIONS: Algonquin 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, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations are also described at http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
