Hello birders, Many of the breeding birds are now back in Algonquin Park and the small incursion of birders on the weekend has helped us to detect them. New arrivals this week included Canada Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, Red-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbird and Chimney Swift.
The best places to look for spring migrant warblers have been the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail and the Old Airfield, accessed via the Mew Lake Campground road. Perhaps due to the increase of budworm in the boreal forest to the north of us, we have been seeing higher than average numbers of Cape May Warblers, and singing males in a variety of locations have provided great studies and photo ops of this beautiful warbler. There has been a handful at the north end of Mizzy Lake Trail every day this week. Overnight rain last night made for good waterfowl conditions and Long-tailed Ducks, White-winged Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers were seen this morning at Lake of Two Rivers. Long-tailed Ducks were also heard migrating overhead on several nights this week. Evening Grosbeaks continue to be seen, especially picking grit off of car tires at the Visitor Centre, and two Northern Saw-whet Owls were still calling at Km 20 last night. Two vocalizing Red-necked Grebes were seen on Lake Travers on the East Side on the 18th, and a silent Northern Mockingbird was present at the airfield only briefly on the evening of the 16th. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: A male was seen at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 21st - likely the same bird that has been seen there and and off this week. There is/was a dispersed lek of up to three males at West Rose Lake on the Mizzy Lake Trail and birds were seen there most of the week as well. Gray Jay: These are now attending young and are quite shy. Last night (21st) there was a pair at Wolf Howl Pond on the Mizzy Lake Trail that were carting around three fledglings. There were six birds seen along that stretch of the Mizzy Lake Trail on the 20th. Black-backed Woodpecker: One female was seen at Wolf Howl Pond on the 20th. Boreal Chickadee: These are now mostly silent, and difficult to detect. One was seen at West Rose Lake on the 19th, but it was quiet. MAMMALS: Moose are now common along the highway, especially in the morning, so take caution and make sure to pull all the way off the road if you are going to observe them. Black Bears are also starting to become apparent along the highway. 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! Lev Frid 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
