The Algonquin Park CBC was held on Saturday, January 3. A mostly calm, overcast morning was good for observing, but nearly continuous light to moderate snowfall in the afternoon made locating birds more difficult. The temperature ranged from minus 13 to minus 6 C. The only open water was in fast-moving sections of creeks and rivers. Moderate snow depth allowed fairly easy walking without snowshoes.
Total Observers: 64 Total Species: 20 (tied lowest ever in 1997; average is 28) Total Individuals: 1,148 (average is 4,785) Birds per Party Hour: 6 (but low of 4 birds/party hour has occurred in two previous years) New Species for the Count: none Noteworthy Species: -Hoary Redpoll: 1 (at the Visitor Centre feeders since December 30) Noteworthy Total Individuals: -Barred Owl: 9 (ties highest count; abundant small mammals this year) Finches: The total of 28 individuals was lower than on any of the previous 40 years of counts. There is an extremely poor tree seed crop in the Park this winter. -Red Crossbill: 3 -Common Redpoll: 11 -Hoary Redpoll: 1 -American Goldfinch: 1 -Unidentified finches: 12 Complete count results will be posted at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer Algonquin Park CBC Compiler Dwight, ON 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. _______________________________________________ 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
