The Algonquin Visitor Centre (including the bookstore, exhibits, restaurant, viewing deck and access to feeders) is closed for maintenance work from Wednesday (March 25) to Tuesday (March 31), inclusive.
The moose carcass placed in the Sunday Creek valley off the Visitor Centre deck has been almost totally consumed this week by up to five wolves, two foxes, a large fisher, three Bald Eagles, and several ravens and crows. Hundreds of people got to see some of these in person or on the webcam: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/index.php Spring migrants have arrived very slowly this week due to cold temperatures, deep snow and virtually no open water. First sightings included: Red-tailed Hawk (March 17), Red-winged Blackbird (March 20), Golden Eagle (March 21), Dark-eyed Junco (March 24), and Hooded Merganser and Common Grackle (today). Interesting sightings included: a Northern Goshawk at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on March 20; six Bohemian Waxwings briefly in trees near the Visitor Centre feeders on March 20; and three Northern Shrikes on March 20 and one on March 25. Two or three Ruffed Grouse came to the Visitor Centre feeders. Pine martens were reported at the suet feeder on Spruce Bog Boardwalk and at the refuse/recycling containers in Mew Lake Campground. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: A male was up in a spruce on the right side of the trail just before the long boardwalk on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on March 25. Black-backed Woodpecker: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road in the black spruce section north of the locked gate. Gray Jay: Observed at Mew Lake Campground, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Trailer Sanitation Station, and Opeongo Road at Cameron Lake Road this week. Boreal Chickadee: From three to an incredible twelve were reported around the trail entrance and the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: Two on March 19 and one on March 21 were reported at the Visitor Centre feeders, but were not seen again. Common Redpoll: Up to 100 were at the Visitor Centre feeders early in the week but the number dropped to 40 or 50 later. The 40 individuals at seed provided at the entrance of Spruce Bog Boardwalk were likely from the Visitor Centre flock. Hoary Redpoll: Three were seen daily at the Visitor Centre feeders early in the week and usually two later in the week. The third bird probably went across the highway to Spruce Bog Boardwalk where one was seen on March 25. Pine Siskin: One (and sometimes two) visited the Visitor Centre feeders all 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). In winter, the Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. VISITOR CENTRE IS CLOSED NOW UNTIL MARCH 31. 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 _______________________________________________ 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
