After two weeks with no new arrivals, several were reported this week: Mourning Dove (March 25); Red-tailed Hawk (March 27); Hooded Merganser (March 28); Northern Saw-whet Owl and Merlin (March 29); and American Black Duck, American Robin and Common Grackle (today). Snow on the ground remains extensive, deep and hard-crusted. All lakes and ponds are completely ice-covered to the shore. Only moving water is open.
BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: No reports this week. Displaying males should be easier to detect soon. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (March 23). Gray Jay: Best places to see them continue to be Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road and at the Logging Museum. Researchers have now found nests of 20 pairs, and at least 16 females are incubating eggs. Boreal Chickadee: One was seen north of the Trailer Sanitation Station (March 23). There were no reports from Spruce Bog Boardwalk this week. The suet feeder there has now been shut down for the season. WINTER FINCHES Pine Grosbeak: No reports. Nearly all have likely moved back north. Purple Finch: An adult male was at the Visitor Centre feeders today. Red Crossbill: A few small groups (up to about 12 birds) getting grit and salt along the highway were seen occasionally. White-winged Crossbill: The only report was of two observed on Opeongo Road (March 25). Common Redpoll: One or two were noted among the siskins and goldfinches at the Visitor Centre feeders early in the week. There was a flock of 13 at Tea Lake Dam (March 26) and one on Big Pines Trail (March 27). Pine Siskin: As many as seventy came to the Visitor Centre feeders this week, but the numbers were less than half that most days. American Goldfinch: Regular at the Visitor Centre feeders; numbers peaked at about 45 birds. Evening Grosbeak: Early in the week, numbers reached 90 at the Visitor Centre feeders but were about half that by today. 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). The Visitor Centre exhibits, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm in winter. The Visitor Centre is also open on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm with limited facilities, including self-serve hot and cold beverages plus snacks available in the restaurant. The Visitor Centre bird feeders will be shut down for the season on Monday (April 3). 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 (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
