The coming weekend will be the last for bird feeding at the Visitor Centre and Spruce Bog Boardwalk as both sites will be shut down as of April 1 to remove potential attractions for bears that will soon emerge from hibernation. If you have not seen the Boreal Chickadees at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk suet or looked through the big redpoll flock at the Visitor Centre in search of two Common Redpoll subspecies and two Hoary Redpoll subspecies that were present on March 21, this weekend will be your last chance for this winter.
Cold temperatures at night this week helped to maintain deep snow in the bush and no open water except for fast-moving sections of rivers such as the Oxtongue. Snowshoes are still required for travel in the bush, but all the walking trails are accessible without them. Red Crossbill: Two were seeking salt and grit on the Visitor Centre driveway on March 23. Pine Marten: Individuals were seen and photographed at the Visitor Centre and Spruce Bog Boardwalk this week. Spring arrivals included: Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, and Snow Bunting. Please report your sightings for our records. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) 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. 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 the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre and restaurant are open on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
