This was a week of contrasts: early spring-like sunny and mild conditions (Feb 23-25) followed by a cold and windy blizzard (Feb 27). Current reported snow depth is 87 centimetres (34 inches). Signs of “pre-spring” included: a few Wild Turkeys away from feeders along the highway edge; a male Ruffed Grouse displaying to a female; a Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owls (at three locations) calling (Feb 24); first nest-building by Canada Jays (Feb 21); several migrant American Crows (Feb 23); first Brown Creeper heard singing (Feb 23; record early date by five days); and the first Eastern Chipmunk (Feb 23).
Algonquin’s “East Side” Two groups of birders reported from the conifer-dominated habitat along Barron Canyon Road to Lake Travers this week, an area infrequently heard from in winter. Sightings included a male Spruce Grouse in the jack pine flats near Lake Travers; a Bald Eagle at Lake Travers; a Canada Jay collecting cattail fluff for nest-lining; an estimated total of 200 Red Crossbills of two call types, with many in song; smaller numbers of White-winged Crossbills, also in song; a total of 110 Pine Siskins, many in song; and 68 American Goldfinches. CAUTION: log hauling is underway on weekdays along Barron Canyon Road and the road surface is often heavily rutted and soft by afternoon. Unusual at this time in Algonquin Mourning Dove: one reported in Mew Lake Campground (Feb 23; previous earliest spring date: Mar 5) Boreal Species Spruce Grouse: a female and a male continued to be seen all week near the first short boardwalk at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk entrance. Black-backed Woodpecker: noted at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (Feb 23), the Logging Museum (Feb 24), and Mew Lake Campground (Feb 25). Canada Jay: continued to be seen regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road and the Logging Museum Trail. Boreal Chickadee: despite many birders searching good habitat this week, no reports were received again. Winter Finches Evening Grosbeak: up to 20 daily at the Visitor Centre feeders. PINE GROSBEAK: reports of one at Mew Lake Campground (Feb 23) and three at the Visitor Centre (Feb 25). Purple Finch: continue to be seen at many locations along Highway 60, with some males in song. Up to 40 daily at the Visitor Centre. COMMON REDPOLL: one reported at the Visitor Centre (Feb 22). Red Crossbill: seen regularly along the highway and daily at the Visitor Centre feeders, parking lot and driveway. White-winged Crossbill: also observed frequently along the highway and at the Visitor Centre; singing and display flights reported. Pine Siskin: small groups seen regularly along Highway 60 and up to 16 daily at the Visitor Centre. American Goldfinch: observed frequently along the highway and up to 20 at the Visitor Centre. Additional birds seen regularly at the Visitor Centre included: Wild Turkey (6), Ruffed Grouse (1), American Tree Sparrow (up to 6), Dark-eyed Junco (up to 6) and Red-winged Blackbird (first year male present since Jan 8). The Friends of Algonquin Park is offering live streaming views of the feeders at the Visitor Centre daily, during both the day and night (with recent views of a flying squirrel and a weasel). Wildlife monitoring activities are expected to continue at the feeders until March 31, but warmer weather conditions may end operations sooner. Tune in to see what is active: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/wild_bird_cam.php 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. The Visitor Centre is also open with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map showing birding locations mentioned above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), Dwight, ON _______________________________________________ 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
