Five birders from the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, outfitted with chest waders, went to the East Side of the Park in search of Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows today. This sparrow had been recorded on only two previous occasions in the park, both during the first ten days of October. The lack of records here for this rarely observed migrant through southern Ontario almost certainly reflects not looking enough in the right marshy habitat during the relatively short fall passage period.
During the good weather this morning, preceding the afternoon's wind and rain, we searched the large sedge/bulrush marsh at Lake Travers, and had great views of two Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows, along with glimpses of two Le Conte's Sparrows. There were numerous Swamp Sparrows, and a few Savannah and Song Sparrows in the marsh as well, so patience was required to get acceptable views. On our return trip back through the interior of the Park (on roads closed to the public), we stopped at Radiant Lake and Doug Tozer waded its sedge/bulrush shoreline near Odenback. He had great views of three more Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows there. Directions: Lake Travers in Algonquin Provincial Park can be reached via the Sand Lake Gate access point, located on Barron Canyon Road. This road is reached by turning south off the Highway 17 bypass onto County Road 26, at a point 3.5 km west of the Forest Lea Road (approximately 9 km west of Pembroke), travelling 300 metres, and then turning right at Barron Canyon Road. Proceed 17.5 km to Sand Lake Gate, and then an additional 55 km to the Lake Travers access point parking lot at Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River. Follow a trail from the parking lot to the Turtle Club historical site, and then proceed eastward to the adjacent marshy bay on Lake Travers. As noted above, Radiant Lake is not accessible by public road. Use an Ontario road map to locate Pembroke. Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Ron Tozer Dwight, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ron Tozer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
