Don Sands here... Today, February 21. There is a sheltered corner, heated by the sun, protected from the wind, with softened earth. Several Robins have discovered it and provide a refreshing glimpse of Spring, a hopeful preview. This corner of the world is no place for public traffic. The report of Robins finding their way into the sunshine is helpful nonetheless. :)
--------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thu Feb 22 16:53:59 2007 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from smtp.vianet.ca (smtp2.vianet.ca [209.91.128.42]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with SMTP id 12C9E638A1 for <[email protected]>; Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:53:59 -0500 (EST) Received: (qmail 14455 invoked from network); 22 Feb 2007 21:53:58 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ?66.186.79.33?) (66.186.79.33) by smtp.vianet.ca with SMTP; 22 Feb 2007 21:53:58 -0000 User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/10.1.0.2006 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:53:26 -0500 From: Ron Tozer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: ontbirds <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Subject: [Ontbirds]Algonquin Park Bird Report: February 22 X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:53:59 -0000 The following is an overview of the birding situation in Algonquin Provincial Park during the past week, with some general comments on bird occurrence and habits as well. NEW INFORMATION SINCE LAST WEEK IS PRESENTED AT THE START OF EACH SPECIES ACCOUNT BELOW. Fisher: The large male was observed to make only one brief appearance at the Visitor Centre suet feeder this week, in mid-afternoon on February 21. Probably not much chance of seeing this impressive individual, given the infrequency of its visits. Spruce Grouse: The only report was from an unusual location for this species, at the Little Madawaska pullout, km 21.3 on Highway 60, on February 21. It may have been on the move, since the immediate area lacks suitable habitat but there is black spruce close by. There were no reports of success from the usual sites this week. Areas to search include: Spruce Bog Boardwalk (located at km 42.5 on the highway), the black spruce area south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Opeongo Road (located at km 46.3) near the locked gate, and farther north in black spruce bog area on the right (east) side. Sharp-shinned Hawk: One scattered a flock of Purple Finches that were feeding on tamarack cones near the locked gate on Opeongo Road on February 20. This hawk is rare in Algonquin during winter, being present only when abundant finches provide a food source. Northern Saw-whet Owl: Two of these owls started calling steadily in response to a vocal imitation of wolf howling at Spruce Bog Boardwalk around 8 p.m. on February 20. These were probably owls that have spent the winter here, rather than early migrants. The somewhat milder temperature that night, plus apparently plentiful small mammal prey this winter, may have contributed to their urge to vocalize so early in the year. American Three-toed Woodpecker: One was heard calling from the bog south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 19; and a male and a frequently-calling female were seen in the extensive black spruce habitat of Davies Bog on February 21. These sightings suggest that this northern woodpecker is still present in some numbers, despite the recent lack of observations. Readers will recall that 10 were seen on the Algonquin CBC of 30 December 2006. Davies Bog covers a large area between Bat Lake Trail and the Summer HQ/Wildlife Research Station road (closed to public vehicular traffic). The areas is likely best accessed by going backwards on the Bat Lake Trail (km 30.8) and then exploring adjacent black spruce areas east of the trail. Snowshoes will be required when off the Bat Lake Trail itself. Listening for the relatively quiet tapping sounds made by the American Three-toed as it flakes off bark is the best way to find them. Its call is more musical than the harsher call of the Black-backed. Don Sutherland has described it as reminiscent of the "cluck" call of the American Robin, and unlike the sharp "crick" call of the Black-backed Woodpecker. Black-backed Woodpecker: A male and a female were seen in the extensive Davies Bog area (see American Three-toed above for location) on February 21. Spruce Bog Boardwalk, along Opeongo Road, and utility poles at km 8 on Highway 60 are good areas to search. Check all conifer sites where de-barked trees are in evidence. Imitations of Barred Owl calls, and pishing, may elicit calls or movements by this woodpecker, helping to locate them. Gray Jay: Spruce Bog parking lot and Opeongo Road at the locked gate are the best spots. These colour-banded birds will land on your hand for bread and other treats, which will then be carried off and stored. Right on time, the earliest Gray Jay pairs have started to construct their nests. Dan Strickland found this year's first one on February 18. The first nest being built was located on February 19 last year. Dan's long term research has shown that the Gray Jay's breeding season now begins about a week earlier than it did twenty-five years ago in Algonquin Park. The apparent cause is climate warming. Boreal Chickadee: This week's reported sightings were: near Post 8 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk; from the bog south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk; and near the locked gate on Opeongo Road. Listen for vocalizations, and check carefully within dense trees for this species when Black-capped Chickadees are encountered in spruce habitat. Musical and trilled calls by males increase as spring approaches and reach a peak immediately before winter flock disintegration, typically beginning in March but occasionally by late February. Spruce Bog and Opeongo Road are likely the best areas to try. Red Crossbill: Still numerous. Seen frequently at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and seeking sand and salt on Highway 60. Singing birds in pairs and small flocks are regular. White-winged Crossbill: No change. Still lots of them being seen and heard. Singing birds in pairs and small flocks are widespread and numerous. Evening Grosbeak: Over 75 came daily to the Visitor Centre feeder this week. Purple Finch, Pine Siskin (numerous) and American Goldfinch are widespread. Often at Visitor Centre feeders. Note: both the Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road are posted CLOSED TO PUBLIC TRAVEL this winter, and should not be used by birders. On weekdays, log hauling trucks are frequent on the Rock Lake Road. As always, please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders visiting the Park. Thanks. Good luck. Ron Tozer Dwight, Ontario 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 on Highway 60 in the park go from the West Gate (km 0) to the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are available daily at both gates throughout the winter. The free Algonquin 2006 Information Guide has a map showing the location of sites mentioned in this report. The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found there. Contact staff via the Visitor Centre service entrance during working hours on weekdays for access to view the feeders. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
