The following is an overview of the birding situation in Algonquin Provincial Park during the past week. Mild temperatures and spring break resulted in increased numbers of birders visiting the Park.
NEW INFORMATION SINCE LAST WEEK IS PRESENTED AT THE START OF EACH SPECIES ACCOUNT BELOW. Spruce Grouse: Two or three birds were found along Opeongo Road, including: 300 m north of the locked gate; and along the start of the Cameron Lake Road, that begins at the locked gate. More people looking, and the birds becoming more active, probably combined to improve results for this species. Multiple extensive searches of the Spruce Bog Boardwalk area produced no grouse, according to reports. Areas to search include: Spruce Bog Boardwalk (km 42.5 on Highway 60); 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. American Three-toed Woodpecker: One was reported between Posts 8 and 9 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. A female was observed near the steel gate to the Harkness Fish Lab, at the north end of Opeongo Road, beyond the Access Point office. Getting to this site requires walking up Opeongo Road (plowed) from the locked wooden gate. 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. Black-backed Woodpecker: Observations were made at: 100 m northwest of the washrooms at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (March 10); km 8 on Highway 60 (March 11); near Leaf Lake Ski Trail, but well away from Highway 60 (March 11); almost at the north end of the black spruce on the east side of Opeongo Road, well north of the locked gate (March 12); and south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk. 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 Boardwalk parking lot and Opeongo Road are still the best places to look. Boreal Chickadee: There were several observations of persistently vocalizing birds along the Opeongo Road, from the locked gate northward. Also reported at Post 5 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Pine Grosbeak: The Visitor Centre received at least three reports this week, but in all cases the provided details were not unequivocal, unfortunately. The onset of warmer March weather is often when Pine Grosbeaks are observed, apparently moving back north, in an irruption year. However, this species has been almost totally absent in southern Ontario this winter. Red Crossbill: Numerous along Highway 60, especially in the morning when finches flock to sand and salt on the road. Several Red Crossbills were singing. White-winged Crossbill: Abundant, many males singing and performing display flights. Often on the highway pavement and shoulder, seeking sand and salt. Common Redpoll: I saw and heard two birds along the Old Railway, 500 m west of Pog Lake Dam on March 11. I had gone to the area on snowshoes in search of two pairs of Gray Jays (neither of which were found). There is no reason to think that these redpolls would remain at the site, but it indicates that the species is not totally absent. However, this was only the third confirmed record in Algonquin this winter. Sixty-three people out all day on the CBC found only one Common Redpoll, so they are apparently very scarce. Evening Grosbeak: Over 50 still coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeder this week, and others are being reported elsewhere along Highway 60. Purple Finch, Pine Siskin (abundant) and American Goldfinch (scarce) were reported again this week. Watch for flocks along the highway. You need to slow down and blow your horn to avoid hitting them. 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 will be open daily from March 10 to 18 (inclusive). 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.
