Dear Fellow Birders,
Ross Wood and myself were birding today in the Burlington area and it turned
out to be a great day for migration. Several hundred American Robins were
seen moving southwest along the shore of Lake Ontario and Hamilton Harbour,
and large numbers of blackbirds moving in the opposite direction. Well over
100 Killdeer were seen moving north along the Lake Ontario shore and west
through Hamilton Harbour before turning north, as were 120 Tundra Swans, and
a few Great Blue Herons. Four Bald Eagles were seen in the Hamilton Harbour
area and a Tree Swallow was seen at Bronte Harbour. Most of the wintering
waterfowl have left the Hamilton Harbour/west end of Lake Ontario area, most
of the birds (ex. White-winged Scoter, Lesser Scaup, Horned Grebe) now are
new migrants to the area, with Hamilton Harbour being the most productive
spot.
Directions: Bronte Harbour - Exit the QEW in Oakville at Bronte Rd and head
south directly to the lake.
Otherwise Hamilton Harbour can be accessed via a number of ways off of the
QEW and 403.
Mike Boyd
Clear Creek, Ontario
From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thu Mar 22 20:52:08 2007
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Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:50:34 -0500
From: Ron Tozer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ontbirds <[email protected]>
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Algonquin Park Bird Report: 22 March 2007
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The following summarizes the birding situation in Algonquin
Provincial Park during the past week.
NEW INFORMATION SINCE LAST WEEK IS PRESENTED
AT THE START OF EACH SPECIES ACCOUNT BELOW.
Fisher:
The large male mentioned a few weeks ago has started coming to
the Visitor Centre suet feeder irregularly, again. A long shot to see
it, but possible.
Spruce Grouse:
One was found on the side trails from the register box area near the
start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk (March 16). A male displayed in
response to a recording of the female call at this location on March 17.
One was observed along Opeongo Road, well north of the locked gate
(March 20).
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:
A male was observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (March 14).
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:
Birds were at Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Km 8 (March
16).
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:
One was encountered on the "back end" of Bat Lake Trail (March 15).
Three were seen and heard along Opeongo Road, north of the locked
gate (March 20).
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.
Evening Grosbeak:
Over 100 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. 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.
________
