The extent of snow melt is now suggestive of conditions typically two or three weeks later. Some birds have responded to the earlier appearance of bare ground. Ruffed Grouse usually start drumming when their display logs become free of snow, with the average date in Algonquin Park being April 9 (30 years). The first drumming was detected on March 24 this year, tying the earliest date on record.
Arrivals this week included: American Black Duck, Common Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Dark-eyed Junco and Purple Finch. Spruce Grouse usually begin flutter flight displays in April here, but the first was noted on March 24 this year. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk. A Black-backed Woodpecker was photographed at Wolf Howl Pond on March 20. Gray Jays are being seen regularly on Opeongo Road and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadees are calling more often now, making them easier to locate. Try Opeongo Road and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor Centre records. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON 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 along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. The Visitor Centre at km 43 has details on recent sightings, feeders, and park information, and is open this weekend from 10 am to 5 pm. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the restaurant this winter, but not full meal service. Birder access to the Visitor Centre through the servi _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
