There was an obvious movement of birds from Friday to Sunday this week, especially finches. Crossbills and redpolls were flying over to somewhere in search of seed crops, while other finches lingered at feeders (see below). A heavy covering of snow arrived on Saturday, with some persisting until today. Ice formed on some shallow ponds and small lakes, but should disappear in today's rain.
BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: No reports. Try Wolf Howl Pond (via Arowhon Road), Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Opeongo Road. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Gray Jay: regular on Opeongo Road, at the Visitor Centre suet, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadee: No reports. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. FIRST OF FALL: Lesser Scaup: female at the Old Airfield Marsh (October 31). Common Goldeneye:: five over Lake of Two Rivers (October 31). White-winged Crossbill: see below. FINCHES: Purple Finch: down to one or two at the Visitor Centre feeders. This species appears to be moving out, as expected with this year's poor seed crops. White-winged Crossbill: two in flight near Mew Lake (October 29) and three flying over there (October 31). Common Redpoll: total of 13 birds in three groups at the Old Airfield (October 29); one at Opeongo Access Point (October 31). Pine Siskin: up to 30 at the Visitor Centre feeders. American Goldfinch: up to 15 at the Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: 12 at Lake of Two Rivers (October 31) and up to 12 fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. NOTEWORTHY SIGHTINGS: Wild Turkey: two near km 28 on Highway 60 (October 30). Double-crested Cormorant: juvenile at Opeongo Access Point (October 29 and November 3). Late. Rough-legged Hawk: adult (dark morph) over km 4 on Highway 60 (October 31). Bohemian Waxwing: one over the Old Airfield (October 29); 20 at the Visitor Centre (November 2). Northern Cardinal: male was at the Visitor Centre feeders (from October 28 to 31). Lapland Longspur: one at Two Rivers Campground beach (October 31). Rusty Blackbird: one at Visitor Centre feeders (November 3). 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 recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre and restaurant are open 9 am to 4 pm on weekends only from November 6 to December 19. Birders visiting during the week may be able to enter via the service entrance (right end of building) to view the feeders. Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ 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/
