More snow melted and areas of open water in creeks and rivers increased this week. However, all lakes and ponds remain frozen to the shore and there is deep snow everywhere except on south-facing slopes, clearings and bogs. Some migrants were held back by colder than normal temperatures and the scarcity of bare ground and open water.
The following may interest birders planning a visit: Spruce Grouse: Two were 50 m off the trail north of the register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 5. Wild Turkey: A male was at the Visitor Centre on April 6 and 7 and others were reported along Highway 60 this week. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was between posts 6 and 7 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 2 and another was along Highway 60 at km 8 on April 3. Boreal Chickadee: Two were between posts 6 and 7 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 2. Hoary Redpoll: One was with the smaller numbers of Common Redpolls remaining at the Visitor Centre on April 5. Evening Grosbeak: This species was back at the Algonquin Inn feeders near the Highway 60 bridge at Oxtongue Lake west of Algonquin Park this week. New arrivals included: April 1: Wood Duck April 2: American Woodcock. April 4: Great Blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk April 5: Herring Gull, American Tree Sparrow April 6: Eastern Meadowlark April 7: Turkey Vulture Please report your sightings for our 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 and information. The centre and restaurant are open on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. 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 [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
