LESSER SCAUP SURF SCOTER LONG-TAILED DUCK GOLDEN EAGLE NORTHERN GOSHAWK LONG-EARED OWL
Hello Birders, It has been an exciting week in Algonquin from a birder's perspective, and with more birders out this week we have had more input as to what's out there. Hawks have been moving through the park this week in numbers on favourable days. These included several Bald Eagles, individual Golden Eagles over the Visitor Centre on the 18th and another on the 20th, and an adult Northern Goshawk over Lake Opeongo on the 23rd. This coming week shows promises good conditions for hawk movement and should be a good time to look for both of these as well as Rough-legged Hawk. Owls have apparently been moving as well. A Long-eared Owl was discovered near the parking lot of the Old Airfield on the 20th. It was not seen again after the initial discovery. Saw-whet Owls were recorded at Found Lake on several days earlier this week, with two seen singing and chasing each other on the 17th. Migrant passerines have mostly fled the park but some hardy ones remain. American Tree Sparrows have become common in the past few days, with a few Fox Sparrows amongst them. Horned Larks continue at the Old Airfield and Lake of Two Rivers Beach, and a single Snow Bunting on the 23rd was the first for the season. Waterfowl are also migrating through the Park, and the best time to observe these is after rainy nights on the larger lakes. Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck (Lake Travers, Oct 18) and Lesser Scaup (yesterday at Lake of Two Rivers) were some of the goodies found this week. A boat trip out on enormous Lake Opeongo yesterday tallied 77 Common Loons, with rafts of up to 20 birds seen. This will be my final report. Ron will take over next week and continue through the winter. I hope you all enjoy the upcoming winter birding and stay warm out there, and I wish you all the very best and a wonderful holiday season! Looking forward to seeing you all next year and reading your reports! BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Birds were reported this week from the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Opeongo Road. The most recent report was of three at the north end of Mizzy on Oct 20. Gray Jay: Birds are now easy to find. Birds were at the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail, Opeongo Road, the Trailer Sanitation Station and the Logging Museum this week. Boreal Chickadee: Birds were reported from the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail, and most recently four birds on Opeongo Road north of the bridge on the 21st. Black-backed Woodpecker: A birds was at the north end of Mizzy Lake Trail at West Rose Lakeon the 20th, and a bird at the top of Lookout Trail on the same day was likely a dispersing juvenile. Birders reporting records through eBird can now share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). We encourage you to do so. Good Birding! Lev Frid Group Education Technician Algonquin Provincial Park, ON DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial 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). _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
