Hi Ron, My daughter and I are thinking about camping / birding Algonquin. When is the best time for various northern birds. Also is there fishing in the park?
Thanks Dean On Feb 22, 2018 11:15 PM, "Ron Tozer via ONTBIRDS" <[email protected]> wrote: > Algonquin Park began to experience “pre-spring” by the end of the week as > temperatures went up and snow depth went down. American Crows, the first > migrants, were spotted on February 19 and 21. Researchers found the first > Canada Jay nest under construction on February 19. And a Northern Saw-whet > Owl, that likely spent the winter here, was heard calling near dawn in Mew > Lake Campground the same day. > > > > Despite the influx of birders on Family Day Weekend, no Boreal Chickadees > were reported again this week. Seventy-six observers on the Algonquin > Christmas Count found only four. Is there a real population decline here? > Boreal Chickadees in the Western Uplands of Algonquin Park are on the > southern edge of their Ontario breeding range. The species is virtually > absent from the East Side of the Park. Elevations are lower and > temperatures are higher there. Could climate warming now be exerting a > negative effect on this chickadee in the western part of Algonquin? Time > will tell. > > > > Here are some locations where birders observed the listed species during > the past week: > > -Spruce Grouse: one or two were found along Spruce Bog Boardwalk. > > -Ruffed Grouse: continue to be seen along the Visitor Centre driveway and > under the feeders below the viewing deck. > > -Wild Turkey: about seven are still coming to the Visitor Centre parking > lot feeder, and two continue in Mew Lake Campground. > > -Black-backed Woodpecker: a male and a female were reported fairly > regularly on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. > > -Canada Jay (Gray Jay): look for them at Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog > Boardwalk and the Logging Museum. > > -Bohemian Waxwing: three were seen briefly at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk > parking lot on February 17. > > -Evening Grosbeak: a flock of 30 to 40 came daily to the Visitor Centre > feeders, and a few were observed on Opeongo Road as well. > > -Pine Grosbeak: from one to four were observed at the Visitor Centre, > Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road and Hemlock Bluff Trail parking lot. > > -Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill and Pine Siskin: > moderate numbers continue to be seen throughout the Highway 60 Corridor. > > -Common Redpoll: a few were along Opeongo Road on two days, but they > remain scarce. > > -American Goldfinch: common. > > > > Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), Dwight, 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). The Visitor Centre exhibits and > restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm; and are also > open with limited services through the week from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your > park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations > mentioned above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations > are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca > > > > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 > Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/ > view/information.ontbirdsguide > Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ > OntarioFieldOrnithologists > > _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
