[Ontbirds]Algonquin Park Update: 22 November 2007

[Ron Tozer]

The arrival of significant snow cover in the Park provided another indicator
of the current scarcity of birds. Typically, winter finches are attracted to
sand and salt on the highway in Algonquin. However, it was possible to drive
the entire 56 km through the Park this week and not see even one bird on the
road.

More evidence of the apparent departure of finches from this area included
the absence of Evening Grosbeaks at the Visitor Centre feeder (none since
November 15), after they had been regular in small numbers earlier.


The following summary outlines reports received during the last week for
birds often sought by visiting birders here.

FINCHES:

Pine Grosbeak: About 15 regularly at the Visitor Centre feeder. A few seen
elsewhere. 

Purple Finch: No reports.

Red Crossbill: No reports.

White-winged Crossbill: No reports.

Common Redpoll: A few regularly at the Visitor Centre and West Gate feeders.
Very few observed elsewhere.

Pine Siskin: No reports.

American Goldfinch: one at Visitor Centre (November 20).

Evening Grosbeak: No reports.


BOREAL SPECIES:

Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.

Black-backed Woodpecker: One at Wolf Howl Pond on November 8. No reports
since, but there were very few birders here this week.

Gray Jay: reported recently at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road, Visitor
Centre, and Wolf Howl Pond.

Boreal Chickadee: reported at Wolf Howl Pond.


OTHER SIGHTINGS OF NOTE:

Hoary Redpoll: One reported at the Visitor Centre on November 7. Only report
so far this fall.

Marten and Fisher: At least one of each of these large weasels has been
visiting the Visitor Centre suet feeders irregularly this past week.


BIRDERS:
Please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when
you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin
Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders here.
Thanks.


Good birding.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, Ontario

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 the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are
available daily at both gates throughout the winter, including the
Algonquin Information Guide showing locations discussed here.

The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open on weekends (10 to 4) through the
winter. Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found
there. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact staff for
birding information via the service entrance (right end of the building
as you face it from the parking lot).