[Ontbirds]Three-toed Woodpecker in Algonquin Park

[Gordon Payne]

Ontbirders,

 

I spent a lovely weekend in Algonquin Provincial Park with my family.
Although not a birding trip, I managed to see some good birds.

 

On December 30, we found a female AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER on the
Spruce Bog Trail.  I was looking for a Black-backed Woodpecker for my Winter
list, but was surprised to find this bird instead.  My wife Lisa first heard
the familiar chipping of bark.  We followed the sound to a spruce tree with
a lot of chipped bark on the snow below.  My son James spotted the bird a
half-second before I did (he made me post it this way).  We had beautiful
looks for several minutes.  My camera batteries were dead, of course.  I ran
back to the car to get fresh batteries, but by the time I got back to the
bird, it had made its way to the top of the tree where a decent picture was
impossible.  I did get a few shots, and in one you can barely see the white
on its back, but it's a stretch.  The bird was on the Spruce Bog Trail
between trail markers 9 and 10.

 

I also found a BOREAL CHICKADEE on the same trail at the bridge near trail
marker 8.

 

We saw many Pine Grosbeaks and a few Common Redpolls at the Visitor Centre
feeder.  Several Common Ravens, Blue Jays, Gray Jays, Hairy Woodpeckers, and
Black-capped Chickadees were seen on the trails.  Two or three
White-breasted and one Red-breasted Nuthatches were at the West Gate feeder.

 

On December 31, we saw a grouse sitting high in a deciduous tree at the side
of the road, but it flew just as I pulled over to get a better look - so I'm
not sure if it was a Spruce Grouse or a Ruffed Grouse.  Also, we saw an
adult Bald Eagle sitting on a dead tree along Hwy. 60, half way between
Dwight and Huntsville.

 

DIRECTIONS:

Algonquin Provincial Park can be accessed on Hwy. 60 about 45 km east of
Huntsville.  The Spruce Bog Trail is 43 km inside the park along Hwy. 60.

 

Gord Payne

London, ON

Vireo AT sympatico DOT ca

 

*********************************

Dr. R. Gordon Payne

Adjunct Clinical Professor

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry

The University of Western Ontario

London, Ontario

vireo at sympatico.ca