[Ontbirds]Algonquin Park Birding

[Bruce Di Labio]

Hi Ontbirders

Birded Algonquin Park late afternoon Saturday February 16th. Most activity 
was centered around the feeders at the West Gate and the Visitor Center and 
included Hairy Woodpeckers, Pine Grosbeaks and Red-breasted Nuthatches. A 
walk along the Spruce Bog Trail produced one Boreal Chickadee. It called 
only once and was observed feeding in the Spruce trees. A Northern Shrike 
was seen outside Huntsville.

Visited the park again today, February 17th. Birded Highway 60 from the West 
Gate to the Visitor Center. Made a number of stops along the highway with 
very few birds except for Common Ravens and Black-capped Chickadees. Again, 
most of the activity centered around the feeders at the West Gate and 
Visitor Center. Birds were also drawn into areas such as the Spruce Bog 
parking lot and the gate at Opeongo Lake Road where people had scattered 
bird seed. We walked about 2 kilometers from the gate down Opeongo Lake Road 
and were fortunate to find a very tame male Black-backed Woodpecker working 
the trunk of a spruce tree. Other interesting finds were a Pine Marten off 
the Spruce Bog boardwalk and 4 Gray Jays on Opeongo Lake Road. During the 
rainy afternoon, we walked the Spruce Bog trail and relocated the Boreal 
Chickadee.

                                                    good birding, Bruce

The Algonquin Visitor Centre will be open on Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday this weekend, from 10 to 5. Birders should check the
feeders there, and at the West Gate.

Directions: Courtesy Ron Tozer
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 (now 10 to 5 through
February). 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).

Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B. Munro Drive
P.O.Box 538
Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0
(613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell

Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/