Well, it didn't last! We now have over a foot of snow on the ground and all the lakes along Highway 60 except Smoke and Two Rivers are ice-covered. Wind and falling snow for the much of the week resulted in relatively few reports of birds, as well.
However, again this week, an intrepid birder was active on the "East Side" at Lake Travers and Grand Lake, accessible via the Barron Canyon Road north of Pembroke (although perhaps not now after all the snow). On December 5, a male Long-tailed Duck, a calling Red-necked Grebe, an adult Bald Eagle, and five Bohemian Waxwings were noted at Achray on Grand Lake. Lake Travers produced 331 Common Mergansers, five Red-breasted Mergansers, two Common Goldeneyes, a Common Loon and a very late Hermit Thrush (photographed) on the same day. The previous latest date for the latter species in Algonquin Park was November 11. Also on the East Side this week were five or six Red Crossbills along the McManus Lake Road (off the Barron Canyon Road) on December 4. These crossbills were likely part of the small resident population of Algonquin's East Side pine forests. Along the Highway 60 Corridor, three Common Mergansers were on Smoke Lake on December 8, and single Common Loons lingered at Lake Opeongo Access Point (December 4) and Lake of Two Rivers (December 5). Winter finches this week were: Pine Grosbeak (one at the Visitor Centre on December 6, and three at km 4 on Highway 60 on December 8); and 10 to 40 American Goldfinches at the Visitor Centre feeders throughout. The White-throated Sparrow persisted all week at the Visitor Centre, but is reliably seen at the feeders only near dawn and dusk. Boreal Species Info: No reports this week, except for Gray Jay. Spruce Grouse: Check the Wolf Howl Pond area. Gray Jay: Reliable locations are Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road, and the Wolf Howl Pond area of Mizzy Lake Trail. Three are coming to the Visitor Centre suet feeders daily. Boreal Chickadee: Try Wolf Howl Pond area and Opeongo Road. Black-backed Woodpecker: Check black spruce bog areas, including Opeongo Road. Mammals: Pine Marten: two continue to be fairly regular at the Visitor Centre suet. As always, we would appreciate receiving your observations for our Visitor Centre records. 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 near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre is open weekends only until December 20, from 10 am to 4 pm. Access to the building through the service entrance to observe the feeders is usually possible on weekdays. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the restaurant this winter on weekends, but not full meal service. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
