Hello Birders, Here in Algonquin Park, warbler migration is in full swing. Yesterday (Sept 1st), birding along the railway bed at the Mizzy Lake Trail was phenomenal. The birds were mainly concentrated about 200 m past the locked gate on the railway bed. The flock was enormous. I came up with 17 species, with many individuals.
75+ BLACKBURNIAN 50+ NASHVILLE 30+ BLACK-THROATED GREEN 30+ YELLOW-RUMPED Also handfuls of the following - BAY-BREASTED BLACK-THROATED BLUE AMERICAN REDSTART MAGNOLIA BLACK-AND-WHITE COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Many still on territory) and singles of the following - CAPE MAY TENNESSEE OVENBIRD ORANGE-CROWNED (Early) BLACKPOLL (Rare for Park) CONNECTICUT - One of the few park records - was associating with the abundant Nashvilles. A juvenile, with the brown hood barely contrasting with the olive body and yellow belly. Very brief, but excellent look! Also present were a male SPRUCE GROUSE, a pair of GRAY JAYS, and about a half-dozen BOREAL CHICKADEES to spice things up. This morning Justin Peter and myself birded the railway bed, and though the numbers were down, most of the common species were observed, as well as many BOREAL CHICKADEES! 'Tis the season, folks, so come on up here and enjoy the birds! 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. The Old Airfield is located along the Mew Lake Campground access road, park at a small parking lot on the left at the beginning of the Old Railway Bike Trail and walk around the airfield. The Wolf Howl Pond & West Rose Lake area can be accessed by driving 4.8km up Arowhon Rd and then turning right onto an abandoned railway and follow 0.6km to chain gate, park well to the side and walk in 1.5km to Wolf Howl and another 1km to West Rose. Good Birding! Lev Frid Algonquin Provincial Park, ON _______________________________________________ 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/