SURF SCOTER GOLDEN EAGLE NORTHERN GOSHAWK MOURNING DOVE ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
Hello Birders, It's been a good week for birders in Algonquin Park, with many migrants present as well as all the boreal specialty birds showing nicely for birders and photographers. A Surf Scoter was seen by many at Kearney Lake yesterday and was still there today. A trio of lucky birders observed and photographed a young Golden Eagle low over West Rose Lake on the 1st of this month. A Mourning Dove, rare in the park, was at the Track & Tower trailhead on the 29th. A Goshawk was observed over the highway this week. Northern Saw-whet Owls have been vocal this week, with birds being heard at km 20 yesterday and on the 27th. Most of the warblers have left the park, however there were still six species at the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail yesterday, and a couple of reports of Orange-crowned there which should be increasing this week. Sparrow diversity and numbers are increasing. Large mixed flocks of White-crowned, White-throated, Lincoln's and other sparrows are now becoming a regular feature in open areas like the Old Airfield at Mew Lake. This is the week to find Nelson's and LeConte's Sparrows, and while no reports have come in yet, check the Lake of Two Rivers Marsh (Nelson's) or the South end of the Old Airfield (LeConte's) for these two sought-after sparrows, which are both regular in the park at this time. Rusty Blackbirds have been in the Airfield almost every day, with a max of twenty-one birds there on the 29th. Also there, American Pipits and Horned Larks are increasing. This is a good time to look for Longspurs or Hoyt's Horned Lark amongst them. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: A hen was on Opeongo Road on the 26th. A male was at Spruce Bog on the 30th, and two birds were there on October 1st. Two were seen at the north end of the Mizzy Lake Trail on 1st. Two were seen at Opeongo Road on the 1st as well. Gray Jay: A pair of birds were at the Logging Museum on the 25th. Reports from the North end of Mizzy Lake trail of these birds were made almost all week. Boreal Chickadee: A grand total of six birds were found in two flocks at the north end of the Mizzy Lake trail yesterday. These are quite vocal now. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was at the Logging Museum on the 25th. On the 27th, a bird was at the Algonquin Logging Museum. On Oct 1st, a bird was at the Two Rivers trail. Birders reporting records through eBird can now share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). We encourage you to do so. Good Birding! Lev Frid Group Education Technician Algonquin Provincial Park, ON DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial 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. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre and restaurant at km 43 are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
