The 40th Algonquin Park CBC was held on Saturday, January 4. Conditions for observing were fairly good, although a south wind of 20 kph (with occasional gusts to 30 kph) until early afternoon caused problems hearing birds such as woodpeckers. The temperature ranged from minus 14 to minus 4 C. It was sunny in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon, with no precipitation. There was almost no open water. The snow was knee-deep but walking trails and the many places where people had snowshoed were well packed down.
Total Observers: 84 Total Species: 24 (average is 28) Total Individuals: 2,557 (average is 4,785) Birds per Party Hour: 11 (low of 4 birds/party hour has occurred in two previous years) New Species for the Count: none Noteworthy Species: -Wild Turkey: 9 (new high count) -Northern Saw-whet Owl: count week; one roosting (photos) was found as it was being mobbed by birds on January 2 along the border of Visitor Centre parking lot. Finches: lower numbers than on any previous count with as many cones. -Purple Finch: 321 -Red Crossbill: 35 -White-winged Crossbill: 12 (including some singing males) -American Goldfinch: 201 -Evening Grosbeak: 73 (including 62 at the Visitor Centre feeders) Notable Missed Species: -Spruce Grouse (count week; female at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 2) Complete count results will be posted at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer Algonquin Park CBC Compiler Dwight, ON 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. _______________________________________________ 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
