The lakes and ponds remain ice-covered and there is still extensive snow cover in shaded areas, but some open water is developing where creeks and rivers enter lakes and there are large areas of bare ground present now. Much milder temperatures this week encouraged more migrants to arrive.
First-of-spring sightings included: Mallard (April 10); Common Goldeneye (April 11); Sandhill Crane, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Tree Swallow, Winter Wren and Rusty Blackbird (April 12); American Kestrel, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker and Fox Sparrow (April 13); and Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck and Brown Thrasher (April 15). At least one Ruffed Grouse continued to come to feed on sunflower seed at the Visitor Centre. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: A male was walking on the pavement at the north end of Opeongo Road on April 12 and a female was on the road there the next day. Black-backed Woodpecker: A male was excavating a cavity in the first utility pole west of the km 53 marker on April 12. Gray Jay: Noted at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and on Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: One was seen on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on April 11, but there were no reports after that this week. Winter chickadee flocks are breaking up and pairs are establishing nesting territories. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: One was at the Visitor Centre on April 15. Common Redpoll: About 60 were coming to the Visitor Centre seed on April 12. There were only 25 there the next day, and none on April 15 and today. It appears that most Common Redpolls may have left Algonquin now. Hoary Redpoll: Two were at the Visitor Centre seed on April 12 and 13, but those were the last observations of the week. As with the Commons, the Hoary Redpolls have probably headed north. Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). Good Birding! Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, 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). The Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the East Gate or the West Gate. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
