April and May are prime Bird Watching Months!

(check current birding reports at bottom of page)

Special Offer For Birders staying at the Algonquin lakeside inn during the months of April and May.

complimentary receive a copy of both The Birds of Algonquin Park and the Checklist and Seasonal Status of the Birds of Algonquin Park. These books will introduce you to the main habitats of the Park and to many of the common species, 77 in all. Through colour photographs and short accounts we hope to encourage you to discover and enjoy them for yourself.by Dan Strickland..

Algonquin Park and Oxtongue Lake Bird Observation.

Algonquin Park has hundreds of species of birds inside the Park border. 275 species have been recorded here to date with 141 of those species having been known to breed.About 90 species are considered to be common summer or permanent residents. Exceptional diversity for bird watching is due to several factors. Undisturbed wilderness, abundance of lakes and the meeting of the southern deciduous forests to the northern evergreen forests.

Many birds are year round residents - like the Gray and Blue Jay, Chickadee, Ruffed and Spruce Grouse,Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak. Others are migrants - like the Bunting, Blue Heron, Brown Thrasher and Wood Thrush. To track the migration of the return of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

click here for the progress map.

April and May a great time to watch the migrating birds. While many birds make Algonquin Park their destination, there are many more that stop off at the Park on their way further north. Bird watchers who stay at Algonquin Lakeside Inn resort during April and May will receive a complimentary, Birds of Algonquin Park and also the checklist and Seasonal Status of the birds of Algonquin Park.. There is nothing like bird watching and hiking followed by a warm fireplace and a wonderful dinner at Algonquin Lakeside Inn resort.

Also check-out our guided Loon watching photography boat tours click here for more info

Whilst i was driving in the park this week i noted a lot of new arrivals mainly waterfowl,

great blue heron,turkey vulture,American blck duck,hooded merganers,bald eagle,spruce grouse,killdear,American bittin,

check our two new blogs for more info

http://algonquininnnatureandphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.algonquininn.blogspot.com/

Algonquin Park Birding Update: 28 January 2010

The week saw a few reports from birders, but little change in what is being observed. New snow and colder temperatures prevailed by the end of the week following the earlier mild weather.

Golden Eagle: an adult was photographed over km 8 on January 23.Northern Shrike: one was at Wolf Howl Pond on January 23.White-throated Sparrow: one is still at the Visitor Centre feeder.Boreal Species:Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk.Black-backed Woodpecker: a female was at Davies Bog on the Bat Lake Trail on January 24.Gray Jay: present this week at Visitor Centre feeder; on Opeongo Road at the gate and at the bridge; at Wolf Howl Pond; and on Spruce Bog Boardwalk.Boreal Chickadee: Three were at Wolf Howl Pond on the Mizzy Lake Trail on Janaury 23. The species was noted in the middle section of the Bat LakeTrail on January 24.Winter Finches:Pine Grosbeak: female still coming to the Visitor Centre feeder.American Goldfinch: About 70 daily at the Visitor Centre feeders.Mammals: Pine martens continue to come to the Visitor Centre feeders daily.Moose are being observed regularly along Highway 60.The walking trails, closed for a couple of days this week due to slippery conditions, are open again.We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our VisitorCentre records. Those trying for Evening Grosbeaks should check the town of Whitney, five minutes drive east of the Park's East Gate There was a flock near the corner of Second Street and Ottawa Street (near the boat launch) this morning.

Ron TozerAlgonquin Park Naturalist (retired)Dwight, ON

Subject: 36th Algonquin Park CBCFrom: Ron Tozer <rtozer AT vianet.ca>Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:03:14 -0500

The 36th Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, 2 January 2009. This count is a good indicator of the species and their relative numbers present in contiguous forest of the southern Shield during early winter. There is minimal distortion caused by feeders (only about six in the circle) which unnaturally concentrate birds and support lingerers that would otherwise depart or perish. Due to the almost total lack of seed crops this winter, we expected very low numbers of birds but actually going for hours at times without seeing a single individual was still amazing. Cold conditions (minus 21 to minus 17 degrees C, with occasional NW wind gusts to 20 kph) made it challenging to be out there. All water was frozen. However, the mainly sunny day enhanced the spectacular scenery and our 84 stalwart observers made a valiant and much appreciated effort. Never have so many seen so little! Below is the total list for your interest. Total Observers: 84 (record high) Total Party Hours: 338 (record high) Birds per Party Hour: 3 (record low; previous lowest was 4) Total Species: 23 (third lowest) Total Individuals: 1,018 (fifth lowest) Ruffed Grouse: 31 Spruce Grouse: 1 Wild Turkey: count week (1 at Lake of Two Rivers) Rock Pigeon: 6 (East Gate MTO sand dome) Barred Owl: 1 Downy Woodpecker: 16 Hairy Woodpecker: 26 Black-backed Woodpecker: 3 Pileated Woodpecker: 6 Gray Jay: 15 Blue Jay: 11 (mainly at feeders) Common Raven: 79 Black-capped Chickadee: 584 Boreal Chickadee: 29 Red-breasted Nuthatch: 16 White-breasted Nuthatch: 7 Brown Creeper: 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet: 5 White-throated Sparrow: 1 (at Visitor Centre feeder for weeks) Snow Bunting: 1 Pine Grosbeak: 23 Pine Siskin: 1 American Goldfinch: 143 (mainly at feeders) Evening Grosbeak: 3 A big thank you to all those who participated in the count and those who helped organize the tally and assisted with the catered dinner. There will be more birds next year. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park CBC Compiler Dwight, Ontario

oct 22nd 2009

The most interesting bird this week was a small juvenile Canada Goose(probably a runt of the Interior race) at the Opeongo Access Point that Iinitially thought was a Cackling Goose. We had doubts after seeing MichaelRuntz's photos of the bird today, and later expert opinions from Ken Abrahamand Ron Pittaway set the record straight

.A Brown Thrasher at Mew Lake Campground on October 17 was notable as this species is rare here at any time now, and the date tied our second latestfall record. Bald Eagles were reported from Canisbay and Lake of Two Rivers. A Golden Eagle flew over Lake of Two Rivers on October 22. The Old Airfield produced American Pipits, Rusty Blackbirds and two EasternBluebirds on October 18.The only winter finch reported was Evening Grosbeak, with small numbers atthe Visitor Centre and elsewhere along Highway 60.Spruce Grouse: singles on Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Bat Lake Trail (October17).Gray Jay: Spruce Bog Boardwalk; Opeongo Road and near Wolf Howl Pond. Boreal Chickadee: Wolf Howl Pond area on Mizzy Lake Trail.Black-backed Woodpecker: male and female at Wolf Howl Pond, October 20.Spruce Grouse: female on old railway west of Wolf Howl Pond on October 20,and a male at Sims Pit on Arowhon Road a few days earlier

.Ron TozerAlgonquin Park Naturalist (retired)

Sat Oct 10th 09

Birding Algonquin Park this morning proved to be very productive. There weretwo BOREAL CHICKADEES and two GRAY JAYS on the Old Railway near West RoseLake on the Mizzy Trail. Also present were AMERICAN PIPIT, PALM +YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and some more common species.On the eastern end of the Airfield, I located, in a mixed sparrow flock, twoCLAY-COLORED SPARROWS. Also present were SWAMP, SAVANNAH, WHITE-CROWNED,AMERICAN TREE and CHIPPING SPARROWS, plus D.E JUNCOS.The two LECONTE'S SPARROWS previously reported by Mike Burrell werere-located in the alders near Lake of Two Rivers on the east side of theairfield (Thanks Ron!). There was also a PINE WARBLER amongst numerousyellow-rumps. Flocks of HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS were prominent onthe Airfield

.Photographs -http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/3999482606/http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/3999479874/

Directions -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, takeHighway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park.The Old Airfield is located along the Mew Lake Campground access road, park ata small parking lot on the left at the beginning of the Old Railway Bike Trailand walk around the airfield.

The Wolf Howl Pond & West Rose Lake area can be accessed by driving 4.8km upArowhon Rd and then turning right onto an abandoned railway and follow 0.6km tochain gate, park well to the side and walk in 1.5km to Wolf Howl and another1km to West Rose.Good Birding,Lev Frid,Maple, ON

Mon Oct 5th 09

I spent the morning looking for these two species around the old Airfield in Algonquin Provincial Park. I found 1 or 2 Le Conte's Sparrows near the east end of the airfield and 1 Nelson's Sparrow in the marsh where the north river flows into Lake of Two Rivers.There were good numbers of several other sparrow species around the airfield as well.Directions Exit Hwy 60 at KM 31, into Mew Lake Campground. Go past the campground office and the wood yard. Park at the first parking lot on your left after the wood yard. There are several trails around the airfiled, head east towards Lake of Two Rivers.

Mike BurrellBancroft

june 25th 2009

Hi ONTBirders:

I spent the day at Algonquin, concentrating on the Arowhon Road areas. At the end of Arowhon Road, on the Orange Trail at Arowhon Pines, I located 10 species of warbler, including 4 NORTHERN PARULAS, 4 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, and 1 CANADA WARBLER. Two WINTER WRENS could be heard singing in the forest, as well as a WOOD THRUSH and a VEERY. As I was leaving, I heard three YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS singing near the restaurant and tennis court area.

I spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon along the Old Railway, where I observed 11 warbler species, including 4 NASHVILLE WARBLERS, 2 CAPE MAY WARBLERS, 2 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS, and singles of BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-AND-WHITE, MAGNOLIA, and MOURNING WARBLERS. Five BOREAL CHICKADEES were singing and actively foraging, as well as 5 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. A family of three BROAD-WINGED HAWKS flew lazy circles above the trail, frequently calling out.

Good birding!Pat

DIRECTIONSfrom Huntsville Muskoka take hwy # 60 which will after 20 mins pass the Algonquin Innthen on into Algonquin Park, Arowhan rd is located at the 15km marker and at the entarnce to the Mizzy Lake trail.....also a great location for Moose spotting....

Sunday, May 17, 2009

full birding report algonquin park

this week we had a birding group in from eagle eye tours staying at the Algonquin Inn,the tour leader was Blake Maybank,Blake was good enough to go over his sighting for the Algonquin Park trip ,here is the listings broken down by main areas.

spruce bog extra's verginia rail

algonquin park visitors center, eastern phoebe nesting under observation deck

53km marker area black backed woodpecker

wiskey rapids extra's belted kinfisher swainson's thrushblack-throated blue warbler

opeongo road, canada goose mallard ruffed grouse common loon turkey vulture spotted sandpipper yellow bellied sapsucker northern flicker pileated woodpecker blue-headed vireo gray jayblue jay american crow common raven black-capped chickadee red-breasted nuthatch winter wren golden crowned kinglet ruby-crowned kinglet hermit thrush american robin nashville warbler yellow warbler chestnut sided warbler magnolia warbler yelloow-rumped warbler black-throated green warbler black and white warbler american redstart ovenbird northern waterthrush common yellowthroat chipping sparrow song sparrow swamp sparrow white-throated sparrow dark-eyed junco rose-breasted grosbeak red-winged blackbird purple finch pine siskin american goldfinch evening grosbeak

algonquin inn to the west gate of park.

canada goose,wood duck,american black duck,mallard,ruffed grouse,common loon,great blus heron,turkey vulture,bald eagle,coopers hawk,broad-winged hawk,red-tailed hawk,merlin,spotted sandpiper,wilsons snipe,ruby-throated hummingbird,yellew-bellied sapsucker,downy woodpecker,hairy woodpecker,northern flicker,pileated woodpecker,least flycather,blue-headed vireo,philadelphia vireo,red-eyed vireo,blue jay,american crow,common raven,barn swallow,back-capped chickadee,red breasted nuthatch,ruby-crowned kinglet,hermit thrush,american robin,brown thrasher,european starling,nashville warbler,northern parula,yellow warbler,chestnut-sided warbler,magnolia warbler,yellow rumped warbler,blackburnian warbler,palm warbler,bay-breasted warbler,black-and-white warbler,ovenbird,common yellowthroat,scarlet tanager,chipping sparrow,clay-clored sparrow,savannah sparrow,song sparrow,swamp,sparrow,,,white-throated sparrow,white-crowned sparrow,rose-beasted grosbeak,indigo bunting,red-winged blackbird,common crackle,purple finch,pine siskin,american goldfinch,evening grosbeak.

Subject: OFO Algonquin Park TripFrom: Ron Tozer <rtozer AT vianet.ca>Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:24:58 -0400

About 75 people in 31 cars participated in a successful Algonquin Park birding trip today, the 20th year for this OFO outing. Occasional rain did not significantly hinder our efforts. The combined observer list totaled 67 species. Highlights for many were the male and female Spruce Grouse north of the register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk, the two Boreal Chickadees that Maris Apse spotted for us at Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot and which provided excellent views, and the male Black-backed Woodpecker excavating a nest cavity in the second utility pole west of Leaf Lake Ski Trail (km 53.8). A record was set when Gray Jay was not seen all day, for the first time in the 20 years of these outings. Unfortunately, the decline of the Gray Jay in Algonquin Park due to climate warming has now reached the point where it is quite easy to miss this species in late April, when the birds are focused on feeding young in the nest. Other noteworthy sightings included: American Wigeon: pair on Lake of Two Rivers after heavy rain Blue-winged Teal: pair on Costello Creek Green-winged Teal: pair on Sunday Creek at Spruce Bog Boardwalk Red-necked Grebe: one on Lake of Two Rivers after heavy rain Merlin: pair at a nest in white pine at east end of West Gate parking lot Eastern Towhee: singing male along Tea Lake Dam road I would like to thank all the participants today, and especially Kevin Clute who assisted ably with finding the birds. Ron Tozer

Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:15:45 -0400

Here are some sightings from the past week: Spruce Grouse: Male at Spruce Bog Boardwalk north of the register box. Black-backed Woodpecker: Male still excavating nest cavity in second utility pole west of Leaf Lake Ski Trail entrance on April 17. Not seen later in week. Male at km 8 on utility pole. Gray Jay: Opeongo Road, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadee: try Opeongo Road, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: first alternate male at Visitor Centre feeder eating black sunflower seeds on April 20-22; previous earliest date was May 3. Pine Siskin: 10+ at Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: 6 at Visitor Centre feeders all week. Notes: First sightings of spring this week included: Bufflehead, American Bittern, Osprey, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A female Fisher was at the Visitor Centre suet feeder on April 23. Whiskey Rapids Trail, and Mizzy Lake Trail remain closed as of today. Please report your Algonquin sightings to me (including date, number and location) for our park records. Thanks. 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 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 and
information. The centre is open on weekends during the
winter, from 10 am to 4 pm. Access to watch the birds during
the week is possible by entering at the service entrance
and contacting the staff.

ALGONQUIN 35TH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT RESULTS.

The 35th annual Algonquin Provincial Park Christmas Bird Count
(sponsored by The Friends of Algonquin Park) was held on Saturday,
January 3. A record high 69 observers tallied 30 species (average is
28) and 6,787 individuals (average is 4,918). Moderate cone crops
resulted in better than average results, and the clear and not overly
cold temperatures made for good birding conditions. The recent
major thaw allowed walking in many areas without snowshoes.

Unusual species:
-Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
-Golden Eagle: 2 (previous highest was 1)
-Wild Turkey: 3 (new species for count)
-Hoary Redpoll: 1 (photo)

Northern species:
-Spruce Grouse: (count week only)
-Black-backed Woodpecker: 14
-Gray Jay: 35
-Boreal Chickadee: 28
-Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1,016

Finches:
-Pine Grosbeak: 280 (notable increase in numbers in last week)
-Red Crossbill: 71
-White-winged Crossbill: 1,504
-Common Redpoll: 1,010
-Hoary Redpoll: 1
-Pine Siskin: 135
-American Goldfinch: 88
-Evening Grosbeak: 24

Thanks to all our observers and organizers, many of whom
travel long distances to participate.


Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park CBC Compiler
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 the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are
available daily at both gates throughout the winter, including the
Algonquin Information Guide showing park locations.

The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open on weekends (10 to 4) through the
winter. Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found
there. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact staff for
birding information via the service entrance (right end of the building
as you face it from the parking lot).