VARIED THRUSH

As Winter birding has been so quiet here in Algonquin Park, and in fact being reported all over Ontario, I have resorted to travelling far and wide in search of new subjects to photograph.

Just recently a Varied Thrush Male was reported just a little south of us in the Schomberg area, an I have never seen one before, for good reason, they are very much a west coast bird.
It breeds in western North America from Alaska to northern California. It is migratory, with northern breeders moving south within or somewhat beyond the breeding range.
The male Varied Thrush is a striking bird, and is virtually unmistakable. It is smaller than an American Robin and dark blue-gray above. It has bright orange wing bars, throat, lateral head stripe and underparts. There is a black breast band and facemask. The song is eerie and melancholic. So, I went to see for myself and here he is.



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Algonquin Park Bird report

Reports this week included:

Spruce Grouse: One along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 9.

Black-backed Woodpecker: One along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 9.
Another was 300 m north of the bridge on Opeongo Road on January 12.

Gray Jay: present at Visitor Centre feeder, Opeongo Road at the gate and at
the bridge, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk, ALSO FOUR BIRDS AT MEW LAKE CAMPGROUND.

Boreal Chickadee: three along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 9.

White-throated Sparrow: one still at the Visitor Centre feeder.

Pine Grosbeak: female last seen at the Visitor Centre feeder on January 11.

Pine Siskin: last seen at Visitor Centre feeders with goldfinches on January
11.

American Goldfinch: Numbers at Visitor Centre feeders still growing, with
100 plus on January 12.

All week off and on Evening Grosebecks at the Algonquin Inn feeders.



Mammals:
Two martens continue to come to the Visitor Centre feeders, but with no
predictable timing. They eat suet and black sunflower seed. AND TWO AT MEW LAKE CAMPGROUND.

Moose are being observed regularly along Highway 60, especially near dawn
and dusk. Some bulls have not shed their antlers yet.


We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor
Centre records.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON

ALGONQUIN PARK PINE MARTINS

Went into Algonquin Park today as i had heard that a Wolf pack had been sighted on Opeongo Lake, but, no joy, in fact things were very quiet, it has already been reported that the current Bird count is the worst in many years.
So, on the way back to the Inn i dropped in on the usual haunts. At the Mew Lake campground i found two new resident Pine Martins, a male and a female. They are now fairly friendly in that they are approachable. Add to that 4 Gray Jays who joined in the fun once we put some seed down for the other resident birds.
So, if Gray Jays and Pine Martins are on your list then head up now to the Park and don't forget the bag of bird seed.







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algonquin park bird report

The results of the Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count on January 2 were
posted to Ontbirds on January 4, and give a good overview of the birds
present here now.

Additional information:

Spruce Grouse: no reports. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road in
black spruce areas.

Wild Turkey: one at Lake of Two Rivers on December 31.

Black-backed Woodpecker: one was calling from the black spruce bog east of
the bridge on Opeongo Road on January 7.

Gray Jay: present at Visitor Centre feeder and Opeongo Road at gate.

Boreal Chickadee: three along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 3.

White-throated Sparrow: one still at Visitor Centre feeder today.

Pine Grosbeak: female still coming fairly regularly to the Visitor Centre
feeder. Nine on Highway 60 between West Gate and west boundary on December
31.

Pine Siskin: two at Visitor Centre feeders with goldfinches on January 7.

American Goldfinch: flock of 85 plus coming daily to Visitor Centre feeder.

Evening Grosbeak: Group of three flying over old railway at East Boundary on
January 2. Birders looking for this species should check feeders in Whitney
(on Highway 60 east of Algonquin Park) and Oxtongue Lake (on Highway 60 west
of Algonquin Park).

Mammals:
Marten (at least two) and a Fisher continue to come to the Visitor Centre
feeders, but with no predictable timing. Moose are being observed regularly
along Highway 60, especially near dawn and dusk.

We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor
Centre records.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
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. 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.

The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and
information. The centre is open to the public on weekends only from 10 am to
4 pm until January 31. Birder access to the building through the service
entrance to observe the feeders is usually possible on weekdays. Hot and
cold drinks and snacks are available in the restaurant this winter on
weekends, but not full meal service.

Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at:
www.algonquinpark.on.ca

ALGONQUIN CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Subject: 36th Algonquin Park CBC
From: Ron Tozer
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