From: Ron Tozer
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:09:57 -0400
The extent of snow melt is now suggestive of
conditions typically two or three weeks later.
Some birds have responded to the earlier appearance
of bare ground. Ruffed Grouse usually start drumming
when their display logs become free of snow, with the
average date in Algonquin Park being April 9 (30 years).
The first drumming was detected on March 24 this year,
tying the earliest date on record.
Arrivals this week included: American Black Duck,
Common Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Saw-whet
Owl, Dark-eyed Junco and Purple Finch.
Spruce Grouse usually begin flutter flight displays in April
here, but the first was noted on March 24 this year. Try
Spruce Bog Boardwalk.
A Black-backed Woodpecker was photographed at Wolf Howl
Pond on March 20.
Gray Jays are being seen regularly on Opeongo Road and
Spruce Bog Boardwalk.
Boreal Chickadees are calling more often now, making
them easier to locate. Try Opeongo Road and Spruce Bog
Boardwalk.
We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for
our Visitor Centre records.
Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
