Algonquin Park Birding Update: 8 April 2010

Interestingly, many lakes opened up before Common Loons
returned. There had been loon reports from only two
lakes as of April 7. Loons typically arrive in Algonquin
when the first small areas of open water appear.

Most migrants are arriving early, and three all-time
early records were set this week: Canada Goose
(interior subspecies), Common Loon and Osprey. A
female Giant Canada Goose incubating eggs along
Costello Creek on April 4 was the earliest ever found
here.

New migrants reported this week included:

April 1: Canada Goose (interior subspecies), Bufflehead,
Northern Harrier, Eastern Phoebe

April 2: Turkey Vulture, American Woodcock,
Ring-billed Gull, Winter Wren, Fox Sparrow,
Eastern Meadowlark

April 3: Common Loon, Killdeer, Mourning Dove,
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Tree Swallow

April 4: American Kestrel, Wilson's Snipe, Savannah
Sparrow

April 5: Osprey, Rusty Blackbird

April 6: Yellow-rumped Warbler


Other Species of Interest:

Bald Eagle: Two were over the Old Airfield on April 4,
and one was at Jake Lake on April 5.

Spruce Grouse: A male was along the Opeongo Road
on April 3.

Black-backed Woodpecker: Look in the km 8 area and
try Barred Owl calls to get them to respond.

Gray Jay: One was at Wolf Howl Pond on April 4, and two
were at the Visitor Centre feeders on April 7. The first nestlings
were banded by Dan Strickland this week, again a record
early date.

Boreal Chickadee: Try Opeongo Road and the old railway
from Arowhon Road to Wolf Howl Pond. Listen for the
distinctive calls.

Bohemian Waxwing: Five were feeding on common juniper
berries at the lookout on Barron Canyon Trail (accessible
from Pembroke area via Barron Canyon Road) on April 2.

Pine Siskin: Three (including a singing male) were at the
Visitor Centre on April 7.

Evening Grosbeak: A few have been fairly regular at the
Visitor Centre.


We would appreciate receiving your bird observations
for our Visitor Centre records. Weekend visitors are
encouraged to add their observations of newly arrived
migrants to the sheets posted in the Visitor Centre lobby.


Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)