Algonquin Park Birding report

Major melting of snow this week resulted in rivers rising to flood level.
However, there is still relatively little open water. Ice-free areas in
lakes where rivers and creeks enter are only slowly expanding in size.

An Owl Survey during the evening of April 12 from the West Gate to
km 18 along Highway 60 produced single Barred Owls at the West
Gate and km 2, but no Northern Saw-whet Owls. This was not entirely
unexpected since small mammal populations are low following very
poor tree seed crops last year.


Boreal species reported this week included:

Spruce Grouse: Two were seen on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on
April 9.

Black-backed Woodpecker: A male was on a utility pole
at km 8 on Highway 60 on April 8.

Boreal Chickadee: One was reported at Spruce
Bog Boardwalk on April 9.

New arrivals (with the average date in brackets) are shown below.
Most are later than normal, as expected in this late spring.

April 8: Rough-legged Hawk (March 25)
April 9: Winter Wren (April 7)
April 10: Belted Kingfisher (April 9)
April 10: Northern Flicker (April 8)
April 10: Winter Wren (April 7)
April 10: Golden-crowned Kinglet (April 3)
April 11: Green-winged Teal (April 12)
April 11: Eastern Phoebe (April 6)
April 11: Purple Finch (April 4)
April 13: Common Goldeneye (April 7)
April 13: Pied-billed Grebe (April 13)
April 14: Northern Pintail (Rare)
April 14: Ring-necked Duck (April 8)
April 14: Common Loon (April 14)
April 14: Belted Kingfisher (April 9)


Moose are being seen regularly now at wet areas along Highway60.

Please report your sightings for our records.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON