Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Today, Don Craighead, Maureen Riggs and I birded Algonquin P.P. with the following being seen;

• 1 R. Grouse, just before entering Whitney(east gate)
• 1 R.W. Blkbird, 90 Bohemian W/wings in Whitney
• 3 H. Finch, numerous P. Finch & C. Ravens on Whitney garbage dump rd.
• 12 WW Crossbills, 1 R. Grouse on Opiango Rd.
• 1 Spruce Grouse, 2 Boreal C/adees, 1 RB N/hatch at visitors box on Spruce Bog Trail
• 1 Gray Jay at visitors cntr feeder
• 15 Ev. Grosbeaks in visitors cntr parking lot (also 1 D. W/pecker)
• 1 R. Grouse, 2 Pine Grosbeaks, 2 Ev G/beaks, 2 Boreal C/adees, Am. Tree Sparrows, P. Finches on old Railroad between Arowhon Rd. & Wolf Howl Pond
• 1 WB N/hatch at west gate
• Am Crows, Bl Jays, Blk Cap C/adees in most areas and a fair number of WW Crossbills flying around.

The Yellow-throated Warbler, first discovered at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre (Km 43, from the West Gate, on Highway 60) on Sunday, November 29, is still coming regularly to the Centre's suet feeders and gleaning insects and spiders from the walls and viewing deck today (December 4). Birders are welcome to look for the bird from the viewing deck, or go around the building to observe from below the deck. The Visitor Centre will be open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. The gate on the Visitor Centre drive will open at about 9.30 am on both days, but observers could walk up the steep drive (about 1 km) before that. The bird seems to be present all day, but is out of sight for extended periods, on occasion. Nobody who has come has missed seeing it, to my knowledge!

There are also good numbers of Purple Finch, American Goldfinch and Evening Grosbeak, with lesser numbers of Pine Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill and Pine Siskin in the Park. Spruce Grouse and Boreal Chickadee have been observed at Spruce Bog Trail and Mizzy Lake Trail (Wolf Howl Pond section, accessed from gate on old railway, off Arowhon Road) during the last few days.

It would be much appreciated if visiting birders would record their sightings in our Visitor Centre sightings book, and/or advise me via e-mail
(tozerro@epo.gov.on.ca). Please include locations and numbers.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

The yellow-throated warbler previously reported on this network was still present at the Visitor Centre in Algonquin Park at 10:15 this morning (Thursday). There was also a flock of about 15 Bohemian waxwings along Hwy. 60 between Dwight and the Park entrance.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

From: Ron Tozer tozerro@epo.gov.on.ca

The Yellow-throated Warbler first discovered on Sunday, November 29, is still visiting the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre feeder (Km 43 along Hwy. 60) this morning. It regularly feeds on suet, and continues to search the building walls for insects, etc. Birders may wish to call ahead (613 637-2828 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) for an update; ask for Ron Tozer.

After viewing the warbler yesterday, Bill Crins saw a sub-adult Golden Eagle over Lake of Two Rivers. There are fairly good numbers of Evening Grobeaks, Purple Finches, and American Goldfinches here, with some Pine Siskins, Pine Grosbeaks and White-winged Crossbills. There have been no Common Redpoll sightings here yet. Visiting birders are encouraged to report their park sightings to Ron Tozer (e-mail: tozerro@epo.gov.on.ca) or above phone number.

Good Birding!

Ron Tozer

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

A Yellow-throated Warbler of the subspecies albilora was spotted today (Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998) at the Algonquin Visitor Centre, Algonquin Provincial Park by Gerard McNaughton, and Dave Don.

The Algonquin Visitor Centre is located on Highway 60 within Algonquin Provincial Park.
It is 43 km east of the West Gate, or 12.8 km west of the East Gate.

The bird is visiting the feeder station (on the West side of the building - i.e. the side opposite the parking lot) as well as spending time picking whatever insects and spiders it can find out of cracks within the wall of the Visitor Centre (on both the east and west sides). It is most easily viewed from the Visitor Centre viewing deck. The Visitor Centre is not, however, open through the week. The feeder station can, however, be accessed by walking around the south side of the building and then proceeding to walk under the viewing deck to the north side. Do not walk around the north side as there is a small cliff!!

Anyone wishing to make the drive to Algonquin to come and see this bird may want to call the Visitor Centre to check on the status of this bird, and/or to make arrangements to access the viewing deck. The number at the Visitor Centre is (613) 637-2828. You may ask for me, Colin Jones, or Ron Tozer.

Birders should also be aware that the road to the Visitor Centre is gated and the gate is not open until 8 a.m., although you can park at the bottom of the hill in a small pull-off and walk up (about 1 km).

Cheers,

Colin

Colin D. Jones

Naturalist

Algonquin Provincial Park

Tel: (613) 637-2828

Fax: (613) 637-2138

naturalist@algonquinpark.on.ca

Birders: Ian Smith, Rose Petersen

Nov 7, 1998

Light snow cover that melted by afternoon. No wind.

• 3 Boreal Chickadees (end of Arowon Rd along railway trail)
• small flock abt 8 Purple Finch
• Several small flocks (3 or 4 each) Gray Jays
• 4 Pine Grosbeaks (first they had been seen according to visitor's center)
• Spruce Bog area
• Large flock of Black Ducks
• Hooded Mergansers (6)
• Red-Breasted Merganser (only 1)
• 10 Snow Buntings
• Northern Shrike (1)
• 1 American Tree Sparrow
• Several flocks of Evening Grosbeaks
• Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers
• lots of Blue Jays
• Ravens, Black-Capped Chickadees and Goldfinch,

Nov 8

Again, light snow, warming up to about 6 C by afternoon

• 1 Black-Backed Woodpecker along Spruce Bog Trail (Thanks Bruce!)
• 1 Blue Heron
• 4 Common Merganser
• 4 White-Wing Crossbills close, and several flocks flying over
• Red Breasted Nuthatch
• Golden-Crown Kinglet
• Ruffed Grouse, one female at Spruce Bog Trail. Alas, no Spruce Grouse were seen.

Also this day, more Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Grosbeaks, BC Chickadees, Gray Jays etc.

Summary:
Not many birds about. They have had a warm fall and we didn't see any Pine Siskins, Redpolls or Red Crossbills.
We did see more Evening Grosbeaks than we ever have on a trip up here at this time.

Hi, Gord, It has been awhile but after 11 days at Algonquin, my family have a bird update for you! Over this period, we saw over 40 species. Our highlights were: Spruce Grouse,Ruffed Grouse, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, American Redstart, Commom Yellowthroat, and Pine Grosbeak. We found it very challenging to actually SEE these birds as they were so well hidden. We definitely HEARD more species than we observed! However, ever sighting was a delight and we all had an excellent time... Till the birds fly south!

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