ALGONQUIN TRIP

March 27th 2004

At 3 am 9 birders from the Hamilton area set of for a day trip to Algonquin Park. When we left Hamilton there was no snow on the ground and even the night temperature was +6. But the further north we went the more snow we saw and the temperature gauge started to drop. Just over half way we stopped at Tim Horton's for a Coffee before heading further north. The weather was dull and overcast, and very damp and misty. The first birds of the day were at least 15 RAVENS feeding along the road side. But around the next corner we were greeted at the park by a BARRED OWL which sat by the road in the half light around 6.30 am. It was a fantastic bird and surprisingly big.

BARRED OWL Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

It was hard but I had to I drag my self away from this fantastic owl and so we headed deeper into the park. Again plenty more RAVENS were seen along the road side of highway 60, as where 3 RUFFED GROUSE that showed well feeding high up in the trees.

RUFFED GROUSE Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

We then stopped at the first visitors center to see if there we any birds on the feeders, but a single COMMON REDPOLL was the only bird of note. But a PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen well in the car park. We then carried on through the park but we soon stopped when we saw a cracking NORTHERN SHRIKE showing very well feeding on the edge of the road, which is the only place not covered in snow.

NORTHERN SHRIKE Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

We then headed off the main road and up Arrowhorn Road deeper into the woods. At the end of the track we stopped but the area was completely bird less, But just as we were about to pull away 2 GRAY JAYS arrived for some seed and a RIVER OTTER was sat on a frozen lake. The next stop was the Spruce Bog trail.

Spruce Bog Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

And we weren't at the Spruce Bog trail long before some one shouted " Grouse" we ran over and a few feet away on the ground a male SPRUCE GROUSE was strutting around. We were treated to fantastic view of this cracking male at very close range.

SPRUCE GROUSE Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

It really was a superb bird, and he didn't seem to bothered of Tom or Sarah who the bird walked up to.

SPRUCE GROUSE and Tom and Sarah Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

Also in this area we found two of the very elusive BOREAL CHICKADEE'S which showed well buzzing around in the Spruce. Then we went up to the second visitors center but it was quiet so we decided to come back later. We headed on further and took another track into the woods. Here we walked along the snow covered road and we greeted by some GRAY JAYS, These birds were very friendly and came to your hands for food.

GRAY JAY Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

Also here we found several Beavers feeding on the edge of the frozen water and some scats from Gray Wolfs.

BEAVERS Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

Dave looking at the Wolf scat Algonquin 27/03/2004 © J.Lees

Not only was it very damp and cold at Algonquin but the snow was very deep. If you stepped of the path the snow would come up to your wastes in places. Which was very different to the Hamilton area that is now experiencing more spring weather.

We also had a small flock of COMMON REDPOLLS here and 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS fly over us. We then headed back to the visitors center to see if any thing had turned up at the feeders. And after a while searching a HOARY REDPOLL was well spotted among a flock of 70 COMMON REDPOLLS.

But better still was a GRAY WOLF that ran briefly over a frozen lake looking out from the viewing platform.

From here we also saw 20 RAVENS and a first summer BALD EAGLE feeding on a dead Moose. And a RUFFED GROUSE and 3 SNOW BUNTINGS turned up around the center.

During the day we also saw: Raven 50, American Robin 1, Common Grackle 1, Red-Winged Blackbird 10, Pileated Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 4, Downy Woodpecker 2, Red-Breasted Nuthatch 8, Brown Creeper 1, Golden-Crowned Kinglet 1, Blue Jay 2, Black-Capped Chickadee 65, 1 River Otter, 5 White-Tailed Deer and some of the group saw a Snowshoe Hare.

James Lees 27/03/2004