Today Ian Cannell and I motored up to Algonquin and it started well with a grey morph Red Fox crossing Bathurst St. just north of Elgin Mills Road here in Richmond Hill.
At Algonquin we found a nice variety of birds despite the minus 22 degree start in the early morning. We were able to find 13 gray Jays ( most along Opeongo Rd ), Ruffed and Spruce Grouse, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, 150+ Blue Jays, Common Ravens, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, and Pine Siskins.
Most of the Redpolls and Jays, and all of the Grosbeaks were at the feeders behind the Visitor Centre as were our most interesting sightings. Here we watched 2 Pine Martins ( the first of 4 seen today ) within 15 feet of us, but best of all was a lone Wolf at the Moose Carcass ( pestered by 8 Ravens ). Interesting was the fact that though this Wolf was scope distance away it was still well aware of us on the buildings back deck and watched us intently when ever it was not feeding. There is a location map showing the location of the Moose Carcass as well as 2 copes set up to view the Wolves at the back viewing deck.
Directions per Ron Tozer:-
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways
400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on
Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then
follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway
60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to the East Gate
(km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map
of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.
The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings and
information. The centre is open on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm.
Access to watch the birds during the week is possible by entering
at the service entrance and contacting the staff.
